What to do with white spots on the face

I am a 35-year-old man who is suffering from vitiligo, liptic type. It began a year ago and now the white spots are spreading on my face, lips, palms of my hands and toes. A cream prescribed by a doctor has not been of much help. Is there a cure for vitiligo in Ayurveda? 
 - BM, by email 

Vitiligo (Ayurveda name: swithram) occurs when melanin (the dark pigment in the epidermis that gives your skin its normal colour) is destroyed or not produced. The involved patch of skin then becomes white.

Ayurveda describes (not proven as per the modern studies) the causes of vitiligo as incompatible food combinations and certain activities, continuous over-intake of sour and salty foods, curd, black gram and shellfish.

According to Ayurveda, indulgence in the aetiological factors by the previous generation can also cause genetic predisposition.

The goal of treatment is to stop or slow the progression of pigment loss and, attempt to return some colour to your skin.

The psoralens are a group of naturally occurring chemicals found in many plants, including lemon, celery, parsley, fig and clove in small amounts. In the presence of UVA, the psoralen helps your skin to produce more of the natural pigment melanin giving you a tan. Based on this principle, ayurvedic system uses Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia) seeds effectively for the treatment of vitiligo.

There are many other effective herbs which might be helpful in your case - both internally and externally. Consult an ayurvedic doctor for a better prognosis.

I have bulging varicose veins. I feel tired easily. My friend advised me to use stockings for varicose veins, but it has not helped. I am 29 years old, weigh 62kg and am 1.6m tall. Is there an ayurvedic medicine for this condition?
– A, by email

Varicose veins are enlarged veins. Legs are most commonly affected because standing and walking increases the pressure in the veins of our legs. To return blood to the heart, the veins in the legs must work against gravity. Self-care, such as exercising, losing weight, elevating your legs, and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting, and using compression stockings can ease pain and prevent varicose veins from getting worse. Make sure that the stockings fit properly and you wear them after elevating your legs. Consult an ayurvedic doctor for a detailed diagnosis. Apart from medications, Ayurveda also suggests Upanaha (bandage with herbal pastes) and blood letting (leeching or venous puncture) as treatment methods.

I am a 40-year-old housewife and have been suffering from breast cancer for the past five years. I have undergone treatment in the UK and use Femara every day. Since I began taking Femara I have been losing hair. Please help.
– MT, Dubai

I understand that Femara is suggested to reduce the risk of recurrence of cancer. The hairfall might be due to the low amount of oestrogen in the body as a side effect of the medication. Any hormone supplementation for breast cancer patients should be taken with caution and careful monitoring. You may check with your doctor about taking some asparagus on a daily basis which should improve your hairfall problem. You may also try applying Kanjunnyadi keram* (hair oil) to your scalp. Ensure nutritious food with plenty of fruit, vegetables and fishes is included in your diet.
– *Available at stores selling herbal products

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