E-ISSN:2456-3110

Case Report

Herpes zoster

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2024 Volume 9 Number 8 AUGUST
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Ayurveda management of Visarpa (Herpes zoster) - A Case Study

Akarsha Krishna S1*, Rakshith NN2, Bharathi AKS3
DOI:10.21760/jaims.9.8.46

1* Akarsha Krishna S, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Agada Tantra, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunateshwara College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan, Karnataka, India.

2 Rakshith NN, Assistant Professor, Department of Agada Tantra, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunateshwara College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan, Karnataka, India.

3 Ashwini Kumar S Bharathi, Professor, Department of Agada Tantra, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunateshwara College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan, Karnataka, India.

Skin is the largest organ of the body which acts as a first line of defence in providing resistance to the body. The aggravation of various Dhatus and Doshas result in skin diseases. Visarpa is an acute condition with a quick spreading involving mainly skin, blood, lymph and muscle tissue due to vitiation of all three Doshas. As the basic nature of the disease is Rakta and Pitta predominant, management is focused on Shodhana, Rakthamokshana, Langhana, Shamana, Lepa Chikitsa. This case study is an attempt to evaluate the role of Ayurvedic management in Visarpa. A 50 year-male presented with vesicular lesions on his chest, below the left axillary region and back associated with mild itching, burning sensation and pain. He was approached with Shodhana and Shamana therapies which showed significant improvement in the condition.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Shamana, Shodhana, Visarpa

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Akarsha Krishna S, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Agada Tantra, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunateshwara College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		Akarsha Krishna S, Rakshith NN, Bharathi AKS, Ayurveda management of Visarpa (Herpes zoster) - A Case Study. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2024;9(8):300-303.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/3748

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2024-07-11 2024-07-21 2024-08-01 2024-08-11 2024-08-24
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
None Nil Yes 13.33

© 2024by Akarsha Krishna S, Rakshith NN, Bharathi AKSand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

J Ayu Int Med Sci 2024;9(8)300
Akarsha KS et al. Ayurveda management of Visarpa

Introduction

Skin always plays a significant role in aesthetics. Healthy skin never fails to increase a person's confidence. Skin disorders not only diminish self-confidence but also lead to mental distress. According to study conducted in India, higher incidence of herpes zoster observed in young age group (20-50 years of age) estimated to be around 2 to 6 per 1000 population.[1] It is characterised by localised painful spread skin rashes and blisters. Herpes is corelated in Ayurveda with Visarpa based on its symptomatology. It is an Aashukari Vyadhi (acute disease) characterized by Aashu Anunnata Shopha, Daha, Jwara, Vedana and Pidika and it is described as Agnidagdhavat.[2] Visarpa has given simile of Aashivisha or Sarpa Visha due to its rapid nature of spreading.[3]

Case Report

A 50 years old male patient visited Agadatantra OPD of SDM college of Ayurveda Hassan with the complaints of multiple vesicles on his chest, below the left axillary region and back associated with itching, burning sensation and pain since three days. There is no history of similar complaints or any prolonged illness. Patient has habits of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption for twenty-five years.

General Examination

On Examination

Temperature: 98.6°F

Pulse rate: 92/min

BP: 130/80 mmhg

RS: Chest clear

CVS: S1S2 heard

CNS: Conscious and oriented

P/A: Soft and nontender

Ashta Sthana Pareeksha

  • Nadi:Kapha Vata
  • Mala: 1 time per day with normal colour and consistency
  • Mutra:4 to 5 times per day with normal colour and consistency
  • Jihva: Lipta
  • Shabda: Prakruta
  • Sparsha: Mrudu
  • Drik: Prakruta
  • Akruti: Madhyama

Dashavidha Pareeksha

  • Prakruti: Vata Kapha
  • Vikruti: Pitta Kapha
  • Sara: Mamsa Sara
  • Samhana: Madhyama
  • Satva: Madhyama
  • Satmya: Madhyama
  • Ahara Shakti: Madhyama
  • Vyayama Shakti: Madhyama
  • Vaya: Madhyama

Management

Table 1: Day one to day five

SNDrugDosageTimeDuration
1.Patola Katurohinyadi Kashaya15ml-0-15mlBefore food5 days
2.Laghu Suthashekara Vati1-0-1Before food5 days
3.Kamaduga Mukta1-0-1Before food5 days
4.Guduchi Capsule1-0-1After food5 days
5.Avipattikara Churna0-0-5 gramsAfter food5 days
6.Shathadhoutha GrithaExternal application-5 days
7.Panchavalkala Kwatha Hima Parisheka External wash-5 days

Day Six:

Sadyo Virechana was given with Avipattikara Churna 50 grams along with 20 ml Honey and 50 ml Triphala Kwatha.

Observations and Results

Table 2: Observations on symptoms

DayKanduDahaTodaJwara
1st+++++++++-
3rd++++++++-
6th+++++-
7th+++-

J Ayu Int Med Sci 2024;9(8)301
Akarsha KS et al. Ayurveda management of Visarpa

Figure 1 and 2: On the day of admission
jaims_3748_01.JPG
jaims_3748_02.JPG

Figure 3 and 4: On the Day of discharge
jaims_3748_03.JPG
jaims_3748_04.JPG

Discussion

Visarpa is caused due to the involvement of all the three Doshas where Pitta is predominant.[4,5] The vitiation of the Doshas is due to both Nija and Agantu Nidanas. The Nija Hetus are intake of Lavana, Amla, Katu, Ushna, Dadhi, Amla, Raga, Shadava, Shukla, Sura, Souveera etc.[6] Agantuja Nidanas including Shastra, Prahara, Vyala, Nakha, Danta. These etiological factors cause vitiation of Pitta and Rakta immediately leading to Visarpa.[7] Shatadhouta Ghritha (100 times washed ghee) which is Madhura (sweet) Rasa (taste), Guru Guna, Sheeta Veerya, Madhura (sweet) Vipaka, Pitta Dahaasrajit is an effective remedy for Visarpa (herpes), when applied repeatedly it subsides Daha (burning sensation), Shoola (pain) in Vrana (wound) and cures Visarpa like that of Garuda killing the Sarpa.[8] Patola Katurohinyadi Kashaya, which is Vishaghna, Kapha Pitta Shamaka in nature. Laghu Suthashekara Vati is Pitta Shamaka and helps in reducing Kandu. Recent studies show thatGuduchihave antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory activities.[9]

Conclusion

Visarpa Roga needs to be approached with Pitta Pradhana Tridoshahara Chikitsa. In-spite of chronicity and severity of the disease, Ayurvedic Shodhana and Shamana measures showed significant symptomatic improvement in this case of Visarpa (herpes).

References

1. Praveen B, Haribhakti, Rita Maxwan. Text Book and Atlas of Dermatology, Bombay: Bhalani Publishing house; Vol 1, 1 ed, 1994; pp 226.
2. Yadavji Trikamji, Charak Samhita, Published by Choukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, 2017 ed, chikitsasthana, Chapter 21, Shloka 30, Page no. 560.
3. Yadavji Trikamji, Charak Samhita, Published by Choukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, 2017 ed, Chikitsasthana, Chapter 21, Shloka 6, Page no. 559.
4. Sushrutha Samhita with Nibandha Sangraha commentary of Dalhana. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 6 th ed. 1997; pp 243.
5. Yogaratnakara edited by Vaidya Lakshmipathi Shastri. Varanasi: Choukhambha Sanskrit Series, 1999; pp 302.


J Ayu Int Med Sci 2024;9(8)302
Akarsha KS et al. Ayurveda management of Visarpa

6. Richard J. Whitely. Harrison’s Principles and Practice of Medicine edited by Eugene Braunwald et. al. Vol 1, 5th ed. 2001; pp 1046.
7. Sahasrayoga edited by Bhat M.R. Mangalore: 8th ed, 1995; pp 162.
8. Yogaratnakara edited and Translated by Dr.M.S.Suresh Babu, Volume 2, Visarpa chikitsa, sloka 37, First edition 2008, Chowkambha Sanskrit series office, Varanasi, pp. 981.
9. Joy A, Mansukhbhai BM, Sojeetra NH, Acharya RN. Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia [Wild.] Miers) and its Therapeutic External Applications: A Comprehensive Review. Journal Title. [Jul-Dec 2021].


J Ayu Int Med Sci 2024;9(8)303