Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes gradual loss of the melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the melanin pigment in the skin layers which results in irregular white patches. Vitiligo doesn’t cause physical harm, but it causes great stress and embarrassment. Around 1.5% of people in the world have Vitiligo and it’s more common in women than men.
Symptoms
It starts with a small, white spot that develops into patches. In the beginning, the patches are pale, but become darker in time. Vitiligo spreads slow and progressive. The white spots tend to grow symmetrically on the both sides of the body and they vary in shape, size and intensity.
Causes
Scientists don’t have any evidence on what causes Vitiligo. Some of the reasons that cause Vitiligo include:
- Autoimmune disorder
- Hereditary factors
- Accumulation of toxic radicals
- Nervous secretion
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Mental distress and physical illness
- Skin injury and sunburn
Vitiligo is not contagious and doesn`t spread by contact and food. It is also not an early sign of cancer.
Natural Remedies For Treating Vitiligo
Before applying any of these natural remedies, try on a small patch to test for allergies.
1. Basil Leaves and Lime Juice
Basil leaves have anti-viral and anti-aging properties. Make a paste by mixing basil leaves and lemon juice and apply it on your patches. This paste promotes melanin production. Apply the pasta 3 times a week for 6 months.
2. Radish Seeds
Soak 40 grams of pounded radish seeds in some vinegar and leave them overnight. Apply the mixture on your white patches and let it dry for around 2 hours. For better results add some white arsenic in the paste and leave it soak overnight.
3. Turmeric
Turmeric mixed with mustard oil is an amazing home remedy for vitiligo. Soak 500gr. of turmeric in 8 liters of water and leave them overnight. Boil the mixture in the morning till it reduces 1/8thof its original volume. Strain the mixture and then mix the pure liquid with 500gr. of mustard oil. Heat the mixture until only oil is left. Apply it directly on your patches every morning and evening.
4. Red Clay
Red clay is rich in copper and can help you re-pigment the skin. Mix the red clay with ginger juice and apply it on your white spots once a day. The ginger juice will help you increase the blood flow to the affected patches.
5. Pomegranate Leaves
Grab a bunch of pomegranate leaves and powder them well. Take this powder twice a day- 8gr. of powder mixed in a glass of water.
6. Ginkgo biloba
Taking an extract of ginkgo biloba three times a day will help you reduce the growth of your Vitiligo patches.
7. Figs
Fresh figs can purify your blood and improve your circulation. Roast a few figs and powder them. Add some water to the powder to make a mixture and then apply the mixture directly on your patches.
8. Indian Lilac Leaves
Make a juice of Indian lilac leaves. Drink this 1-2 times daily. Indian Lilac leaves have essential minerals and compounds to effectively treat vitiligo and they are a great home remedy for leucoderma.
9. Goose Foot
Eat goose foot taken as a vegetable twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. Also, you can apply the juice made from the leaves of goose foot on the patches.
10. Walnuts
Eat walnuts every day. You can also make a walnut paste adding water to it and apply it over the affected parts of the skin.
More Tips For Treating Vitiligo:
- Reduce stress.
Lifestyle changes like meditation, yoga and exercises is the best thing you can do to stop the growth of vitiligo.
- Regulation of diet
It is very important to regulate your diet. Eat more foods rich in Vitamin B9 and B12 and moderate intake of food rich in copper (liver, oysters, calamari, lobster, cocoa powder, chocolates, nuts, dried tomatoes, pumpkin seeds, watermelon seed, ground ginger, chill powder and soybean)
- Avoid coffee, alcohol and highly seasoned dishes.
Important:
Re-pigmentation or a total de-pigmentation does not cure vitiligo. All these methods simply tend to conceal the white patches and reduce their growth. Even, there have been several cases of total re-pigmentation, a complete Vitiligo cure has not been discovered yet.