Management of Melasma through <i>Ayurveda</i> – A Case Report

Abstract

Melasma is a pigmentary disorder hyperpigmentation primarily occurring on the cheeks, forehead, and bridge on the nose, upper lip, and occasionally elsewhere on the face. It is painless, superficial brownish macular patches. Modern science recommends laser therapy and various types of steroid use for treating melasma. Laser therapy is very expensive, and steroids have many side effects. So, in this study management of melasma has been done through Ayurveda, which is cost-effective, and easily available with the least side effects. From the signs and symptoms, melasma looks identical to Vyanga as per Ayurvedic texts that come under Kshudraroga (minor disease). In Ayurveda, external therapy Lepa (local application), is prescribed as one of the therapeutic measures for effectively managing melasma. A 32-year-old female patient was diagnosed clinically with melasma. She got treatment from a dermatologist and applied an allopathic care cream over the brownish patches. After regular application of the cream, a brownish patch does not decrease. She has no history of sunray exposure and has no family history. So, she went to Ayurvedic treatment. She was treated with Ayurvedic Lepa for local application and Panchanimbadi Churna internally for 21 days. The content of Ayurvedic Lepa was Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) Churna (powder), and Dugdha (milk). In ancient science, Nutmeg is known by the name of Jatiphala. Nutmeg is a very useful drug utilized therapeutically, and spice and Panchanimbadi are useful in all types of Raktavikara (blood disorders). The result was assessed with subjective and objective parameters, i.e., colour score and MASI score. After 21 days of treatment, significant changes were observed without any side effects. The colour score decreases from 3 to 1, and the MASI score from 15.2 to 10.1.