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Yuvana-Pidaka Lepa (Acne face pack)

Yauvana-piḍaka Lepa यौवन-पिडक लेप

Also known as: Vacha-Lodhra acne paste · Anti-acne lepa

lepa face kaphapitta Tier S · verbatim classical
Yuvana-Pidaka Lepa (Acne face pack)
Method cold mix
Yield 17 g (3-5 applications)
Shelf life 6 months
Frequency 1-2× daily until pimple subsides; usually 3-5 days per pimple.

Indications

Yuvana-pidaka (acne)pustulesoily-skin breakouts

Ingredients

IngredientModernClassical
Hero actives
Lodhra (Lodh tree) · Lodhra
12 g 1 Karsha
Kalka — paste herbs
Vacha (Sweet Flag) · Vacā
Limit to 1g for β-asarone safety; or substitute Tagara 		1 g —
Mustard oil (Sarshapa) · Sarṣapa
White mustard seeds, finely powdered 		3 g —
Supporting herbs
Saindhava (Rock Salt) · Saindhava
Fine ground rock salt 		1 g —

Source

Sushruta Cikitsa 20.22: “Emetics are specially efficacious in cases of Yuvana-pidaka (pimples) which disfigure the face in youth. The application of medicinal plasters composed of Vacha, Lodhra, Saindhava and white mustard seeds, or of Kustumburu, Vacha, Lodhra and Kushtha pasted together is also recommended.”

What this is

The canonical classical acne lepa. Sushruta names two variants in the same verse; we have detailed the first (Vacha-Lodhra-Saindhava-Sarshapa). The structural logic:

  • Lodhra — astringent + pore-tightening (hero)
  • Vacha — anti-pimple, mild anti-microbial (limited for β-asarone safety)
  • Saindhava — mild osmotic, draws fluid out of inflamed lesion
  • Mustard seed — anti-microbial, warming, “opens” the pore for the other actives

Safety: why Vacha is dose-limited

Vacha (Acorus calamus) contains β-asarone, a compound restricted in EU cosmetics to ≤ 0.5 %. For a 17 g formula with 1 g of Vacha, the β-asarone content depends on the chemotype — Indian A. calamus var. Himalayanus has minimal β-asarone (<0.5 %), Indian A. calamus var. Calamus has ~6 %. Source from suppliers who provide a β-asarone certificate.

Modern substitute: replace Vacha with Tagara (Valeriana wallichii) at 1 g — similar nervine-anti-itch profile, β-asarone-free.

Application protocol

Important: this is a spot treatment, not a whole-face lepa. Apply only to active pimples, with a clean cotton swab, in a small dot. Leave 15 min, lift off. Do NOT apply over wide areas of skin — Vacha + mustard combination is irritating to healthy skin.

How to apply Mix herbs as dry powder; at use, add rose water drop by drop to paste consistency. Spot-apply to active pimples ONLY (not over whole face). Leave 15 min. Lift off. · 1-2× daily until pimple subsides; usually 3-5 days per pimple.

Contraindications

  • dry / Vata-prakriti skin (use less frequently)
  • broken or bleeding lesions
Safety flags
  • Vacha β-asarone — limit topical use
  • Spot-apply only, not whole-face
Vaidya review required This formulation requires verification by a qualified vaidya before clinical or commercial use — for botanical-identity confirmation, dose calibration, and patient-population safety.

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