Vitiligo is termed a condition of hypopigmentation. A defect in the melatonin production and thus the coloring of the skin often occurs spontaneously. The defect is caused by an autoimmune attack on the melatonin producing cells and their consequential destruction leads to areas of patchiness in the coloring of the skin. The changes are often first seen on areas of the hands and face, and the discoloration can continue to affect large masses of the body. Herbs for vitiligo can help balance the disrupted immune system and assist with sensitizing the skin to UV rays, thereby improving skin shade.
Ginkgo biloba
Vitiligo is noted by a 2003 "Clinical and Experimental Dermatology" journal article to be instigated by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is otherwise known as an imbalanced ratio between free radical production and antioxidant reserves. Ginkgo biloba is a well known herb, used commonly for improving senile memory loss. Its usefulness in this type of memory loss is founded in its ability to provide an impressive antioxidant profile to a situation of accumulated free radical damage of old age. Similarly, the "Clinical and Experimental Dermatology" article found that ginkgo improved slow progressing vitiligo by providing antioxidants and by modulating the immune system. Conventional treatment of vitiligo can be hit or miss and may be associated with long term side effects, according to a 2008 "BMC Dermatology" article, but solo supplementation with 40 mg of gingko biloba, three times per day may offer high benefit, with low adverse reaction potential.
Khella
Khella is a plant native to North Africa, Asia and Europe. Khella also goes by the name Amni visnaga and has a long history of traditional use in treating urinary stones, relaxing the arteries and in treating asthma, notes an "Integrative Practitioner" monograph. Its main constituent, khellin may provide benefit as a complementary agent to conventional therapies to treat vitiligo. Drugs.com notes that a potential side effect of Khella use is photosensitivity or phototoxicity, which is a heightened reaction such as increased tanning or darkening of the skin. However, in the treatment of vitiligo this side effect actually becomes a desired effect and when used in conjunction with UVA or UVB light therapy, improves the repigmentation outcomes. The "BMC Dermatology" article notes that khellin extracts have been used in this manner and weak evidence exists for its combined phototherapy use.
Picorrhiza kurroa
The Chiropractic Research Organization listed a paper on "History of Herbal Medicine" that notes the use of the Ayurvedic herb, Picrorhiza kurroa in the treatment of vitiligo. The herb is noted to have immune modulating properties, which when used with other treatments for vitiligo may provide benefit. The "BMC Dermatology" article also listed this herb as a photosensitizing agent, which works similarly to khellin extracts in improving repigmentation when coupled with phototherapy. Additionally, the article notes that a side effect of increased skin itch, also known as pruritis with the use of Picorrhiza and the drug, methoxsalen.
References
- "Clinical and Experimental Dermatology": Effectiveness of oral Ginkgo biloba in treating vitiligo"
- "BMC Dermatology": A Systemic Review of Natural Health Product Treatment of Vitiligo
- "Integrative Practitioner": Khella (Amni visnaga)
- Drugs.com: Khella
- The Chiropractic Research Organization: "Herbal Medicine"
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