Chickenpox is a contagious and acute viral disease. It is common in children of age 1 to 10 years of age. Chickenpox is characterized by rashes or blisters in the skin, which would last for 10 – 15 days time.
In Ayurveda chickenpox is called Laghu masurika. The size of the rash might vary from person to person. Lagu Masurika is often accompanied by common symptoms like fever, cold and running noses, etc. Nearly four-fifth of the world’s population is affected by the disease once in their lifetime.
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Symptoms of Chickenpox /Lagu Masurika
- Runny and stuffy nose, sometimes with cough
- Severe headache
- A sudden decrease in appetite
- Burning sensation of eyes and they will become watery and red in a day or two
- After 2 or 3 days rashes will appear in the body. Starting from face it will spread over chest, arms, back and legs.
- Blister would develop in the rashes with bumps filled with fluids
- Vomiting
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Causes Chicken Pox
Chickenpox is caused due to the vitiation of all the three doshas namely Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Other factors that may contribute to the occurrence of chickenpox are
- Irritation through contact
- Skin infection caused by an overgrowth of bacteria
Chickenpox is mainly caused by the Varicella-zoster virus.
It is also known as the human herpes virus 3. Causes of chickenpox may also be associated with hunger, overfeeding, swallowing of air, and foods with high carbohydrate content.
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Other Causes of chickenpox
- Sensitive skin.
- Use of strong soap
- A long bubble bath.
- Long time illnesses.
- Change of diet (weaning or changing from breast milk to formula)
Ayurvedic Treatment for Chicken Pox
- Neem tree plays the very vital role in the treatment of chickenpox as it works as a disinfectant. General treatment for chickenpox includes the following
- Patients are made to sleep on a surface where Neem leaves are spread over.
- A paste made out of Neem will be applied to the skin
- Neem leaves will be spread over all the places, where the inmate resides
- After recovering form chickenpox the person is given bath in hot water with neem leaves soaked in it.
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Ayurvedic Medicines for Chickenpox
- Swarnamakshika Bhasma – Take Swarnamaksnika Bhasma in the morning and the evening with the decoction of Kanchnar tree bark.
- Eladyarishta – Take Eladyarishta after the meals with water.
- During the 2nd week of chickenpox, take 125mg of Indukala vati with water twice a day.
- Carrot soup along with Coriander can control the irritation of the blisters
- Sometimes honey is applied externally on the blisters to reduce the burning sensation and itchiness as it has healing powers.
- Green Peas soaked in the water are very effective in reducing the itchy sensation in chicken pox.
- The herb Kumari (Aloe Vera) is very useful as it can heal the blisters.
The Ayurvedic herbs such as Turmeric, Neem, Babool, Patola, Kumari, and Vata are very useful in treating all skin disorders, especially the best remedy for chickenpox.