Best Ayurvedic Management
of Psoriasis....
PSORIASIS
Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes red, itchy scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp. Psoriasis is a common, long-term (chronic) disease with no cure. In Ayurveda this disease is well manageable.
The signs and symptoms of psoriasis can vary depending on the type of psoriasis you have. The 5 most common symptoms of psoriasis include:
Rashes or patches of red, inflamed skin, often covered with loose, silver-colored scales; in severe cases, the plaques will grow and merge into one another, covering large areas.
Itchy, painful skin that can crack or bleed
Small areas of bleeding where the involved skin is scratched
Problems with your fingernails and toenails, including discoloration and pitting; the nails may also begin to crumble or detach from the nail bed.
Scaly plaques on the scalp
Psoriasis can also be associated with psoriatic arthritis, which causes achy, swollen joints. Between 10% and 30% of people with psoriasis also have this painful joint condition.
There are several types of psoriasis, including:
Plaque psoriasis. The most common form, plaque psoriasis causes dry, raised, red skin patches (lesions) covered with silvery scales. The plaques might be itchy or tender, and there may be few or many. They usually appear on elbows, knees, lower back and scalp.
Nail psoriasis. Psoriasis can affect fingernails and toenails, causing pitting, abnormal nail growth and discoloration. Psoriatic nails might loosen and separate from the nail bed (onycholysis). Severe cases may cause the nail to crumble.
Guttate psoriasis. This type primarily affects young adults and children. It’s usually triggered by a bacterial infection such as strep throat. It’s marked by small, drop-shaped, scaling lesions on the trunk, arms or legs.
Inverse psoriasis. This mainly affects the skin folds of the groin, buttocks and breasts. Inverse psoriasis causes smooth patches of red skin that worsen with friction and sweating. Fungal infections may trigger this type of psoriasis.
Pustular psoriasis. This rare form of psoriasis causes clearly defined pus-filled lesions that occur in widespread patches (generalized pustular psoriasis) or in smaller areas on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet.
Erythrodermic psoriasis. The least common type of psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis can cover your entire body with a red, peeling rash that can itch or burn intensely.
Psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis causes swollen, painful joints that are typical of arthritis. Sometimes the joint symptoms are the first or only symptom or sign of psoriasis. And at times only nail changes are seen. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint. It can cause stiffness and progressive joint damage that in the most serious cases may lead to permanent joint damage.
Ayurvedic Understanding
Psoriasis in Ayurveda is viewed as a chronic skin condition resulting from imbalances in the body’s fundamental energies (doshas) and tissues (dushyas), leading to the accumulation of toxins.
Here is a detailed understanding of psoriasis according to Ayurvedic philosophy:
1. Ayurvedic Classification and Terminology
In Ayurveda, all skin diseases are grouped under the term “Kusta”. Psoriasis is typically categorized under Kshudra Kushta (minor skin diseases).
Psoriasis is often correlated with specific classical Ayurvedic conditions:
Ekakustha: Psoriasis is commonly referred to as ‘Ekakustha’. Ekakustha is classified as one of the minor skin diseases (Kshudra Kushta). Its primary feature is that the lesions resemble the scales of a fish (Yatmatsyakalopamam), and it is associated with the absence of sweating (Asvedana) and extensive localization.
Kitibha: Psoriasis is also closely related to the condition known as “Kitibha” or “Kitibha Kushta”. Kitibha is described as blackish brown (Shyavam), rough like a scar tissue (Kina kharasparsham), and hard to touch (Parusham).
Sidhma Kushta: Psoriasis may also be comparable to Sidhma Kushta, a variety of Mahakustha.
2. Pathogenesis and Causative Factors (Doshas and Dushyas)
The manifestation of psoriasis is attributed to the vitiation of seven essential factors in the body, encompassing both the regulatory functional factors (Doshas) and the major structural components (Dushyas).
Vitiated Factors:
Three Doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Four Dushyas (Tissues/Components): Twak (Skin), Rakta (Blood), Mamsa (Muscle), and Lasika (Lymphatic system).
Primary Imbalances:
Vata and Kapha Imbalance: Psoriasis is primarily believed to be caused by an imbalance in the Vata and Kapha doshas. In the case of Ekakustha and Kitibha, the increase of Vata and Kapha Dosha is cited as the cause.
Pitta Contribution: The Pitta dosha often contributes to the condition, especially in cases exhibiting inflammation, redness, burning sensations, and heat.
Blood Vitiation (Rakta Dushti): The accumulated toxins lead to Rakta Dushti (vitiation of the blood tissue), which further manifests as skin lesions, discoloration, and itchiness.
The Role of Ama (Toxins):
The root cause of psoriasis in Ayurveda is often identified as improper digestion (Agni Dushti), which leads to the formation and accumulation of Ama (toxins).
The disease process (Samprapti) follows this progression:
Weak digestive fire (Agni Dushti) leads to the production of Ama.
Ama circulates and settles in deeper tissues, including the skin.
Ama disturbs the Vata and Kapha doshas.
Vitiated doshas cause slackness (Shaithilya) in the dushyas (Twak, Rakta, Mamsa, Lasika), where the doshas then accumulate, resulting in Kustha.
Aggravating Factors (Nidana Sevana): Ayurveda gives significant consideration to the role of Apathya (nonconducive factors) in the manifestation of skin conditions. These include:
Dietary Habits (Aharaja Nidana): Taking excessive or constant amounts of incompatible foods (Viruddha Ahara), such as combining dairy products with salty snacks or fish, overconsumption of salty, sour, sugary, carbohydrate-rich, or heavily digestible foods, curd, and black gram.
Lifestyle Factors (Viharaja Nidana): Day sleep, suppressing natural urges, excessive physical exercise, and excessive exposure to sunrays.
Psychological Factors (Manasika Nidana): Excessive worry, grief, antisocial activities, and stress, which is noted as a triggering factor for psoriasis flare-ups.
3. Influence of Ayurvedic Body Types (Prakriti) on Psoriasis
The symptoms and progression of psoriasis are influenced by an individual’s Prakriti (constitution) and the specific dosha imbalance. Ayurvedic treatment is personalized based on this unique combination.
Dosha Predominance | Key Characteristics of Psoriasis |
|---|---|
Vata Imbalance | Dryness, flaking, itching, and cracking. The patches are dry, rough, and scaly, often worsened by cold, dry weather, and stress. Vata governs movement, leading to unpredictable flare-ups. |
Kapha Imbalance | Thick scaling, stability, and slow healing. This leads to stubborn, thick, heavy plaques with greasy scales that are difficult to shed, and the condition is often more chronic. |
Pitta Imbalance | Redness, heat, inflammation, and burning sensations. The skin is sensitive, and flare-ups are triggered by heat, spicy foods, and emotional stress. |
4. Ayurvedic Treatment Approach
The Ayurvedic approach to managing psoriasis is comprehensive and holistic, aiming to detoxify the body, balance the doshas, and restore healthy skin. Treatment typically involves a combination of therapies:
Shodhana Chikitsa (Detoxification): Procedures like Panchakarma are central to treatment, focusing on eliminating toxins (Ama) and balancing doshas. Key Panchakarma procedures for psoriasis include Vamana (therapeutic vomiting), Virechana (purgation), Basti (medicated enema), and Raktamokshana (blood purification).
Shamana Chikitsa (Palliative Therapy): Internal and external application of herbal medicines with anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, and immune-modulating properties (e.g., Neem, Turmeric, Manjistha, Guduchi).
Dietary and Lifestyle Modification: Adjusting diet to pacify the vitiated doshas (especially Pitta), avoiding aggravating and processed foods, and incorporating stress reduction techniques like Yoga and meditation.
