A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study1 explored the internal and external formulations outlined in the Bhavaprakasha and Charak Samhita.
Fifty-two subjects were divided into four groups: 1) active oral tablets and active topical gel, 2) active oral tablets and active topical cream, 3) active oral tablet and placebo topical preparation, and 4) placebo tablet and placebo topical preparation. They used a preparation of aloe barbadensis, azardirachta indica, curcyma longa, hemidesmus indicus, terminalia chebula, terminalia arjua, and withania somnifera for the gel and cream topical preparation. They used the same ingredients plus piper longum for the oral tablets. They found that combined topical and oral use of the herbal preparation (groups 1 and 2) significantly improved acne symptoms. Oral treatment alone was not effective.
Lalla, J.K., Nandedkar, S.Y., Paranjape, M.H., & Talreja, N.B. (2001). Clinical trials of ayurvedic formulations in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Journal of Ethnoparmacology, 78(2001), 99-102.
The topical gel and cream preparations Charak Samhita, along with Bhavapraksha, have been shown to be most effective in the treatment of acne. They are also available as oral tablets.
The Charak Samhita formulation is often used in conjunction with the Bhavapraksha formulation for the treatment of acne. This combination of Ayurvedia herbs address the imbalances that are at the source of acne.
Lalla, Nandedkar, Paranjape, and Talreja conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 2001 that explored the internal and external formulations outlined in the Bhavaprakasha and Charak Samhita. 52 subjects were divided into four groups: 1) active oral tablets and active topical gel, 2) active oral tablets and active topical cream, 3) active oral tablet and placebo topical preparation, and 4) placebo tablet and placebo topical preparation. They used a preparation of aloe barbadensis, azardirachta indica, curcyma longa, hemidesmus indicus, terminalia chebula, terminalia arjua, and withania somnifera for the gel and cream topical preparation. They used the same ingredients plus piper longum for the oral tablets. They found that the combined treatments of group 1 and 2 had better results than the oral tablets alone. For example, in group 1, 32% of patients showed “good to excellent” improvements and 63% showed “slight to fair” improvements. In group 2, 58% showed “good to excellent” and 26% showed “slight to fair.” In group 3, the results were 100% “slight to fair” and in Group 4, there were no improvements (p. 101).
The Charak Samhita formulation is often used in conjunction with the Bhavapraksha formulation for the treatment of acne. This combination of Ayurvedia herbs address the imbalances that are at the source of acne.
The topical gel and cream preparations of Bhavaprakasha, along with Charak Samhita, have been shown to be most effective in the treatment of acne. They are also available as oral tablets.
The Bhavapraksha formuation is often used to treat acne along with the Charak Samhita formulation. These herbs remedy the imbalances that are the source of acne.
The topical gel and cream preparations of Bhavaprakasha, along with Charak Samhita, have been shown to be most effective in the treatment of acne. They are also available as oral tablets.
The Ayurvedic health literature Bhavaprakasha and Charak Samhita describe formulations Bhavapraksha formuation is often used to treat acne along with the Charak Samhita formulation. These herbs remedy the imbalances that are the source of acne.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study1 explored the internal and external formulations outlined in the Bhavaprakasha and Charak Samhita.
Fifty-two subjects were divided into four groups: 1) active oral tablets and active topical gel, 2) active oral tablets and active topical cream, 3) active oral tablet and placebo topical preparation, and 4) placebo tablet and placebo topical preparation. They used a preparation of aloe barbadensis, azardirachta indica, curcyma longa, hemidesmus indicus, terminalia chebula, terminalia arjua, and withania somnifera for the gel and cream topical preparation. They used the same ingredients plus piper longum for the oral tablets. They found that combined topical and oral use of the herbal preparation (groups 1 and 2) significantly improved acne symptoms. Oral treatment alone was not effective.
The Bhavapraksha formuation is often used to treat acne along with the Charak Samhita formulation. These herbs remedy the imbalances that are the source of acne. Lalla, Nandedkar, Paranjape, and Talreja conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 2001 that explored the internal and external formulations outlined in the Bhavaprakasha and Charak Samhita. 52 subjects were divided into four groups: 1) active oral tablets and active topical gel, 2) active oral tablets and active topical cream, 3) active oral tablet and placebo topical preparation, and 4) placebo tablet and placebo topical preparation. They used a preparation of aloe barbadensis, azardirachta indica, curcyma longa, hemidesmus indicus, terminalia chebula, terminalia arjua, and withania somnifera for the gel and cream topical preparation. They used the same ingredients plus piper longum for the oral tablets. They found that the combined treatments of group 1 and 2 had better results than the oral tablets alone. For example, in group 1, 32% of patients showed “good to excellent” improvements and 63% showed “slight to fair” improvements. In group 2, 58% showed “good to excellent” and 26% showed “slight to fair.” In group 3, the results were 100% “slight to fair” and in Group 4, there were no improvements (p. 101).
An Ayurvedic perspective indicates that acne is an imbalance in the dosha, most likely a Pitta imbalance (although there can be imbalances in Vata and Kapha too). Ayurveda calls acne symptoms “Tarunya Pitika” (the pimples on the face during adolescence) or “Mukhadusika” (one which spoils or disfigures the face).1
Ayurvedic medicine has shown some promise for acne. One study evaluated the potential benefits of Bhavapraksha formulation, an herbal combination containing the following constituents: Aloe barbadensis, Azardirachta indica, Curcuma longa, Hemidesmus indicus, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia arjuna, and Withania somnifera.
The Bhavapraksha formuation is often used to treat acne along with the Charak Samhita formulation. These herbs remedy the imbalances that are the source of acne.
Conventional treatment for acne consists primarily of oral or topical antibiotics, cleansing agents, and chemically modified versions of vitamin A.
Standard treatments for acne include topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, antibiotics, oral isotretinoin, and oral birth control. Some new allopathic treatments are being developed. There is concern of increasing antibiotic resistance to the standard treatments of tetracycline’s, trimethoprim, and macrolide antibiotics; new antibiotics such as lymecycline, azithromycin, and new tetracycline formulations have been developed to combat this resistance. Insulin sensitizing agents such as metformin have been developed to combat hypoandrogenism, a common factor of polycystic ovary syndrome. Zinc gluconate has been proposed as an alternative treatment for inflammatory acne, especially in pregnant women. New topical treatments such as clindamycin/zinc, picolinic acid gel, and dapsone gel have been added to the topical arsenal. Photodynamic therapies using a topical cream of with aminolaevulinic acid or methyl aminolaevulinate then employing lasers, red light, or blue light have been tested for inflammatory acne.1
Liu, W., & Jiang, W. (2006). The Treatment of Acne with Acupuncture and Acupuncture-related Therapies, Journal of Chinese Medicine, (81), 30-3.
