Herbal Remedies for Pilonidal Sinus Treatment in Ayurveda

Introduction

Pilonidal means nest of hair. This is derived from latin words for hair (pilus) and nest (nidus). Pilonidal sinus is a most common disorder in relation with natal cleft. Usually, it appears at the sacro-coccygeal area. It is a sinus tract which often contains hairs and skin debris. This condition has a male predominance over females. It is more often seen in the jeep drivers thus, it’s referred to as “Jeep Disease” because most of the cases being hospitalized for it rode in jeeps, and prolonged rides in bumpy vehicles are  believed to present this  condition in result to the pressure and irritation on the coccyx. It can be correlated to that of “Nadi vrana” in Ayurveda where “Nadi” means tract and Vrana means ulcer. And among the 8 different varieties of Nadi vrana, salyajanya nadi vrana (caused because of foreign body) as “bala shalya (Hair as foreign body)” is understood as Pilonidal sinus.

Causes

It arises from the loose hair shafts that shed from the body and migrate towards the natal cleft. Thus, they are forced deep due to the gluteal contraction which may be asymptomatic at the beginning.  In Ayurveda, the causes for nadi vrana are shalya (foreign body), when a surgeon drains immature abscess, when a mature abscess is not drained and by following ahitha ahara (unhealthy food habits).

Risk Factors

Following are the risk factors for developing pilonidal sinus:

• Obesity
• Family history
• Sitting for longer duration
• Excessive sweat
• Person with large amount of hair
• Infections
• Long journey

Sites of Pilonidal Sinus

Common sites where the pilonidal sinuses occur are:

• Axilla
• Interdigital cleft of men’s Hairdresser
• Umbilicus
• Interdigital web of foot of a worker in a mattress factory
• face

Symptoms

Pilonidal sinus presents with the following symptoms:

• Initially it can be asymptomatic later blockage and infection of the sinus develops a painful swelling above the anus
• Pus discharge from the swelling
• Tuft of hair at the opening of the sinus
• Intermittent pain
• Itching
• Discomfort on sitting

Complications

Following are the complications pilonidal sinus:

• Abscess formation
• Recurrent inflammation
• Recurrence of sinus formation

Treatment

Incision and drainage just off the midline is the best treatment for pilonidal sinus is the treatment offered in contemporary science. Shaving the area may prevent reoccurrence. In Ayurveda pilonidal sinus can be managed by surgical and para surgical techniques. Surgical techniques like patana karma (incision) and para surgical techniques like kshara karma (application of akali) and kshara sutra (thread processed with alkali used for excision ). Apart from these surgical treatments the wound can be managed with some of the oral medications like Gandhaka Rasayana, Triphala guggulu etc.

Herbal Remedies for Pilonidal Sinus by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda has included certain effective herbal supplements under the group “P – SINUS CARE PACK” which is exclusive for combating pilonidal sinus. It includes:

1. Kaishore Guggul
2. Neem Capsules
3. Gandhak Rasayana
4. Boswellia Curcumin
5. Dashanga Lepa
6. Nirgundi Oil

Products Description

1. Kaishore Guggul

Kaishore guggulu is a well known drug used in various skin related conditions. It helps whenever there is inflammation and pain. It contains Amalaki (Emblica officinalis),  Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), guggulu (commiphora mukul), guduchi (tinospora cordifolia), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Maricha (piper nigrum), Pippali (piper longum), etc drugs which exhibits natural detoxification of body and acts as antimicrobial property. It purifies the blood and thereby helps in healing the pilonidal sinus.

Dosage: two to three tablets twice daily after meals with plain water

2. Neem Capsules

Neem (Azadirachta indica) contains properties that reduce the inflammation process. It is a drug of choice in treatment of wounds and ulcers. Neem contains many bioactive compounds like azardiractin, nimbin etc with a wide range of pharmacological properties like antiviral, antibacterial, antihistamine which is helpful in killing the microorganisms. The bioactive components of neem facilitate the wound healing.

Dosage: 1-2 Capsules twice daily, with plain water, after meals.

3. Gandhak Rasayana

Gandhaka rasayana is a medicine which is extensively used in the treatment of various skin disorders. It contains suddha gandaka (purified Sulphur). It helps in purifying the blood and reduces the inflammatory process. It promotes the health of skin and reduces itching. It balances all the tridoshas (body humors). It possesses broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. It is used effectively in healing abscesses and chronic non healing wounds. Thus, it works well in pilonidal sinus.

Dosage: 2 tablets twice or thrice a day after meals with plain water

4. Boswellia Curcumin

Boswellia curcumin is a drug which possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic property. It contains active components like Boswellic acid and curcuminoids which imparts wound healing property. Planet Ayurveda’s Boswellia curcumin is very effective in the management of wounds thus useful in managing pilonidal sinus.

Dosage: 1-2 Capsules twice daily, with plain water, after meals.

5. Dashanga Lepa

Dashanga lepa consists of 10  ingredients which is available in the form of powder. It mainly works on pacifying pitta and kapha (body humors). It contains various herbs like shirisha (Albizia lebbeck), jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), kusta (Saussurea lappa), haridra Curcuma longa), daru haridra (Berberis Aristata), chandana (Santalum album), etc. All these drugs have multidimensional properties which help in reducing inflammation. Planet Ayurveda’s Dashanga lepa is well indicated in skin disorders.

Dosage: Powder is mixed with clarified butter to form a paste like consistency and later apply on the affected area.

6. Nirgundi Oil

Nirgundi oil is prepared by using a variety of drugs with the base of sesame oil and Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) as a prime drug. Some of the drugs used in the preparation of this oil is Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Haridra (Berberis Aristata), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), etc. It is a rich source of Vitamin C as it contains Indian Gooseberry which acts as an anti inflammatory. Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) is a drug possessing analgesic properties. Thus, Planet Ayurveda’s Nirgundi oil is very useful in Pilonidal sinus.

Dosage: Nirgundi oil is used for external application only. Apply on the affected skin area with a cotton swab, two to three times in a day.

Conclusion

Thus, we can conclude that the pilonidal sinus can be managed very well with ayurvedic herbs and herbal formulations. These products are free from chemicals, additives, binders and preservatives and don’t cause any side effects on the body. At last, i can say the above provided information is true and presented in an effective and innovative way.