Ayurvedic Management of Bell's Palsy: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION: Bell’s palsy is an acute, idiopathic lower motor neuron lesion of the facial nerve (Cranial Nerve VII), leading to sudden, temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face. In Ayurveda, a comparable condition known as Ardita is described in the classical texts of Charaka, Sushruta, and Vagbhata, where it is classified as a Vata-vyadhi (neurological disorder caused by the vitiation of Vata dosha) primarily affecting the Uttamanga (head and facial region). It presents with deviation or distortion of one half of the face and impairment of facial movements, closely resembling the clinical features of Bell’s palsy. The management of Ardita is primarily based on Vata-shamaka Ahara and Vihara and Urdhvajatru Chikitsa. METHODS: This report is on a case study of a 43 years old male patient who approached to Kayachikitsa OPD, after relevant examinations and screening it was diagnosed as Bell's palsy.This disease though self-resolving some cases remain partially recovered and some may be left with major facial dysfunction. So, the patient was admitted in Hi-Tech Panchakarma Hospital Mysore for 10 days and this condition was managed through Panchakarama & palliative treatment. The patient was treated with Ksheera dhooma, Jihwa Pratisarana, Panasapatra Sweda, Mukhabhyanga ,Nasya. There was no side effect observed during and after the treatment. RESULT: The patient got speedy recovery from all the symptoms of Ardita within two weeks which is much early than the self-resolving period of 6 months. DISCUSSION: Classical Ardita Chikitsa mentioned in Ayurveda text is effective in the management of Bell’s palsy. Keywords: Ardita, Ayurveda, Bell’s Palsy , Vatananatmajavyadhi.