Ayurvedic Management of Oral Erythroplakia Presenting as Palatal Petechiae: A Case Report with Therapeutic Insights and Classical Correlation

Oral erythroplakia (OE) is a potentially malignant disorder of the oral mucosa with a high risk of cancerous transformation, ranking among the most likely to become malignant among oral premalignant conditions. Clinically, it appears as a red patch with clear boundaries, and histopathologically, it may show epithelial dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, or invasive carcinoma. Palatal petechiae, which are small hemorrhagic spots on the soft palate, can be an early sign of OE, especially in individuals at high risk. This case report describes the Ayurvedic treatment of OE presenting as palatal petechiae in a 34-year-old man with a history of tobacco and alcohol use. The treatment followed the principles of Raktaja Mukhapaka and Pittaja Mukhapaka, using a local application (lepa) made from Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Haridra (Curcuma longa), and Madhuyashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra) powders mixed with honey, along with internal use of Amritadi Guggulu, Aarogyavardhini Vati, and Khadiradi Vati. Notable clinical improvement was seen within two weeks, with complete symptom resolution and disappearance of the palatal lesion. This study emphasizes the potential effectiveness of traditional Ayurvedic treatments in managing potentially malignant oral lesions and highlights the necessity for thorough clinical trials to confirm these results.