Ayurvedic Approaches And Treatment To Cure Chickenpox

Introduction

Chickenpox is the primary infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is an acute, highly infectious disease most commonly seen in children under 10 years old. Chickenpox is usually a mild, self-limiting illness and most healthy children recover with no complications.

It presents as an itchy blister-like rash that is initially visible on the back, chest, and face, and further spreads over the entire body.

Ayurvedic View On Chicken Pox

As per Ayurveda, chickenpox is referred to as Laghu Masurika. Laghu means smaller or milder, thus chickenpox is a milder version of the more deadly Masurika (Smallpox). It includes Taamra (coppery) and Sapeeta (slightly yellow) Sphota (vesicles) on the body. The symptoms are also accompanied by daah (burning), jwara (fever), ruja (pain) and specifically appear on the body, face, and oral cavity.

In Ayurveda according to Madhava Nidana, ChickenPox (Masurika/LaghuMasurika) is caused by Grahadosha as well as by vitiation of Tridoshas i.e. Vata, Pitta, Kapha and also by consuming excessive sour, salty, bitter food items & Viruddha Ahara Sevan (eg. Milk with fish, etc.).

Based on the dosha involved, the five main types of chickenpox are

• Vataja (caused by vitiated Vata).
• Pittaja (caused by vitiated pitta).
• Sannipataja (caused by vitiation of all three doshas).
• Kaphaja (caused by vitiated Kapha).
• Raktaja (caused by vitiated Rakta Dhatu).

Symptoms Of Chickenpox (Laghu Masurika)

Some of the symptoms that are commonly seen in patient’s body are

• A rash that usually begins on the body and face and later, often spreads to the scalp and limbs.
• It may also spread to the mucous membranes especially in the mouth and on the genitals.
• The rash is often itchy.
• It begins as small red spots which develop into blisters in a couple of hours.
• After one or two days, the blisters turn into scabs.
• New blisters may appear after 3-6 days.
• The number of blisters differs greatly from one person to another.
• The infected person may run a temperature.

These symptoms are mild in young children. Chickenpox lasts 7-10 days in children and longer in adults. Adults can feel very ill and take longer to recover. They are also more likely than children to suffer complications.

Causes Of Chickenpox (Laghu Masurika)

Chickenpox is caused by a virus called varicella-zoster. Chickenpox spreads from an infected person to your children by direct contact or by droplets expelled while coughing, sneezing, and breathing into the air. In Ayurvedic terms, Laghu Masurika, or chickenpox is caused by the vitiation of all the 3 doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Ayurvedic Treatment For Chickenpox

Some of the Ayurvedic Treatments beneficial for Chicken Pox are mentioned below.

• Vamana

  Vamana is one of the five therapies of Panchakarma in Ayurveda. Vamanameans therapeutic vomiting which is a medicated emesis. Vamana therapy aims at eliminating toxins and vitiated doshas (especially excess pitta and Kapha) from the body by inducing vomiting. Oleation therapy and sudation therapy are typically performed before Vamana. Vamana therapy is indicated for all types of masurika other than pittaja masurika. Vasa (Malabar nut), Yashtimadhu, Nimba, patola (pointed gourd), and other herbs are used for Vamana therapy in people with chickenpox.

• Lepas

  Lepas are medicinal plasters that are used to achieve relief from inflammatory swellings. These plasters are applied in the opposite direction to hair and are removed once dried. A Lepa is prepared by mixing herbs with water or another medium to achieve a semi-solid paste-like consistency.

Types Of Ayurvedic Treatments

There are 3 types of Lepa used in Ayurvedic treatments.

• Pralepa

  It is a thin and cold paste with absorbing or non-absorbing properties to restore deranged pitta.

• Alepa

  They are not too thin or thick, these pastes are useful for ulcer treatment.

• Pradhena

  A thick or thin paste to restore vitiated Kapha and Vata.

• Manahshiladi Lepa, Karanjbijadi Lepa, Eladi Lepa, and Karviradi Lepa are useful in treating chickenpox.
• Another external application, a body lotion prepared using Brahmi (Water hyssop), Gul Heena (mignonette tree), and neem can be applied and gently massaged on the entire body to treat chickenpox. .
• Brahmi and Gul Heena provide a cool, anti-itching, moisturizing, and skin-nurturing effect, whereas neem acts as a blood purifier.

According to Ayurveda, chickenpox or Laghu Masurika is caused due to the vitiation of Tridoshas (three doshas). Panchakarma methods of Vamana (medical emesis) along with the external applications of Lepa (coating the affected body part with medications) using herbs like Nimba (neem) are used for the treatment of chickenpox.

How To Prevent Chickenpox

The best way to prevent chickenpox is to get the chickenpox vaccine. Everyone – including children, adolescents, and adults – should get two doses of the chickenpox vaccine if they have never had chickenpox or were never vaccinated.

The chickenpox vaccine is very safe and effective at preventing the disease. Most people who get the vaccine will not get chickenpox. If a vaccinated person does get chickenpox, the symptoms are usually milder with fewer or no blisters and mild or no fever.

Natural Home Remedies For Chicken Pox

• Make an herbal tea by steeping tulsi, chamomile, and calendula in hot water. When the water has cooled to drinking temperature, add a twist of lemon and a teaspoon of honey. Drink twice or thrice a day for quick recovery from chickenpox.
• Add oatmeal to the patient’s bathwater to calm inflammation and soothe the skin from itching.
• Applying sandalwood paste to the breakouts can help cool the skin.
• Being antibacterial, honey is also a potent herbal medicine for chickenpox. Honey is an emollient so it can be applied to the blisters in the mouth as a great way to reduce burning and itching.
• Neem is considered one of the best natural treatments for chickenpox. Boil neem leaves in water to bathe the patient. Being highly antibacterial and astringent, this bitter herb can pacify itching and eruptions that are faced by the sufferers. Consuming neem juice or chewing on neem leaves is also very helpful during this time.
• A cooling mud mask applied to the abdomen and chest twice a day can help bring down the feeling of feverishness and itching.

Ayurvedic Home Remedies For Children

• Trim the nails of your children and prevent them from scratching the rashes.
• Give light and easily digestible food like softly cooked rice, gruel, porridge, barley water, moong dal soup, etc. Avoid spicy and oily foods.
• Avoid sending them to school or outside.
• Let them wear light, loose cotton clothes. Wash the clothes well with an antiseptic solution.
• Boil dry ginger powder, coriander seeds, musta, Tulsi in water and give it for drinking few sips every one hour.
• To reduce itching you can give Haridra khanda with lukewarm water twice a day.
• Sudarshana Churna, Guduchi will help in managing fever.

Ayurvedic Herbs For Chickenpox

• Haridra

  Haridra has antibacterial and antibiotic properties that make it useful for the treatment of many skin conditions including psoriasis and chickenpox. It is known as a natural bruise and wound healer. The bioactive properties of Haridra help improve the digestive flora, metabolism and are effective in treating inflammatory conditions.

• Yashtimadhu

  This herb has natural healing and blood-purifying properties that make it useful for people with chickenpox. Yashtimadhu is a bittersweet herb that acts on the nervous, digestive, excretory, and respiratory systems. It is beneficial in the treatment of Vata disorders, colds, inflammatory conditions, ulcers, sore throat, and pain. We can take Yashtimadhu in the form of a decoction, powder with ghee (clarified butter), milk decoction, etc.

• Guduchi

  Guduchi is a bitter-tasting herb that helps to improve the overall health of those diagnosed with chickenpox and also improves immunity levels in all three doshas. Guduchi also has blood-purifying properties. It is useful in the treatment of piles, dysentery, fevers, indigestion, pitta conditions, and gout. You can take Guduchi in the form of a powder, extract, or as per your physician’s direction.

• Manjishtha

  Manjishtha is a pungent-tasting herb that is known as the best herb for blood purification. Manjishtha improves blood circulation, controls bleeding, and mends broken bones. It cleanses and regulates the function of body organs and helps treat many conditions such as hepatitis, chickenpox, diarrhea, paralysis, rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, etc. It is better to take Manjistha in the form of a powder with ghee, decoction and, paste.

• Nimba(Neem)

  Nimba is a bitter-tasting astringent herb, that has antiviral and disinfectant properties that make it useful for treating many health conditions including chickenpox. Neem leaves can help in fighting the varicella-zoster virus due to their antiviral properties. Consuming a mild tea made by steeping neem leaves in hot water may help in chickenpox. The patient can soak neem leaves in their bathing water. This will help relieve itching and soothe the skin. .

Dietary And Lifestyle Changes For Chickenpox Patient As Per Ayurveda

Do’s

• Use sterile clothes and objects.
• Trim your nails to prevent damage from scratching. .
• Eat a nutritious diet. First of all, a home-cooked meal is essential. Also eat foods like wheat, fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, milk, plenty of water, buttermilk, sprouts some herbs like turmeric and garlic (as they boost immunity).

Dont’s

• Avoid contact with someone who has chickenpox as it is a contagious disease that spreads through the air and on coming in direct contact.
• Spicy, salty, acidic, and crunchy foods should be avoided.

Herbs like Yashtimadhu (Mulethi), Guduchi, Haridra (turmeric), and Manjishtha (Indian madder) are given as blood-purifying agents to clear the infection from the body. Isolating the affected individual, maintaining a clean environment, and using sterile clothes and objects also improve recovery and prevent the spread of chickenpox.

Conclusion

All the information is collected from various Ayurvedic books and always consults an Ayurvedic practitioner before starting any herbal medicines for treating and managing a person suffering from Chicken Pox.