Moonface: Can Ayurveda Help Reduce Facial Swelling from Steroids or Hormonal Issues? - #16284

A few months ago, I was put on steroids for an autoimmune condition, and while they helped with inflammation, I started noticing something strange—my face was getting rounder and puffier. At first, I thought maybe I was just gaining weight, but then my cheeks started looking swollen, and my jawline completely disappeared. I looked it up and found out that this is called moonface, a common side effect of long-term steroid use. The worst part is, even though I’ve slowly reduced my steroid dosage, my moonface hasn’t gone away completely. My body weight is normal, but my face still looks bloated, especially around the cheeks and under the chin. It makes me so self-conscious, and people keep asking if I’ve gained weight, which is really frustrating. I want to know—can Ayurveda help reduce moonface naturally? I read that steroids cause water retention and an imbalance in hormones. Are there Ayurvedic herbs or treatments that help the body flush out excess fluid and restore balance? I saw mentions of Punarnava and Triphala for reducing swelling, but are they safe to take while tapering off steroids? Another thing—I feel like my digestion has been sluggish since starting steroids. I get bloated easily and feel like my metabolism has slowed down. Could poor digestion be contributing to moonface? Does Ayurveda suggest any diet changes to help with this type of swelling? And is there any Ayurvedic oil massage or facial therapy that can help tone the face and reduce puffiness? I’ve tried facial exercises, but I don’t see much difference yet. If anyone has dealt with moonface from steroids or hormonal imbalance and found relief through Ayurveda, what worked for you? Did the swelling go away completely, and how long did it take? Would love to hear real experiences before trying anything new.