Efficacy of Vamana Karma in the Management of Yuvanapidaka w.s.r. to Acne Vulgaris: A Pilot Study

Abstract

According to Ayurveda, among the 56 upangas, face is at the top, so everyone and mostly youngsters are most cautious about the beauty of face. Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous follicles characterized by comedones, papules, pustules and often scars; chiefly on cheeks, forehead, chin, nose and upper trunk. As per Ayurveda classics, this condition can be correlated with yuvanapidaka (mukhadushika) which is the result of vitiated kapha, maruta (vāta) and shonita and the vishesha treatment as mentioned in classics is chardana (vamana karma). Hence the present study was conducted to observe the efficacy of vamana karma in the management of yuvanapidaka (mukhadushika). The results were assessed on the basis of signs and symptoms described in both, Ayurveda as well as modern medicine like pidaka, papules and pustules on face including medogarbhatva, ruja, daha, srava, etc. Marked improvement was observed in the chief complaints of the patients.