VATAJA-PITTAJA-KAPHAJA OSHTHAKOPA, KHANDOUSHTHA, JALARBUDHA

VATAJA, PITTAJA, KAPHAJA OSHTHAKOPA (CHEILITIS), KHANDOUSHTHA (CLEFT LIP), JALARBUDHA, HERPES LABIALIS AND LIP MUCOCELE

Diseases of the lips (Oshta Roga) are detailed in Shalakya Tantra, particularly under Mukha Roga. Lips, being the outermost part of the oral cavity, are subject to vitiation of doshas, trauma, congenital deformities, and viral or mechanical lesions. Ayurvedic classification based on doshas and modern medical descriptions provide a holistic approach to diagnosis and management.

VATAJA OSHTHAKOPA (VATAJA CHEILITIS)

CLINICAL FEATURES

• Dryness and roughness of lips

• Cracking and fissures

• Severe pain and blackish discoloration

• Difficulty in lip movement

• Tingling sensation

SANSKRIT REFERENCE
अर्धोष्ठौ शुष्कौ रुजावन्तौ श्याववर्णौ च विद्यताम्।
(Ashtanga Hridaya, Uttara Tantra)

TREATMENT

• Snehana (Oleation): Local application of medicated ghee or oil (e.g., Gandhaka Taila, Jatyadi Ghrita)

• Mridu Swedana (Mild fomentation)

• Internal Sneha: Ghrita Pana with Vatahara herbs (e.g., Dashamoola)

• Nasya Karma: Anu Taila

• Local Lepa: Dashamoola or Shatavari-based paste

PITTAJA OSHTHAKOPA (PITTAJA CHEILITIS)

CLINICAL FEATURES

• Burning sensation in lips

• Redness and inflammation

• Yellowish or greenish discoloration

• Formation of blisters or ulcers

• Associated fever and thirst

SANSKRIT REFERENCE
दहज्वरार्तिः पीतवर्णश्च पित्तजो लभते मुखे।
(Ashtanga Hridaya, Uttara Tantra)

TREATMENT

• Sheeta Dravya Lepana: Sandalwood paste, Ushira decoction

• Panaka with Tikta-Rasa Dravyas: Patoladi Kashaya

• Ghrita with Pittahara drugs: Tiktaghrita

• Seka with cool decoctions

• Avoid spicy, sour food

KAPHAJA OSHTHAKOPA (KAPHAJA CHEILITIS)

CLINICAL FEATURES

• Swelling and heaviness of lips

• Pale or whitish discoloration

• Itching and thick sticky discharge

• Coldness on touch

• Dull pain

SANSKRIT REFERENCE
गौरवं कण्डुः स्तिमितं स्रोतोरोधश्च लभ्यते।
(Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra)

TREATMENT

• Lepana with Tikshna Dravyas: Mustard seed paste

• Gandusha with hot decoctions: Trikatu Kashaya

• Langhana and Deepana therapy

• Vamana or Nasya with Kapha-pacifying oils

KHANDOUSHTHA (CLEFT LIP)

CLINICAL FEATURES

• Congenital non-union of the upper lip

• May be unilateral or bilateral

• Difficulty in sucking in infants

• Speech and dental issues

SANSKRIT REFERENCE
जननादेव च क्षुण्णोष्ठः खण्डोष्ठः स च कथ्यते।
(Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra)

MODERN VIEW (FROM ENT TEXTBOOKS)

• Results from failure of fusion of the maxillary and medial nasal processes

• Can be isolated or associated with cleft palate

• Diagnosed at birth or by prenatal ultrasound

TREATMENT

• Surgical correction (Cheiloplasty): Performed around 3-6 months of age

• Multidisciplinary care: Speech therapy, dental correction, ENT consultation

• Ayurvedic Supportive Care: Local healing post-op with Jatyadi Taila, Ropana Ghrita

JALARBUDHA (MUCOCELE)

CLINICAL FEATURES

• Soft, fluctuant, bluish swelling on the inner lip

• Painless, recurrent lesion due to rupture of salivary gland ducts

• Filled with mucin

• May rupture spontaneously

SANSKRIT REFERENCE
तत्राम्बुधं जलेनैव पूरितं स्यान्मृदुलं च तत्।
(Ashtanga Hridaya, Uttara Tantra)

MODERN VIEW

• Typically arises from trauma to minor salivary glands

• Most commonly in lower lip

TREATMENT

• Surgical excision of the cyst along with gland

• Marsupialization in large lesions

• Ayurvedic Supportive Therapy: Ropana Dravyas like Haridra, Nimba, Durva

• Gandusha with Triphala decoction

HERPES LABIALIS (OSHTHA VIDRADHI ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA)

CLINICAL FEATURES

• Burning, tingling sensation followed by vesicles on lips

• Clusters of small, painful blisters

• Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1)

• May be triggered by fever, sunlight, stress

MODERN ENT UNDERSTANDING

• Primary infection in childhood

• Recurrent due to latent virus in trigeminal ganglion

• Diagnosed clinically or by Tzanck smear, PCR

TREATMENT

• Antiviral medications: Acyclovir, Valacyclovir

• Analgesics and topical anesthetics

• Ayurvedic Management:

  • Shamana therapy: Tikta and Kashaya Rasa herbs

  • External application: Lepa with Haridra + Yashtimadhu

  • Gandusha with Triphala + Daruharidra decoction

  • Internal Rasayana: Guduchi, Amalaki, Yashtimadhu