Abstract

AN OVERVIEW ON AYURVEDIC TOPICAL PASTE THERAPY: LEP CHIKITSA

*Dr. Amit Madhukar Patil, Dr. Aparna K. M., Dr. Dnyaneshwar Kantaram Jadhav, Dr. Ankita Mishra

ABSTRACT

In Ayurveda, external paste therapy called Lep Chikitsa is considered one of the foundational elements of Bahirparimarjana Chikitsa. (External purification/treatment) Lepa, also known as Chikitsatmak and Soundarya theraphy in Tamil. It is applied by applying wet herbal or herbo-mineral pastes onto the skin for both therapeutic and aesthetic purposes. Lep Chikitsa is extensively covered in this paper, encompassing its historical background, classifications, pharmacological mechanisms of action, preparation methodologies, and modern clinical applications. Lepa’s therapeutic value is emphasized in this review due to its ability to address various skin disorders and systemic conditions by merging ancient knowledge with modern dermatological expertise.

Keywords: lep, Bahirparinja Chikitsa, Ayurvedic Topical Paste Therapy.