Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia) ↔ Modern PUVA Photochemotherapy

The classical shwitra treatment of applying Bakuchi followed by graduated sun exposure is, mechanistically, the same psoralen-photosensitisation-plus-UVA therapy modern dermatology calls PUVA — one of the cleanest direct correspondences in this materia medica.

IN PLAIN LANGUAGE

Bakuchi is the classical Ayurvedic treatment for vitiligo (shwitra), applied to the skin and followed by sun exposure — this is essentially the same chemistry as modern PUVA light therapy, arrived at independently centuries earlier.

Ayurveda offers a genuine, mechanistically-validated therapy; modern medicine offers precise UV dosimetry that markedly lowers the risk of burns compared to unmeasured sun exposure.

WHEN TO SEEK CARE

See a doctor before treating any pale patch as vitiligo if it has lost feeling, is spreading fast, or involves the mouth or genitals — these need to be checked for leprosy or other causes first, and any severe sunburn or blistering after treatment needs medical attention.

🔴 REFER IMMEDIATELY

Hypopigmented patch with loss of sensation — possible leprosy, not vitiligo
Rapidly spreading depigmentation or mucosal involvement
Severe erythema, blistering or burns after Bakuchi application and sun exposure
Use in a photosensitive individual or on other photosensitising medication
Loss of sensation in the patch
Rapid spread or mucosal involvement
Severe phototoxic reaction

Never do this

Do not treat a hypopigmented patch with loss of sensation as simple shwitra with Bakuchi and sun exposure — test for leprosy first.

🟢 SUITABLE FOR ROUTINE / COLLABORATIVE CARE

AYURVEDA SCOPE

Topical Bakuchi preparation followed by carefully graduated, limited sun exposure for confirmed vitiligo/shwitra with normal sensation, ideally under supervision.

MODERN MEDICINE SCOPE

Wood's lamp diagnosis, sensation testing to exclude leprosy, and dermatologist-titrated PUVA/narrowband UVB dosing.

COLLABORATIVE SCOPE

Every hypopigmented patch should be sensation-tested before being treated as vitiligo with Bakuchi or any photochemotherapy, and sun exposure should be graduated conservatively to avoid burns.

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