An Ayurvedic Path to Facial Recovery: Management of Ardita (Bell’s Palsy)

Abstract

Bell’s palsy is a lower motor neuron disease of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) characterized by acute unilateral peripheral facial weakness involving muscles innervated by the facial nerve. Stress, lack of sleep, and physical or mental trauma which in turn leads to less immunity can also trigger Bell’s palsy. Conventional treatment protocols include the administration of steroids, antivirals and analgesics even after which a complete recovery can’t be guaranteed. Thus, a systematic Ayurvedic line of care is necessary and can be executed to prevent these problems and to achieve total remission. The patient in this report suffered from sudden attack of right-side facial paralysis with numbness and deviated angle of mouth to the left, difficulty in blinking of the right side of eye 2 days ago undergoing allopathic treatments without sustained relief. Suffering with persistent symptoms, the decision was made to explore Ayurvedic intervention. He was managed with Vata Shamana (correction of function of Vata), Sothahara (anti-inflammatory), Marsha Nasya (nasal instillation) with Ksheerabala Taila along with Mukha Abhyanga with Bala Taila and Swedana with Dashamula Ksheera Dhuma and oral medication. Following this regimen, the patient experienced significant improvement. This single case signifies the effect of Ayurveda treatment modalities with Panchakarma procedures in the management of Bell’s palsy.