Lichen planus and ayurveda This condition is considered as a variety of Kushta(skin disease) resulted from dooshi visha or accumulated toxins. Regular exposure to unwholesome food, activities, chemicals and other toxins gradually affect proper functioning of digestive fire or Agni. Result of impaired digestion is the production of Ama or partly digested food. This achieves toxic nature and accumulates in the body. Toxic Ama is absorbed and transported through subtle channels of body or Srothas.After getting accumulated in some part of the body it manifest in to symptoms when favorable factors are available. Toxins get covering by Kapha and thus it can resist from body mechanisms of digestion or excretion. In the case of lichen planus , Ama get deposited in the skin or mucous membrane .Gradually this affect Vatha, Pitha and Kapha components of skin and gradually manifest in to symptoms. Even though all the three Doshas involve in the pathogenesis, Pitha and Kapha dominate in Lichen planus. Due to the treatments or other factors, this disease may subside for some time. Practice of unwholesome food, activities etc will again trigger pathogenesis and finally resulting in the new episode of the disease. Ayurvedic management Treatment mainly aims purification of the body, achieving healthy digestive fire, cure of symptoms remaining and rejuvenation of body. 1. To detoxify the system by Sodhana or Panchakarma procedures. After assessing signs and symptoms, health and digestive power of the patient either Vamana (medicated vomiting) or Virechana (medicated purgation) or both may be given. Selection of formulation for both the procedures is made only after careful evaluation. Ayurveda suggest oral administration of medicated ghee or oil only in certain skin diseases before purification procedures .Sweating also is not required in most of the cases. 2. To correct functioning of Agni and thus to prevent further generation of Ama . Progress of the disease and the purification procedures weakens Agni or digestive fire. Gradual use of light to digest food along with medicines will be required to regain normal power of Agni. 3. To pacify the symptoms (Samana oushadhas or medicines of alleviation) Gargling (Kabala) or washing (dhara) with suitable herbal decoction is useful in appropriate conditions. Internal administration of herbal decoctions, pills, arishtas (preparations with self-generated alcohol), and medicines for external application are also used here. 4. Rasayana or Rejuvenating medicines After all treatment procedures, body tissues or dhatus require rejuvenation. Rejuvenating medicines specifically useful to skin is used here. These medicines provide strong immunity power to prevent further vitiation of Dosha and dhatus and maintain health.