Category: Skin Health

Abstract

Psoriasis, a skin condition with red patch which is dry and itchy in nature, is non-infectious and inflammatory. It is derived from Greek word ‘Psora’ means itch or scale and ‘Iasis’ defines condition. It is chronic in nature, characterized by erythematous (reddish) demarcated papule covered with silver scaly patches.This condition happens due to increase in skin layer proliferation due to uncontrolled division of cells in the skin in its basal layer.

Psoriasis, an auto-immune disease misread the skin cells as pathogen, and sends out faulty signals which stimulates the increased division of skin cells.

Areas affected are scalp, ears, elbows, genitalia and on the palm and feet.

Different Types of Psoriasis

• Plaque psoriasis – Raised and reddish patches on skin covered by silver scaling.
• Pustular psoriasis -White pustules surrounded by red skin.
• Psoriatic arthritis – Which leads to inflammation of joints.
• Guttate psoriasis – Small, red spots on the skin
• Inverse psoriasis – Smooth, red lesions form in skin folds.
• Erythrodermic Psoriasis – Affecting the large area of the skin and there is redness and increased shedding of the scaly skin.

Psoriasis as per Ayurveda says

Ayurveda explains Psoriasis occurs due to vitiation of two doshas– vata and kapha. This causes accumulation of toxins in the deeper tissues of skin like rasa (nutrient plasma), rakta (blood), mansa (muscles), and lasika (lymphatic). This contamination of deeper tissues causes Psoriasis.

Some Causes for Psoriasis

Exact causes or etiology of Psoriasis is not known but certain factors are considered to be the reason for this condition

• Infections such as streptococcal infection.
• Psychological stress and emotional stress.
• Hormonal changes as in pregnancy.
• Certain Drugs: Beta blockers, NSAIDS, Anti-depressant, Corticosteroid therapy withdrawal, Alcoholic beverages etc.
• Traumatized or injured skin.
• Sunburns.
• Genetic factors and Family history
• Smoking and Tobacco also enhances its effect

Causative Factors in View of Ayurveda

• Improper diet (Mithya Ahara)
• Incompatible foods (Viruddha Aahar )
• Increased intake of salty foods, black gram and sour foods, fermented foods, spicy foods, maida (Refined flour), bakery products, junk foods and fast foods, refrigerated and cold foods may contribute to psoriasis.
• Improper lifestyle disturbing the digestive process of the of the body (disrupting doshas)
• Un known cause- Adrista Hetu
• Excessive Mental and physical stress

Symptoms of Psoriasis

• Raised red patches and scales on the skin covered by loose silvery scales, involving skin area such as knees, elbows, scalp, hands, feet or lower back.
• Skin patches are dry and itchy
• Pain and inflammation
• Skin patch may bleed
• Emotional Stress
• Restricted joint motion

Complication occurring in Psoriasis

Scratching done to relieve itching may cause skin infections and thickening of the skin.

• Thickened skin and bacterial skin infections caused by scratching in an attempt to relieve severe itching
• In case of severe condition of pustule psoriasis, it results in fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
• Patient may  develop low self-esteem
• Depression, Stress, Anxiety, Social isolation
• Patient suffering from Psoriasis is at high risk of developing some disease like metabolic syndrome, agglomeration of disease including high blood pressure and elevated levels of insulin; inflammatory bowel disease; cardiovascular disease and, possibly cancer.
• Add on disease is psoriatic arthritis is painful and may weaken the patient. Patient feels difficulty in performing daily activities.

Restricted Diets in Psoriasis

• Abstain from acidic (sour) foods, citrus fruits (mango, lemon) , apple, , grapes, tomato, pineapple, pickles, buttermilk and curd
• Keep your diet free of fermented food and bakery products.
• Avoid using whey and refined flour in your diet.
• Stop use of cold drinks, ice creams, fast food (like pizzas), sauces, Ketchup and even fried foods.
• Fruit jams, preserved juices or preserved foods should be avoided in diet.
• Avoid sweets, chocolates and paneer.
• Dried fruits (except almonds and raisins) to be avoided
• Stop alcohol and tobacco use.
• Avoid the use of common salt, it can be replaced with little use of rock salt.
• Avoid the use of red and green chilies, chili powder, garlic, onion, etc.
•  Stop having milk shakes, fruit salad, and milk after eating fruits for half an hour.

Useful Natural Remedies for Psoriasis

• Try to avoid any kind of injury to the skin.
• Exposure to morning sun is very beneficial for reducing the inflammation and scaling on effected part of the skin.
• Don’t try to control any urge for natural phenomenon like vomiting, urination or bowel clearing.
• Application of vitamin E rich oil and linseed oils makes the healing faster in affected area.
• Prefer to wear neat, clean, dry cotton clothes.
• Do regular exercise, Yoga and Meditation in day to day routine.

Herbs useful in Psoriasis treatment

• Aloe Vera– Helpful in reducing redness and itching in Psoriasis.
• Capsaicin – Ingredient in Chillies helpful in reduction of pain, inflammation, redness and scaling.
• Guggul – Having anti- inflammatory and lipid lowering properties, which is helpful in removing fats and excessive fluids in the skin.
• Turmeric – Useful being an anti- inflammatory and antioxidant.
• Neem – Useful in purifying blood and a good detoxifier, enhances body’s immune system.

HERBAL FORMULATIONS AVAILABLE IN PLANET AYURVEDA FOR PSORIASIS.

Planet Ayurveda is serving worldwide with Ayurvedic medicines for more than 25 years. It is an AYUSH, ISO, GMP, and Halal certified Ayurvedic enterprise with other additional certifications. They serve a variety of illnesses, one of which being psoriasis, mainly by acting on the root cause. Planet Ayurveda offers a Psoriasis Care Pack that includes a combination of Ayurvedic medications, including those for internal or external administration. So, let’s have a look at those medications and how they help with psoriasis.

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 by Planet Ayurveda is a powder formulation with various ingredients such as Neem (Azadirachta Indica), Manjishtha (Rubia Cordifolia), Giloy (Tinospora Cordifolia), etc. The herbs of the powder blend mainly helpful in eliminating endotoxins or Ama accumulation. Ama accumulation is the main cause of Psoriasis as per Ayurveda, so this herbal powder is one the best remedy to eliminate causes of Psoriasis.

Dosage:½ to 1 teaspoonful twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. GLEAMING SKIN, HAIR, NAILS FORMULA

Gleaming Skin, Hair, Nails Formula is a polyherbal capsule formulation. It is developed by Planet Ayurveda under the close supervision of M.D. Ayurveda experts. These capsules contain herbs like Manjishtha (Rubia Cordifolia) and Sariva (Hemidesmus Indicus), among others. The herbs in these capsules help with skin problems, as well as hair and nail health. This medicine is thought to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis since it primarily has pitta-calming and blood-purification qualities.

Dosage : 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

3. NEEM CAPSULES

Planet Ayurveda’s Neem Capsules are a single herbal capsule composition. These pills contain a standardized extract of the herb neem (Azadirachta Indica). Neem’s blood purifying characteristics make it one of the greatest herbs for improving and preventing skin health. It aids in toxin reduction and reduces the likelihood of skin diseases such as acne, eczema, skin rash in psoriasis, and other skin problems. Neem has a Tikta (bitter) and Kashaya (astringent) flavor, therefore it functions as a blood purifier and aids in the treatment of a number of skin ailments.

Dosage : 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. MANJISHTHA CAPSULES

Planet Ayurveda formulates Manjishtha Capsules with a single ingredient; Manjishtha (Rubia Cordifolia). Manjistha is a highly efficient herb for treating all types of skin disorders. An imbalanced Pitta dosha contaminates the blood, hindering its normal function. This causes skin concerns like redness. Manjistha cleanses the blood and treats a wide range of skin ailments. This is due to its Pitta-balancing and Raktashodhak (blood purifying) properties, which make it useful in controlling the Psoriasis condition.

Dosage : 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

5. PITTA BALANCE

Pitta Balance is a poly herbo-mineral composition created by Planet Ayurveda. These pills contain substances such as Jahar Mohra Pishti (Natural Calcium Compound), Kaharwa Pishti (Natural Calcium Compound), and Giloy (Tinospora Cordifolia). As the name implies, these capsules are primarily designed to balance the Pitta Dosha, therefore this formulation provides an additional cooling impact while also aiding in the balancing of the Pitta Dosha in the case of Psoriasis.

Dosage : 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals

6. GANDHAK RASAYAN

Gandhak Rasayan is one of Planet Ayurveda’s tablet formulations containing the key component Gandhaka (purified sulfur). This chemical has been utilized since ancient times to treat a variety of skin disorders. It possesses kushthhara qualities, which implies it is good for treating skin disorders. Psoriasis is one of the skin disorders, thus it is also thought to be useful.

Dosage : 1-2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.

7. RADIANT SKIN, HAIR, NAILS LOTION

Radiant Skin, Hair, Nails Lotion is Planet Ayurveda’s herbal lotion made with ingredients such as Neem (Azadirachta Indica), Coconut (Cocos Nucifera), Jasmine (Jasminum Officinale), Guggul (Commiphora Mukul), etc. This lotion mainly consists of anti-inflamtory properties, so its local application helps in reducing inflammation. Psoriasis has inflammation as the main symptom, so by local application of this lotion one can get relief from rashes, itching and other features of inflammation.

Method of Application : This lotion should be applied locally 2-3 times a day after combining with Jatyadi Tailam.

8. JATYADI TAILAM

Jatyadi Tailam is one of the classical ayurvedic formulations in oil form prepared by Planet Ayurveda as per mentioned in classical ayurvedic texts. This oil consists of ingredients such as Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza Glabra), Turmeric (Curcuma Longa), Daruharidra (Berberis Aristata), etc. This oil provides cooling effect and anti inflammatory effect. So the local application of this oil is quite soothing and reduce itching, redness and rashes, which are the main problem causing ympoms of psoriasis.

Method of Application : Use this oil by mixing with Radiant Skin, Hair, Nails Lotion for 2-3 times a day.