How To Treat Uttana Vata Rakta (Scleroderma) In Ayurveda
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Uttana Vata Rakta (Scleroderma)
Ayurveda is an ancient medicinal system that originated in India more than 5000 years ago. Ayurveda aims to cure diseases naturally through herbal remedies, massages, dietary & lifestyle recommendations, yoga, and meditation.
Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease that involves the hardening and thickening of the skin and connective tissues. In scleroderma, cells start making collagen as if there were an injury that needs repairing. This extra collagen is deposited in the skin and organs, which causes hardening and thickening. Scleroderma affects the skin but sometimes affects other body parts also. In Ayurveda, Scleroderma comes under Uttana Vatarakta.
Symptoms Of Scleroderma
General symptoms of scleroderma are:
- Stiffness and tightness of fingers.
- Red spot on the hands.
- Swelling of the hands and feet.
- Calcium deposits in connective tissues.
- Weakness of muscles.
- Pain and stiffness in the joints.
- Joint contractures.
- Bloating.
- Diarrhea.
- Weight Loss.
- Hair Loss.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of Scleroderma are stiffness of fingers, pain, and stiffness of the joints, swelling of hands and feet, calcium deposits in connective tissues, weakness of muscles, joint contractures, bloating, diarrhea, hair loss, and weight loss.
Causes Of Scleroderma
Overproduction and accumulation of collagen in the body tissues is the main reason for the development of Scleroderma. Major causes for the development of Scleroderma are:
- Environmental factors
Environmental factors play an important role in the development of Scleroderma such as certain viral infections, medications, interactions with chemical or harmful substances at work, etc leads to the development of Scleroderma.
- Immune system disorders
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune illnesses arise when the body's immune system assaults its active tissues.
- Genetics
Genetics is another factor that leads to the development of Scleroderma. If any of your family members had Scleroderma, you may also have the chance to develop Scleroderma.
Environmental, genetic, and immunity disorders are the primary factors for the development of Scleroderma.
Herbal Remedies For Scleroderma
Herbs are the real reward of nature. Herbs are rich in medicinal properties, so most Ayurvedic medicines are manufactured from potent herbs and spices.
Here is a list of herbs that helps to treat Scleroderma easily:
- Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is the queen of herbs. The herb is rich in anti-inflammatory properties that help manage various body ailments. Ashwagandha is a powerful immune booster and helps to expel body toxins naturally. The herb pacifies aggravated Vata and Pitta dosha and improves mental and physical capabilities.
- Gotukola
Gotukola enhances blood circulation, pacifies Vata dosha, maintains a healthy metabolic rate, etc. The Gotukola herb improves general body health and helps to prevent Scleroderma from developing.
- Curcumin
Curcumin is rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Curcumin enables the body to fight various bacterial and viral infections, boost immunity, increase blood supply to joints, cure inflammations, etc.
- Gandhak
Gandhak is another powerful herb that prevents the development of Scleroderma. The herb is rich in antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Gandhak, Ashwagandha, Gotu kola, and Curcumin are potent herbs that can prevent the symptoms of Scleroderma naturally.
Dietary And Lifestyle Recommendations To Prevent Scleroderma Symptoms
Ayurveda recommends a balanced diet and lifestyle can do wonders in our health.
- Includes more fruits and vegetables in your diet.
- Avoid alcohol consumption.
- Avoid junk and refined foods.
- Ensure that you are drinking a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day.
- Practice a half-an-hour exercise regularly.
- Quit tobacco use.
- Consume small meals at frequent intervals.
- Avoid high-fiber foods.
- Protect your skin with herbal creams.
A proper diet and lifestyle changes can control the Scleroderma to an extent.
Ayurvedic Remedies To Control Scleroderma
Ayurveda aids in curing diseases naturally. Scleroderma can be effectively managed with Ayurveda through Shodhana and Shamana therapy.
1. Shodhana Therapy
Shodhana is a detoxification process in Ayurveda. Under this therapy, aggravated doshas from the body are eliminated and bring a balance between tridoshas such as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Shodhana therapy consists of three stages such as Purva karma, pradhan karma, and paschat karma.
- Purva Karma – Purva karma is known as the preparation phase. Snehana is a traditional Ayurvedic treatment that is usually performed before Panchakarma. In Ayurveda, Snehana is one of the 'Poorva karma' therapies. The goal of Snehana therapy is to get the body ready for Panchakarma treatment. Snehana therapy takes 3-7 days and includes both internal and exterior application of medicinal oil and ghee. Mahua, Sarson, Priyal, Bahera, Til, Erand, Karanj, or animal-derived compounds such as milk, ghee, meat, fat, and bone tissue are some of the snehana dravyas (substances) employed in this therapy. There are two types of snehana therapy
abhyantara snehana (internal oleation) and bahya snehana (external oleation) ( external oleation). Both abhyantara snehana and bahya snehana work to rid the body of toxins.
- Pradhana Karma – Pradhana karma is also known as Panchakarma treatment that includes Vamana, Virechana, Vasti, Nasya Karma, and Raktamokshana. We can have a deeper look at them.
- Vamana therapy
Vamana therapy consists of eliminating doshas through the upper channel. Vamana therapy is effective to treat aggravated Kapha dosha. This therapy helps to expel ama(toxins) mainly from the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. The best time to practice Vamana therapy is the spring season. Vamana is effective in managing a cold, headache, sinusitis, cough, etc. .
- Virechana
Virechana is medicated purgation therapy that helps to eliminate excess pitta dosha. Virechana helps to eliminate toxins accumulated in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and gallbladder. Under this procedure, the toxins are eliminated through the rectum. Virechana helps to purify the blood also.
- Vasti
Vasti is considered a medicated enema. Vasti can be of two types; Asthapana Vasti and Anuvasana Vasti. Vasti is very useful in the treatment of arthritis and neurological disorders. .
- Nasya
Nasya is the procedure of administering medicated oil through the nostrils. Nasya helps reduce diseases such as nasal congestion, allergies, sinusitis, headaches, migraine, rhinitis, and other nasal infections. .
- Raktamokshana
Raktamokshana is known as bloodletting, and this is the fifth procedure of Panchakarma. It is the process of purifying blood by eliminating accumulated toxins in the blood. Some special surgical instruments are used for the treatment. .
- Paschat Karma – Paschat karma is the stage of post-purification therapies. During Paschat Karma help to restore the tridosha balance and rejuvenate your body by practicing yoga, meditation, abhyanga, diet and lifestyle management, intake of herbal supplements, and pranayama. You may feel more energized after this therapy. .
2. Shamana Therapy
Shamana therapy normalizes doshas in the body rather than expelling them from the body. Shamana therapy is usually practiced during the winter season because of high toxic build-up during this season. Shamana therapy can be practiced both internally and externally.
- External Shamana therapy
Shamana can be an external treatment (Bahya samshamana) like application of herbal pastes, showering/ sprinkling with medicinal liquids, tub bath in medicinal liquids, herbal oil massage, oil pooling over the head, oral rinsing, gargling, oil pulling, etc. .
- Internal Shamana therapy
It can also be mild internal treatment (Aabhyantara samshamana) like medicines that digest toxins, fat scraping procedures, aphrodisiacs, antitoxins to nullify poisons, immune modulation, bulk promoting treatments, etc.
Ayurveda recommends Shodhana and Shamana therapy to treat Scleroderma naturally.
Conclusion
All the information related to Scleroderma was obtained from ancient Ayurvedic resources. Kindly consult an Ayurvedic practitioner before starting self-medication.
Reference
- Charaka Samhita.
- Susrutha Samhita.
