Psoriasis is a non-infectious, inflammatory disease of the skin which is characterized by well-defined reddish plaques with large adherent silvery scales. The clinical symptom in psoriasis is an increased proliferation of the skin layers due to excessive division of the cell in the basal layers of the skin. Severe itching may associate with the plaques. Dryness of the skin and silvery scaling are characteristics of this condition.
As we know Ayurveda is based on the theory of Tridosha and Panchamahabhuta. A balanced state of the three elements namely vata, pitta and kapha are essential for normal body functions.
Skin is one of the most important organs of the body which protects the internal organs from environmental influences.
Health of the skin is also affected by factors like nutrition, hygiene, age, immunity, genetic factors and medications. Normal color, luster and softness of skin are maintained by tridoshas and hence the vitiation of tridoshas directly affects the beauty and integrity of skin. Decreased nutrition affects the quality of Rasa-Rakta leading to poor nourishment of further dhatus and skin leading to diseases.
Virudha ahara (incompatible diet) are certain combinations of food articles which hampers digestive power causing aggravation and accumulation of vitiated doshas in the blood which is the definite cause of skin disorders.
Psoriasis Causes: Psoriasis can be considered as the vitiation of Vata and Kapha. Accumulation of low potency poisons (Dooshi vishas), are the basic pathological changes taking place in the system. Irregular food habits, consumption of foodstuffs that cannot be eaten together (Eg: dairy products with fish), excessive intake of yogurt, black gram, seafood, sour and salted items etc can activate the pathogenesis. Alcohol and tobacco consumption will act as a catalyst here. Ayurveda do emphasize on the effect of stress in the pathogenesis of Psoriasis.
Psoriasis Treatment: Ayurveda aims at the detoxification of the body or elimination of toxins from the body fluids which is achieved by Panchakarma treatments.
This includes internal and external medications purely of plant origin. Rough outline of this schedule is as follows.
(I) Intake of medicated ghee as per the Dosha type of the Psoriasis and the prakruti of the person for 3 to 5 days.
(ii) Detoxification by inducing vomiting (Vamana) and purgation (Virechana). This is followed by medicated buttermilk dripping overhead (Dahara) and pasting the entire body with a paste of medicines and mud.
(iii) Bastis (medicated enemas) are being done for 8 days and internal medicines like herbal decoctions; medicated ghee has to be consumed for at least 30 days.
Psoriasis Diet: A strict diet regime has to be followed during the entire treatment period and it is better to continue as vegetarian.
Dietary Restrictions:
· Avoid acidic (sour) foods, citrus fruits (lemon, orange), apple, mango, grapes, tomato, pineapple, pickles, curd and buttermilk.
· No fruit jams, preserved juices or preserved foods.
· Avoid sweets, chocolates and paneer.
· No milk shakes, no fruit salad, no milk after eating fruits for half an hour
· Avoid all fermented food and all bakery food items.
· Avoid common table salt (rock salt in small quantities is okay).
· All non-vegetarian food should be avoided
· No cold drinks, ice creams, fast food (like pizzas), sauces and Ketchup.
· No dried fruits (except raisins and soaked almonds).
· No tobacco or alcohol.
· Avoid red chilies, green chilies, chili powder, garlic, onion, etc.
· No fried food items.
As we know Ayurveda is based on the theory of Tridosha and Panchamahabhuta. A balanced state of the three elements namely vata, pitta and kapha are essential for normal body functions.
Skin is one of the most important organs of the body which protects the internal organs from environmental influences.
Health of the skin is also affected by factors like nutrition, hygiene, age, immunity, genetic factors and medications. Normal color, luster and softness of skin are maintained by tridoshas and hence the vitiation of tridoshas directly affects the beauty and integrity of skin. Decreased nutrition affects the quality of Rasa-Rakta leading to poor nourishment of further dhatus and skin leading to diseases.
Virudha ahara (incompatible diet) are certain combinations of food articles which hampers digestive power causing aggravation and accumulation of vitiated doshas in the blood which is the definite cause of skin disorders.
Psoriasis Causes: Psoriasis can be considered as the vitiation of Vata and Kapha. Accumulation of low potency poisons (Dooshi vishas), are the basic pathological changes taking place in the system. Irregular food habits, consumption of foodstuffs that cannot be eaten together (Eg: dairy products with fish), excessive intake of yogurt, black gram, seafood, sour and salted items etc can activate the pathogenesis. Alcohol and tobacco consumption will act as a catalyst here. Ayurveda do emphasize on the effect of stress in the pathogenesis of Psoriasis.
Psoriasis Treatment: Ayurveda aims at the detoxification of the body or elimination of toxins from the body fluids which is achieved by Panchakarma treatments.
This includes internal and external medications purely of plant origin. Rough outline of this schedule is as follows.
(I) Intake of medicated ghee as per the Dosha type of the Psoriasis and the prakruti of the person for 3 to 5 days.
(ii) Detoxification by inducing vomiting (Vamana) and purgation (Virechana). This is followed by medicated buttermilk dripping overhead (Dahara) and pasting the entire body with a paste of medicines and mud.
(iii) Bastis (medicated enemas) are being done for 8 days and internal medicines like herbal decoctions; medicated ghee has to be consumed for at least 30 days.
Psoriasis Diet: A strict diet regime has to be followed during the entire treatment period and it is better to continue as vegetarian.
Dietary Restrictions:
· Avoid acidic (sour) foods, citrus fruits (lemon, orange), apple, mango, grapes, tomato, pineapple, pickles, curd and buttermilk.
· No fruit jams, preserved juices or preserved foods.
· Avoid sweets, chocolates and paneer.
· No milk shakes, no fruit salad, no milk after eating fruits for half an hour
· Avoid all fermented food and all bakery food items.
· Avoid common table salt (rock salt in small quantities is okay).
· All non-vegetarian food should be avoided
· No cold drinks, ice creams, fast food (like pizzas), sauces and Ketchup.
· No dried fruits (except raisins and soaked almonds).
· No tobacco or alcohol.
· Avoid red chilies, green chilies, chili powder, garlic, onion, etc.
· No fried food items.
This article is written by Dr. Saurabh Sharma. he is a competent vaidya with extensive knowledge of Ayurvedic medicines.
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