Article by Dr Manasa, BAMS & Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay)
Nakhabheda has been talked about as one among the many Vata Nanatmaja Rogas i.e. particular issues that are attributable to solely vata. It’s one amongst eighty such situations.
The phrase Nakahabheda is made up of two phrases –
Nakha – nail
Bheda – splitting, breaking, cracks in
So, Nakhabheda is a situation in which there’s cracking or splitting within the nail. It might happen on one nail or many nails.
Causative components of Nakha Bheda
Vata Prakopa – extreme aggravation or imbalance of vata is the principle trigger for the splits and cracks to happen within the nail or nails or for ‘breaking of nails’.
Under talked about are the causative components which might trigger aggravation of vata which in flip could cause nakha bheda –
- harm to the nails,
- consumption of extreme dry or non-unctuous meals,
- use of much less fat or completely avoiding all types of fat from meals,
- extreme publicity to chilly climates or seasons liable for vata improve – varsha rtu – monsoon or wet season,
- extreme publicity to dry local weather,
- extreme publicity to warmth of solar as in summer season,
- an excessive amount of manipulation of nails like pairing,
- habitually scratching the surfaces with nails or biting the nails,
- deficiency of diet resulting in rasa dhatu kshaya – lower of rasa tissue,
The asthi connection
Nakha – nails are the mala i.e. excreta or waste product or appendages of bone tissue. So, bone and nail well being are interrelated. Subsequently when bone tissue is vitiated or contaminated, the nails are additionally bothered.
केश लोम नख श्मश्रु दोषाः च अस्थि प्रदोषजाः॥(च.सू.२८/१६)
Deformities or ailments of hairs, physique hairs – together with issues of hair roots and pores and skin pores, nails & nail-bed and moustache are counted by Grasp Charaka amongst asthi pradoshaja rogas i.e. illness occurring on account of contamination of bones. So, when there may be contamination or longstanding ailments of the bones, nail deformities could happen as signs or issues.
Causes for asthivaha sroto dushti – vitiation of bone transporting channels
व्यायामात् अति संक्षोभात् अस्थ्नां अति विघट्टनात्।
अस्थिवाहीनि दुष्यन्ति वातलानां च सेवनात्॥(च.वि.५/१७)
The contamination of asthivaha srotas is triggered on account of –
- Vyayama – indulgence in extreme train
- Ati sankshobha – extreme irritation (of nails on this context)
- Asthi vighattana – bones being crushed and subjected to repeated trauma
- Vatala ahara – extreme consumption of vata aggravating meals
These can change into oblique causes for nakha bheda.
Pathogenesis of Nakha Bheda
When vata will increase, the dryness and roughness qualities of vata additionally naturally improve within the physique. These elevated attributes of vata can in flip trigger dryness and roughness in any a part of the physique. When this happens within the nails, the nails would lose their pure moistness and begin getting dry and brittle. When this isn’t addressed or uncared for it could result in cracks, splitting and breaking of nails.
Therapy of Nakha Bheda
Nidana Parivarjana – avoidance of causative components is likely one of the vital methods in treating nakha bheda. Sufferers ought to keep away from vata aggravating components, manipulating and mishandling nails, making use of unknown colours or chemical substances to the nails and any recognized causative or set off components.
Treating Vata – Aggravation of vata must be managed and its steadiness achieved by use of vata balancing meals, actions and medicines. Common consumption of vata mitigating snehas – medicated ghee or oil and correct hydration will maintain the nails moist, unctuous and wholesome.
On the strains of ‘remedy of asthivaha sroto dushti’
अस्थि आश्रयाणां व्याधीनां प्ञ्चकर्मणि भेषजम्।
वस्तयः क्षीर सर्पिषि तिक्त कोप हितानि च॥(च.सू.२८/२७)
The vitiation / contamination of bone carrying channels and the ailments ensuing therein must be handled by the administration of –
1. Panchakarma – 5 cleaning therapies skillfully administered as and when wanted. They embrace –
- Vamana – therapeutic emesis
- Virechana – therapeutic purgation
- Asthapana Vasti – decoction enemas
- Anuvasana Vasti – oil enemas and
- Nasya – nasal treatment
All therapies will not be wanted for asthi bheda. If nakha bheda is triggered on account of contamination of bone channels and bone deformities and ailments, these therapies will turn out to be useful.
2. Vasti – Medicated enemas – for vata balancing and controlling it at its root.
3. Tikta ksheera and sarpi – Milk and or ghee processed with medicines having a bitter style must be administered. That is stated to be the most effective medication for ailments of bone and bone marrow. Together with these tissues, these enemas may also have a therapeutic impact on the nails and would assist to maintain them wholesome.
Trendy Correlation of Nakha Bheda
A situation known as ‘brittle nails’ might be in comparison with nakha bheda.
The commonest causes for brittle nails are harm, trauma or injury to the nails, extreme publicity of nails to toxins in nail polish and to extremes of hot and cold climate. All these causes result in vata aggravation and may trigger nakha bheda.
Associated Studying – “Brittle Nails / Onychoschizia – Causes, signs, prevention, remedy, Ayurveda Understanding”
