Ayurveda & Psoriasis
Considered one of the oldest healing sciences, Ayurveda is a holistic system of dietary guidelines, herbal remedies and lifestyle habits intended to treat and prevent disease by promoting proper energy balance in the body. Ayurvedic philosophy teaches that psoriasis and other skin conditions are caused by energy imbalances, which can be remedied with detoxification therapy and herbal remedies.
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition caused by an increased growth rate of the keratinocytes from the stratum basale to stratum corneum. Normally, these cells rise to the skin’s surface once a month. This rate is increased to twice a month if you have psoriasis. This noncontagious condition is indicated by thick, red skin with flaky, silvery-white scaly patches.
Ayurveda, a holistic system of medicine developed in India more than 5,000 years ago, offers a comprehensive approach to treating psoriasis through diet and lifestyle, herbal formulas, and cleansing protocols. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the services of a licensed medical professional.
According to Ayurveda Psoriasis is the complex of All Skin Diseases, and it is due to impurified Doshas Specially Pitta and Kapha are the responsible for this disease. The Impure Doshas (Toxins,Aam) impurifies the Blood which results in Such Skin Diseases.
This condition is neither infectious (Do not spread from one person to another) nor does it affect the general health. It affects both the genders and may start at any age.
Psoriasis is quite common, affecting around two per cent of the population, although people with very mild symptoms may not be aware they have it. Psoriasis can begin at any age but usually starts either around the age of 20 or between 50 and 60.
Ayurvedic Perspective of Psoriasis
Ayurveda considers digestion to be the primary factor in the pathology of disease. In the case of psoriasis, a compromised digestive system leads to an increase of pitta dosha into rasa dhatu. Pitta dosha is an ayurvedic principle of physiology representing the energy of transformation in the body. Rasa dhatu is the first tissue created from the process of digestion and is akin to plasma, serum, white blood cells and the lymphatic system.
Factors That Contribute to Psoriasis
Because of the connection between digestive health and psoriasis, there are certain diet and lifestyle habits that may be contributing factors, such as drinking alcohol and eating foods that have excess sour, salty or pungent tastes and are too heavy, sweet or oily. Inappropriate exposure to the elements, excessive use of cosmetics and stress are all considered aggravating to pitta dosha. As pitta dosha becomes vitiated, it soon impacts vata and kapha doshas, leading to disease.
Ayurveda states that each person contains a unique energy pattern made up of distinct physical, emotional and mental characteristics. Each person’s energy pattern contains elements of three different types of energy: vata, pitta and kapha. Your own personalized regime for treating and preventing disease is determined by your dominant energy type, or dosha.
Vitiation of Dosha in Psoriasis
Psoriasis is caused by vitiation of Vata and Kapha dosha. The vitiated doshas affect the skin and blood tissues. They also influence water element of the affected region on skin. Thus the skin which is influenced by affected doshas becomes discolored (white or copper colored), scaly and thin.
with new mature skin cells. But the regions of skin affected by psoriasis the skin replace itself within 3-4 days with plenty of immature skin cells forming thick psoriatic patches.
According to ayurveda principles the vitiated vata dries the water element of skin and also initiate rapid growth of skin tissue. The vitiated Kapha dosha causes itching on the affected skin. The blood which is affected by vata and kapha adversely influences healing process
Causes of vitiation of Doshas
1. Consuming opposite foods.
2. Controlling natural urges.
3. Exposure to severe climatic conditions
4. Consuming food that is too salty, too sour and/or too heavy for digestion.
5. Sleeping during the afternoon.
6. Taking bath in cold water immediately after physical exertion.
7. Mental stress.
Consulting an Ayurvedic Practitioner
Ayurveda is a unique medicine because it not only considers your condition, but also your individual constitution. For this reason, you are well advised to consult with a certified ayurvedic practitioner when seeking treatment. An ayurvedic practitioner will determine the most appropriate diet, herbs and treatment protocols based on your current condition and constitution.
Ayurvedic Treatment of Psoriasis
In treating psoriasis, ayurveda recommends a comprehensive treatment strategy that involves strengthening your digestion and detoxifying and eliminating toxins. Addressing your diet, and not only how you eat, but also when and what, is important. Herbal formulas support digestion and aid in the detoxifying process.
Ayurvedic treatment of psoriasis aims to rid the body of accumulated toxins. Ayurveda’s primary purification and detoxification method is a process known as panchakarma, which uses a combination of therapies to cleanse the body and balance the doshas. Panchakarma may include therapeutic vomiting, purgation, enema therapy and nasal cleansing, as well as the use of medicated oils and steam baths. After the detoxification process, patients undergo a period of rest that may involve a special diet
Cure of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is best treated in Ayurveda. Once controlled, there will usually be periods of clearance (remission) alternating with periods of active skin disease. Unlike other chronic illnesses, it rarely shortens life expectancy. However, it can dramatically affect the quality of life. Physical discomfort is only one aspect of this – itch, or pain if the skin cracks, or if joints are affected. Importantly, both psoriasis and its treatment can cause social and emotional problems at work.
Successful Treatment Of Psoriasis In Ayurveda At :: AYUR SUDHA :: Super Speciality Ayurveda & Panchakarma Centre
Includes
Pancha Karma – Detoxification
The most effective treatment for psoriasis is pancha karma, a process of cleansing and rejuvenating the body through five actions — pancha equals five, karma equals action. This is a protocol unique to ayurveda and should not be undertaken without the supervision of a qualified ayurvedic practitioner. Pancha karma can be administered from five days to several weeks, depending on your condition. It is believed to be effective because it reverses the disease process and restores your body to balance.
1.Detoxification
The Impure Doshas Form The Body By The Unique Ayurveda Panchakarma Treatment Especially,
Vamana(Drug Induced Vomiting)
Virechana(Drug Induced Purgation) with this Panchakarma Treatment.
The Impurified Doshas Flush out from the Body.
2.Immunomodulators:
The reason for Psoriasis is also Immunodeficiency, so In Ayurveda we are Offering Immunomodulator Herbs to Enhance The Immunity to conqure Psoriasis Successfully,
3.External Applications
Herbal Creams , Herbal Shampoos , Herbal Oils are used for the local application
to skin its relieves the symptoms.
4.Takradhara
Pouring of medicated butter Milk on forehead is also very effective in the cases of Psoriasis to manage the stress factor & releasing the positive energy to the body
5.Oral herbs
Mixture of the herbs as a Body Mask is also effective to relieve externally.
ORAL HERBAL MIXTURES
AYUR SUDHA Say’s :: Ayurveda is a natural approach to treatment with fewer side effects than prescription drugs and traditional therapies. However, herbal remedies may interact with certain medications. Talk to a medical professional before beginning an Ayurvedic treatment program, especially if you are under a doctor’s care for a pre-existing medical condition or if you are pregnant.
“PSORIASIS HERBAL KIT” of AYUR SUDHA is very effective in many cases of Psoriasis.
Common Misconceptions :
1. Can I catch psoriasis from my friend, colleague, or someone dropping skin scales on the bus ?
No. So please don’t avoid such people as it adds further to their self-consciousness and emotional stress.
2. Can I catch psoriasis from my family member ?
It is not infectious, but there is a chance that the gene making one prone to psoriasis is inherited from an affected parent. However, the chance of developing psoriasis if one parent is affected is estimated to be only 1 in 10, increasing to 40% if both parents are affected.
Key Points
Psoriasis is not contagious.
Psoriasis is controllable, even though not curable.
Although it does not affect quantity of life, it affects quality of life – greater understanding from the public would help.
Self-care for psoriasis
Avoid all factors which trigger psoriasis.
Reduce stress levels through meditation and Yoga .
Do not prick, peel or scratch skin. This may trigger psoriasis.
After bath or wash pat dry the skin. Do not rub the towel vigorously on skin.
Avoid soap. Instead use gram flour (besan flour) as soap dries the skin.
After washing, pat the skin dry, don’t irritate it by rubbing vigorously.
Apply moisturizing creams liberally on affected areas after bath.
Opt for cotton clothes over synthetic ones.
Ayurvedic tips for Psoriasis
1. Avoid consuming opposite foods.
2. Do not control natural urges like vomiting, urination, bowel emptying etc.
3 . Do not take cold water bath immediately after a heavy work out, traveling, a long walk etc.
4. Take care not to consume foods which cause indigestion.
5. Absolutely do not eat too much of salty, sour or acidic foods.
6 . Avoid sleeping in afternoons.
7. Say no to radish, urad dal, sesame, jaggery (gur), curds, fish and other sour foods.
8. Always apply besan flour or herbal scrub instead of soap.
9. Smear herbal balm which is infused with vata and kapha balancing herbs.
10 . Keep on applying moisturizing gels or creams continuously to maintain the moisture levels of skin.
Types of Psoriasis According to Modern:
Psoriasis Guttate is characterized by numerous small, scaly, red or pink, teardrop-shaped lesions. These numerous spots of psoriasis appear over large areas of the body, primarily the trunk, but also the limbs and scalp
Plaque Psoriasisis the most common form of psoriasis. It affects 80 to 90% of people with psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis typically appears as raised areas of inflamed skin covered with silvery white scaly skin. These areas are called plaques
Inverse Psoriasis appears as smooth inflamed patches of skin. It occurs in skin folds, particularly around the genitals (between the thigh and groin), the armpits, under an overweight stomach (pannus), and under thebreasts (inframammary fold)
Postular Psoriasis appears as raised bumps that are filled with noninfectious pus (pustules). The skin under and surrounding the pustules is red and tender. Pustular psoriasis can be localised, commonly to the hands and feet (palmoplantar pustulosis), or generalised with widespread patches occurring randomly on any part of the body.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis nvolves the widespread inflammation and exfoliation of the skin over most of the body surface. It may be accompanied by severe itching, swelling and pain