From the Guidelines
Vitiligo tea is not a recommended treatment for vitiligo, and patients should instead consider evidence-based medical approaches. The standard medical treatments for vitiligo include topical corticosteroids (like betamethasone), calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus, pimecrolimus), phototherapy (UVB therapy or PUVA), and in some cases, surgical options 1. These treatments have been shown to be effective in managing vitiligo and improving quality of life.
Key Considerations
- Topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors can be effective for localized vitiligo, but may have side effects such as skin atrophy 1.
- Phototherapy, including UVB and PUVA, can be effective for widespread vitiligo, but may have long-term risks such as skin cancer 1.
- Surgical options, such as skin grafting and autologous cell suspension, can be effective for stable vitiligo, but may have risks such as scarring and infection 1.
Recommendations
- Patients with recent onset of vitiligo should consider treatment with a potent or very potent topical steroid for a trial period of no more than 2 months 1.
- Patients with symmetrical types of vitiligo may consider topical pimecrolimus as an alternative to topical steroids 1.
- Depigmentation with p-(benzyloxy)phenol (MBEH) should be reserved for patients severely affected by vitiligo who cannot or choose not to seek repigmentation 1.
Important Notes
- Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that requires medical intervention, and dietary supplements alone are not sufficient for effective management.
- Patients interested in trying herbal teas or other complementary therapies should consult with a dermatologist first, as some herbs can interact with medications or cause side effects.
From the Research
Vitiligo Treatment Options
- Vitiligo is a common disease that produces disfiguring white patches of depigmentation, and its treatment aims to make it less noticeable either by restoring lost pigment or by eliminating remaining pigment 2.
- Various treatment options are available, including topical corticosteroids, antioxidants, tacrolimus, and pimecrolimus, as well as phototherapy such as narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) microphototherapy and monochromatic excimer light 2, 3.
- Systemic treatments, such as oral mini-pulsed corticosteroid therapy, methotrexate, minocycline, and Janus kinase inhibitors, have also been used in the treatment of vitiligo 4.
Herbal Medicine and Vitiligo
- Herbal-based therapies have been explored as new anti-vitiligo therapeutic strategies, with plants such as Cullen corylifolium, Ammi visnaga, Ginkgo biloba, Phlebodium aureum, Piper nigrum, Picrorhiza kurroa, and Baccharoides anthelmintica showing potential as therapeutic agents 5, 6.
- Photosensitizing agents, such as psoralens and khellin, obtained from plants have been used in combination with phototherapy to treat vitiligo, and have shown greater scientific evidence as therapeutic options 5.
- Other traditional herbs, such as oral Phlebodium aureum and Ginkgo biloba, have also been used in monotherapy or in combination with phototherapies to treat vitiligo, with promising results 5.
Vitiligo Tea
- There is no specific mention of "vitiligo tea" in the provided studies, but herbal compounds and plants have been explored as potential therapeutic tools for the treatment of vitiligo 5, 6.
- Further investigation is needed to determine the effectiveness of herbal-based therapies, including any potential "vitiligo tea", in the treatment of vitiligo 5.