A Therapeutic Evaluation of Ayurvedic Intervention in Androgenetic Alopecia (Khalitya) – A Clinical Case Study

Introduction: Khalitya is described by Acharya Sushruta under ksudra roga in nidana sthana. It is characterized by loss of hair; in modern medicine it is correlated with Androgenetic Alopecia. Scalp is the most common site of involvement. Firstly, Tridosa and Rakta dhatu are involved. Here is a case of Khalitya (Androgenetic Alopecia) successfully treated with Ayurvedic management. Case presentation: A 34 yrs old married woman was presented with history of patchy hair loss on scalp, gradual increasement since last 2 years. There was no personal history of autoimmune disorders like Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis etc. There was no personal history of recurrent patchy skin lesion either on scalp or any other parts of body. Patient have no history of any major psychological disorder or history of treatment from psychiatrist, endocrinal disorder, hair plucking habits, local repeated friction or trauma or surgery. No previous history of prolong medical treatment before appearance of the lesion. She did not conceive in last 4 yrs there was no bad obstetric history or menstrual problem. Intervention: After proper diagnostic assessment the patient was given Manjisthadi kwath (20 ml BDAC with lukewarm water) for 1.5 month, Arogyavardhani vati (250mg BD with honey) for 1.5 month, Amalaki churna (3gm BDPC with lukewarm water) Avipattikar churna (5 gm ODHS with lukewarm water) for 1.5 month, Malatyadi kera tailam (local application/once in a day) for 1.5 month along with specific dietary regime was incorporated. Outcome: The patient got significant improvements throughout the treatment period. Preliminary some brownish thin hair appeared then small then small brownish black hair grown and finally blackish hair started to grow. Patch was almost covered with black hairs after 1.5 month of the treatment. Conclusion: In this case study, Khalitya (Androgenetic Alopecia) was successfully treated with Ayurvedic Shamana therapy. Dietary prohibition was also a part of treatment. Tridosa and rakta dhatu played a major role to the manifestation of the disease. This treatment protocol should be clinically evaluated on the large number of patients to assess its efficacy.