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Dealing with Lichen Planus and Skin Discoloration - #38343
lichen planus, hyper pigmentation in lower body. black colour on skin especially on legs. no itching no irritatation my age is 22 this problem is more than 4 years iam doing my fasting it's been 4months
How would you describe the severity of the skin discoloration?:
- Extensive, covering large areasHave you noticed any specific triggers that worsen your condition?:
- No specific triggersWhat is your current diet like during fasting?:
- Not sure, I eat whatever is availableDoctor-recommended remedies for this condition
Doctors' responses
Hello I understand your concern long-term Lichen Planus with dark pigmentation on the legs can be emotionally and physically distressing, especially when it has persisted for years. But dont worry we are here to help you out😊
✅AYURVEDIC PLAN OF TREATMENT
✅Shodhana (Detoxification Therapy)
Before internal medicines, purification of Rakta Dhatu (blood) is important.
If feasible, under guidance of an Ayurvedic physician in nearby panchakarma therapy center you can undergo Virechana Karma (Purgation therapy) — excellent for Pitta–Rakta shuddhi
If Panchakarma setup is unavailable, start with mild home detox for 7 days- Early morning- 1 tsp Triphala churna with warm water Midday- drink lukewarm Manjisthadi Kwatha 15 ml before meals
✅INTERNAL MEDICATION
1 Manjisthadi Kashaya 15 ml twice daily with warm water before food (Purify blood and reduce pigmentation)
2 Gandhak Rasayana 1 tab twice daily after food (Cellular rejuvenation & skin repair)
3 Avipattikar Churna ½ tsp at bedtime with lukewarm water(Cooling & detoxifying)
4 Khadirarishta 15 ml with equal water twice daily after food (Improves skin tone & immunity)
Continue these for 4 weeks
✅EXTERNAL TREATMENT
👉Herbal Oil Application
Use Chandanadi Taila — apply gently over pigmented areas at night. If dryness or flakiness is present, prefer Manjishthadi Taila (blood-purifying base).
👉Lepa (Herbal Paste for Skin Glow)
Make a paste of: Manjistha churna + Multani mitti + Rose water Apply for 20 minutes, wash with lukewarm water, 2–3 times per week.
Avoid harsh scrubbing or chemical creams.
✅DIET MODIFICATION
✅ Include:
Fresh fruits like pomegranate, apple, papaya Green leafy vegetables, especially coriander, bottle gourd, ash gourd Amla juice 20 ml daily in the morning (natural blood purifier) Ghee (small quantity daily to pacify Pitta and Vata) Warm water throughout the day
❌ Avoid
Spicy, oily, sour, and fermented foods Excess fasting or skipping meals — this aggravates Vata-Pitta Coffee, tea, pickles, vinegar, red meat, junk food Staying awake late at night
✅During Fasting:
If you are fasting for spiritual or health reasons, ensure:
You consume fruit juices, boiled vegetables, or light moong soup Avoid long dry fasting — it weakens Rakta dhatu and delays recovery
✅Home Remedies for Pigmentation
1 Sandalwood + Rose water paste (For cooling and reducing pigmentation) 2 Neem & Tulsi decoction (wash) (Boil leaves in water, cool, and wash affected area daily)
Chronic skin disorders like lichen planus often correlate with stress, suppressed emotions, or anxiety, which can aggravate Pitta. Practice: Brahmari Pranayama and Sheetali pranayama daily 15 minutes of meditation or prayer for calmness
Your condition is manageable and reversible with consistent Ayurvedic care.
Once your system is balanced internally, pigmentation will naturally fade, and your skin will regain its healthy tone.
Wishing you a good health😊
Warm regards, Dr Snehal Vidhate
I prefer you seek a personal consultation to nearby ayurved chikitsak I can suggest you-
Dietary Guidelines Include iron, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and zinc-rich foods (dates, pomegranate, citrus fruits, soaked almonds).
Avoid excess fasting — instead, do intermittent fasting with balanced meals (moong dal, ghee, fruits).
Stay hydrated with warm water + a few drops of lemon or tulsi.
Avoid tea, coffee, sour curd, fried foods, and spicy items — they aggravate Pitta and pigmentation.
🧘♀️ 4. Lifestyle & Detox
Gentle yoga: Surya Namaskar, Shitali pranayama, Anulom Vilom.
Abhyanga (oil massage) weekly with sesame or coconut oil to balance Vata.
Adequate sleep and sunlight (morning only).
Avoid stress, as emotional imbalance aggravates autoimmune skin issues.
The skin changes you have mentioned like long standing dark patches on the lower body with out itching or irritation Suggest that your skin’s natural regenerative function and circulation have become sluggish In such cases when there is history of lichen plants or long term faiths body’s tissues tend to become dry and undernourished which leads to dullness pigmentation and uneven skin tone Even after the active inflammation of lichen plants settles the skin often remains dark because the deeper tissues are not fully nourished In ayurveda we see this as a result due to imbalance in metabolism and weakened nourishment to the skin layer When the digestive and circulatory system becomes weak either from irregular eating fasting stress or lack of proper nourishment toxins and waste materials are not fully cleared Over time these residual impurities settle in the lower parts of the body like legs leading to persistent discolouration In your case fasting for several months might have helped detoxify the body initially but could have also reduced the nourishment required for the skin renewal especially if your body constitution is naturally lean or dry Take warm freshly cooked foods Avoid skipping meals eat small but regular meals include ghee almonds dates fruits Hydration Take Manjistha capsules 1-0-1 Gandhak rasayana 1-0-1 Arogyavardini vati 1-0-1 Avipattikara churna 1/2-0-1/2 tsp before meals Apply nalpamaradi taila local massage on the affected area daily Consistency is very important for skin conditions like yours With proper nourishment gentle detoxification and regular application of oils you will start noticing gradual improvement in the skin tone and texture over the next few months
Apply vibha ointment or nalpamaradi tail external, arogya vardini vati 1tab, mahamanjsiadhi gana vati 1tab, sundarikalp 20ml bd enough
HELLO,
WHAT IS LPP? Lichen Plans pigmentation is a chronic, progressive dermatological condition characterised by: -Dark brown to grey black pigmentation on sun-exposed or flexural areas - often triggered or worsened by sunlight, heat or inflammation
AYURVEDIC PATHOGENESIS
PITTA DOSHA= heat, inflammation, and pigmentation RAKTA DHATU DUSHTI= impaired blood tissue function- responsible for skin color KUSHTA(skin disorder)= LPP can be categorised under minor Kshudra kushtha VYANGA= localised pigmentation due to pitta-raita vitiation AMA= toxin accumulation due to weakness digestion BHRAJAKA PITTA DUSHTI= disruption in skin pigmentation metabolism(skin pitta sub-type)
So, the root of the disease lies in- -vitiated pitta and rakta dhatu - ama(toxic byproducts of improper digestion) - sun exposure and stress aggravating bhrajak pitta
AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF LPP
1) DETOXIFICATION
AT HOME
FOR 1ST 3 DAYS
- TRIKATU CHURNA= 1/2 tsp with warm water before food 30 mins before twice daily
-HINGWASTAKA CHURNA= 1 tsp with warm water after food twice daily
on 3rd day eat light food like khichdi at night
on 4th day VIRECHANA PROCEDURE - TRIVRIT LEHA= 50 gm with warm milk early morning after that don’t eat anything just have warm water -you will observe loose motions 5-10 times
this will detoxifies your body
after motions stops have light food for that day
THIS PROCESS WILL ELIMINATE EXCESS PITTA AND TOXINS
INTERNAL MEDICATIONS(start from day 5) these are meant to purify blood, cool down the body, balance pitta and improve skin tone
1) BLOOD PURIFIERS
-MAHAMANJISTHADI KASHAYA= 30 ml twice daily before meals with water = reduces pigmentation, detoxifies blood
-SARIDVADYASAVA= 20 ml twice daily after meals with water = pitta pacifier, reduces itching and heat
-GUDUCHI CAPSULES= 1 cap twice daily in morning and night = immunity and pitta regulation
2) LIVER AND PITTA REGULATORS
1) AROGYAVARDHINI VATI= 1 tab twice daily after meals =liver detox , skin health
2) AVIPAATIKAR CHURNA= 1 tsp at bedtime with warm water = improves digestion, reduces pitta
3) ANTI-PIGMENTATION LEPA AND RASAYANA -yastimadhu+haridra+chandan+ rose water paste = 3 times/week - 1 tsp sandalwood powder+ 1 tsp mulethi powder + 1 tsp manjistha powder+cucumber huice= 20 min leave and then wash
TOPICAL AYURVEDIC TREATMENT
NIGHT OIL APPLICATIONS
1) KUMKUMADI TAILA= 5 drops on affected area =reduces pigmentation, even tones
2) ELADI TAILA= whole body application before bath =prevents darkening, calms skin
3) NALPAMRADI TAILA= for facial pigmentation =brigthens dull skin
SUNPROTECTION(very imp for LPP) -Apply sunscreen with SPF 30-50 -use natural sun blockers= aloevera, cucumber juice , turmeric paste -cover skin with cotton clothes, hats, umbreallas -avoid sun exposure between 10 AM- 4PM
DIET AND LIFESTYLE
AVOID PITTA AGGRAVTING FOODS -spicy, sour, fermented, fried, junk food -red meat, alcohol, vinegar, excess salt - pickles, tamarind, tomatoes, brinjal
PREFER -bitter vegetables= kerala, neem, methi - amla, pomegranate, coconut water, buttermilk - turmeric milk with ghee - mung dal, barley, ghee, bottle gourd
LIFESTYLE TIPS -practice cooling pranayam= sheetali, sheetakari, anulom vilom -sleep early and avoid screen exposure before bed -reduce stres- LPP often worsens with emotional strain -bath with cool or lukewarm water not hot
EXPECTED OUTCOMES -1-3 MONTHS= reduced itching, fewer new pigmentation lesion -3-6 MONTHS= gradual fading of superficial pigmentation LONF TERM= if sun protection+ ayurvedic regime is followed, Pigmentation stabilises and skin tone evens out slowly
DO FOLLOW
HOPE THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL
THANK YOU
DR. MAITRI ACHARYA
1.Panchatikta Ghrita Guggulu 2 tab twice daily with water after meals 2.Arogyavardhini Vati 2 tab twice daily with water after meals 3.Khadirarishta 20 ml with 20 ml water twice daily after meals 4.Manjishtha Churna ½ tsp twice daily with water or honey
Diet Recommendations (Especially During Fasting) To support skin healing and reduce pigmentation: Include: - Warm, cooked meals: khichdi, boiled vegetables, moong dal - Pomegranate, papaya, carrot, beetroot (in moderation) - Herbal teas: coriander-fennel-cumin infusion - Ghee (small amounts) for Rasayana effect Avoid: - Sour, spicy, fermented foods - Excess tea/coffee, packaged snacks - Skipping meals or eating cold/raw foods during fasting
Lifestyle Modifications - Abhyanga (Oil Massage): Use Kumkumadi Taila or Eladi Taila on affected areas daily - Udvartana (Herbal Scrub): Weekly with Triphala or Masoor dal powder - Sun exposure: Avoid direct midday sun on affected areas - Sleep: Ensure 7–8 hours of restful sleep to support hormonal balance
1.Panchatikta Ghrita Guggulu 2 tab twice daily with water after meals 2.Arogyavardhini Vati 2 tab twice daily with water after meals 3.Khadirarishta 20 ml with 20 ml water twice daily after meals 4.Manjishtha Churna ½ tsp twice daily with honey or water
Diet Recommendations (Especially During Fasting) To support skin healing and reduce pigmentation: Include: - Warm, cooked meals: khichdi, boiled vegetables, moong dal - Pomegranate, papaya, carrot, beetroot (in moderation) - Herbal teas: coriander-fennel-cumin infusion - Ghee (small amounts) for Rasayana effect Avoid: - Sour, spicy, fermented foods - Excess tea/coffee, packaged snacks - Skipping meals or eating cold/raw foods during fasting
Lifestyle Modifications - Abhyanga (Oil Massage): Use Kumkumadi Taila or Eladi Taila on affected areas daily - Udvartana (Herbal Scrub): Weekly with Triphala or Masoor dal powder - Sun exposure: Avoid direct midday sun on affected areas - Sleep: Ensure 7–8 hours of restful sleep to support hormonal balance
Start with Mahamanjistadi kadha 15 ml twice daily after food with water Sarivadi ghanvati 1-0-1 after food with water Mix turmeric powder+ manjista powder+ besan+ raktachandan powder with sour curds . Apply this paste on hyperpigmentation areas keep for 10 minutes and rub in circular movement and wash with clean water. Do this twice weekly. Avoid Sun rays exposure, use Sunscreen SPF 50+ during the day. Avoid eggs seafood if non-vegetarian. Apply kumkumadi oil on hyperpigmentation areas keep overnight. Do pranayam lom -vilom bhastrika bhamri 5-10mins daily twice.
To address lichen planus and the associated hyperpigmentation, especially when its been persisting over four years, it’s essential to involve some Ayurvedic components while ensuring a balanced lifestyle. Given that you experience no itching or irritation, the primary focus can be on skin health and dietary habits that may support better skin tone and healing.
Firstly, recognize the importance of your dosha balance in Ayurveda. Typically, lichen planus may relate to imbalances in Pitta and Vata doshas. Cooling and anti-inflammatory approaches are often beneficial. Consider these:
1. Dietary Adjustments: Focus on a Pitta-balancing diet, which includes sweet, bitter, and cooling foods. Emphasize on leafy greens, gourds, cucumbers, and other water-rich vegetables. Stay hydrated, but avoid spicy, acidic, or oily foods which can aggravate Pitta.
2. Herbs: Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) is known for its detoxifying properties and can assist in reducing skin inflammation and discoloration. Include it as a powder or in capsule form as directed by an Ayurvedic practitioner.
3. External Applications: Applying freshly squeezed juice of Aloe Vera on affected areas can be quite soothing and help in reducing hyperpigmentation over time. Alternatively, a paste made from turmeric mixed with a few drops of coconut oil may help.
4. Lifestyle: Regular yoga and pranayama practice can support overall harmony and help manage stress, which might be exacerbating the condition. Consider poses like Shavasana and Uttanasana, which promote relaxation and improve circulation.
5. Fasting: While fasting might be beneficial, ensure it’s not done in a way that depletes body nutrients. Stick to regular small, balanced meals that do not overburden your digestive system.
6. Sun Protection: Protect the affected skin from excessive sunlight exposure, as it may worsen hyperpigmentation. Use of appropriate clothes or natural sunscreen whenever outdoors is advisable.
7. Hydration: Maintain good hydration levels. Drink adequate water throughout the day to help metabolic functions and remove toxins. Mild herbal teas like chamomile, mint or rose can be soothing.
If approached gradually and consistently, these measures can promote skin health and potentially improve the hyperpigmentation over time. It’s always wise to consult with an Ayurvedic doctor for personalized guidance, especially because your symptoms have persisted for a longer duration.
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