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CORRESPONDENCE |
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| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 59
| Issue : 5 | Page : 517-518 |
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| Hypersensitivity with ayurvedic oils under inappropriate use |
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Rajkala S Ramteke1, R Galib2, Anup B Thakar1
1 Department of Panchakarma, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India
2 Department of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India
| Date of Web Publication | 1-Sep-2014 |
Correspondence Address:
Rajkala S Ramteke
Department of Panchakarma, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5154.139917
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How to cite this article:
Ramteke RS, Galib R, Thakar AB. Hypersensitivity with ayurvedic oils under inappropriate use. Indian J Dermatol 2014;59:517-8 |
Dear Editor,
We are surprised after reading the case report entitled, "Allergic Contact Dermatitis (Type IV Hypersensitivity) and Type I Hypersensitivity Following Aromatherapy with Ayurvedic Oils (Dhanwantharam Thailam, Eladi Coconut Oil) Presenting as Generalized Erythema and Pruritis with Flexural Eczema" which was published in your esteemed journal. [1] Though the report explains the beliefs of Ayurveda medicines and tries to build newer thought of awareness about Ayurvedic treatments, but there are some points which need to be clarified.
First, a should validate that registered Panchakarma Physicians only can prescribe the oils, because it is the tendency of medical and non-medical community to take Ayurveda for granted. Today in the name of Herbal medicines, people are misguiding the global population. I would like to thank Author for her valuable work of testing hypersensitivity to Ayurvedic oil. This could convey the non-Ayurveda medical practitioner that Ayurveda drugs are not always natural or safe. Only Ayurveda physician can explain the efficacy, uses, adverse reaction and contraindications according to Prakriti (constitution), Rutu (season), Agni (appetite), Desha (location) and Vaya (age). These all the minute assumptions to be taken into account, it is having more significance in Panchakarma (Massage is the part of Panchakarma).
Ayurveda as Science has its eternal principles of healing. As per the basics of Abhyanga (Massage), there are specific conditions or oils which should be used. [2] It needs minute observation and keen thinking with deep knowledge. Not aroma therapist can prescribe Ayurveda oils for the so-called massage. It should be used with great caution. There are no explanations regarding patient's symptoms and prescription by physician. Anybody could get hypersensitivity with anything that we could not predict. It can be with ground nut or green gram also. So Dhanvanthara, Eladi oil can produce hypersensitivity of Type I-Type IV if they are not prescribed according to conditions of constitution, disease, season and Dosha. [3] That's why it is the need that those medicines should be prescribed by only authentic practitioners of Ayurveda.
We are using these both oils since years, why not a single patient developed hypersensitivity is due to proper drug selection. We want to convey that, these reactions happen due to wrong selection of drug in a wrong case. Going through the textual reference of Dhanvanthara oil [4] and Eladi oil, [5] is not advocated in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Many Ayurveda practitioners using Dhanvantharam and Eladi oil safely and successfully. These oils are indicated for Vata and Kapha vitiated conditions. According to Ayurveda Rakta (blood) is involved in pathology of rheumatoid arthritis where these oils are contraindicated.
Nowadays, most of non-Ayurvedic community are also prescribing massage. If any complication happens blame directly goes to Ayurveda. This is injustice with Science of Life-Ayurveda.
 References | |  |
| 1. | Lakshmi C. Allergic Contact Dermatitis (type IV hypersensitivity) and type I hypersensitivity following aromatherapy with ayurvedic oils (Dhanwantharam thailam, Eladi coconut oil) presenting as generalized erythema and pruritus with flexural eczema. Indian J Dermatol 2014;59:283-6. 
[PUBMED]  |
| 2. | Acharya YT, editor. Charaka Samhitha, Chikitsa Sthana, Hikka-Shwasa Chikitsa Adhyaya, Chapter no. 29, Verse no. 43, Reprint edition. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashana; 2006. p. 630.
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| 3. | Acharya YT, editor. Charaka Samhitha, Siddhi sthana, Basti-sutriya Adhyaya, Chapter no. 3, Verse no. 6, Reprint edition. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashana; 2011. p. 691.
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| 4. | Text with English Translation: Nishteswar K, Vidyanath R. Sahasrayogam, Taila Prakarana, Dhanvantara Taila, Chapter no. 3, Verse No. 1, 1 st edition. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series Office; 2006. p. 109.
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| 5. | Acharya YT, editor. Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya, Chapter no. 38, Verse no. 25, 9 th edition. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Orientalia; 2007. p. 166.
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