I had developed Alopecia Areata suddenly some time in May 2012. By Oct 2012, I hardly had any hair on my scalp and had to cover my head to avoid weird glances from strangers and probing questions from friends !! During these 5 months, I was running from one dermatologist to another, trying various ointments and steroid based prescribed medicines.
Then, on the suggestion of my dermatologist, was directed to meet an Ayurveda doctor (they are called Vaidya/Ayurvedacharya) Vaidya Rohit Bartake ! Ayurveda and Vaidya Rohit Bartake came as god-send and that’s when I first got introduced to Ayurveda. (later realized that as a child, all the home remedies that my granny and mom used to give were loosely based on the science of Ayurveda).
Ayurveda is such an ancient science and is so holistic , that I am surprised why and how it gets replaced by any other type of medicine. It should be more widely used – as the ‘medicines’, if one can call the mixture that is made up of all natural ingredients. And the type and proportion of the ingredients is determined not just by the ailment being addressed, but by the body, mind and emotional state of the person on whom it is being administered upon. As each individual is unique, their metabolism is unique, state of their mind and emotions are unique, Ayurveda prescribes a unique approach to each individual taking all these factors into consideration !! Where can you find such detailed applications of science !!
I still remember my first session with Vaidya Rohit Bartake, which was for nearly 2 hours. After going back far into my history, and asking the right questions to know the details about the general state of my metabolism/health, emotional state and mind set, Vaidya Rohit then went on to formulate the course of my treatment. (Stress seemed to be the main reason for the onset of this particular condition – which allopathy hadn’t correlated.)
There was something Vaidya Rohit Bartake needed from me first, before he would even consider beginning the treatment – and that was having the faith – Faith in his approach and faith in Ayurveda! As I knew, at a very basic level, that Ayurveda uses only what is available in the nature, which is also there within us, and nothing artificially produced was going to be injected into me. And the diligence and detailed approach that Vaidya Rohit had taken to approach the entire treatment was so different and so unique and so genuine, that I recollect not having even one ounce of doubt about the doctor. So, faith was already established without my knowledge.
However, I had heard various stories about Ayurveda and its side effects from colleagues – so clarified my doubts on those. I was for the first time, not actually bothered about my appearance or about looking like a zombie and being looked at – as for the first time felt like things were going to improve on my scalp front from here on – I was ready to be patient and follow the vaidya’s advice!!
The Ayurvedic treatment entailed a few kadhas – concoctions, which had to be boiled in water and had twice a day. They were prepared only by Vaidya Rohit in his clinic. I followed the prescription to the T and had weekly visits to the doctor. I was also advised to change my diet slightly so that the food I took was most suitable to my body type, and also did not hamper the effect of the kadhas.
After few weeks I was prescribed some local application for the scalp. Doctor also advised me to apply a paste of onion and ginger on my scalp.
By the end of Feb 2013, I was positively looking like a healthy person, and had a glowing face. I could feel the change in my body. I began to feel fresh and light and energetic.
To enhance the effect of the medicines, Dr Rohit gave me an additional kadha and also suggested that I go in for leech therapy. I had never heard of this before but went along with the suggestion of the expert and had 4-5 leech therapy sessions. I thank the leeches from the bottom of my heart !!!!
By now it was the end of April 2013, and there were positive results on my scalp just about beginning to emerge.
I used to visit my dermatologist too – to keep that doctor also informed about the progress. This was more to just thank that doctor for introducing me to Vaidya Rohit and to the Ayurvedic approach.
Slowly and gradually things started going back to normalcy. Vaidya Rohit had also reduced the kadhas and we were on the path of withdrawing the treatment gradually. Alongside, my other issues, which I hadn’t even remotely linked to one another had disappeared, like my monthly cycles, rashes on my face which I had taken as a normal thing, attributing it to pollution, dull face etc.
Soon, I had a beautiful crop on the field of my head, and it was a healthy looking crop ! So much so that, people began asking me what am I doing to have such wonderful looking hair ! I said Ayurveda and Vaidya Rohit Bartake.
My treatment soon ended, with certain advice to be followed – rather incorporated into my daily routine – like my diet, taking up some form of exercise, having appropriate rest and sleep, and meditation to keep my mind calm.
I followed the advice, and as I write this note, am once again tying my hair up and getting ready for my yoga class !
