ALEPA CHIKITSA IN KUSHTA: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Skin is the largest organ of the body which is in direct contact with the environment, the status of which reflects the status of healthy body. When skin gets affected, it not only has its impact on Somatic system but also on Psychological and Social aspects. In Ayurveda, skin diseases are broadly classified into Kushta which is a Bahya rogamarga janya vyadhi and gets vyakta in Twak and the treatment of which consists of both external and internal treatments which are considered as bahirparimarjana and antarparimarjana chikitsa. Bahirparimarjana chikitsa like Udvartana, Takradhara, Parisheka and Lepa all have very beneficial effects in treating this disease called Kushta in the same way as that of Shodhana. Alepa chikitsa has been given prime importance among these Bahir – Parimarjana chikitsa as it does Twak prasadana, rakta prasadana, kandu vinashana and daha prashamana. Hence, an attempt has been made to compile and critically analyse the use of different lepas helpful in Kushta roga.