Basal Cell Carcinoma - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer in humans. BCC tumors typically appear on sun exposed skin, are slow growing, and rarely metastasize. The clinical presentation of this disease includes the nodular, cystic, pigmented, sclerosing and superficial types of BCC. Environmental factors are believed to predispose to this condition and include a prolonged and sustained exposure to sunlight, artificial ultraviolet light, ionizing radiation, arsenic exposure and a contaminated water source. Immunosuppression is also believed to be one of its causes. BCC is seen mostly in old age; and men are affected twice as often as women.

The conventional treatment of BCC consists of removal of the tumor using either surgery or local applications. This usually succeeds in eradicating the tumor. However, there is a 35% chance of developing another tumor within 3 years, and a 50% chance of developing another tumor within 5 years. Therefore, regular and periodic screening of patients is important. Ayurvedic treatment is recommended in patients with a documented recurrence, or in patients having large or deeply infiltrating tumors which have a higher chance of spreading to other parts of the body. In such situations, Ayurvedic treatment is aimed at treating the local tumor and preventing or controlling the spread of the tumor cells. Medicines like Triphala-Guggulu, Arogya-Vardhini, Chandraprabha-Vati, Gandhak-Rasayan and Sukshma-Triphala are given in high doses to help eradicate the local tumor. Local applications of medicated pastes can be made using medicines like Triphala (Three fruits), Trikatu (Three pungent herbs), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Haridra (Curcuma longa) and Yav-Kshar. Some physicians recommend localized blood-letting using leeches in order to achieve a faster therapeutic response.

In order to prevent the spread of the tumor cells to other parts of the body, medicines like Kachnaar-Guggulu, Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha, Saarivasav, Gokshuradi-Guggulu and Punarnavadi-Guggulu are used. Immuno-modulating therapy is used to help suppress the tumor and to destroy tumor cells present in the blood and lymph. This is done using medicines like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Suvarna-Malini-Vasant, Suvarna-Bhasma and Heerak-Bhasma.

Regular and prolonged follow-up is essential to ensure that the cancer has responded adequately to treatment, and also to rule out a recurrence of the condition. Patients and other people prone to BCC are advised to avoid possible potentiating factors like sun exposure, radiation and tanning beds. The regular use of protective clothing and the application of sunscreen are recommended prior to sun exposure.

Dr. A. A. Mundewadi is Chief Ayurvedic Physician at Mundewadi Ayurvedic Clinic based at Thane, Maharashtra, India. He is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com

The online clinic offers Ayurvedic treatment for all chronic and refractory health problems. Dr. A. A. Mundewadi uses high quality herbal extracts in tablet form, which are easy to take, effective and safe for long-term use.

Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, B.A.M.S., has clinical experience of 24 years and clinical research experience of 10 years. He has conducted extensive research in HIV infection, Schizophrenia and many other chronic diseases.

Psoriasis - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Psoriasis is a common, chronic and recurrent skin condition characterized by patches of itchy, scaly and inflamed skin called plaques. This is an autoimmune disease, where the body’s immune system malfunctions and works against itself. Widespread disease can not only cause physical discomfort, but also severe emotional and psychological disturbance. While currently there is no cure, phototherapy, local applications and oral medications are available which can control the symptoms.

Psoriasis is known as “Eka-Kushtha” in Ayurveda, and the plaques seen in this disease have been likened to the scales seen on the skin of fish. Ayurvedic medicines useful in the treatment of this disease are: Arogya Vardhini, Mahamanjishthadi Qadha, Mahatikta Ghrut, Panchtikta Ghrut Guggulu, Kamdudha, Saarivadyasava, and Khadirarishta.

For local application, Shata Dhout Ghrut, Mahamarichyadi oil and Neem-Karanj oil are used.

Herbal medicines like Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Khadir (Acacia catechu), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), and Jatamansi(Nardostachys jatamansi) are used to treat the skin and blood tissue, and to reduce stress.

Other medicines like Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and Bhrungraj (Eclipta alba) are used to treat the disturbed immune system of the body.

Some patients have psoriasis in combination with some other disease, e.g. arthritis. Both diseases need to be treated separately, and the patient may need some specialized treatment in addition.

For patients not responding satisfactorily to the above mentioned treatment or those having extensive plaques on the body, Panchkarma cleansing procedures like induced emesis, induced purgation, and periodical blood-letting are advised. Most patients benefit with continued, mild purgation using Triphala(Three fruits), Bahava (Cassia fistula), Gulabkali (Rosa centifolia), Sonamakhi (Argemone mexicana) and Aloe vera.

For the majority of patients with moderate to severe symptoms, several courses of Ayurvedic treatment may be needed to give significant relief. It is advisable to avoid excess salt, spices, meat products, fermented and refrigerated products, tobacco, alcohol, extremes of temperature, and stress. Regular counseling, relaxation techniques, and yogic pranayam (special breathing techniques) are also beneficial.

Dr. A. A. Mundewadi is Chief Ayurvedic Physician at Mundewadi Ayurvedic Clinic based at Thane, Maharashtra, India. He is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com

Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, B.A.M.S., has clinical experience of 22 years and clinical research experience of 9 years. He has published his findings of herbal treatment of HIV / AIDS in 55 patients in the Bombay Hospital Journal, Mumbai, India, July 2005 issue.

He has also successfully completed a clinical trial of herbal extract medicines in Schizophrenia compared to modern anti-psychotics, in 200 patients. He has also conducted preliminary studies of Ayurvedic herbal extracts in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder, Vascular Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, Mental Retardation, Tobacco and Alcohol Addiction, Age Related Macular Degeneration and different types of Cancer.

Burns Septicemia - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Burns cause a higher susceptibility to infection as compared to other forms of trauma, because of extensive skin barrier disruption, a higher proportion of moist and dead tissue, compromise of the immune system, prolonged hospitalization, and the need for invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. This causes a very high increase in morbidity and mortality; and is adequately represented by the fact that nearly 75% of all deaths following burns are related to infection. Modern treatment modalities include the adoption of strict aseptic precautions, appropriate intravenous fluid therapy and antibiotics.

In spite of taking adequate precautions, the death rate in burns patients continues to be very high. Ayurvedic treatment can be instituted in such patients as additional, supportive therapy in order to reduce the death rate, increase the chances of survival and reduce the duration of hospital treatment. Ayurvedic medicines can be given both internally as well as applied locally on the damaged skin tissue. Medicines like Sukshma-Triphala, Arogya-Vardhini, Chandraprabha-Vati, Triphala-Guggulu and Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu can be used to control infection and reduce the chances of septicemia or generalized infection. Medicines like Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha, Saarivasav, Gokshuradi-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Guggulu and Punarnavadi-Qadha are used to accelerate the healing of the skin and also to remove dead tissue through the blood circulation. This dead tissue generates toxins which can be harmful to important body organs like the liver, kidneys and lungs. These toxins create an inflammatory reaction in the body systems which can have a cascading effect and bring about multiple organ failure. Ayurvedic medicines are very useful in safely removing these toxins from the body.

Medicines like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Yashtimadhuk (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) are used to improve body immunity in order to fight infection, reduce inflammation, facilitate faster healing and prevent multiple organ failure. In addition, ointments made from medicines like Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Yashtimadhuk, Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Chandan (Santalum album), Kumari (Aloe Vera) and Triphala (Three fruits) are used to help the burn wounds heal faster and to prevent long term sequelae like hypertrophic scars and contractures.

Medicines like Panchamrut-Parpati, Kutaj-Parpati and Suvarna-Parpati are used to aid in the healing process and to prevent the formation of toxins in the gastro intestinal tract. Medicines like Yashtimadhuk, Pippali (Piper longum), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Kutki, Gokshur, Punarnava, Maha-Laxmi-Vilas-Ras and Hem-Garbha-Ras can be used to maintain body circulation at an optimum level and also preserve normal functioning of important organs like the lungs, heart, liver and kidneys.

Ayurvedic medicines can thus be judiciously used to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients hospitalized with severe burns. Medico legal issues like obtaining consent from the patient or relatives and obtaining permission from the hospital authorities need to be sorted out in order to give the patient the maximum advantage of modern supportive care and Ayurvedic treatment.

Dr. A. A. Mundewadi is Chief Ayurvedic Physician at Mundewadi Ayurvedic Clinic based at Thane, Maharashtra, India. He is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com. The online clinic offers Ayurvedic treatment for all chronic and refractory health problems. Dr. A. A. Mundewadi uses high quality herbal extracts in tablet form, which are easy to take, effective and safe for long-term use.

Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, B.A.M.S., has clinical experience of 25 years and clinical research experience of 12 years. He has conducted extensive research in HIV infection, Schizophrenia and many other chronic diseases.

Ayurvedic Beauty Care