Vitiligo is a condition in which a loss of melancytes results in whitish patches of skin.
It can be seen prominently on the upper surface of the hands, and may only include a couple of patches or it may cover large parts of the body.
The areas affected also includes a loss of pigment in the hairs growing on that effected skin.
Vitiligo may result following an unusual physical trauma particularly to the head, it may also occur in conjunction with other diseases such as Addisons dis., diabetes, pernicious anaemia and thyroid diseases.
Due to its disfiguring outcome it can have severe psychological effects.
Interestingly it is seen mostly as a southern hemisphere problem it is thought that the exposure to ultra violet effects the melanin layer of the skin.
It is important to keep the sun off the effected areas. as the unpigmented skin areas are very prone to sunburn.
Our mix for external application that includes Elecampane, Hypericum, Celandine, Thuja, Calendula and Maritime Pine Bark along with the Bach Flowers Crab Apple, Clematis, Cherry Plum and Chestnut Bud. It consists of the following herbs: - Hypericum - for nerve endings, Cajuput - stimulates circulation, Cod Liver Oil- Is high in A and D vitamins , Wheat Germ Oil- High in Vitamin E.
Research on other herbs
Other herbs that may be helpful: An extract from khella , a mediterranean (Ammi visnaga) is so far one of the best herbs found to be useful in vitiligo. Khellin, the active constituent, appears to work like psoralen drugs-it stimulates repigmentation of the skin by increasing sensitivity of remaining pigment-containing cells (melanocytes) to sunlight. Studies have used 120-160 mg of khellin per day.
A double blind, placebo controlled study of 60 people indicated that the combination of oral khellin and natural sun exposure caused repigmentation in 76.6% of the treatment group; in comparison, no improvement was seen in the control group receiving sunlight plus placebo.
Khellin has no reported side effects when used topically. Oral doses, however, have caused various side effects ranging from nausea and vomiting to liver inflammation.
In a double-blind study of 52 people with slowly spreading vitiligo, supplementation with Ginko Biloba extract (standardized to contain 24% ginkgoflavonglycosides), in the amount of 40 mg three times per day for up to six months, resulted in marked to complete repigmentation in 40% of cases, compared with only 9% among those receiving a placebo.
