Can applying ghee and oil make lip swelling worse?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have had swollen lips for the past 14 years. Everything I apply to my lips makes the swelling worse, including coconut oil and ghee. Even though food does not touch my lips directly, it still worsens the swelling. Since I started using coconut oil six months ago, the swelling has been increasing daily. How can organic coconut oil and ghee, which are supposed to pacify vata and pitta, make my swelling worse? Is my body confused? What is the Ayurvedic perspective on this?

I visited an Ayurveda doctor who told me that I have very high vata and that vata is pushing pitta to my lips. I plan to undergo Panchakarma in about six months. I just want to understand why ghee and coconut oil are worsening my swelling. Thank you so much in advance.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You may be allergic to such things also. Sometimes, allergy will make your lips swell. Even if you have aama and vitiated kapha also causes such swelling. Definitely panchakarma will help you.

You can always come back and reach me at icliniq.com.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is not autoimmune. In Ayurveda, there is a concept called aama, which is the result of improper digestive power. This aama gets lodged in weak places and form swelling, inflammation, and others. Do you have itching or any other issues?

Answer 3

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

In ayurveda, there are two types of virechana. They are Shodana and Nitya virechana.

The first type is shodhana that is virechana done after three to seven days of snehapana, followed by two days gap then virechana medicine is given for one day and you will have few to many bouts of diarrhea. Later three days of samsarjana krama (testing for food allergy) has to be followed. Before undergoing this type of virechana, if you undergo vamana it would be ideal. And one more virechana should not be done again immediately. At least a week or two weeks gap is needed.

The other type of virechana is nitya virechana. In this, a mild laxative has to be taken at bedtime daily. The duration of administration may vary from 15 days to months depending upon the condition. Since you are having issue in upper part of the body, it is ideal for you to undergo vamana followed by virechana.

Answer 4

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, in vata vitiation, vamana is contraindicated. I do not know whether there is vata vitiation or not? Only by physical examination it can be determined. So, it is ideal to undergo physical examination before undergoing shodhana.