Facial palsy

Reasons for the facial paralysis

Facial paralysis may affect different areas – left side, right side, or both; it may appear in the lower part of the face. By affecting the mimic muscles the ability of voluntary movements is lost – to open or close the eye, to raise the eyebrow, or to wrinkle the forehead.

The natural mimic reactions when expressing feelings and emotions – joy, anger, laughter, are also affected. The mouth can be distorted with the corner of the affected side hanging; eating may become difficult; the speech can turn into ramblings.

Not only are the movements blocked, but also, the sensitivity is lost, as well as the gustatory perceptions; the salivation and the lachrymal secretion are affected. In some cases, the facial palsy may be mild – it may appear temporarily and pass by itself.

It is possible, however, the motor and the sensory blockages to last longer and with the different patients, different periods of treatment is necessary according to the changes that have occurred in the body.

In Ayurveda, the facial palsy, in the first place, is related to the imbalance of Vata Dosha, which leads to neuro-muscular problems. Vata is the energy which is responsible for the movements. Everyone has three energies in the body, which "share among themselves" all the processes in the body. These energies are in a ratio that is unique for each person, which is set at birth. Vata is in balance with Pitta – for the transformations and with Kapha – for the liquids. All diseases are caused by disturbing this balance.

Vata goes out of balance most easily and provokes imbalance of the other two Dosha because they are dependent on it. Without Vata, the flows of  Kapha and Pitta would be impossible.

Facial palsy may be due to blocked circulation channels, or ‘terms’ – these are the fine microscopic channels in the tissues through which the energy flows. The blockages are due to the toxins that occur with poor digestion, with stagnant and rotting food residues.  The terms can also be damaged by an excessively intense Vata.

How Ayurveda cures facial paralysis

In Ayurveda, there are different methods and ways for a direct effect on the particular neuromuscular problem of the facial paralysis. At the same time, however, the Ayurveda treatment is complex. Its aim is a complete recovery of the optimum functions of the body.

This happens by restoring the set-of-the-nature energy balance of the patient.  For this, an accurate diagnosis is necessary, by an ayurvedic doctor, to find out which Dosha has gone out of balance and how much it is in imbalance, also, which ‘terms’ are blocked. The treatment is through detoxification therapies, diet, daily routines, special exercises.

A wide range of herbs, spices, and oils are used, pouring, rubbing, massages, including on special energy points. Some of the herbs and spices the patients can apply by themselves, but in all cases with doctor’s consultation. This is because there are herbs and spices that may have a different effect on the different dosha, and the imbalance is usually complex.

The herb Hydrastis is used a lot – both as a decoction for compress and as a paste. The root of the herb is brewed in hot water; in the warm brew, a cotton cloth is immersed /so that it is soft/, then, it should be lightly squeezed and laid on the face. The paste is also prepared from the root, by combining it with red cayenne-pepper; it is applied three times a day.

Another option is the herb Sweet root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and more precisely its root. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effect, prevents lesions of the nerves, relaxes the muscles of the face. Tea can be made from 2 parts of the herb boiled in two cups of water for about 5 minutes and that has to be taken three times a day before meal.

In the treatment of facial palsy, red cayenne-pepper can also be used, which intensifies the blood inflow to the facial nerves and to the whole head. There are different options to use it – as a condiment to the food; also, as a daily intake of tea of the pepper tincture three times a day; as a paste as well, to rub in, which must be tested, however, for one or two days on a small area of the skin, so as not to cause rash on the face. Also, garlic, ginger, turmeric and others are used.