A SUCCESSFUL CLINICAL STUDY ON MANAGEMENT OF HERPES ZOSTER (VISARPA) THROUGH COMBINATION THERAPY

Wairagade S*, Wairagade T, Nagrare A, Zilate S

Datta Meghe Ayurved Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

ABSTRACT

Herpes zoster infection is a painful worldwide disease. The inappropriate and delayed treatment causes prolongation of the disease with debilitating symptoms and postherpetic neuralgia. Herpes zoster is commonly known as shingle's caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV). Current studies have shown that exosomes play a significant role in pathogenesis as well as the spread of herpes. Combination therapy has shown pain reduction, reduction in burning, and arrest progression of the disease. This technique is cost effective and easy to apply. In Ayurveda herpes can be correlated with Pittaj visarpa. Principle of treatment is Raktmokshan (Bloodletting) and Pradeha (Local application of medicines). A 50-year-old male presented in OPD of Kayachikitsa at Datta Meghe Ayurved Medical College Hospital and Research Centre. We treated his Herpes zoster on the basic principles of management of Vata-Pittaj Visarpa. A rapid decrease in pain severity was observed after 7 days of Combination Therapy according to Zoster Specific Brief Pain Inventory (ZBPI) Questionnaire. Lesions of Herpes Zoster were found completely crusted and healed within 2 weeks. Repeated application of Ayurvedic Formulation Lepa along with internal medications gave complete relief. Adaptive trials are necessary to discover further practical applicability of Ayurveda and modern treatment together. Future research on the effect of combination therapy on exosomes is necessary.

Keywords:

Pittaj Visarpa, Herpes Zoster, Shaman Chikitsa, Ayurvedic formulation Lepa