Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating) - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Hyperhidrosis refers to a condition where the sympathetic nervous system is overactive and produces sweat in excess of that needed to keep a constant temperature. This condition may be either primary or secondary. While there is no known cause for the primary condition, the secondary condition is usually caused due to endocrine problems, hormonal treatment, psychiatric disorders, obesity and menopause. Excessive sweating can be socially embarrassing and may interfere in professional activities. It is aggravated by emotional stress and high temperatures.

The Ayurvedic treatment of hyperhidrosis is aimed at controlling the sweating, regulating the sympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and treating the known cause of the condition. Medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Kachnaar-Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Maha-Vat-Vidhwans-Ras, Vat-Gajankush-Ras and Ekang-Veer-Ras are used to treat the overactive sympathetic nervous system. Medicines which act on the 'Ras' and 'Meda' dhatus (tissues) of the body are useful in this condition. These medicines include Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Chirayta (Swertia chirata), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Rakta-Chandan (Pterocarpus santalinus) and Vishwa (Zinziber officinalis). Other medicines which can be used in this condition are: Saarivadi-Churna, Chandanasav, Usheerasav, Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Pittapapda (Fumaria vaillantii), Triphala (Three fruits) and Usheer (Vetiveria zizanioidis). Fine powders of Triphala, Chandan (Santalum album) and Usheer can also be used locally.

Stress can be treated using Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) and Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina). Endocrine disorders like hyperthyroidism can be treated using medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Chandrakala-Ras, Praval-Bhasma and Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus). Obesity can be treated using medicines like Medohar-Guggulu, Triphala-Guggulu, Chandraprabha-Vati, Triphala and Trikatu (Three pungent herbs). The hot flushes of menopause can be treated using medicines like Brahmi-Vati, Saraswatarishta, Ashokarishta and Usheerasav.

Once the acute symptoms have been controlled, the recurrence of the condition can be prevented by using medicines like Kutaj-Parpati, Panchamrut-Parpati, Usheerasav, Saarivasav and Parpatadi-Qadha on a long term basis. Medicines need to be tailor-made for each individual in order to get the maximum therapeutic response.