Management of Atopic dermatitis with AYUSH treatment methods

By Avishek Majumder on March 1, 2019
Image by Angelo Rosa from Pixabay

Atopic dermatitis is a common type of skin allergy and is also called eczema. Conversely, dermatitis being infectious and non-infectious remain related to:

  • asthmatic allergies,
  • hay fever,
  • food and drug-based allergic reaction.

In addition, atopic dermatitis also lead to co-morbid cases of eye related problems and blood-related problems. Nevertheless, in severe cases, atopic dermatitis may become life-threatening (Pagliarello et al., 2017). According to a study by, Sehgal et al., (2015) prevalence in children varied from 0.7% to 26%, whereas, adults comprised of 1% to 3% in 2013. Not to mention, the prevalence has evidently increased as reported by Kanwar and De, (2011) whereby 0.01% (3 out of 2100) children had atopic dermatitis in 2011. Regardless of the rising cases, effective management of atopic dermatitis is possible using AYUSH (Bagchi et al., 2018).

Management of atopic dermititis using Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, ‘Charmadala’ or ‘Vicharchika’ is used to indicate eczema or dermatitis under the category of ‘Kushta’ or skin disorders (Chethan, Soumya, & Anjana, 2017). Furthermore, the symptoms that Ayurveda considers in the treatment of eczema are;

  • ‘Kandu’ (itching),
  • ‘Rakta varnata of twak’ (reddish discolouration of the skin),
  • ‘Charma avadarana’ (peeling of skin) and
  • ‘twak rookshata’ (dryness).

According to Ayurveda, aggravated ‘Pitta dosha’ from external allergens cause a reaction to the skin leading to atopic dermatitis. It is also implicated in ayurvedic treatment methods to include oral drug consumption, medicated oils for massage, ‘Bashpa Swedana’ or sudation therapy, ‘Virechana’ or purgation and dietary plans.

On the other hand, Sudation therapy includes induced sweating with or without the use of heat from steam, ‘pinda’ or herb and/or ‘valuka’ or sand. Whereas, purgation therapy in Ayurveda is based on expelling toxic congestions and heat through the anal passage accumulated in the liver and gall bladder.

Medication/treatment name Common name/Scientific name Commercial name References
Amapachana, Shamana sneha, Kutajasoorypaka taila, Amritadi Ghrita Zingiber officinale, Tinospora cordifolia, Wrightia tinctoria, Cocos nucifera.Gavyamrut Amritadi Ghrit Anagha, Mythrey, & Gajanana (2013)
Arogyavardhini vati, Panchatiktaka guggulu ghrita, Panchakala phanta, Panchatikta giggulu, Narichandi taila, Rice gruel, Trivrutta leha.Zingiber officinale, Azadirachta indica, Trichosanthes dioica, Tinospora cordifolia, Adhatoda vasica, Solanum xanthocarpum, Cyclea peltata, Embelia ribes, Cedrus deodara, Scindapsus officinalis, Curcuma longa, Anethum graveolens, Piper chaba, Zanthoxylum armatum, Piper nigrum, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Rubia cordifolia, Terminalia sp., Emblica officinalis, Trachyspermum ammi.Planet Ayurveda Arogayavardhni Vati, Vyas Divya Rasayan Vati, Kerala Ayurveda Thrivruth Lehyam.Hegde et al., (2010)
Parisheka (Avipattikara churna, Gandhaka Rasayana, Karappan tablet, Mahamanjisthadi Kadha)Pongamia pinnata Pierre, Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Baidyanath Avipattikar Churna, Tansukh Gandhak Rasayan, Nagarjun Mahamanjisthadi Kashaya.Chethan, Soumya, & Anjana, (2017)

Management of atopic dermatitis with Unani

In Unani, eczema/atopic dermatitis is known as ‘Nar-E-Farsi’ (Nasir et al., 2016). Nar-e-Farsi (eczema) is the production of an excess quantity of abnormal ‘Safra’ or Yellow bile mixed with abnormal ‘Sauda’ and ‘Sauda-e-Muhtariqa’ or Black Bile. Therefore, according to Unani the method of removal of harmful material from the body should be carried out. Moreover, according to Nasir et al., (2016) the system focuses on treatment to improve;

  • Quwwat-e-Jazeba (power of absorption);
  • Quwwat-e-Masika (retentive power);
  • Quwwat-e-Mughaiyirah wa Mushabbeha (transformative faculty) and
  • Quwwat-e-Dafia (expulsive power).

According to Unani, eczema is caused by:

  • the accumulation of toxins,
  • indigestion,
  • bad food consumption,
  • infection and,
  • drug reaction.

The following list presents the list of various Unani methods to treat eczema.

Medication name Unani name Common/Scientific name Commercial name Reference
Qurs Musaffi Khoon, Majoon Ushba, Sharbat Musaffi Murakkab, Sharbat Unnab, Sharbat Nilofer, Arq-eShahatra, Arq-e-Mundi.Shahtra, Chiraita, Sarphoka, Gul-e-mundi, Unnab.Fumaria indica Pugsley, Swertia chirayita Roxb, Tephrosia purpurea Linn, Sphaeranthus indicus Linn, Ziziphus jujuba Mill.Rex Araq-E-Musaffi-E-Khoon Qawi, Hamdard Habbe Musaffi Khoon, Hamdard Majun Ushba, Hamdard Sharbat Murakkab Musaffi Khoon. Nasir et al., (2016)
Imalae Mawad, Tanqiya-e-Muwad.NAOlea europea Linn, Lawsonia innermis Linn, and Nigella sativa Linn, Olive oil.NANawab etal., 2008)

Management of atopic dermatitis with Homoeopathy

As homoeopathy follows the ‘theory of similar’ for treatments, in the case of eczema, the compounds that are responsible for aggravating skin infections in unaffected people are prescribed (Parveen, 2016). However, homoeopathy treatment for eczema depends on the type of mental and physical symptoms using a miasmatic analysis.

The following is a list of different compounds used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis by homoeopathy.

Compounds used Commercial name References
Calcium carbonicum, Tuberculinum, and Medorrhinum Dr Willmar Schwabe India Anagallis Arvensis Dilution, Haslab Drox 9 Eczemol Drop, Allen A11 Eczema Drop. Witt, Lüdtke, & Willich, (2009)
Causticum and Graphites Lords L 120 Eczema Drop, Dr. Reckeweg R23 Eczema Drop. Parveen, (2016)
Aurum metallicum, Lachesis SBL Sulphur Ointment, New Life Eczederm Drop. Nwabudike, (2012)

Management of atopic dermatitis with Siddha

Siddha uses the term ‘Karappan’ for eczema or atopic dermatitis (Pavithra et al., 2018). Atopic dermatitis in children is known as ‘Bala Karappan’ (Shanmuga, 2017). Subsequently, according to the Siddha system, eczema is the inflamed skin condition due to various internal bodily triggers and external triggers. ‘Karappan Pandangal’ or consumption of food items, allergens, and physiological issues leads to ‘Karappan’ (Shanmuga, 2017).

Medication name Common/Scientific name Commercial name References
Amukkara chooranam, Vellerugu chooranam, Karudankilangu chooranam, Palladhagi, Meganatha thayilam, Gowri sinthamani chendooram, Amurthathi kuligai, Nandhi mai, Thaambira chendooram, Karungoli chooranam, Sivappu yennai, Karungungiliya chooranam, Karappan thayilam.Honey, Palm jiggery, Milk, Bambusa arundinacea, Andrographis paniculata, Tinospora cordifolia, Cuminum cyminum, Acorus calamus, Embelia ribes, Hemidesmus indicus, Wrightia tinctoria, Rubia cordifolia.Tansukh Trikatu Churna, Kerala Ayurveda Winsoria Oil, Kerala Ayurveda Histantin Tablet.Pavithra et al., (2018)

References

  • Anagha, DN., Mythrey, RC., & Gajanana H. (2013). Clinical study on the efficacy of Amritadi Ghrita and Kutaja Sooryapaka Taila in the management of Vicharchika vis-à-vis Eczema. Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 4(6), 820-824.
  • Bagchi, S., Nayak, C., Rutten, L., Koley, M., Saha, S., Roy, M., … & Mir, A. A. (2018). Assessment of likelihood ratio for four contact dermatitis symptoms of Vinca minor. Homeopathy, 107(03), 209-217.
  • Chethan, VK., Soumya, & P., Anjana, R. (2017). Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine. 3(2), 57-59, http://www.ayurvedjournal.com/JAHM_201732_02.pdf.
  • Hegde, P., Hemanth, D. T., Emmi, S. V., Shilpa, M. P., Shindhe, P. S., & Santosh, Y. M. (2010). A case discussion on eczema. International journal of Ayurveda research, 1(4), 268.
  • Kanwar, A. J., & De, D. (2011). Epidemiology and clinical features of atopic dermatitis in India. Indian journal of dermatology, 56(5), 471.
  • Nasir, A., Siddiqui, M. A., Ahmad, M. A., & Fatma, G. (2016). Descriptions and management of eczema (Nar-e-farsi) in modern and Unani medicine. Int J Adv Pharmacy Med Bioallied Sci. 4(1), 1-5.
  • Nawab, M., Mannan, A., & Siddiqui, M. (2008). Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of Unani formulation on eczema. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 7(2), 341-344.
  • Nwabudike, L. C. (2012). Atopic dermatitis and homeopathy. Our Dermatol Online, 3(3), 217-220.
  • Pagliarello, C., Scrivani, S., Fabrizi, G., Feliciani, C., & Di Nuzzo, S. (2017). An under‐recognized, life‐threatening complication of atopic dermatitis. Clinical and experimental dermatology, 42(7), 831-832.
  • Parveen, S. (2016). Homoeopathic treatment in a case of co-morbid atopic dermatitis and depressive disorder. Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy, 10(1), 75-75.
  • Pavithra, S., Naga Lakshmi, M., Nandhini, M., Gnanavel, I. S. (2018). Literature review on the Siddha treatment for Karappan (Eczema). Int. J. Curr. Res. Biol. Med. 3(8), 1-5, DOI: 10.22192/ijcrbm.2018.03.08.001.
  • Sehgal, V. N., Khurana, A., Mendiratta, V., Saxena, D., Srivastava, G., & Aggarwal, A. K. (2015). Atopic dermatitis; etio-pathogenesis, an overview. Indian journal of dermatology, 60(4), 327.
  • Shanmuga P.C. (2017). Bala Karappan (Atopic Dermatitis) In Children With The Evaluation Of Siddha Trial Drug Poovarasu Nei (Internal). Dissertation submitted to The Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University. Available at: http://repository-tnmgrmu.ac.in/9611/1/320401517bharathi_sri.pdf.
  • Witt, C. M., Lüdtke, R., & Willich, S. N. (2009). Homeopathic treatment of children with atopic eczema: a prospective observational study with two years follow-up. Acta dermato-venereologica, 89(2), 182-183.

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