Facial paralysis is a condition marked by the sudden loss of facial muscle movement due to nerve damage. In this condition, the patient is unable to move the muscles on one or both sides of the face due to nerve damage.
Further, it makes it difficult to express emotions through facial expressions. However, Ayurvedic treatment for Facial Paralysis helps in increasing muscle strength, improving facial expressions and coordination.
What is Facial Palsy?
Facial palsy results in drooping of the face, difficulty in making facial expressions, and challenges with speaking, eating, or closing eyes on the affected side. Further, the severity and duration of Facial Palsy varies and depends on the underlying cause.
Causes of Facial Paralysis
Facial Palsy can result from various causes that affects the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). This particular nerve is responsible for controlling the muscles of the face. Some of the common causes are ;
- Ear damage such as middle ear infection
- Bell’s Palsy is a sudden and unexplained weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, often thought to be associated with viral infections
- Stroke disrupts blood flow to the brain that damages the facial muscles area
- Trauma or injury to the face, skull, or brain can damage the facial nerve
- Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome, Lyme disease, herpes zoster, or otitis media (middle ear infection) effects the facial nerve
- Tumors in the head or neck can press the facial nerve that causes gradual or sudden paralysis
- Neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome affect the nerves and can lead to Facial Palsy
- As per Ayurveda, seasonal factors like exposure to extreme cold or damp conditions, emotional stress, anxiety or negative mental stress, and accumulation of Aama (Toxins) can disrupt the blood flow to the brain and related areas
Anemia, putting a heavy weight on head, and excessive laughing, sneezing, or yawning
Symptoms of Facial Palsy as per Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, facial palsy, known as “Ardita,” primarily is related to the imbalance of the Vata Dosha. Some of the key symptoms are-
- Drooping of the mouth and eyes to one side. Additionally, it is difficult for the eyes to get closed
- Facial weakness on one side of the face and restriction in facial movements like smiling, frowning, or even blinking
- Numbness and Tingling sensations on the paralyzed side of the face
- Speech difficulties like slurred speech and difficulty in pronunciation
- Inability to chew properly, drooling, & difficulty in swallowing
- Pain, headache, & discomfort in the affected side
- Inability to close the eyes because of the inability to blink or excessive tearing
- Loss of facial expressions or facial asymmetry
Ayurvedic Treatment for Facial Paralysis
According to Ayurveda, Ardita is a condition that closely resembles symptoms of Bell’s palsy or facial palsy and causes functional abnormalities affecting the Uttamanga (head). Also, it is caused by the vitiation of Vata Dosha (movement force). Further, Ayurveda plays a major role in the successful treatment of facial palsy because it targets the specific Dosha that is involved in the disease.
Detailed Facial Paralysis Treatment in Ayurveda
It has been observed that a number of Ayurvedic herbal formulations and Panchakarma procedures are useful in alleviating facial palsy.
Ayurvedic treatment for Facial Paralysis consists of combination of several changes and inclusions. Here’s a detailed approach:
Dietary Recommendations
- Vata-Pacifying Diet is recommended that includes warm, moist, and nourishing foods. Further, include healthy fats like ghee, sesame, and olive oil, along with warm spices like ginger, turmeric, cumin, and cinnamon to help digestion.
- Choose a soft, easy-to-chew diet instead of firm, chewy foods.
- Avoid mixed consistencies like cereals and milk. Also, coughing is more likely to occur with mixed consistency and these are more challenging to manage.
- Avoid foods that are stringy or have husks, peels, pulp or skins, such as raw tomatoes, peas, lettuce, chewy meat or sweet corn.
- If your mouth feels dry, add extra butter, gravy or sauce to make sure your food is moist.
Lifestyle Modifications
- Maintain regular routine, sleep patterns, and work schedule
- Ensure proper rest and avoid overexertion
- Avoid exposure to cold and windy surrounding
Panchakarma Ayurvedic Treatment for Facial Paralysis
VVAC offers the best facial paralysis Ayurvedic treatment plan based on the body type, risk factors and prognosis of the condition to eliminate the root cause of the disease. Additionally, our highly qualified doctors are skilled in finding the underlying cause of diseases and offering specialized treatment options to manage facial palsy.
Also, we provide guidance on appropriate diet and lifestyle modifications to prevent recurrence. The treatment helps improve facial mobility, facial drooping, and facial expressions.
Some of the Panchakarma therapies available for Facial Palsy in Ayurveda are as follows-
- Nasya Karma (nasal instillation of medication): Nasya Chikitsa provides efficient purification of the body, especially in the upper body, and hence provides symptomatic relief in Ardit (facial paralysis).
- Shiro Pichu and Shirodhara: Applying medicated oil to the head is a beneficial Ayurvedic treatment recommended for nerve problems such as facial paralysis. Further, Shiro Picchu has a calming effect on the brain and the entire nervous system, which significantly reduces stress. Also, it increases the supply of blood and nutrition to the brain, thereby increasing the efficiency of its functions.
- Tarpanam: The application of therapeutic oil to closed eyes for a prescribed duration strengthens and nourishes the eye. Additionally, the dryness and lethargy caused by the disease reduces.
- Mukhabhyanga (facial massage): Mukhabhyanga improves local blood circulation, provides strength to the facial muscles, accelerates medicine absorption and results in fast recovery.
- Panasa Patra Sweda (fomentation using the leaves of Artocarpus heterophyllus): Beta-sitosterol is an active ingredient in Panasa Patra. Also, it improves local microcirculation by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow in peripheral arteries, which accelerates medicine absorption and recovery rate.
- Abhyangam Massage with warm sesame oil or medicated oils like Mahanarayan oil helps nourish the nerves and muscles.
Facial Exercise or Yoga as an Ayurvedic Treatment for Facial Palsy
- Exercises for toning and stretching the face’s muscles are referred to as “face yoga.” Additionally, all yoga asanas, including facial yoga, improve blood circulation, promote oxygenation to the muscles and increase body flexibility.
- Gentle Yoga postures like Tadasana, Vrikshasana, and Sukhasana help in balancing Vata. Also, breathing exercises like Nadi Shodhana and Bhramari help calm the mind.
Ayurvedic Herbal Medicines Useful in Facial Paralysis
Ayurveda offers a range of herbal medicines that are highly beneficial in the treatment of Ardita. Below are some key Ayurvedic herbal medicines that will help with the condition.
- Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen with nerve-strengthening and nerve regeneration properties.
- Bala is known to have muscle-strengthening properties and used with other herbs for nerve disorders.
- Dashmoola has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and nerve-regenerating properties.
- Brahmi helps in the improvement of cognitive function and strengthen the nervous system, which helps in the ayurvedic treatment for Facial Paralysis.
- Rasna is known for its anti-inflammatory and is beneficial in reducing pain and stiffness associated with facial palsy.
- Eranda, Yashtimadhu, Ksheerabala Taila, and Mahanarayan Taila are other important herbal remedies to treat this condition.
FAQs
- How to cure Bell’s palsy naturally?
Damage to the facial nerve can frequently result in a neurological condition called facial paralysis or Bell’s palsy. Ayurvedic medicines, yoga, oil massage, diet and lifestyle changes can all be used to treat facial nerve palsy.
- What is the best treatment for Bell’s palsy?
Bell’s palsy and facial paralysis occurs due to the vitiation of Vata dosha. So, Ayurvedic treatment aims to balance Vata dosha and treat the disease from its root cause.
- How Ayurveda treat Bell’s palsy or facial paralysis effectively?
Bell’s palsy can be effectively treated by Ayurveda, which involves balancing the vitiated doshas with herbal formulations and Panchakarma therapies like Abhyanga, Mridu Swedana, Nasya, etc.
- What will happen if Bell’s palsy is left untreated?
If Bell’s palsy is not treated timely, it can result in long-term pain, facial spasms, and disfigurement over time.
- How to stimulate facial nerve regeneration?
Herbs like Vidari, Bala and Ashwagandha are found to be very helpful for Neuropathy. Ashwagandha, Bala and Vidari are examples of Rasayana that nourish the facial nerve and balance Vata dosha.
