Facial Paralysis (Ardita) Written by Rich Sharma

Facial Paralysis ( Ardita)

Ardita is distortion of symmetry of  face. Facial Paralysis is a common cause affecting all age and both sexes. Cause is unknown but the site of damage is the portion of facial Nerve (Cranial Nerve VII) lying within the facial canal.

Classification

1. Intracranial or supranulclear
2. Cranial
3. Extra cranial

Symptomatology

1. Supranuclear or intracranial lesion

• Lesion above nucleus of cortex
• Paralysis of the lower half of opposite side of face.

2. Cranial

• Lesion in the skull
• Paralysis of some side of face.
• Loss of taste.
• Alteration in hearing if nerve of stopedius muscle involved
• Hyperacusisis may result.

3. Extracranial

• Known as bell’s palsy
• Due to injury of facial nerve
• Complete paralysis of muscle of same side of face.

According to Ayurveda

• Mukharda Ardita vata Vyadhi (Only face involved)
• Ardhanga Ardita Vata Vyadhi (Entire half of body involved)

Symptoms

• Ache in ear or teeth
• Inability to close eye
• Inability to wrinkle forehead on affected side
• Inability to blow or whistle
• Saliva dribbling
• Collection of food between cheek and teeth.
• Disturbance of taste on Anterior 2/3rd of tongue

Signs

• Facial Asymmetry
• Loss of facial expression
• Complete or partial paralysis of facial muscle on affected side.
• Overflow of tears.
• Nasolabial furrow is smoothed out.
• Reviation of tongue to one side.

Ayurvedic Treatment

Sanshodhan Chikitsa

1. Oleation therapy with Panchguna Tailam Kashirbaba Tailam or Mahanarayan tail.
2. Formentation by tube, bed or bolus
3. Massage
4. Vasti (Enema)
5. Unctuous Purgative.
6. Lukewarm and Unctuous Gargles.
7. Keeping oil over head through a cap like container made of leather.
8. Unctuous inhalation by use of Anu Tailam

Sanshaman Chikitsa

1. Rashmoola Ksheer
2. Rasraj Rasa
3. Panchamrita Lauha
4. Bhallatak Modaka
5. Rason Pinda
6. Khabadjanikari Rasa
7. Rason Paka
8. Gugguladi Pathya
9. Ramya Tailam
10. Arditari Rasa

Other formulation

1. In facial paralysis cakes prepared of black gram with butter are taken with meat or meat soup followed by dashamula decoction. Moreover intake of Ghrita after milk should be there.
2. Milk boiled with panchamula and Bala.

Dietary Management

• Diet prepared by adding fat, sour fruit and unctuous as well as saline food
• Meat soup.