A keloid is a tough, heaped-up, irregularly shaped scar that rises quite abruptly above the rest of the skin and tends to enlarge progressively. Unlike scars, keloids do not subside over time. Keloids are shiny and dome shaped, and range in color from pink to red. Most keloids look quite large and unsightly, and tend to be itchy, tender or even painful to the touch. These most often develop on the chest, back, shoulders and earlobes, and usually occur after an injury, surgery, skin inflammation, burns or piercing.

The Ayurvedic treatment of keloid is aimed at reducing the size of the keloid and treating symptoms like itching and pain. Medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha, Triphala-Guggulu, Chandra-Prabha-Vati and Kaishor-Guggulu are used to reduce the size of the keloid. Herbal medicines which can be used in this condition are: Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Behada (Terminalia bellerica), Marich (Piper nigrum), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra) and Mandukparni (Centella asiatica). Medicines which act on the ‘Ras′ and ‘Rakta’ dhatus (tissues) are useful in this condition. These medicines include Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Patha (Cissampelos pareira) and Musta (Cyperus rotundus).

In addition to oral medications, local application on the keloid is also a very important aspect of treatment. Herbal formulations which can be used for this purpose are: Panch-Tikta-Ghrut, Triphala-Ghrut, Kshar oil, Mahasaindhav oil and Chandan- Bala-Laxadi oil. An ointment containing Manjishtha, Saariva, Usheer (Vetiveria zizanioidis), Chandan (Santalum album), Triphala (Three fruits), Swarjika-Kshar and Tankan-Bhasma is used for local application on the keloids 2 or 3 times daily.

Medicines like Triphala-Guggulu, Kaishor-Guggulu, Mahamanjishthadi-Qadha, Yashtimadhuk, Mandukparni, Ras Parpati, Kutaj-Parpati and Panchamrut-Parpati need to be given for prolonged periods. These medicines need to be continued for at least 1 to 2 months after a complete resolution of the keloid, in order to prevent a recurrence of the condition.