As the life-style of human beings are changing day by day. Number of auto-immune diseases are increasing that is very common nowdays. Scleroderma is one of them. This is an auto-immune rheumatic disease of connective tissues. Connective tissues are tissues that connect, support or separate other tissues or organs.

Scleroderma disease comes under the category of a type of skin disease. Women are more prone to scleroderma as compare to men. This disease most commonly occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. Scleroderma is not easily cured but there are herbs in Ayurveda that can treat it. Ayurvedic treatment helps in reliving the signs and symptoms of scleroderma. Hence quality of life is improved.

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT SCLERODERMA?

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that involves the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s tissues are attacked by immune system. In some cases, scleroderma affects only the skin. But in many cases, scleroderma may harm beyond the skin. Internal organs, digestive tract and blood vessels are also affected.

The signs and symptoms of scleroderma may vary depending on the condition of affected area.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SCLERODERMA ON VARIOUS BODY PARTS:

• In Skin:Scleroderma patients face hardening and tightening of patches of skin. The patches on skin may be like ovals or straight line. The number, location and size of patches vary on the affected site of scleroderma. Skin of scleroderma people are tight and there is restricted movement of affected area.
• Effects on internal organs:Scleroderma affect the functions of the heart, lungs or kidneys. If these organs are not treated at right time it will be life-threatening to a patient.
• Digestive system is affected:People with scleroderma have problems absorbing nutrients and the disease affect the whole digestive system.
• In toes and fingers:This disease is an exaggerated response to emotional distress or cold temperature. It can cause pain, numbness and color changes in toes and fingers that can lead to another disease called Raynaud’s.

CAUSES OF SCLERODERMA

• The main cause of scleroderma is accumulation and overproduction of collagen fiber in the body. Abnormal production of collagen can affect the skin and other organs.
• Some people are affected with scleroderma due to genetic factors.

AYURVEDIC POINT OF VIEW ON SCLERODERMA:

As per Ayurveda scleroderma is a form of skin disease. Mostly in skin diseases pitta dosha is prominent but in scleroderma vata dosha is the main cause. The roughness, hardness, dryness, brown, reddish discoloration of skin and thickening of skin are due to raised vata dosha in the body. Pitta dosha in body causes redness, burning sensation, pus discharge that appear in scleroderma case. So the imbalance of vata and pitta doshas in body lead to ama (undigested food) that affect the rasa and rakta dhatu (lymph and blood vessels). It is the main cause of scleroderma.

Few herbs in Ayurveda provides effective and best results on scleroderma patient. These herb act on the skin, digestive system and internal organs that are affected.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR SCLERODERMA:

Planet Ayurveda offers a group of various herbs that are used for the scleroderma patients. The combination of medicines use to treat signs and symptoms of the affected person. Herbal combination that are used for curing scleroderma are.

PRODUCTS LIST:

1. Boswellia-Curcumin
2. Kaishore Guggul
3. Sanjivani Vati
4. Radiant Skin Hair Nails Formula

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

1. Boswellia-Curcumin

As the name suggests Boswellia Curcumin. It is combination of two herbs "Boswellia" and "Curcumin". Boswellia is commonly known as shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and curcumin (Curcuma longa). Presence of boswellic acid in boswellia shows great anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. These properties reduces inflammation and pain in scleroderma case. The antioxidant property of curcumin helps in detoxification of body. Main cause of scleroderma is accumulation of toxins in the body. When these toxins are removed affected part of the body automatically gets cured.

Recommended dosage:One capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. Sanjeevani Vati

These tablets reduces "ama" accumulation of toxins in the body that is the main reason for scleroderma. Use of these tablets provide very effective results on scleroderma. It helps to maintain digestive fire in body. Ingredients used for the preparation of these tablets are vidanga, pippali, amalaki, haritaki and guduchi etc.

Vidanga

• It helps in detoxification of the blood.
• Provides effective results in skin problems.
• Bloating, indigestion, gastritis, abdominal pain and constipation are cured.

Pippali

• It helps to cleanse the blood.
• Helps to cure skin diseases.
• Balances vata and pitta in the body.
• It maintains the digestive fire.

Guduchi

• Improves immunity in body.
• Digestive power and digestion related problems are cured.
• Useful in all types of skin diseases one of them is scleroderma.
• Balances all the three doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) in body.

Recommended dosage: One to two tablets twice or thrice daily with lukewarm water.

3. Ashwagandha capsules

Ashwagandha capsules are made up of pure extract of ashwagandha plant. This herb helps in removing toxins from the body. It helps to treat the body fatigue by removing the accumulated toxins in the body. It also helps in strengthening the body. These capsules are excellent immune and energy booster. Ashwagandha pacifies the doshas and supports the circulatory, reproductive and adrenal systems of the body

Recommended Dosage: One capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. Gandhak Rasayan

Gandhak is also known as purified sulphur. It is an effective, safe and natural remedy to use in the scleroderma. It helps in retaining the healthy skin. It helps to fight against various bacterial and skin infections. Its properties of absorption of moisture from the environment into the skin. It helps in bringing out the healthy skin from below and hence, helps in getting rid of the dead skin from the body These tablets thus helps in controlling the patches and pain in the affected areas.

Recommended Dosage: Two tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.

5. Gotukola Capsules

These capsules are prepared from pure extract of the herb Gotukola which is also known as Centellaasiatica. Gotu kola alleviates microcirculatory problems and may help inflammatory skin conditions, such as lupus, varicose ulcers, eczema, atopic dermatitis, scleroderma and psoriasis.

Recommended Dosage: Two tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.