Management of Bullous Pemphigoid in Ayurveda with Herbal Remedies

Abstract

Advancing age, deposition of more and more toxins in the body makes the body and its cells vulnerable for many auto-immune conditions. Normally the body’s immune system works as the defence mechanism for the various infectious and other pathogens. But the toxins or free radicals, when accumulated in larger quantity start affecting the normal metabolism of the body’s cells (here the cells of the immune system), In Ayurveda, these endotoxins are termed as ama, and are considered as the sole reason for the most of the diseases of body. Therefore the affected immune cells (under the influence of these endotoxins) fail to recognize the body's own healthy cells and start disturbing their normal metabolism also and are responsible for the production of auto-immune diseases. In this article we are going to discuss one of such auto-immune disease Bullous Pemphigoid along with its best Ayurvedic management.   

Introduction

Bullous Pemphigoid is a rare auto-immune skin disease that preferentially affect older people, mostly over 60 years of age, and the disease is characterised by formation of bullae (blister) in the space between the skin layers i.e. between epidermis and dermis. Also, it is a type of pemphigoid disorder which refers to a group of auto-immune disease consisting of blisters in mucous membrane and skin. Further, this disease is classified as hypersensitivity type 2 reactions, with the formation of hemidesmosome antibodies.

Sign And Symptoms

The clinical manifestation of the Bullous Pemphigoid in initial stages include hive-like lesions with pruritus but it could also appear as targetoid, dermatitic, lichenoid, nodular or without rash. The tense bullae eventually erupt at any part of the skin surface essentially at inner thighs, trunk, extremities and upper arms. In minority cases, lesions may be presented at oral mucosa. The presence of large blisters or hives like rashes is the main feature of Bullous Pemphigoid along with the pruritus and pain in the affected part.

Causes

This disease is presented with an unknown etiology, no clear etiological factors of the disease is evident, but the potential precipitating factors of bullous pemphigoid include overexposure to radiation therapy or ultraviolet light. Other risk factors may include certain modern medicaments e.g. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, furosemide, DPP-4 inhibitors, captoprils and antibiotics. These all on long term use can create an auto-immune condition that is initiated by the production of IgG auto-antibodies against bullous pemphigoid antigen (dystonin- a component of hemidesmosomes).

DIAGNOSIS

The criteria for diagnosing this condition includes at least 2  positive results out of the following three features

1. Predominance of skin blisters.
2. Positive epidermal side staining on serum sample by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy.
3. Skin biopsy suggestive of linear igG or C3c deposit by direct immunofluorescence microscopy.

TREATMENT of Bullous Pemphigoid

Treatment of this disease includes use of halobetasol, clobetasol like topical steroids which on long term use have drastic hazardous effects on the skin cells. And this tropical method is supported by use of oral prednisone (steroid), or immunosuppressant medications such as azathioprine, methotrexate etc. These medications make the whole immune system low and make the body prone for several diseases and have life-threatening side effects on multiple systems of the body.

Planet Ayurveda Is An Emerging Brand Of Herbal Medicine Manufacturers That Formulates Herbal Or Herbomineral Formulations With Strict Adherence To Ayurvedic Principles And Texts. The Products Made Here Are 100 % Natural And Are Formulated In The Guidance And Supervision Of A Expert Team Led By Ayurvedic Doctors. These Formulation Are Made With Ancient Time Tested Formulas.

Best Herbal Remedies as suggested by Planet Ayurveda's experts for the Treatment of Bullous Pemphigoid are

1. Manjishtha Capsules
2. Gleaming Skin Hair Nails Formula
3. Pitta Balance
4. Gandhak Rasayan
5. Dermo Plan
6. Nirgundi Oil
7. Revivify Mandarin Orange Natural Handmade Bar

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. Manjishtha Capsules

These capsules are having the standardized extract of Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia).

Manjishtha is known for its raktashodhak guna  (blood purifying ability) and being used for treating various blood and skin related disorders since ages. It is useful in balancing pitta dosha which is the prime dosha involved in skin disorders. Thus, these capsules by detoxifying pitta and rakta (blood) will help in the management of bullous pemphigoid.

Dosage- 1 capsule twice daily, with plain water after meals.

2. Gleaming Skin Hair Nails Formula

This formula is an unique formulations consisting of many herbs such as Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Pit papada (Fumaria officinalis), Ghrit kumari (Aloe barbadensis) and chiraiyta (Swertia chirayita) like herbs that helps in giving the strength to the skin cells, providing nourishment to them and helps in improving the blood flow or circulation to pacify the toxins accumulated in the skin layers i.e. between epidermis and dermis as in bullous pemphigoid.

Dosage-1 capsule twice daily, after meals with plain water.

3. Pitta Balance

Pitta balance as the name suggests are the capsules formulated by the team of Planet Ayurveda for balancing the aggravated pitta and helping bringing it to normal level and maintaining that level. Praval pishti (coral calcium), akik pishti (agate calcium), along with pearl calcium & other Ayurvedic mineral ingredients and giloy satva (Tinospora cordifolia extract), these all minerals along with giloy are having cool potency that help in balancing the vitiated pitta condition and  aids in managing the bullous pemphigoid disease.

Dosage-1 capsule twice daily, with plain water after meals.

4. Gandhak Rasayan

Gandhak Rasayan is the classical poly herbomineral formulation available in tablet form. This formulation is used for treating various gastric discomforts and skin disorders. Gandhak rasayan tablets consist of a single ingredient i.e. shuddha gandhak (detoxified sulphur). Shudh gandhak has the property to reduce the elevated pitta and detoxify the blood for cleansing the endotoxins and this will not only relieve the bullaes but also help in dealing with the autoimmune condition associated with bullous pemphigoid. 

Dosage- 2 tablets twice daily, with lukewarm water, after meals.

5. Dermo Plan Syrup

This is a polyherbal syrup formulated by Planet Ayurveda’s experts for the betterment of skin health and treating the skin disorders. This syrup consists of many herbs which are very much beneficial in treating skin diseases and also help in boosting up the disturbed immune system that will help in improving and treating the condition in bullous pemphigoid. These ingredients include Chopchini (Smilax china), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Khadir (Areca catechu), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Shigru (Moringa oleifera) and Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) etc.

Dosage-2 teaspoonful twice daily, after meals.

6. Nirgundi Oil

This is the oil formulation made by Planet Ayurveda for the local application in painful inflammatory cases. The vatahar (analgesic) and shoth har (anti-inflammatory) properties of Nirgundi (Vitex negundo)- the basic ingredient of this oil, helps in reducing the size of the bullae (blisters) as well as aids in relieving the painful conditions associated with the lesions in the bullous pemphigoid.

Method of application- Apply the oil in the affected area and leave it for sometime. 

7. Revivify Mandarin Orange Natural Handmade Bar

The conventional soaps that we use for daily bathing usually consist of harmful preservatives and chemicals which are one of the main reasons for the damage in the skin tissues. Thus, Planet Ayurveda experts had made a perfect combination of  Cocos nucifera oil, Aloe barbadensis extracts along with Sorbitol, Sodium lauryl ethyl sulfate, Propylene glycol like Phytocontituents which are derived from natural sources. This bar is very much useful and nourishing skin tissue for the patients with bullous pemphigoid.

Method of use- Use this bar in place of other soap for bathing purposes.

CONCLUSION

As already discussed there is no reliable or exact treatment  method for this disease with the allopathic medicine. Whereas, Ayurveda being the oldest science of medicine that focuses on treating the disease with an holistic approach of herbal formulations, dietary and lifestyle modifications has the perfect herbal formulations for the management of this disease in an effective manner and with relatively much lesser side effects.  

Contact Planet Ayurveda to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or call at +91-172-5214030 Or Check Website – www.PlanetAyurveda.com