Ayurvedic Treatment of Crocodile Shagreen

What is Crocodile Shagreen

Eyes are very sensitive and important organs in our body. Our bad lifestyle, increased screen time and various other factors leads to impoverished eyesight and other eye disorders. Their care should be an integral part of our life. Here, we are going to discuss an eye disorder named as Crocodile Shagreen and its best Herbal treatment. Crocodile shagreen is a clinical finding present in eyes in which specific patterns of opacities are found in the cornea. Cornea is a transparent, avascular structure of the eye which forms the anterior part of the fibrous coat of eyeball.

What is Crocodile Shagreen?

It is a polygonal pattern of opacities with some interceding clear zones. These opacities are greyish in color and found mostly in the central part of cornea. It occurs in Bowman’s layer. When observed, these opacities look like the skin of crocodiles, hence named as crocodile shagreen. It appears as scaly skin, is bilateral and symmetrical which means equal and in both eyes.

Background

Crocodile shagreen was discovered in 1920 and it was named by Vogt in 1930.

• It is usually found in the advanced age groups.
• It can occur after an injury to eye
• Can also be found with the cases of calcification on the cornea known as ‘Band Keratopathy’.
• Besides these, other cases with this condition are glaucoma, amyloid degeneration, PXE (Pseudoxanthoma elasticum).

Causes of Crocodile Shagreen

The causes of Crocodile Shagreen can be any one or more of the following:

Symptoms of Crocodile Shagreen

This condition is usually asymptomatic. Crocodile shagreen itself is a clinicopathological feature which means it is associated with another disease.

Diagnosis of Crocodile Shagreen

Crocodile shagreen is observed clinically as a certain arrangement of lamellae-saw-tooth-like appearance. This condition of polygonal pattern of opacities can be confused with another disease known as central cloudy dystrophy of Francois (CCDF). But the difference between two is, CCDF is inherited autosomal dominant pattern which means this disease can be present in multiple family members with mostly same mosaic patterns of opacity in cornea. Also, CCDF can occur in younger patients in contrast to crocodile shagreen where it occurs in elderly patients.

Risk factors of Crocodile Shagreen

Although, crocodile shagreen itself is asymptomatic but other entities with which it is associated like calcified opacities of cornea or glaucoma can be harmful and one can lose their vision.

Eye’s health and Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, the indriya present in the eye is chakshu indriya which is associated with the pitta dosha (one of the three pillars of body- vata, pitta, kapha). The imbalance in doshas, specifically the pitta, causes poor effect on eyes. As crocodile shagreen is degenerative, use of rasayana is one of the best options for this. Rasayana helps in rejuvenation of bodily systems.

Management of Crocodile Shagreen with Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda provides various herbal medications which are helpful in eye disorders. These herbal products act by balancing the doshas and strengthening the eye muscles hence improving eye sights. All these herbal remedies provided by planet Ayurveda are 100% pure and natural and free from any chemicals or additives and are formed by following the principles of Ayurveda, thus, making them more reliable.

Herbal remedies by Planet Ayurveda

1. Bilberry Capsule
2. Angel Eye Vitale
3. Pitta Balance
4. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras
5. Brahmi Chyawanprash
6. Saptamrit Loh Tab
7. Jeevantyadi Ghrit
8. Curcumin Capsule

Product Descriptions

1. Bilberry Capsule

Bilberries (vaccinium myrtillus) are small purplish black colored berries which are rich in anthocyanin and improve visual acuity. These berries are natural compounds to fight against free radicals. Various antioxidants, flavonoids and polyphenols present in this herb protect and nourish the eyes, thus it is considered as the Nutrition boon for eyes. It is useful in conditions like macular degeneration and helpful in improving night vision. It strengthens eyes and reduces strain, thus proved to be one of the best herbal remedy for Crocodile Shagreen.

Ingredient– Bilberry soft gel extract.

Dosage– 2 capsules twice daily, after the meals with plain water.

2. Pitta Balance

These ingredients work wonders in pacifying pitta dosha, hence balancing the fire energy of the body. So, it is helpful in the eye disorders as well as other conditions related with aggravation of pitta, like anxiety, anger management, unexplained headaches, burning sensations of hands and feet, etc.

Ingredients– Praval Pishti (coral compound), Akik Pishti (Agate compound)
Jawar mohra pishti, Kamdudha ras, Mukta pishti (Pearl compound), Giloy satva (Extract of Guduchi – Tinospora cordifolia).

Dosage – 1 capsule twice daily with normal water, after the meals.

3. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras

It’s a classical ayurvedic formulation prepared as per the reference provided in Bhaishajya Ratnavali – VataVyadhi Rogadhikaar. It is indicated in various vata disorders like psychosis, paralysis, and in pitta imbalance disorders as well like eye related diseases, etc.

Ingredients– Swarna (gold) bhasma, Rajat (silver) bhasma, Abhraka (mica) bhasma, loha (iron) bhasma, praval (coral) bhasma, mukta (pearl) bhasm, suta bhasm(compound of purified and processed mercury and sulphur), ghrit kumari rasa (aloe vera juice extract).

Dosage – 1 tab twice a day, to be chewed with milk.

4. Brahmi Chyawanprash

It acts as Rasayana, and balances the Doshas. It consists of various herbs as enlisted above and classically mentioned in ayurvedic texts. Brahmi Chyawanprash is a best dietary daily supplement that not only helps in maintaining the overall health but also supports in the treatment of various disorders such as Crocodile Shagreen, etc.

Ingredients– Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Dashmoola, Bala (Sida cordifolia), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), nagarmotha (cyperus Rotundus), vasaka (Justicia adhatoda), vidarikand (Pueraria tuberosa), Amla (Phyllanthus emblica), Chandan (Santalum album), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum), Agar, Karchur (Curcuma zedoaria), Ghrit, Rajat bhasma, Akar kara (Anacyclus pyrethrum), Pipali (Piper longum), Nagkesar (Mesua ferrea), Daalchini (Cinnamomum verum), tejpata (Cinnamomum tamala), Lawang (Syzygium aromaticum), Kesar (Crocus Sativus), and Sharkara (Saccharum officinarum).

Dosage – 2-3 spoonful twice or thrice daily after meals, with milk.

5. Saptamrit Loh

It is also a classical ayurvedic preparation consisting of various herbs and minerals, manufactured as per the reference provided in Bhaishajya Ratnavali. It is an excellent preparation for vision related disorder, iron deficiency and some gastric disorders.

Ingredients– Loha (iron) bhasm, Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Triphala- powder blend of three herbs Amalaki (Embelica officinale), vibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), haritaki (Terminalia chebula).

Dosage– 250-500 mg twice a day, along with milk or ghee, after meal.

6. Jeevantyadi Ghrit

This is also an ayurvedic formulation from classical text made with different herbs with the base of ghrit. Ghrit is considered as the best drug for reducing aggravated pitta. Thus, it is a wonderful drug for eye disorders.

Ingredients– Triphala (blend of amalki, haritaki, vibhitaki), prapundrika (Nymphea stellate), kakoli (fritillaria stellata), kshirakakoli (Lilium polyphyllum), Pippali (Piper longum), Lodhra (Symplococusracemosa), shatahva (Anethum sowa), madhuka (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Daruhridra (Berberis aristata), Draksha, Saindhavlavana, Sharkara, ghrit, and cow milk.

Dosage– half spoon with milk or triphala powder, twice a day, before meal.

7. Curcumin Capsules

Turmeric is rich in natural antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory,properties. It is very helpful in digestive problems, wound healing and protecting from free radicals. Free radicals are one of the main factors that damage eyes and other organs. Therefore, it is to be included in the treatment of Crocodile Shagreen.

Ingredients– Extract of haridra containing 95% curcuminoids (turmeric-curcuma longa).

Dosage– 1 capsule twice daily, with plain water after the meals.

8. Angel Eye Vitale

This under eye cream contains grape and vitamin complex and is infused with vitamins, antioxidants and other anti-aging ingredients. This cream nourishes the under-eye area, reduces under eye puffiness, and dark circles. It is a vital supporting herbal remedy for external application by the patients of Crocodile Shagreen.

Direction– Gently massage on the area below eyes, twice daily.

Dietary advice for healthy eyes

Other than the above provided remedies, some dietary and lifestyle recommendations are also to be followed for better and effective results:

• Include items like nuts like almonds, eggs, dairy products like milk, ghee, carrots, leafy green vegetables, & citrus fruits
• Include vitamins-A, C, E and OMEGA 3 fatty acids.
• Regular eye checkup.
• Reduce screen time during night.

Thus, we can conclude that the above provided information is presented in an effective and innovative way. Along with the management of Crocodile shagreen, these herbal formulations are helpful in treating various other disorders also. So, do not delay if you have any health issues and try reaching us by visiting www.planetayurveda.com.