AYURVEDIC REMEDIES FOR SCABIES
Scabies is a parasitic infestation and
it usually spreads by physical contact. In Ayurveda it is known as kachchhu.
Usually, scabies affects the thin skin areas below the collar line. Thus, the interior auxiliary folds inside of the elbows, the ulnar side of the wrist joints and hands and the clefts
of the fingers are the sites commonly affected on the upper limb. On the trunk the sites most commonly affected are female breasts, the abdomen, the male genital organ and buttocks.
In the lower limb, the thigh, ankles and feet are generally affected. There are itching papules and it may be marked by scratching inflammation, pus formation and eczema.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Scabies: Purified sulphur is commonly used in the treatment of scabies. About two gm. of raw sulphur is taken in a big spoon and to this, some cow's ghee is added so
that the sulphur
powder gets fully submerged in the ghee. The kitchen spoon is then kept over an oven and heated. As the ghee starts boiling the sulphur melts and gets mixed up with the ghee.
In another pc cow's milk is kept and its mouth is covered with a thin cloth. Over this cloth the hot ghee containing sulphur is poured and through this cloth, the sulphur comes down
to the milk inside the pot. Coming in contact with milk, the sulphur gets solidified and it is to be taken out from the milk and washed with warm water.
This process is to
be repeated
for seven times. The sulphur thereby not only becomes free from extraneous impurities, but also becomes non-toxic and therapeutically more effective when taken internally.
This sulphur is to be made into a powder and kept in a dry bottle. This is to given to the patient in a dose of 0.2 gm, two times per day, mixed with honey on empty stomach.
The ghee which comes out of the milk to which sulphur is added is very useful for external application. This type of sulphur is well tolerated even by infants.
Care should be taken to see that the patient gets clean motion. If not, a laxative may be given to him.
The parts of the body affected by scabies should be washed daily with water boiled with neem leaves. Soap prepared with neem oil is very useful. Neem leaves can be chewed and taken
internally also. Tender neem leaves which are not very bitter, are made into a pill of the size of a pea and given to the patient, twice a day.
Diet to taken by Scabies patients: Sweet and sour things should not be taken by the patient.' Pickles, curd and molasses are strictly prohibited.
Other regimens: The scabies patient should develop clean habits. He should take bath daily, if possible with water boiled with neem leaves. Exercises, brisk walk in fresh air
in the morning
and evening, are very useful for the patient.
