Do you know anyone who has Psoriasis, or are you suffering with Psoriasis? If yes, you are not alone. There are 1.6 million people suffering from this ailment in Australia and 125 million people worldwide.
The picture posted shows the improvement from one of our clients throughout their panchakarma treatment. The picture on the left is before treatment and on the right is mid-treatment.
Skin disease is described under Kushta Roga in the classical Ayurvedic text. Kitibha is a Kushta (skin disease) which can be correlated with the modern medical diagnosis of Psoriasis. Psoriasis comes under Vata – Kapha samsarga of Kushta disease.
In Kitibha there is:
1. Shyava (silvery scaly lesion), black brownish discolouration in chronic cases.
2. Kina Khara sparsha (hard and rough to touch like a scar tissue).
3. Parushya (hard to touch).
Causative factors for Kitibha as per Ayurveda are:
1. Intake of contradictory food like fish and milk, intake of oily and heavy foods, suppression of natural urges like sleep and urination etc.
2. intake of food before your previous meal is digested.
3. Physical exercise in excess heat or just after eating.
4. Excessive physical activity (Adhika vyayama).
5. Intake of cold water immediately after been exposed to heat.
6. Excess intake of fresh grains, curds, fish
salt and sour substances, black gram, radish, sesame seed and jaggery.
7. Day sleeping.
8. Chinta, Shoka – psychological factors like stress.
Treatment principle for Psoriasis:
1. Nidanaparivarjan – eliminating the causative factors.
2. The patient is presenting with Bahu dosha avastha (severe aggravated doshas). Elimination treatment such as Panchakarma is advised. (Vamana and Virechana).
4. Malasodhana – elimination of bodily waste products
5. Vata Kapha shamana treatment (Vata and Kapha balancing treatment).
6. Raktaprasadana– blood purification treatments.
7. Thakradhara with Aragwadadi Ganda or Mustha.
8. Moordha thailam/ head oiling (to reduce stress).
9. Yoga Meditation, Pranayama such as annuloma viloma pranayama.
10. Rasayana/ Rejuvenation treatment.
Psoriasis needs periodical Shodhana (Panchakarma) treatment. It is essential to maintain the balance of Vata and Kapha in Twak (skin tissue).
Ayurvedic formulations for Psoriasis may include Kaishore gugglu, Manjishtadi kvatha, Aragwadadi kashayam, Panchatikta ghrta and many more. It is advised to consult your Ayurvedic practitioner before taking any Ayurvedic herbs to ensure they are appropriate for you.
If you are suffering from Psoriasis we would highly recommend an initial consultation with one of our practitioners to discuss further.