How Ayurveda Can Help Treat Psoriasis Naturally and Effectively

Psoriasis is a skin chronic skin condition, autoimmune which is characterized by rapid cell proliferation and may leads to scaling, redness of the skin and inflammation. In Ayurveda its explained in the context of Kushta, skin disorders affected by the Doshas ,Rasa Raktha dhathu dushti. Its a condition which is caused due to the imbalance of vata and kapha dosha. The psoriasis is a condition , about 10-20% which can eventually can lead to the psoriatic Arthritis, where the joint will also get infected leading to the deformity of joints.

Causative factor

• Due to intake incompatible food habits -Virudha Ahara
• Controlling the natural urges.
• Excessive day sleep
• Excessive use of honey, fish and salty food items
• Excessive use of masha(black gram),radish, sesame.
• Regular or excessive usage of Madhya
• Excessive usage of dairy products.
• Stress is also a factor in some patients.

Signs &Symptoms

• Itching, burning sensation, soreness
• Small scaly spots
• Dry, crackeled skin ,which may bleed
• Swollen ,stiff joints

Classification

The modern classification of skin diseases are as follows:
• Plaque psoriasis– In this type the lesion appear like red, glossy raised skin and there will be silvery scaling, puritis. Commonly seen in Elbows, scalp, knees, groin region.
• Pustular psoriasis-These type are having raised, red pustules, which are seen commonly on hand and feet.
• Guttate psoriasis-Small ,oval spots,red papules ,scaling is also present. Common on trunk, genitals, armpits, breast.
• Nail psoriasis-In this type the nail surface is being infected where pitting of nails, yellowish discoloration.
• Psoriatic arthritis– This a condition which develop after the psoriasis attack, which can leads to the inflammation of joints, associated with swelling ,chronic pain,redness and warmth.Can affect any joints of the body but mainly on distal interphalangeal joints,spine.
• Inverse psoriasis-These are those caused due to the secondary fungal infectionsthe patches will be smooth , and aggravates on sweat and the friction .Commonly seen on armpits, skin folds, geniatls.
The ayurvedic classification of skin disease,are of two types
1.Maha Kushta- Is again sub divided into 7 types;
• Kapala
• Udumbhara
• Mandala
• Rusyajihwa
• Pundarika
• Sidhma
• Kakanaka
2. Kshudra Kusta – is diaved int 11 types;
• Ekakushta
• Charmakya
• Kitibha
• Vipadika
• Alasaka
• Dadru
• Charmadala
• Pama
• Visphota
• Sataru
• Vicharchika
In ayurveda the psoriasis is correlated to Kushta , – Sidma kushta it’s a type of maha kushta, which shows certain lakshana as rough , dark reddish in periphery and in centre is smooth and with white ,red shade. Which is having itching, less pain, sometimes severe burning sensation and in some cases it can have pus also. This sidma kustha is having a predominance of Vata and kapha dosha. According to other acharya like Vagbhata , have an opinion that due to predominance of vata , it usually appears in dry externally and moist internally, and may have scaly lesion and severe itching . Some other acharya has correlated this psoriasis as kitibha kushta where there will be discoloration ,scaling, itching of skin.

Treatments

In ayurveda ,its being treated with both samshodhana and samshamana line of management.
• Purificatory treatment : The purificatory treatment is that ,where the vitiated dosha can by eliminated through the near by srotas or channels. In ayurveda Virechana – purgation is the first line of treatment explained for kushta ,done with tiktha pradhana (bitter predominant) rasa. Vamana – Emesis is also advised in kushta management ,where there more aggravation kapha dosha in the body which can be done with Madanaphala, kutaja..etc.
• Conservative line: Amapachana -it’s a line of treatment where the ama ;ie toxin can be removed by doing this line of treatment which helps the vitiated raktha and pitta and thus reduces the symptoms. Usually done prior to shodhana chikista .
Snehapana – Administration of Ghee internally ,common preparations used are Mhatikthaka ghrita, Tikthaka ghrita.
• Nidha parivarchana : abstaining the causative or etiological factors to stop the progression of the disease. Such as avoiding the intake of excessive dairy products.
• Shama aushada : These include all those medicine which can be taken orally, as application. Some of the medicines are;
Kashaya yoga – Guluchyadi kwatha
Punarnavadi kwatha
Mahaminjishtadi kwatha
Aragwadhadi kwatha
Gulika /Vati/ guggulu yoga – Arogyavardhini vati
Kaishora guggulu
Amrutha guggulu
Arishta /Asava Yoga – Khadiraristam
Sarivyadiasavam
Aragwadhirishtam
Chandanasavam
Tailam yoga– Kumkummadi tailam
Eladi tailam
Dhoordhoorapatradi tailam

Diet in Psoriasis

In many patient when they change the dietary habitat it has been having a major effect on skin . As psoriasis is a disease which have more influence with the diet . So the diet modification helps for preventing the onset of the disease ,and reducing the severity of the disease. By avoiding that’s rich in carbohydrates or the food items which are heavy to digest examples ; Hosegram ,curd, milk, fish, jaggery.
Improper food habits mainly the virudha ahara has been having a greater effect in kushta .Recent study also shows that due to the adoption of the western food habits it has influenced our immune system .In case of psoriasis patients we can adopt the method of intake the diet or the food items which are rich in Vit B12,Vit A, Vit D, omega 3 fatty acids ..etc. By avoiding those diets which triggers the condition.

Pathya apathya and Life style modification

Pathya aharas- are moong dal, bittergourd, solanum indicum ,Laghu annapana- intake of light food, wheat, rice, barley, millet,
Apathya ahara- are sour, pungent and salty food items, dairy products, excessive intake of sweet item such as jaggery, black gram, fermented food items ,alcoholic preparations, junk food items.
Lifestyle modification –These are those which helps to prevent the disease .It include Oleation of body, Bathing regularly, Avoid day sleep, follow meditation, yoga, Avoid Virudhaahara.

Psoriasis is a disease which can be managed by ayurveda effectively ,by following the strict diet , regimen that is advised in specific seasons. Understanding the factors which aggravate the condition and by shodhana -purification treatment and the shamana treatment. If its not treated early the prognosis will be difficult.