Ayurvedic management of systemic sclerosis - A case report

Abstract

Scleroderma, an autoimmune connective tissue disorder, leads to skin and tissue thickening. In this autoimmune disease condition, the defense mechanism works against the body itself and mistakenly attacks normal cells. Ayurveda links it to vatarakta, initially affecting tvak, rakta, and mamsa. Vata is primarily involved, but as the disease progresses, all doshas and dhatu get involved.

A 45-year-old woman presented with skin hardening, skin depigmentation all over her body, limb stiffness, weakness, arthralgia, anorexia, constipation and burning in the chest region for the last three years.

She was diagnosed with diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc) but as per Ayurveda we can correlate with aamvata and vatarakta based on her lakshanas(symptoms).

Ayurvedic treatment commenced with vardhamana pippali(Piper longum)rasayan, svedana karma, and virechan karma, followed by basti(enema) chikitsa (pathyadi kvath niruh basti) and oral ayurvedic medication viz., Manjisthadi kvatha, kaishora guggulu, Jatamansi(Nardostachys Jatamansi) churna, mishreya(Foeniculum vulgare) arka, dashang churna with water for local application and daily shamanarth panchtikta ghrit.

After 8 weeks, depigmentation was reduced, new hair growth emerged, mild skin softening occured, chest burning, anorexia, sleeplessness was decreased and enhanced mental well-being.

The treatment aimed to balance vitiated doshas and dhatu while alleviating symptoms, and enhancing overall well-being, demonstrating the efficacy of the holistic approach in managing scleroderma through Ayurveda.

Auto-immune disorder, scleroderma, chronic complications, skin tightness, salt pepper depigmentation, sclerodactyly.