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Like any part of the body, the muscles
of the face are supplied with nerves which control their action. These nerves at their outlet from the skull get compressed because of some local inflammation. Thus, there is
impairment in the action of these nerves. This inflammation is often caused by exposure to cold wind and unwholesome diet.
The first sign of the facial paralysis is that the patient feels the face to be stiff and experiences difficulty is moving it. When paralysis sets in, the paralysed side becomes
numb and motionless. The patient cannot close his eyes, and tears come out of them. He experiences difficulty in drinking and eating food.
The paralysis may be complete or incomplete. In the latter type usually the lower side of the face is affected.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Facial paralysis: Hot fomentation with the help of a bolus by keeping salt in it is extremely useful in this condition. This should be kept over a frying pan, and heated. It should be
tolerably hot and should be tested with fingers before it is applied to the patient. The facial nerve comes out of the skull through a hole below the lobule of the ear. It is,
therefore, necessary to give fomentation on this part of the face. The fomentation should be for about half an hour twice a day. The face should never be exposed to cold wind.
The spot should always be kept covered with a woollen muffler or a scarf. Massage of Mahanarayana taila is useful in this condition. The entire half of the face which is affected
has to be given massage. The oil should be made tolerably warm before the massage, and the patient should be advised to keep himself indoors for about one hour. The massage
should be gentle and slow.
Internally, the patient should be given Vatagajankusha. This is available in pill form and two pills of this medicine should be given to the patient three times a day, with honey.
The pill should be made to a powder and thoroughly mixed with honey and given to the patient. Dashamularishta has a peculiar effect on nervous system. It tones up the nerves and
helps them to work better. It has anti-inflammatory properties also. It is given in a dose of six teaspoonfuls twice a day, after food, with equal quantity of water. These medicines
should be continued either separately, or together for about two weeks after the recovery of the paralysis.
Since the condition is not very painful, the patient stops the treatment
after he gets some relief and the residual paralysis which is left untreated, continues to be with him for the rest of his life. It is, therefore, necessary to take complete
treatment and continue the treatment for about two weeks even after complete recovery. This is necessary with a view to preventing relapse of this condition.
The medicines mentioned above will work well only if the patient is not constipated, if he is constipated, castor oil should be given to him regularly as a purgative. Apart from
purgation castor oil has got some anti-inflammatory property of the fibers, bones and joints. Thus it helps the patient very much.
Diet to taken by facial paralysis patients: The patient should avoid curd, sour and cold things, including ice¬-cream, chilled cola, iced beer and alcoholic drinks. Pulses of any type and their preparations will not be
good for the patient. Among the vegetable, yellow pumpkin and colocasia are harmful for the patient. Leafy vegetable are very good in this condition. The patient should take wheat
rather than rice. Cow's milk, are very useful for the patient.
Other regimens: The facial paralysis patient should not expose himself to rain or cold wind. He should also keep the face properly covered in winter season. Since he will not be able to close his eyes,
even during his sleep they remain open, their is every possibility of foreign bodies, including germs, getting into them. Proper care should be taken to protect the eyes from this
ailment. Remaining awake at night for a long time is very harmful to the patient.
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