Effectiveness of Siddha Medicine in Treating Venpadai (Vitiligo) - A Case Report

Abstract

Venpadai is a synonym for vitiligo in Siddha system of medicine. Vitiligo is an autoimmune, noncontagious pigmentary disorder with complex causes. Though many techniques are available to treat vitiligo, they have their own pros and cons; substantially it is painful, highly expensive and may create adverse reactions. Considering these limitations of the contemporary medicine system, Siddha ethno medicinal preparation Karbogi Aavaarai Bhavana Choornam (KABC) and Karbogi Thylam (KT) has been used in treating Vitiligo. A 12 years old female child sought Siddha treatment after the hypopigmentary lesions on her chest and both sides of cheeks did not respond well to the conventional medicine after 8 months of treatment. The Siddha treatment comprised of Agathiyar kuzhambu for purgation, KABC internally and KT externally was prescribed. This gave us a good result in treating the hypo pigmented patches. Withal, a detailed study of the same with larger sample sizes will help to formulate a treatment protocol for the corresponding cases. Key words: Venpadai, Vitiligo, Hypo pigmented patches, Karbogi, Psoralea cordifolia, Karbogi Aavaarai Bhavana Choornam, Karbogi Thylam, Agathiyar kuzhambu