Psoriasis Ayurvedic Treatment & How Does It Work?

What is Psoriasis (Ekakushta)?

Psoriasis, also known as Ekakushta, is a condition that harms skin cells and nails. It affects about 100 million people worldwide.

This word originated from the Greek word Psora which means "itch". It is a long-lasting skin disease. The skin becomes dry and raised. There are rough, red areas covered with fine, silvery scales.

Ayurveda Perspective on Psoriasis (Ekakushta)

Ayurveda says that psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease. It happens because of an imbalance in Vata Dosha and Kapha Dosha. In Ayurveda, practitioners refer to psoriasis as Kitibha or Ekakushta. Kustha resembles the lesions of Psoriasis.

These toxins affect the tissues in the body which leads to diseases like psoriasis.

Psoriasis Ayurveda treatment thus focuses on helping to remove toxins and maintain the energy balance. Ayurveda focuses on helping to remove toxins from the body.

Causes of Psoriasis

Diet: Psoriasis can occur because of poor eating habits. This includes eating salty foods, seafood with milk, or sour foods. Other than that heat-producing food items like black gram, sesame seeds, pepper, milk, curd, sugar, and nonvegetarian food.
Stress: Stress can be a significant contributing factor for psoriasis. By learning to reduce and manage stress, you can reduce stress and can see possible changes in your skin.
Alcohol: Alcohol is a significant factor which should be avoided. Excessive intake of Alcohol can lead to the birth of Psoriasis.
Change of Weather: Weather changes can lead to dry skin, which increases the chances of worsened psoriasis. In contrast, hot sunny weather can help control the symptoms of psoriasis in the majority of people.
Medications: Some medicines can cause psoriasis symptoms. For example, lithium is a common treatment for bipolar disorder. Certain beta-blockers treat high blood pressure. Other drugs for malaria, heart disease, and heart arrhythmias can also trigger symptoms.
Skin Injury: Different types of skin infections and injuries can lead to psoriasis. These include cuts, burns, bruises, bumps, vaccinations, tattoos, and other infections at the injury site.

Types of Psoriasis

Various types of psoriasis include the following:

Plaque Psoriasis: It is the most common form of psoriasis and it causes red, scaly skin patches.
Guttate psoriasis is most common in children and teenagers. It usually causes red bumps and cracks on the skin.
Pustular Psoriasis: This type of psoriasis causes pus-filled inflamed blisters on the skin that are usually painful.
Inverse Psoriasis: It causes bright red, shiny lesions that appear in areas where skin folds.
Erythrodermic psoriasis causes red skin scales to peel off. This can often lead to sunburns and infections.
Nail Psoriasis, Scalp Psoriasis: It mostly affects the nail beds and head causing dryness and detached nails.

Signs and Symptoms of Psoriasis

Signs and Symptoms of psoriasis are as follows:

White, red, or silvery raised patches of inflamed skin can appear on the body. These patches may also occur in skin folds, including the genital area.
It can cause dry or rough, cracking, flaky skin that sometimes may bleed.
It can cause itching and burning sensation around patches.
Pus-filled blisters, wrinkled, pitted, orange fingernails or toenails.
Soreness surrounds the patches.

Ayurvedic Treatments For Psoriasis (Ekakushta)

Psoriasis Ayurvedic treatment involves herbs as well as certain Ayurvedic therapies which are as follows:

Ayurvedic Herbs For Psoriasis

Ayurvedic treatment for psoriasis includes Ayurvedic herbs which prove to be effective and are as follows:

Manjistha

Manjistha is an effective herb extract of the root of Rubia cordifolia to manage skin disorders like psoriasis. The anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Manjistha are beneficial for the skin. This is because of its balancing properties and Raktashodhak Pitta (blood purifier). It helps to purify the blood and clear Pitta dosha which is the main cause of skin disorders like psoriasis.

Turmeric

People have used turmeric as a healing herb for many disorders since ancient times. Popular in ayurvedic medicine for psoriasis, it has anti-inflammatory properties. The active ingredient of turmeric is Curcumin which helps in relieving psoriasis symptoms to a great extent. The healing capabilities of turmeric can work wonders for treating psoriasis.

Cumin

Cumin is also known as jeera and it is found in every kitchen. Cumin seeds contain naturally occurring substances called apigenin and luteolin that work as antioxidants. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. It can heal psoriasis effectively.

Nimba (Neem)

Nimba has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that boost the healing of psoriasis. People consider neem a natural blood purifier and a strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal herb.

Neem is a natural immune booster. It helps boost your body's immunity by increasing T-cell production. This enables your body and skin to fight infections better.

Guduchi

The ancient herb Guduchi is an enormously used remedy for skin conditions like psoriasis. Its antioxidant and immune-boosting properties help reduce the hyperproliferation of skin cells caused by immune dysfunction. Because it stimulates the liver, it helps clean the skin of toxins. This happens by boosting the liver's role in detoxification.

Triphala

Triphala consists of three small fruits: Amla (Emblica Officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula). It acts as a laxative, an antioxidant, and an appetite stimulant.

The first step towards an Ayurvedic cure for psoriasis is Body Detoxification. Triphala helps with regular bowel movements. It cleanses and detoxifies the liver and body tissues. It does this without taking away the body’s natural minerals and electrolytes.

Ayurvedic Therapy For Psoriasis

Two effective Ayurvedic therapies for psoriasis are as follows:

Takra Dhara

Takra means buttermilk and Dhara means pouring in a continuous stream in a specified manner. This special Ayurvedic therapy uses medicated buttermilk.

They process it with medicinal ayurvedic herbs. Takra Dhara is useful for skin diseases, especially psoriasis. In Takradhara therapy, buttermilk is mixed with medicinal herbs. People have long used these herbs as an external treatment in a thin stream.

The Benefits of Takra Dhara

For the management of psoriasis Takra Dhara is a beneficial therapy. Psoriasis has a strong connection with stress.

In Takra Dhara, pouring Medicated Buttermilk on the forehead for a set time has a calming effect. It helps control the rhythm. This therapy has worked wonders for psoriasis. It can help heal the affected areas of the body.

Takra Dhara affects Prana & Mana Vayu and enables healthy sleep by reducing anxiety, stress, and autoimmune disorders. These are highly responsible for skin diseases. Hence, many people consider Takra Dhara one of the best treatments for psoriasis.

Panchakarma

Ayurvedic treatment for psoriasis consists of one of the most effective therapies, Panchakarma. Its aim is the purification and detoxification of the body.

It also includes herbal remedies and changes in diet. The treatment recommends a vegetarian diet (Satvik ahar). Panchkarma treatment includes

Consumption of medicated ghee: Considering the Dosha type of the Psoriasis and the person, for 7 to 10 days.
Vaman & Virechans: These are done by making someone vomit (Vamana) and by using a laxative (Virechana)..
Shirodhara: Detoxification uses Medicated Oil or Buttermilk that drips overhead (Shirodhara). It also involves covering the whole body with a paste made of medicines and mud.
Basti (Medicated enemas): These treatments last for 8 to 10 days. You should take internal medicines like herbal formulas, herbal drinks, and medicated ghee for at least 120 to 180 days.

This time duration of treatment depends upon the age, severity of psoriasis, dietary habits and lifestyle of the patient.

The Benefits of Panchakarma

Panchakarma Revitalizes the tissues of the body. It helps to balance the 3 doshas of the body as well as supports restoring metabolic power.

It helps restore the skin's natural glow. It also removes toxins from the body.

Additionally, it strengthens the body's tissues and muscles. It enhances the complexion luster of the skin & immunity. It helps in the improvement of the vitality and energy of the body.

You can manage psoriasis using herbs and Ayurvedic therapies. These methods are natural and have no side effects.

Ayurvedic treatment for psoriasis takes a holistic approach. It aims to heal the skin disorder at its root. This method also helps prevent the condition from coming back.

Also, Ayurveda says that stress is crucial. Therefore, it is necessary to manage stress with yoga and meditation.