What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin-related auto-immune disorder that causes the multiplication of skin cells up to 10 times faster than normal. This leads to the built-up of bumpy red patches covered with white scales on the skin. These patches can grow anywhere, but mostly they appear on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. Psoriasis can’t be passed from one person to another. Sometimes, it happens in members of the same family.
Formation of scales on the joints, such as elbows and knees. Other body parts include the Hands, feet, neck, scalp, and face.
What is an Ayurvedic view of Psoriasis?
In Ayurveda texts, psoriasis is correlated with the ‘Kitibha’and is considered one of the common varieties of eleven Ksudrakushta. It is caused due to the imbalance of Vata as well as KaphaDosha. Its symptoms are – Syavam (Blackish brown skin discoloration), Parusa (hard to touch) and Kinakharsparsa (affected skin will be rough like, scar tissue). If Vatadosha is dominant dosha then the symptoms will be excessive dryness and flaking are seen and if Kapha is the dominant dosha then silvery wet scaling with a lot of itching and swelling is seen.
What are the types of psoriasis?
Pustular psoriasis: In this condition, there is the formation of scaly skin with tiny pustules on the palms of the hands as well as soles of the feet.
Guttate psoriasis: This often starts in childhood or young adulthood, which causes red spots, mainly on the torso and limbs. The triggering factors are respiratory infections, strep throat, tonsillitis, stress, and injury to the skin.
Inverse psoriasis: There is a formation of bright red, shiny lesions that appear in skin folds, such as the armpits, groin, or under the breasts.
Erythrodermic psoriasis: It causes redness of the skin and shedding of scales. The triggering factors are severe sunburn, infections, certain medications, etc.
What are the symptoms of psoriasis?
Psoriasis symptoms may differ from person to person and depend on its types. The affected can be as small as a few flakes or can cover the whole body.
The most common symptoms of psoriasis include:
- Patches on the skin are red, raised and inflamed
- Formation of whitish-silver scales or plaques
- Dry skin may get crack and bleed
- Soreness around the patches
- Itching and burning sensation over the skin
- Nails become thin and pitted
- Painful and swollen joints
Not every person will experience all of these symptoms because the symptoms may vary according to the condition. The symptoms may become severe for a few days or weeks, and then may clear up and be almost unnoticeable. Then, in a few weeks the condition may flare up again but sometimes, symptoms disappear completely.
In some of the cases, people with psoriasis can also get a type of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis. This leads to pain, inflammation, and swelling in the joints. The National Psoriasis Foundation has estimated that between 10% to 30% of people who are suffering from psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.
What are the risk factors for psoriasis?
Here are some of the factors that can increase your risk of developing the disease:
Family history: Having one parent with psoriasis increases the risk of getting psoriasis.
Viral and bacterial infections: People with HIV who have a weak immune system are more likely to develop psoriasis than people with healthy immune systems.
Stress: Stress can also impact your immune system which increases the risk of psoriasis.
Obesity: Excessive weight gain increases the risk of psoriasis because the lesions mainly develop in skin creases and folds.
Smoking: Smoking and tobacco chewing not only increases the risk of psoriasis but also increases the severity of the disease.
What is the Panchakarma Treatment of Psoriasis?
Chandigarh Ayurved Centre is providing the best panchakarma therapies which detoxes the body naturally that ultimately balances the Vatadosha and cures the psoriasis.
Some panchakarma therapies:
PatraPottaliPindaSweda – PatraPottaliPindaSweda mainly works on balancing the Vata and Kaphadosha. It also shows excellent results in relieving the symptoms associated with psoriasis.
ShashtikaShaliPindaSweda – This therapy has been used in Ayurveda for many ages which improves blood circulation, nourishes the body and improves the tissue strength.
AnuvasanBasti –AnuvasanBasti therapy facilitates the direct absorption of the medicine into the rectal canal. This procedure promotes the health of the body.
Body Lepam – In this therapy, herbal paste is spread over the affected area which is very helpful in reducing the symptoms related to arthritis, psoriasis, and all other skin problems.
Ayurvedic treatment for Psoriasis
Chandigarh Ayurved Centre provides the best and effective kit which is very helpful in treating psoriasis i.e., Psoriasis Care Kit. This kit contains—Detox Premium Powder, Blood Purifier Syrup, TwakTailam, Skincare tablet, PanchatiktaGhritaGuggulu, PanchsakarChurna, and Neem soap. These formulations are very effective in balancing the doshas.
1. Detox Premium Powder:
Detox Premium Powder is a herbo-mineral preparation that contains various ingredients like ParwalPishti, KamdudhaRas, ShuktaPishti, GandhakRasayan, Giloysatv, etc. All signs and symptoms related to Psoriasis are managed with this formulation. It also balances the Pitta dosha and shows analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 sachet twice daily with plain water.
2. Blood Purifier Syrup:
Blood purifier syrup consists of various natural ingredients such as Manjistha (Rubiacordifolia), KhadirChall (Acacia catechu), Harad (Terminalia bellirica), Baheda (Terminalia chebula), Amla (Emblicaofficinalis), Neem (Azadirachtaindica), Giloy (Tinosporacordifolia), etc. As the name suggests this syrup removes the toxins from the blood and gives complexion to the skin.
Recommended Dosage – Take 2 teaspoonful twice daily.
3. TwakTailam:
Twaktailam improves the skin luster and nourishes the skin tissues. It consists of yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhizaglabra), manjistha (Rubiacordifolia) which are the best blood purifying herbs. The oil improves the skin complexion and purifies the blood naturally.
Method of Application – Apply over the affected area of the skin.
4. Skin care tablet:
skincare tablet helps to maintain the skin texture depending on the type of skin you have. The main herbs present in it are Chopchini, Chirayta, Mulethi, HaridraKhand, Gandhak, Panchnimbchurna, Ajmoda that are natural blood-purifying agents. Being a detoxifier it eliminates the toxins and increases blood circulation. It also heals the skin-related problems.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily.
5. PanchatiktaGhritaGuggulu:
PanchatiktaGhritaGuggulu comprises of ingredients such as Vasa(Adhatodavasica), Patola(Cucumisacutangulus), Nimba(Azadirachtaindica), Guduchi(Tinosporacordifolia), etc. This tablet promotes skin rejuvenation and is a natural source of antioxidants.
Recommended Dosage–Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.
6. PanchsakarChurna:
As the name suggests, it consists of five ingredients named as – Shatapushpa (Anethumsowa), Balaharitaki
(Unripe fruits of Terminalia chebula), Swarnapatri (Cassia angustifolia), Shunti – (Zingiberofficinale) and SaindhavLavana (Rock Salt). This Churna is a natural detoxifier that eliminates toxins from the body. It relieves inflammation because it has an anti-inflammatory property due to which it also reduces swelling.
Recommended Dosage– Take 1 teaspoonful with lukewarm water at bedtime.
7. Neem soap:
Neem soap is herbal handmade soap prepared from the standardized extract of Neem (Azadirachtaindica). Neem herb has been used in Ayurveda for many ages to cure acute and chronic skin problems such as itching, redness, dryness, scars, etc. This effective herb shows Anti-bacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, Antifungal, and Antiseptic properties. It acts as a blood purifier that protects the skin from various infections, Psoriasis, Eczema, Leprosy, etc.
Method of Application: Neem Soap can be regularly used on the face and body, as a bath soap.