You’re on the right track in exploring Ayurveda for managing lichen planus, especially if you’re keen to move away from long-term steroids and antihistamines. It’s true that Ayurveda sees lichen planus as linked to excess Pitta and toxin buildup, or “ama”, in the body. Your love for spicy food and coffee could be aggravating your condition, since both can increase Pitta and add to inflammation. I’d really suggest cutting down on those. Try including more cooling foods, like cucumbers, watermelon, and cilantro, and see if you notice any difference. Definitely think about avoiding fried foods, excess salt, and sour foods like vinegar and pickles as well.
Now, regarding your digestion, feeling bloated and heavy after meals can definitely indicate poor agni or digestive fire. This can contribute to ama production and make your lichen planus worse. Consider sipping warm water throughout the day; it helps boost digestion. Or start meals with a small piece of fresh ginger sprinkled with a bit of salt and lemon juice, it can definitively enhance digestive fire!
On the herbal side, Neem and Manjistha are indeed good choices. Neem is well known for its blood-purifying properties, and Manjistha helps remove toxins and supports healthy skin. I’d recommend trying Neem capsules or powder, 250-500mg once daily after a meal, and Manjistha powder or capsules in similar doses. Combining these with turmeric milk at night might also help in reducing inflammation.
Lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Practicing meditation or yoga to manage stress levels, which are known triggers for lichen planus, is quite important. Abhyanga, a self-massage with cooling oils like coconut or neem oil, can calm itching.
As for how long it takes to see improvement, it’s quite individual – might be weeks or months. Consistency is key though. And while it’s promising to want it gone permanently, managing triggers through diet and lifestyle is essential to prevent recurrences.
If symptoms persist or worsen, always consult with a doctor – integrative care can offer the best of both worlds!
