Ayurvedic Treatment for Scleroderma – Symptoms, Causes , Types & Herbal Remedies

Abstract

The word “scleroderma” is derived from the Greek word “sclero” (hard) and “derma” (skin), referring to the thickening of skin. Scleroderma, also known as Systemic Sclerosis, is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the abnormal growth of connective tissue, leading to thickening and scarring (fibrosis) of the skin and internal organs. The exact cause of scleroderma is still not fully understood, but it is believed to involve autoimmune mechanisms, abnormal collagen production and vasculopathy. It is a rare disease, with an estimated prevalence ranging from 30 to 400 cases per million people. It is more common in women, with a female-to-male ratio of approximately 3:1. Most people are diagnosed with scleroderma between the ages of 30 and 50, though the condition can develop at any age. Early diagnosis is a key to manage this disease effectively.

Introduction

Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) is a rare, chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the excessive production of collagen, resulting in the hardening and scarring (fibrosis) of the skin and internal organs. Scleroderma can range from mild to severe, and it can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, lungs, kidneys, heart, and digestive system. The symptoms and progression of the disease can vary widely between individuals, and its exact cause remains unclear, though genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a role. Early detection and proper management can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.

Causes and Risk factors of Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis)

The exact cause of scleroderma is still not fully understood, but several factors are thought to contribute to its development, these include:

1. Immune system dysfunction
2. Family history of autoimmune diseases
3. Abnormal Collagen Production
4. Blood vessel damage
5. Raynaud’s phenomenon
6. Environmental triggers
7. Women are more affected
8. Medications

Types of Scleroderma

Scleroderma is primarily divided into two main types:

1. Localized Scleroderma – It affects only the skin and sometimes underlying tissues. It includes Morphea, which causes round or oval patches of thickened skin; Linear Scleroderma, which creates bands of thickened skin, often on limbs or the face; and En coup de sabre, a form of linear scleroderma that affects the forehead, giving it a sword-like appearance. These types typically do not involve internal organs.
2. Systemic Sclerosis (Systemic Scleroderma) – It is a more severe form of the disease that affects not only the skin but also a range of internal organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, and digestive system. The disease causes the immune system to attack connective tissue, resulting in fibrosis (scarring) and thickening in different parts of the body. It has two main types:
   • Limited Cutaneous Scleroderma – It is the most common type, affecting the skin on the fingers, hands, forearms, and face, with minimal internal organ damage. Most people have a normal life expectancy but may experience heartburn, severe Raynaud’s phenomenon, musculoskeletal pain, and in rare cases, pulmonary hypertension. One subtype of limited scleroderma is CREST syndrome, named after its main symptoms, including Calcinosis (calcium deposits), Raynaud’s phenomenon (color changes in fingers/toes), Esophageal dysmotility (heartburn), Sclerodactyly (skin thickening on fingers), and Telangiectasias (red spots from enlarged blood vessels).
   • Diffuse Cutaneous Scleroderma – It is a subtype where excessive collagen production leads to widespread skin thickening, typically on the fingers, hands, arms, trunk, legs, and face. This form can cause significant damage to organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, lungs, and heart.

Symptoms of Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis)

Scleroderma symptoms vary between individuals, depending on the type of the disease and the organs involved. They are as follow:

• Thickening and tightness of the skin
• Joint pain or stiffness
• Puffy hands (swelling of fingers or hands)
• Raynaud’s phenomenon (cold, numb, or tingling fingers/toes)
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Digestive problems
• Skin discoloration
• Joint pain or stiffness
• Heartburn or acid reflux
• Difficulty swallowing
• Muscles weakness or pain
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Red spots on the skin (telangiectasias)

Pathology of Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis)

The pathological process in scleroderma involves overactive immune system that attacks the body’s connective tissues,causing inflammation and excessive collagen production.This leads to thickening and scarring (fibrosis) of the skin and internal organs, including the lungs, heart, kidneys, and digestive system. Blood vessels also get damaged, resulting in poor circulation and symptoms like Raynaud’s phenomenon (reduced blood flow to fingers and toes). This leads to the characteristic symptoms and organ complications such as difficulty breathing, heart problems, kidney damage, and digestive issues.

Diagnosis of Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis)

Diagnosis of scleroderma involves

1. Clinical evaluation
   • Medical history
   • Family history
   • Assessment of symptoms
2. Blood test
   • Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) – Elevated
   • Anti-Scl-70 (topoisomerase I)
   • Anti-centromere antibodies
3. Imaging studies
   • X-Rays
   • CT scan
   • Echocardiogram
4. Pulmonary function test – To evaluate lung capacity and function
5. Esophageal Manometry – To assess oesophagus swelling
6. Capillaroscopy – To examine blood vessels at the base of the fingernails

Management of Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis)

The management of scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) focuses on controlling symptoms,preventing complications, and improving quality of life, they are as follow:

• Regular monitoring
• Physical therapy
• Medication
  • Immunosuppressants
  • Corticosteroids
  • Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
  • ACE inhibitors
• Management of Raynaud’s Phenomenon
• Pulmonary Care
• Gastrointestinal Care
• Kidney Monitoring
• Psychological Support

Complications of Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis)

The complications of scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) include:

• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Kidney failure
• Esophageal Dysmotility
• Heart failure

Ayurvedic aspect

The Ayurvedic correlation of Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis) can be explained through Vata-dominant Uttana Vatarakta associated with twak gata vata, with a primary vitiation of Vata dosha affecting the rasa (plasma), Rakta (blood), and mamsa (muscle), leading to symptoms of dryness, inflammation, and stiffness, which resembles with the thickening and hardening of tissues seen in scleroderma. Vata dosha disrupts rasa dhatu, leading to twak parushyam (roughness of skin), twak-sankocha (stretching of skin) and nidra alpata (loss of appetite). Rakta dhatu impairment causes poor circulation and oxygenation, contributing to fibrosis and leading to symptoms such as twak karshnaya (blackening of skin), blisters on skin, kandu (itching), sarvanga shotha (swelling on body) and sira ayama (stretching in vessels). Mamsa dhatu disturbance results in hasta-anguli evum sandhi sankocha evum jadyam (fingers, joints stiffness, and rigidity) and sankocha janya ruja (pain on movement of joints).

The verse describes the treatment principle of vata vitiated condition involving skin, blood, and tissues. In ayurveda, scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) is treated by addressing vata dosha imbalances, particularly in the rasa (plasma), rakta (blood), and mamsa (muscle) dhatus (tissue). The two main treatment approaches are Shamana (palliative care) and Shodhana (detoxification). Vata shamana therapies and Vatarakta shamaka medicines help reduce pain, stiffness, and inflammation, promoting overall healing and balance. Key therapies include

• Snehana (oleation) to soften tissues
• Abhyanga (oil massage) for circulation
• Swedana (sudation) to remove toxins
• Basti (medicated enemas) to balance vata
• Raktamokshana (bloodletting) to detoxify blood

Herbal Remedies for Scleroderma by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda offers high-quality herbal solutions, like the specially crafted Sclero Care Pack, designed to naturally support and aid in the healing of Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis). The remedies are made with carefully chosen ayurvedic herbs. Free from harmful chemicals, additives, and preservatives, these products are not only effective but also completely natural, vegetarian, and pure. With a strong commitment to quality and purity, Planet Ayurveda ensures each product provides a safe and holistic approach to improving health and overall well-being.

Product description

1. Ashwagandha Capsules

These capsules are the herbal supplement made from the standardized extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), a renowned herb in Ayurvedic medicine. It is a versatile herb that works to balance all three doshas, though it is especially effective in pacifying vata and kapha doshas. With its bitter and astringent taste, warming potency, and pungent effect after digestion, it helps promote brain health, cognitive function, and overall neurological stability. This makes it valuable in conditions like Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis), supporting long-term health and vitality.

Dosage: 2 capsules two times a day with warm water.

2. Gotu Kola Capsules

These capsules are herbal supplements made from a standardized extract of Mandookparni (Centella asiatica). It helps balance both vata and kapha doshas. This herb is renowned for its medhya (intelligence-enhancing) properties, promoting mental clarity and cognitive function. It helps support a healthy nervous system and improves the transmission of nerve signals, which can be especially helpful for managing conditions like Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis).

Dosage: 2 capsules two times a day with warm water.

3. Boswellia-Curcumin

These capsules combine two powerful herbs known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties: Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Curcumin (Curcuma longa). Together, they help reduce inflammation in muscles, bones, tendons, and skin, while also supporting the management of allergic conditions. They help improve blood circulation, ensuring nutrients and oxygen are efficiently delivered to affected areas, while also offering powerful analgesic effects to relieve pain. These herbs are rich in antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, which work together to promote healing and well-being.

Dosage: 2 capsules two times a day with warm water.

4. Sanjivani Vati

These tablets are crafted from a combination of herbs, including Pippali (Piper longum), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), and Vacha (Acorus calamus) among others. These herbs are known for their primarily katu (pungent) and tikta (bitter) taste, as well as their laghu (light), tikshana (sharp), ruksha (dry), and hot potency. It works as an appetizer, promotes digestion, and assists in the elimination of ama (undigested toxins). These effects make it particularly helpful for managing conditions like Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis), where digestive support and toxin removal are key for improving overall health.

Dosage: 2 tablets two times a day with warm water.

4. Gandhak Rasayan

These tablets contain purified sulfur. This natural remedy is well-known for its powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying properties, which can be incredibly beneficial for addressing various skin concerns. These properties help soothe irritated skin, reduce itching, and ease inflammation linked to conditions like Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis), supporting the skin’s natural healing for improved comfort and health.

Dosage: 2 tablets two times a day with warm water.

6. Sinhnaad Guggul

It is an Ayurvedic formulation that includes powerful ingredients like Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), Shuddha Gandhak (purified sulfur), and several other herbs. In the case of conditions like Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis), Sinhnaad Guggul can help reduce inflammation, support the body’s natural detoxification process, and promote the health of the skin and joints. These herbs are known for their powerful healing properties that work together to support overall health.

Dosage: 2 tablets two times a day with warm water.

Conclusion

In this article I have concluded about scleroderma (systemic sclerosis). We discussed causes or risk factors, symptoms, types, pathology, diagnosis, management, complications, ayurvedic aspect and herbal remedies by planet ayurveda. Ayurvedic treatments focus on rebalancing the doshas, enhancing immune function, and supporting overall health and vitality.