REVIEW ARTICLE ON SAMPRAPTI OF INDRALUPTA WITH SHAT KRIYAKALA & PATHOGENESIS OF ALOPECIA AREATA

The review article discusses Indralupta, an Ayurvedic term for hair fall, particularly focusing on its correlation with alopecia areata. Indralupta is categorized as a minor disease in Ayurveda, linked to the imbalance of Tridosha and Rakta affecting the scalp. The condition is characterized by sudden, patchy hair loss, differing from the gradual hair loss seen in khalitya. The pathophysiology involves Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, and Asthivaha Srotas, and the condition can have significant psychological effects on patients. Ayurveda provides effective treatment strategies for managing Indralupta, emphasizing the role of kapha dosha and rakta dhatu in the degeneration of hair follicles leading to baldness.

A single case study explored the effectiveness of a comprehensive Ayurvedic treatment for Indralupta, akin to alopecia areata. The treatment involved Shodhana and Shamana therapies, including Dīpana–Pachana, Pracchana Karma, and Takradhara, alongside internal medications and topical applications. The patient showed significant improvement, with reduced patch size, increased hair density, and restored follicular activity, without adverse effects. The study concludes that this integrative Ayurvedic approach may be a safe and effective alternative for managing alopecia areata.