Ayurveda – The Perfect Treatment For Scleroderma

By Author: Susan P. Temme
Total Articles: 2
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Ayurveda is an ancient medical science that has been widely practiced in India and several other Asian countries for numerous centuries. It is easy to dismiss Ayurvedic treatments are archaic and ineffectual but the truth is, Ayurveda works wonders on diseases which modern medical science (allopathy) is unable to explain. Such is the case with scleroderma.

What is scleroderma?

Scleroderma happens to be an autoimmune disease that affects the connective tissue of the body. In autoimmune diseases, the illness forces the immune system of the body to attack its own tissues. The actual cause of scleroderma is not recognized but it is believed to be connected to environmental and genetic factors. The occurrence of the disorder is more common in females. Based on the location and degree of affected skin, it is possible to classify scleroderma into two broad groups – limited and diffuse. The latter type, commonly referred to as systemic sclerosis in medical terms, happens to be more widespread throughout the body and even causes harm to the internal organs.

Focus of Ayurvedic Treatment

The Ayurvedic treatment for scleroderma ...
... as well as the treatment for systemic sclerosis tends to focus mainly on the regulation of the body’s immune system through the use of natural medicines, such as Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Pippali (Piper longum), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata), and Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia).
The hallmark of scleroderma is scar formation (fibrosis) and so the next step of the treatment is based on the principle of reversal or reduction of fibrosis from various parts of the body. The most effective herbal medicines in this stage of treatment include Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Rasayan Vati, Arogya Vardhini, Punarnavadi Guggulu and Gokshuradi Guggulu.

Additional Area-specific Treatment

Patients suffering from scleroderma need to be treated for any particular form of system, organ or tissue involvement they are experiencing. If the disease mainly impacts the skin, it leads to itching, swelling, pain and redness. In time, scleroderma may cause hardening of the skin and limit its movement. The symptoms can be cured with the aid of local medicines and ointments created from Guduchi, Kaishor Guggyly, Yashtimadhuk, Arogya Vardhini and Gokshur. If the patient experiences acid reflux in the food pipe due to scleroderma, it is best to take precautionary measures and use herbal tinctures made from Kamdudha Vati, Shankh Bhasma and Laghu Sutshekhar. On the other hand, Saariva, Tapyadi Loha and Manjishtha are great for dealing with Reynaud’s phenomenon and telangiectasias, both of which happen to be outcomes of scleroderma.

Medical science is still grappling with various unanswered questions regarding scleroderma. The traditional form of treatment of the disease concentrates on reducing the individual features that cause discomfort and damage to the patient. Ayurveda can be extremely potent in terms of reversing the basic pathology and enhancing the overall outlook of the illness.