A Comparative Study of Ingudi phalamajja Lepa and Ananatmul Ghan in The Management of Vyanga (Melasma)

Abstract

The normal color of skin in human is largely due to melanin pigment. Melasma is most common disorder which is related to melanin. It is a human melanogenesis dysfunction that results in localized, chronic acquired hypermelanosis of the skin. In Ayurveda melasma can be correlated with Vyanga because of resemblance of its clinical features. According to Acharya Charak, it is caused due to vitiation of Pitta and Shonita  but other Acharyas has depicted it due to the vitiation of Vāta and Pitta. This study is aimed to explore the Efficacy of Ingudi Phalmajja lepa with and without internal use of Anantamoola Ghana in Vyanga. Total 43 patients were registered and randomly divided into group A and group B by lottery method. Out of these, 40 patients have completed the treatment. All patients were examined by Wood’s Lamp to assess the depth of pigmentation (Dermal/Epidermal).. It is concluded that vyanga is frequent in females than males. It was found in madhyamavastha in which pitta dosha and Rajoguna is predominant. Mostly Centrofacial type of melasma is found in this study which is supported by other studies. Melasma Severity Index is improved in both the groups. Local application of Ingudi phalmajja is found to be effective in the severity of pigmentation. The action of Ingudi phalamajja in hyperpigmentation could not be evaluated. Further study can be conducted to find out the active principle of Ingudi.