A REVIEW OVER ROLE OF KAKODUMBARADI LEPA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF KILASA (VITILIGO)

Anuradha Pathak*, Abhinav and O. P. Singh

ABSTRACT

Everybody wants a flawless beautiful skin. Any mark or blemish on skin makes the person conscious. Kilasa or Shwitra (Vitiligo) is a skin disease which makes the patient psychologically ill and thus needs to be managed. For managing any disease, either Bahirparimarjana Chikitsa(topical administration of drugs) or Antahparimarjana Chikitsa (oral administration of drugs) is done depending upon the disease. For managing skin diseases, both are done but Bahirparimarjana Chikitsa is comparatively more effective because of local action at the site of disease manifestation. In Bahirparimarjana Chikitsa, various formulations have been used since ancient times in the form of lepa, abhyanga, avagaha, parisheka, etc. These locally administered drugs are absorbed through skin and act with the help of Bhrajaka pitta. Out of these methods of drug delivery, lepa is a widely used formulation. To treat Kilasa (Vitiligo), a very effective lepa consisting of Kakodumbar, Bakuchi and Chitrak triturated in cow’s urine has been mentioned in Charak Samhita. This lepa is applied on the depigmented blotches followed by sun exposure.

Keywords: Skin, Kilasa, Bahirparimarjana Chikitsa, Bhrajaka pitta, Kakodumbaradi lepa.