Herbal Remedies for Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a lifelong skin disorder. The white patches with red or dark border that appear on the skin tend to ruin the appearance. This autoimmune disease is not preventable. Scientists have not yet found the exact reason that triggers this skin disorder. The genetics of a person would be responsible for this skin condition. In vitiligo, the immune system of the body produces antibodies that kill the pigment producing melanin cells of the skin. The white patches could develop on any part of the body.
Conventional treatments use medications to trigger melanin formation and suppress the immune activity of the body to treat this condition. Phototherapy using ultraviolet A and B rays are found to be beneficial for treating vitiligo. Folk healers recommend home remedies to treat vitiligo with natural ingredients.
St. John’s wort
St. John’s wort increases the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, triggering melanin production. This herb is recommended by herbalists for treating vitiligo.
People with vitiligo could rub alcohol tincture of St. John’s wort on the white patches on the skin. You can also drink one tablespoon of tea prepared with the flowers and leaves of St. John’s wort after meal, thrice everyday. After taking the St. John wort tea for three weeks, you should take a week’s break before continuing the medication.
You can also apply the herbal tea on the white patches. To strengthen the herbal tea, along with St. John’s wort you can add oregano, chamomile and calendula flowers in equal proportions and prepare tea with this herbal mix.
Turmeric
Turmeric is good for the skin. In Ayurveda, turmeric is used for treating vitiligo. Add about five teaspoons of turmeric paste to 250 ml of mustard oil. Apply this paste on the white patches at least twice daily. It would help to reduce the white patches.
Psoralea seeds
Psoralea increases the photosensitivity of the skin. Paste made with the psoralea seeds could be applied on the white patches in the morning. You can soak psoralea seeds in ginger juice for three days. After the third day, dry the seeds in shade. When the seeds become dry, grind them. Mix one gram of the psoralea seed powder with milk, and drink the mixture everyday.
