Author: Dr. Vikram Chauhan

Abstract

Psoriasis is defined as auto-immune disorder characterised by abnormal patches which are dry, itchy, and scaly. In recent times psoriasis is the most common disease in the global world. It comes under the santarpana janya vyadhi (disease resulting from over-sustenance and diseases arising from sustenance) and it originates due to the rakta doshaja vikaras (when blood tissue is contaminated by doshas or by ama (undigested food). It occurs due to blood problems. Psoriasis mainly affects the skin of the body. And it originates anywhere on the body. It commonly affects the skin of elbow knees and scalp. The range of the disease is mild to severe with limited involvement of areas to large thick plaques or red inflamed skin. The auspitz sign (pinpoint bleeding under the skin surface) and koebner phenomenon (the appearance of new skin lesions on previously unaffected skin secondary to trauma) were positive. The treatment protocol was adopted as per ayurvedic samprapti (pathophysiology). So let’s study the Ayurvedic approach of Psoriasis and how we can manage this condition with Ayurvedic medicines.

Introduction

Psoriasis is an auto-immune disorder with chronic and non communicable, painful, disabling, disfiguring immune mediated inflammatory, hyperplastic and systemic disorder of skin in which both environmental influences and genetics have a vital role. It mainly affects the skin and joints of the body. It is more common in males than females. In ayurveda all skin related diseases come under the kushtha rogas (Skin disorders). Over 50% of patients with psoriasis report a positive family history. The word psoriasis is derived from the Greek word psora meaning itch and sis meaning acting condition. It has a wide distribution and is more preventable in temperate climates. Attacks are more common in winter than summer; the eruption has a natural tendency to clear up with warm weather. In tropics, a fair number of attacks develop in the monsoon.

Causes

Psoriasis is a common and long term disease with no cure. It is painful, interferes with sleep and makes it hard to concentrate. Common triggers for people with genetic predisposition to psoriasis include infection cuts and burns and certain medication. Disturbance in the function of the immune system can lead to occurrence of psoriasis. Some of the risk factors are as follows

• Stress
• Skin injury, such as cut or bad sunburn
• Infection such as strep throat
• Weather, especially cold, dry weather
• Tobacco
• Alcohol

Symptoms

Red colour, scaly, sharply demarcated erythematous, mostly indurated plaques present over the extensor surfaces and scalp region. Skin diseases are enormously up and down in duration and extent. It is a relapsing condition. Itching sensation on the skin and burning sensation on skin. Red inflamed skin if it is a long term inflammatory skin condition then it is incurable. It has a changeable course, periodically improving and worsening. The lesions are red and silvery, raised and inflamed. Psoriasis often has a pink or red intergluteal fold and thick pitted nails.

Types

There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic.

1. Plaque Psoriasis : Plaque psoriasis makes up about 90% of cases. It typically presents as red patches with white scales on top. Areas of the body mainly affected are the back of forearms, shins, navel area and scalp.
2. Guttate Psoriasis : It is a skin disease that often appears without warning and usually follows an infection like strep throat and presents small lesions over the upper trunk and proximal extremities it is found frequently in young adults.
3. Inverse Psoriasis : It forms red patches in skin folds.
4. Pustular Psoriasis : It forms small non-infectious pus-filled blisters.
5. Erythrodermic : It occurs when the rash becomes very widespread, and can develop from any of the other types.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of psoriasis is usually based on the appearance of the skin. There are no special blood tests or diagnostic procedures for psoriasis. Some time skin biopsy or scraping, may be needed to rule out other disorders and to confirm the diagnosis.

Ayurvedic Overview

Psoriasis symptoms are similar to the ekakustha (resembling scales of fish), kitibha Kushta (blackish brown in colour and hard to touch or rough like a scar). Psoriasis originated due to vitiation of three doshas. These doshas through triyak vahini siras proceed to bahya rogamargas (external pathways); twacha (skin), rakta (blood), mamsa (muscles), lasika (lymph) and produce the symptoms. Dietary factors such as viruddha ahara (unhealthy food), excessive consumption of drava (liquid), snigdha (tender), guru ahara (heavy food), vega dharana (suppressing the natural urges) specially vomiting are major etiologies. Indulgence of sinful acts and ill manovriti (mental illness) are associated mental factors for causing the disease. Excessive intake of paneer, blackgram, seafood, sour and salted items or no purification of the body may also cause this disease. It may be due to the polluted water, intake of alcohol and tobacco, meat etc. Ayurveda also emphasises on the effect of stress in the pathogenesis of Psoriasis. The produced toxins accumulate in deep tissue like rasa (flavour), rakta (blood), mamsa (muscles) and lasika (lymph).These contamination of deeper tissues and leads to psoriasis. The vitiated dosa affect the skin and blood tissue.

Samprapti

Intake of nidana like ati ushana ahara (very hot food) and mamsa ahara (Non vegetarian products)

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Vitiation of vata pitta and kapha

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Further vitiation of Rakta (blood), Twacha (skin), Mamsa (muscles), Lasika (lymph)

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Dosha dushya placed in the twacha (skin)

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Eruption of Ekakusta (resembles like a scales of fish) and kitibha kushta (rough like a scar) that is Psoriasis

Panchakarma Treatment

• Vata dosha pradhan then gives the ghee sevena to the patient. The abhyantara snehana are mahatikta ghrita, maha khadir ghrita, panchatikta ghrita etc.
• Pitta dosha pradhan then gives the virechana karma to the patient. The virechana karma is done with the sweta nisoth, dantimul and triphala.
• Kapha dosha pradhana then gives the vamana karma to the patient. The vamana karma is done with the help of kutaja, madanaphala, patola and nimba.
• After the samshodhana and raktamokshana gives the snehapana which is prepared with guduchi, meshashringi, gokshura and dashamula.

Herbal Remedies for Psoriasis by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a herbal manufacturing company which prepares formulations under the guidance of Experts and by following ancient time tested formulas. For Psoriasis Planet Ayurveda serves with Psora Care Pack which includes 8 remedies. It is the 100% pure herbal formulation for treatment of psoriasis and it is made totally by the natural herbs and does not cause any side effects. It is very effective and chemical free.

1. Navkarshik Churna
2. Gleaming Skin, Hair, Nails Formula
3. Neem Capsules
4. Manjishtha Capsules
5. Pitta Balance
6. Gandhak Rasayan
7. Radiant Skin, Hair, Nails Lotion
8. Jatyadi Tailam

Product Description

1. Navkarshik Churna

Navkarshik Churna is a polyherbal formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda in powder form. This herbal powder contains herbs such as Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Vacha (Acorus calamus) , etc. This remedy helps in eliminating Ama (Endotoxins) from the body which is the main reason behind the Psoriasis. So this remedy by eliminating Ama from the body helps in managing symptoms of Psoriasis.

Dosage : ½ tsp twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. Neem Capsule

Neem capsules are the single herbal capsule formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda in the capsule form. This herbal capsule contains herbs Nimba (azadirachta indica). Nimba has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that boost the healing of psoriasis.

Dosage : 1 cap With warm water twice a day after a meal.

3. Manjishtha Capsule

Manjishtha Capsule is a single herbal capsule formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda in capsule form. This herbal capsule contains herbs such as Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia). It helps to reduce the pitta dosha and helps to remove skin disorders.

Dosage : 2 cap Twice a day with warm water after a meal.

4. Gandhak Rasayan

Gandhak rasayan is a single herbal rasayan formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda. This herbal rasayan contains herbs such as shuddha gandhak (sulphur powder). It helps to correct the agnimandya at kostha (Abdomen) and dhatu (Tissues) levels.

Dosage : 2 tab. thrice a day with lukewarm water after a meal.

5. Jatyadi tailam

Jatyadi tailam is a polyherbal formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda in the tailam form. This taila contains herbs like Neem (Azadirachta indica) Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Katuki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) Harad (Terminalia chebula) Karanj beej (Pongamia pinnata). It helps to remove the itching and burning sensation from the lesions.

Dosage : Apply the affected area twice or thrice a day.

6. Gleaming skin, hair, nails formula

Gleaming skin, hair, nails formula are polyherbal formulations prepared by Planet Ayurveda. This formula contains Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), Pit papda (Fumaria officinalis), Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Ghrit kumari (Aloe barbadensis). It helps to maintain the skin, nails and hair. It helps to remove the toxins of the body and manage psoriasis.

Dosage : 1-2 capsules twice a day, with plain water after a meal.

7. Radiant Skin, hair, Nails lotion

Radiant skin, hair, nails lotion are polyherbal formulations prepared by Planet Ayurveda. This formula contains Neem (azadirachta indica) use of bark, fruits and leaves, Guggul (Commnifora mukul), Seasum (seasum indicus) etc.It helps to reduce the swelling and increase wound healing.

Dosage : Place 5-6 drops on your palm and apply the affected area.

8. Pitta Balance

Pitta balance is a polyherbal formulation prepared by the Planet Ayurveda. It contains Kaharva pishti, Akik pishti, Mukta pishti, Giloy satva (Tinospora cordifolia). It helps to balance the pitta dosha and provides a cooling effect on the body.

Dosage : 2 capsules twice a day with lukewarm water after a meal.

Diet

• Fast on fruit or vegetable juices for 5 to 7 days. Use warm water enema daily during this period.
• Breakfast : Fresh fruits and a glass of buttermilk.
• Lunch : a bowl of freshly-prepared steamed vegetables, two or three whole wheat chapatis and a glass of buttermilk.
• Mid-afternoon:Coconut water.
• Dinner:Fresh green vegetables salad, and mung bean sprouts with lime juice dressing.

Avoid

• Animal fat, refined or processed foods and food containing hydrogenated fats or white sugar.
• Tea
• Coffee
• Alcohol and tobacco
• Day sleep
• Fish meat

Conclusion

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder which is characterised by eruption of painful rashes on skin & scalps ,it can also occur anywhere on the body . It causes a hampered immune system, hereditary obesity etc. Psora care pack by Planet Ayurveda is very effective for psoriasis, it is 100% pure product and does not contain any additives or chemicals that can not cause any harmful effect. Psora care packs should be included for getting better results.