An Ayurvedic View of Anjananamika: The Painful Eyelid Swelling

An Ayurvedic View of Anjananamika: The Painful Eyelid Swelling


1. Modern Explanation:

A Stye (Hordeolum) is a painful, red, pus-filled swelling on the eyelid, typically caused by bacterial infection (commonly Staphylococcus aureus) in the meibomian glands or eyelash follicles.

Two types:

  • External Stye – infection of Zeis or Moll glands (outer lid margin)

  • Internal Stye – infection of Meibomian gland (inner lid margin)


2. Signs and Symptoms:

  • Localized swelling and redness of the eyelid

  • Pain, tenderness

  • Pus discharge

  • Watering and photophobia

  • Sometimes associated with low-grade fever


3. Ayurvedic Correlation:

🟢 Closely correlates with:

  • Anjananamika (अञ्जननामिका) – painful swelling at eyelid margin

  • Kaphaja Vartma Roga, or Pittaja Granthi

  • Also linked to Sopha (localized inflammation) and Pittaja Abhishyanda

It is primarily Kapha-Pitta dosha related with granthi (localized gland swelling) features.


4. Doṣa–Duṣya–Samprāpti:

  • Doṣa: Kapha + Pitta

  • Duṣya: Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa

  • Samprāpti: Infection → Pitta-Pushpa (inflammation) + Kapha Granthi (swelling) → leads to pus formation and localized stye


5. Śloka References:

Suśruta Uttara Tantra 10/26:
"वर्त्मान्ते स्फुटितं रक्तं पीड्यमानं सवेदनम्।
पूरयेत् पूययुक्तं तदञ्जननामिकं स्मृतम्॥”

🔹 Red, painful swelling at the eyelid margin, discharging pus, is called Anjananamika.

A.H. Uttara 13/45:
"अन्यद्भवत्यञ्जननामिकाख्यं लघु स्फुटं तद्भवति स्रवयुक्तम्।"


6. Ayurvedic Management:

🔴 Note: In early or painful stage, local treatment reduces swelling; if pus develops, fomentation helps drain it.


🔹 Local Applications:

  • Hot fomentation (Nadi Sweda) – helps ripen and drain pus

  • Lepa:

    • Haridra + Daruharidra + Lodhra + Saindhava (paste over lesion)

  • Anjana:

    • Chandrodaya Varti – post-drainage stage

  • Seka or Avagāha: Warm Triphala decoction wash


🔹 Internal Medicines:

  • Triphala Guggulu – 250 mg TID

  • Punarnavadi Kashaya – for Kapha-Pitta inflammation

  • Haridra Khanda – 10–15 g daily

  • Arogyavardhini Vati – Pitta shāmaka and hepato-protective

  • Chandraprabha Vati – 500 mg BID (if recurrence)


🔹 Panchakarma:

  • Virechana – for Pitta Shodhana (if recurrent)

  • NasyaAnu Taila for better drainage of head and face

  • Raktamoksha – In chronic recurrent cases (with localized granthi formation)


🔹 Rasayana & Wound Healing:

  • Triphala Rasayana

  • Guduchi + Haridra capsules

  • Ghrita + Amla combinations


🔹 Pathya:

  • Warm water wash with Triphala

  • Avoid: Spicy/oily food, day sleep, stress, rubbing eyes

  • Include: Barley, green gram, ghee, leafy vegetables, amla, turmeric


📝 Summary Insight:

Stye is an acute granthi vikarā of the eyelid due to Kapha-Pitta dushti. Ayurveda offers anti-inflammatory, wound healing and Rasayana strategies to manage both acute pain and recurrence.


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