Rathod and Joshi, 1:12

http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/scientificreports.578

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Scleroderma (Vata Rakta) with Ayurvedic Treatment Approach

Rathod MR1* and Joshi RK2
1
PhD Scholar, P.G. Department of Kayachikitsa, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
2
Associate Professor, P.G. Department of Kayachikitsa, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

A 28 year old female presented with tightness, roughness, hardness, was diagnosed as Scleroderma and in Ayurvedic point of view it is
hyper pigmentation of skin, fingers, toes that turns into blue, hair loss, considered as Vatarakta and treated accordingly.
skin abnormally light, stiffness and tightness of fingers, hands and fore Treatment was given after long term failure of treatment, patient
arm, sores (ulcers) on finger tips, tight and mask like skin of the face. wass fed up with financial burden and progression of the disease and
Multiple joint pain and stiffness of the joints, breathlessness, occasional finally approached to Ayurvedic medicine (Table 1).
cough and wheezing, constipation, difficulty in swallowing, esophageal
reflux, degenerative changes in fingers, all these symptoms are started at Shodhana Therapy
15 years of age. All above said symptoms are progressive in nature and This whole course of the treatment is done in last 4 months with
in this period patient consulted many physicians, dermatologist and small changes in medicine. There is permutation and combination of
many other specialty clinics but did not found relief in the disease. On the drugs has been changed according to response of the disease and
the basis of signs and symptoms patient were diagnosed as Scleroderma response to the drugs (Figure 2).
and Vatarakta according to Ayurvedic view. Since last few months she
had been taking continuous Ayurvedic medicine and found good relief Talakeshwara Rasa 250 mg
in above said symptoms. Astamurty Rasayana 250 mg
General Examination 1 Shudha gandhaka 500 mg
Pittantaka yoga 250 mg
Pallor-present, icterus-absent, cynosis-localized cynosis present
Triphala vati 2/2
in distal part of the fingers, Clubbing–present, Lymhphadenopathy–
1X2 matra
non palpable, Edema-absent. BP-during the course of hospitalization
Manjistadi Kwatha 20 ml BD
fluctuation of blood pressure was observed; most of the time normal
Kahdirarista 20 ml BD
blood pressure observed. Pulse-regular and thready in nature.
Kaishora Guggulu 2/2/2
2
Systemic Examination Arjuna Twaka 2/2
CVS-no abnormality detected in cardiovascular system, RS- Pushkaara Mula 250 mg
tightness of the skin was observed over chest, basal crepitation, ronchi Godanti 500 mg
were heard. P/A- soft, non-tender, mild hepato-spleenomagally were 1X2 matra
palpated. CNS- higher mental functions were intact and no abnormality 3 Pancha Tikta Ghrita – 20 ml BD
was detected. 4 Neem Taila + Tuvaraka Taila for Local application
5 Gojiwhadi Kwatha 20 ml BD
Local examination of the skin reveals that rough, hard and
6 Gudichyadi Kwatha 20 ml BD
tightness of the skin and patient is unable to open the mouth fully; only
two fingers could be inserted in the mouth (fish type of mouth). Bluish Table 1: SHAMANA Therapy.

and blackish discolouration of the skin was observed and degenerative

changes in the skin were observed. Raynaud’s phenomenon is positive
and intermittent cloudication was also present.
USG reveals that Mild hepatospleenomegaly, chest X-ray shows-
mild increase vassicular markings, mild non homogenous opacity
in both lower lobes. Cardiac borders were intact. ECG-WNL,
Hematological reports reveal that Hb% around 9 gm%, ESR 20 mm/1
hour. TC, DC and other hematological parameters were normal, renal
parameters and blood sugar also within normal limits (Figure 1).
On the basis of signs and symptoms of the condition this disease
Figure 2: Course of Vamana Krama fallowed by Virechana Karma.

*Corresponding author: Dr. Rathod MR, PhD Scholar, P.G. Department of

Kayachikitsa, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India; E-mail:
mannsrathod@gmail.com

Received November 07, 2012; Published December 31, 2012

Citation: Rathod MR, Joshi RK (2012) Scleroderma (Vata Rakta) with Ayurvedic
Treatment Approach. 1:578 doi:10.4172/scientificreports.578

Copyright: © 2012 Rathod MR, et al. This is an open-access article distributed

Picture shows that- Mask like facies, absence of skin wrinkling
under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
Figure 1: Before Treatment Pictures. unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the
original author and source are credited.

Volume 1 • Issue 12 • 2012

Citation: Rathod MR, Joshi RK (2012) Scleroderma (Vata Rakta) with Ayurvedic Treatment Approach. 1:578 doi:10.4172/scientificreports.578
Improvement
There is softness and glow of the skin changed, found improvement
in breathing difficulty, swallowing, found good improvement in black
colored patches over hand and chest. Improved in digestion of food,
evacuation of Bowel and Quality of health.
Discussion
Progressive systemic sclerosis is a multisystem disorder of unknown
etiology affecting skin, CVS, GI tract, kidneys, musculo-skeletal system
and lung. As such patient is poor, not affordable to do anti nuclear
antibody test as it is a diagnostic criteria for scleroderma but on the
basis of signs and symptoms this is diagnosed was scleroderma and
Vatarakata.
The disease Scleroderma is not curable as we know all but we can
improve the life span of the patient and quality of life. Here some of
the preparation selected on the basis of involvement of dosha, dhatu
of the disease. Talakeshwara Rasa is having anti microbial activity,
Volume 1 • Issue 12 • 2012
Page 2 of 2
Sarvakustahara, shows good effect on gram negative and gram
positive bacteria. Purified Sulphur (Shudha Gandhaka) is an excellent
rejuvenator. It is effective in treating liver disorders and various skin
diseases. By nature, it is digestive and carminative. It is an excellent
remedy to flush out the toxins from the body. It is also helpful in
curing intestinal worms and enlargement of spleen. Triphala is a well
known medicine for GIT as well as skin disorder. Keeping in mind
that all the Shamana oushadhi which are helpful for GIT, Respiratory
System, CVS, Skin and Musculoskeltal system. Course of Vamana and
Veerechana also showed a very good effect on the disease. Pigmentation
of the skin, GIT symptoms like constipation, loss appetite, flatulence
etc. were improved. In breathing difficulty also patient found relief,
even connective tissue symptoms like joint pain, stiffness of joints and
discoloration of joints were found to be relieved. No progression of the
symptoms were seen during the course of the treatment now also she is
on oral medication and patient on regular follow up and satisfied with
the treatment since 2 years.