Treatment of Cutaneous Lichen Planus (CLP) with Ayurveda – A case study

Cutaneous Lichen Planus (CLP) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by reddish to blackish papules and maculopapular skin lesions. This case study describes the successful treatment of a 42-year-old female patient from Coimbatore, India, who had previously failed to respond to conventional medical and homeopathic treatments.

Method

The patient suffered from black and red skin lesions since 2010, which spread all over her body but did not appear on her face, scalp, armpits and genital area. After unsuccessful treatments with corticosteroids and homeopathy, she sought Ayurvedic treatment for the first time.

The Ayurvedic diagnosis was Kapha-Pitta Pradhana Tridoshaja Kushta, a skin condition in which all three doshas are involved, with Kapha and Pitta dominating. After six years there was a relapse, which was again treated ayurvedically.

Results

The Ayurvedic treatment included:

Pachana (digestive support) and Shodhana (cleansing therapies): Drakshadi Kashayam, Trvrt Lehyam, Shaddharana Churnam

External applications: Tiktaka Ghrtam, Eladi Keram, Durvadi Tailam

Rasayana (rejuvenation therapies): Madhusnuhi Rasayana for prevention of relapse

Diet and lifestyle: avoidance of acidic, salty and spicy foods; adherence to a vegetarian diet

After the first treatment cycle, the patient was symptom-free for one year. After a relapse six years later and extensive shodhana therapy, symptoms remained absent for two years and the patient reported a full recovery.

The case study illustrates that Ayurveda can be successful in treatment-resistant cutaneous lichen planus, especially with the use of Shodhana therapies and Rasayana for relapse prevention. Further studies are needed to confirm the long-term efficacy of this treatment strategy.