What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an auto immune condition of the body that manifests as an itching skin condition. It is a chronic non-infectious skin disease that’s characterized by dry skin along with raised, rough, red areas covered with fine silvery scales.
Psoriasis lesions commonly appear on the scalp, knees, elbows and torso. It may also progress anywhere including the nails, palms, soles, genitals and face. It may appear as pin sized boils in some cases and in others it may be spread across as a patch. 80% of the Psoriasis lesions will always be symmetrical.
Psoriasis can sometimes lead to psoriatic arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, cardio vascular disease or some form of metabolic disorders.
Ayurveda’s take on Psoriasis:
Aggravated Pitta (Digestive Fire) can attack Vaata (Air or movement component of the body) and Kapha (Water component that is responsible for cell lubrication) and cause severe imbalances that lead to excessively dry skin condition termed as a type of Kushta (a generalized Ayurveda Terminology given for all skin diseases). The direction of any Ayurveda Treatment for Psoriasis would be to naturally restore the Kapha and Vaata balance and subdue the Pitta to required levels.
Types of Psoriasis
As per the Ayurveda Classical Texts, there are 18 types of Kushta. Out of these 18 types, the symptoms of psoriasis resemble the symptoms of Eka Kushta, Kitibha, Sidhma and mandala Kushta.
- Eka Kushta – There is absence of sweating and the lesions are extremely localized and resemble the scales of fish
- Kitibha – It is blackish brown in color. It is rough and hard to touch like a scar tissue.
- Sidhma – Skin is white and coppery in color. It is thin and when rubbed, it emits small particles of the skin in the form of dust. Lesions resemble the flower of Alabu (Lagenaria siceraia) and it is generally located in the chest region.
- Mandala Kushta – White, red, stable, extensive, unctuous, circular with elevated patches. Lesions are matted with each other and it is difficult to cure.
Psoriasis Causes
- Incompatible foods consumed such as hot and cold foods consumed in the same meal.
- Suppression natural urges such as not scratching when itching badly, suppressing gas when suffering from flatulence, forcible abstinence when there is urge for sex and suppressing vomit etc.
- Physical exercise in excessive heat and after taking heavy meal.
- Drinking cold water immediately after exposure to scorching Sun
- Exertion or exposure to terrifying situation.
- Indulging in sexual act while suffering from indigestion.
- Sleeping during day time
- Some of the other factors such as stress, obesity, infection or family history may also trigger the cause of psoriasis
Does Psoriasis Worsen with Age?
No. Psoriasis does not worsen with age unless totally neglected in terms of lifestyle, diet and lack of specific care. The lesions can be bothersome when it appears in obvious places like the scalp and damage the hairline and appearance of these lesions may make one look older. Psoriasis in itself will not worsen due to age but it can open doorways to many health related disorders like arthritis, cardio vascular diseases, etc.
Can Psoriasis be cured?
In some cases Psoriasis can be cured completely. In other cases the remission can be controlled with Ayurveda treatment. Ayurveda prescribes Detoxification as a preliminary step to reduce remissions. Ayurveda is the safest solutions to help with Psoriasis as it heals the system naturally and from within.
Can Ayurveda cure Psoriasis?
When one is combating with Psoriasis the self-esteem is shaken and as a result may lead to anxiety, stress and depression. Yoga and meditation is the safest and the most natural way of uplifting one’s self-esteem, restoring the balance and grit needed for managing Psoriasis in the long term. This also helps in setting a life style filled with positive attitude, discipline and general wellbeing.
How does Ayurveda help with Psoriasis?
Acharya Charaka who is revered as the Father of Indian Medicine, in his Ayurveda treatise, mentions that repeated Shodhana or detoxification is required for patients having excessive Dosha vitiation. Repeated Vamana (Emesis) and Virechana (Purgation) is given to remove the Aama and to bring back the Dosha to balance. In case of psoriasis affecting the scalp Shirodhara may also be advised.
What foods can trigger psoriasis?
- Intake of incompatible food combinations such as milk with fish
- Consuming excess food or uncooked food and intake of food prior to digestion of previous meal.
- Excessive ingesting of foods of freshly harvested grains, curd, fish, salt and sour substances.
- Excessive use of Masha (black gram), Mulaka (radish), Pastry, Tila (Sesame seeds) and Jaggery.
- Old rice, barley, green gram, bitter vegetables and meat of wild animals are considered to be wholesome.
- Spicy, salty, fried and sour food items.
- Combination of fish with milk, and meat of marshy animals
- Pepper, jaggery, black gram, sesame seeds and alcoholic drinks
Due to the above said factors Vata and Kapha Doshas aggravate and accumulation of Aama (toxins) starts in the skin. This Aama then starts to accumulate in deeper tissues and lymphatic channel resulting in psoriasis.
Recipes to manage specific Doshas
Recipe for Vaata
INGREDIENTS
For Moong Dal
- 1 cup Moong dal
- 1 medium size onion
- 1 medium size tomato
- ¼ tsp. red chili powder
- ⅓ tsp. turmeric powder
- 3 cups water
- salt as required
For Seasoning
- 1 tsp. mustard seeds
- 1 tsp. cumin seeds / Jeera
- ¼ or ½ tsp. garam masala powder (Indian spice mix)
- 1 or 2 dried red chili
- a pinch of asafoetida
- ½ inch ginger
- 1 finely chopped garlic
- 2-3 tbsp. Ghee (Indian Clarified Butter)
INSTRUCTIONS
- finely chop onion, tomato
- Grate ginger and crush garlic
- Wash and pressure cook Moong Dal with onion, tomato, ginger, turmeric and chili powder.
- When done check consistency of Dal, add water if necessary to bring it to a smooth liquid.
- Sprinkle garam masala powder and allow the preparation to boil for 2-3 minutes.
- Heat ghee in a pan and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds and allow them to splutter
- To this add the garlic and red chili and wait till the aroma wafts and then add the asafoetida
- Add this seasoning to the Moong dal and sprinkle with coriander leaves
Use the above preparation with Chapati, Dose or rice
Recipe for Pitta
Flavored butter milk
Ingredients:
- Fresh curds
- Water
- Amla
- Himalayan Rock Salt
- Asafoetida
- Curry leaves
- Coriander leaves
Preparation
- Churn the curds in a mixer and remove the cream
- Add water to the ratio of 1: 3
- Crush the Amla and mix it with the diluted butter milk with Himalayan rock salt and asafoetida and churn it in the mixer again
- Wash and chop the curry leaves and coriander leaves and mix it well with the butter milk
Consume the preparation whenever you experience skin irritation due to excess Pitta or body heat
Recipe for Kapha
Spinach Soup
Ingredients
- Spinach
- Lentils
- Water
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Pepper
- Green Chili
- Curry Leaf
- Lime
- Himalayan rock salt
- Ghee
- Mustard
- Jeera
Method of Preparation
- Wash and cook the Spinach with lentils using adequate water along with ginger, garlic, green chilli
- Once done, add water to bring consistency to thin liquid.
- Heat Ghee, allow mustard, followed by Jeera to splutter in the ghee
- Add curry leaves and the cooked lentil and spinach
- Add crushed pepper, lime juice and salt
- Bring the preparation to boil and sprinkle chopped coriander
Use the above soup every time you feel heavy due to congestion. Substitute this soup with a portion of the meal to reduce Kapha that arises from over eating.
Some Home Remedies to combat Psoriasis:
- Oil massage every day would help in good blood circulation
- Everyday intake of ghee also with food will keep the skin moistened from within
- Use buttermilk in your diet and avoid consuming curd/yogurt at night.
- Take 1 tsp. of freshly pasted sandalwood every day on empty stomach it acts like a blood purifier.
- Expose yourself to early morning sum for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Consume 1 whole bitter gourd as juice every alternative day for about 3 to 5 months on empty stomach.
- Include turmeric in your food.
Herbs that can help with Psoriasis
- Nimba (Neem/ Azadirachtaindica)
- Khadira (Acacia catechu)
- Sariva(Hemidesmusindicus)
- Guduchi (Tinosporacordifolia)
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