This is a chronic, non-contagious inflammatory condition of the skin, characterized by thick, red silvery, scaled patches on the skin. Psoriasis is caused by the abnormality in the way in which skin grows and replaces itself. Hereditary factors are also a cause.
Ayurveda believes that psoriasis is caused by the vitiation of Vata and Kapha humours. Environmental factors, irregular food habits, consumption of foodstuffs that cannot be eaten together (Eg: milk with fish), stress, infection, seasonal changes etc. tend to aggravate the disease.
Ayurveda treatments will mainly aim to balance the doshas by adopting detoxification methods and various other natural modalities. Since Ayurveda emphasizes on the effects of stress in Psoriasis, the patient’s psychological factors are also considered in the management of this sickness.
The initial consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, including the diagnosis will last for more than an hour. The basic step in the diagnosis will be to find the person’s body humour (Dosha) – Vata, Pita or Kapha, because it is the imbalance of these body humours that create the disease.
The dominance of dosha in a person is found by asking several questions on his behaviour, food habits, sleeping patterns, personal details like age, height & weight, place of life, profession, health problems and medical reports etc. Ayurveda diagnosis comprises of clinical and laboratory tests also. The doctor can decide if an Ayurveda treatment is helpful on providing these details. Pulse, tongue, nail, and eye examinations are important diagnosis methods used to reveal a person’s body humour and its imbalance.
Pulse diagnosis in Ayurveda is not just counting the beats. It also reveals the health status of the entire body constitution, including the dosha imbalance and the health of the various body organs.
In tongue diagnosis, the doctor checks the general appearance, colour and coating of the tongue. In Ayurveda, as different areas of the tongue correspond to different organs of the body, the Ayurvedic practitioner can determine which organs of the body are out of balance by having a detailed tongue examination. Nail examination is done to check the type, colour and shape of the person’s nail. Imbalances of doshas are easily detected on close examination.
In the eye diagnosis, the colour, size, and even the shape of the eyes are important in determining the dosha dominance of a person. His mental status nervousness, anxiety, confidence level etc can also be learned through eye diagnosis.
A preliminary consultation with Ayurveda doctors online is also possible nowadays for guests worldwide.
After the diagnosis, the doctor sets out to treat the patient in a very systematic manner. This would include a set of appropriatePanchakarma treatments and Rasayana therapies. These treatments are meant to flush out the toxins, to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance and to regenerate the body.
They are, however, classified as pre-purification, main purification and post purification phases and include various types of therapies like oil massages, fermented liquid massages, medicinal enemas, herbal purification methods, diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines etc.
The treatments suggested here are for general guidance only. It may vary according to the decision of the doctor for each person.
Pre-purification therapies are the first ones applied to loosen the toxins, open up the circulation channels and get the body ready for discarding these wastes. These methods are highly relaxing for the body and mind.
The following pre-purification methods are usually adopted for treating Psoriasis.
Snehapanam is the oral intake of specially prepared medicated ghee. Ghee lubricates the body channels and forces out the toxins from them into the digestive tract for further elimination. Medicated ghee usually contains herbs like amaltas, guggul, ginger, neem, onion, chopchini, tribhala etc. Chopchini has anti inflammatory and antibiotic properties; amaltas and neem are skin healers.
In Thakradhara, medicated buttermilk is uninterruptedly poured on to the forehead, for almost an hour. It cools the brain, relaxes the mind, and reduces stress and anxiety which is a major cause of Psoriasis. Buttermilk is medicated using gooseberry, amaltas, neem, nut grass tuber, sandalwood, lotus, etc. Gooseberry and lotus are excellent cooling agents.
Swedanam involves the active sweating of the whole body using medicated steam. It dilates and softens the channels of the body allowing the impurities to move out through the skin.
Main purification therapy is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre purification treatment stage. These therapies are highly potential methods and are usually overseen by doctors. Depending on the type and intensity of the ailment, one is advised to undergo one, two or three of these therapies.
The commonly adopted Panchakarma treatments for Psoriasis are Vasthi, Virechanam and Vamanam.
Vasthi is medicated enema. All the toxins that were brought into the digestive tract during the pre purification phase are now washed out. Since medicines reach the bowels directly without enzymatic actions, its effectiveness is very high.
Virechanam It is the cleaning and evacuation of the bowels through the use of purgative medicines. It eliminates the excess toxins from the body. When the digestive tract is clean and toxic-free, it benefits the entire body systems. Mostly embellia fruits, dry ginger, cardamom, long pepper, cinnamon, etc. are used in the treatment.
Vamanam means induced vomiting using herbal medicine. Now, the toxins and acids of the upper parts of body which were freed into the digestive tract during Snehapanam are completely eradicated. Emetic nut, sweet flag, and liquorice are the commonly used herbs.
These are body nourishing therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind after the Panchakarma treatments. They keep the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal functioning condition, restore and balance the body functions and maintain the overall health and well being of an individual for much longer periods after the Panchakarma course. Rasayana includes oral medicines and diet regulation.
Herbal oral medicines prescribed for psoriasis are prepared specifically to help restore the lost balance. They usually include Kashayam and Arishtam - herbal decoctions and fermentations, Lehyams semi solid formulation etc.
Diet regulation will be suggested for patients during and after the treatment. They are designed for controlling the digestive fire, better digestion, and for total well being. Ayurveda diet provides adequate nutrition as well as rest for the needed organs.
A healthy balanced vegetarian diet should be followed as strictly as possible. Since Psoriasis is also considered a metabolic disease, it is essential to take less spicy and easily digestible food. Include more fruits, vegetables, fruit juices, etc. Bitter gourd, curd, boiled vegetables pumpkin etc are good for this disease.
Generally, Kapha and Pitta food should be avoided as well as garlic, ginger, chilli, eggs, fish and beef as these foods will induce Pitta. According to Ayurveda, the consumption of so called “incompatible foods”, such as milk and meat; fish and curd etc. together, is a major cause of the disease. Therefore, diet control becomes an essential part, not only during the course of treatment, but also of the life long food habits of the person.
Food control and regulations will be more effective if supported by proper lifestyle and moderate amounts of yoga practices.
Since stress and other mental fatigues are big factors in the development of psoriasis, one should do all that he can to avoid them. Mental peace, calmness and happiness are important to maintain a long term disease free life. Yoga poses teach us how to calm the mind. It can suppress the fluctuations of the mind, reduce frustration, anger, fear etc. that causes stress. Mediation and breathing exercises also give mental clarity and peace. Expert Yoga masters would advice the suitable poses to be adopted based on the intensity of the ailment.
Keeping good hygiene is crucial. Keep your skin and toilet accessories neat and clean. Including personal detergents with neem helps a lot.
It is advised to take at least one or two weeks of rest after the Panchakarma experience. At this time the body is weak after a purification process and needs time to get back to normalcy. Avoid strenuous exercise, late nights, too much television, and other stimulating experiences.
