Ayurveda Management of Shvitra (Vitiligo): A Case Report

Vitiligo is a skin disorder in which the pigment-producing cells, melanocytes, are destroyed, leading to white patches on the body. It affects around 0.5%–2% of people worldwide, and India reports one of the highest rates, nearly 8.8%. A 21-year-old female visited the outpatient department with several white patches having a slight reddish border on the left hand and left leg and face also. Based on the signs and symptoms, the condition was identified as Shvitra (vitiligo) with dominance of Pitta and Kapha dosha. The patient was treated using wheatgrass juices, gandhak vati, and kaishore guggulu. After the treatment, the Vitiligo Extent Tensity Index (VETI) score reduced from 8 to 2.4, showing noticeable improvement. Although this case shows promising results, more detailed case studies and properly designed clinical research are needed to build strong evidence supporting the use of Ayurveda therapies in managing Shvitra.