Ayurvedic management of Ardita with special reference to Bell’s palsy: A case study

Arddita (Bell's palsy) is considered as one among the eighty Vata Nanatmaja Vyadh is in Ayurveda. It can be correlated with the disease 'Bell's palsy. Bell's palsy is a condition that developed; facial palsy the paralysis of facial nerve also affects the movement of facial muscles and shows similar symptoms. A 17 years old male patient approached to OPD who was suffering from complaints of deviated face on left side, unable to chew from right side, improper blinking of right eyes and slurred speech since 20 days. He was clinically diagnosed as Bell's palsy and managed through Panchkarama& palliative treatment for27 days. The patient got complete relief in all symptoms with appreciable changes. Bell's palsy can be managed by giving comprehensive management of Panchkarma and palliative treatment which reflects that it is good remedy for Bell's palsy. Bell’s palsy is characterised by the sudden weakness in the muscles of one half of the face due to the inflammation or compression of facial nerve which is commonly unilateral. Bell’s palsy can be correlated to Arddita mentioned in Ayurvedic classics. Arddita is included among Vatavyadhi. The aggravated Vata will produce symptoms like deviation of half of the face, Tremulousness in the head, Speech difficulty, deformities in eyes etc. A 17 year old male patient reported in the outpatient department with sudden onset of deviation of angle of mouth towards right before 2 weeks. The complaints are associated with speech difficulty, drooling of saliva from the left side, inability to close the left eye, reduced taste sensation, heaviness & mild swelling over the affected side of the face.
The case was clinically diagnosed as Bell’s Palsy/Arddita. The patient is treated with Kaphahara/Sophahara followed by Vatahara medicines and procedures. The case was assessed with ‘House and Breckmann’ assessment scale. The result showed significant improvement in motor factions and asymmetry of face. After the treatment, the ‘House and Breckmann’ gradation improved from grade 4 to grade1. This case report shows that classical Arddita treatment is effective in Bell’s palsy.