Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that was first identified in the 19th century. The disease is characterized by the presence of red swollen patches on the skin. According to an estimate, approximately 2-3% of the population is affected by psoriasis worldwide. The disease is characterized by excessive growth of skin cells that form skin plaques.
There has been no satisfactory treatment found until now, but the value of Ayurveda medicine for psoriasis has been recognized since ancient times, as it is natural and does not have any side effects on the health of patients.
Ayurveda is an age-old practice used for curing mild to severe diseases. Ayurveda preparations can be prepared with minimal and existing elements present in your kitchen and garden, like ginger, turmeric, aloe vera, etc.
Multiple research and case studies have provided positive evidence in favor of Ayurveda treatment to cure psoriasis.
How Does Ayurveda Explain Psoriasis?
Ayurveda explains the cause of disease with the imbalance in three “doshas” called- Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Doshas in Ayurveda refers to energies or forces that govern bodily functions.
- Vata- It is one of the three doshas that dictates movements in our body
- Pitta- It constitutes forces that work in the direction of digestion and metabolism
- Kapha- The dosha governs lubrication and structure of the body parts
Disharmony between any of these doshas or forces will result in adverse effects on our bodies. Based on our genetic inheritance and personality, these doshas are present in varying degrees in each individual.
Psoriasis disease treatment in Ayurveda can be explained based on an imbalance between doshas. Impurity in blood relates to the emotional changes in the body.
Vata causes dryness, pain, and scaling of the skin; pitta causes swelling and redness; Kapha leads to itching, rash, and lesions on the skin.
Hence, psoriasis cure in Ayurveda starts with the purification and detoxification of the blood and ends with the rejuvenation of all the body cells.
What is the Ayurveda Treatment of Psoriasis?
Ayurveda treatment is one of those conventional medicines that has helped in psoriasis natural treatment.
Today our lifestyle changes are so rigorous that paying attention and keeping a balance between all vital forces of our body becomes difficult.
Consumption of fat and sugar-loaded food products, eating a combination of dairy products with meat induces pathogenesis in the body that affects our body to produce antagonistic effects.
Meditation and Movement in Treatment of Psoriasis
In the process of psoriasis Ayurveda, meditation plays an important role. Meditation is practiced to lower stress and control our thoughts and responses. As psoriasis is caused due to emotional imbalance in the body, peace of mind is necessary to control the spread of the disease.
Another way of reducing stress in our body is the practice of pranayama. It is a yoga practice that emphasizes deep breathing. It aims to connect our body with our mind and develop harmony between the two. This balance is indeed beneficial as it facilitates curing psoriasis.
Ayurveda Dietary Preferences
Whenever we suffer from a disease our immune system is compromised, and so diet plays an important role in strengthening our immunity to fight against the disease-causing agents.
Ayurveda highlights the doshas and specifies how it can be kept in balance by consuming a perfect diet.
- Sour foods and citrus fruits should be avoided
- Skipping fine flour and fermented food products
- Stopping the consumption of fast foods that are high in cholesterol
- Alcohol, tobacco, and smoking are triggers of bad health
- Non-vegetarian and spicy food should be avoided
- Meat, poultry, and dairy items should be eaten in intervals and not together
Below mentioned food habits should be incorporated-
- Table salt should be replaced with black salt or mountain salt
- Natural sweet present in fruits and bitter-tasting food like green vegetable and bitter gourd helps in eliminating heat from our body
- Everyday intake of buttermilk is recommended
Topical Agents for Psoriasis Ayurvedic Treatment
Plants are fundamental to ayurvedic treatment. Herbs and other ayurvedic compounds are included in psoriasis natural treatment, few of them are mentioned below.
Jasmine flower is a topical agent for psoriasis ayurvedic treatment–
The paste of jasmine flower aids itching and reduces inflammation of the skin affected by psoriasis
Boswellia(Indian frankincense) is a topical agent for psoriasis ayurvedic treatment–
Boost immunity and the cream formulation shows anti-inflammatory effect
Turmeric is a topical agent for psoriasis ayurvedic treatment–
In the treatment of psoriasis, extracts of turmeric root are applied on the skin. The paste of turmeric reduces redness and soothes burning sensation on the skin.
Guggul is a topical agent for psoriasis ayurvedic treatment–
Application of guggul paste on psoriasis affected skin reduces pain and improves itchiness on the skin
Lemon–
though citric acid should be avoided in the diet, lemon juice when applied on the skin improves discoloration and exfoliates dead skin cells.
Neem–
Neem is an ancient herb used for treating different skin diseases. Neem oil softens dry and scaly skin. In cases of scalp psoriasis, application of neem oil after shampoo and use of neem-based soap are beneficial.
Black nightshade–
Also known as “Kakamachi”. The juice of the leaves helps in reducing pain and itching on the affected skin.
Aloe vera–
Aloe vera in the form of gel or cream can be applied on the skin as it gives a cooling effect and moisturises the skin,
Ginger–
Consumption of bodied ginger water with honey and lemon juice prevents inflammation. It also provides relief from pain.
Ayurvedic Bath and Moisturisation for Psoriasis
Hygiene is of the utmost importance for people suffering from skin diseases. Psoriasis can be cured by maintaining a regular habit of taking a bath as the affected areas become soft and itching is reduced.
Application of herbal moisturizer rich in neem, aloe, turmeric, and other natural ingredients, aids in the reduction of inflammation, dry, and itchy skin.
Ayurvedic Body Detoxification for Psoriasis
Ayurveda states that toxin production in the body will lead to an imbalance in all the three vital doshas. Therefore, it is necessary to detoxify the body every now and then..
Psoriasis treatment in Ayurveda is distinguished in three stages of treatment, they are-
Shodhana chikitsa–
This means removing toxins from our body through five different therapies, called “Panchkarma therapies.”
Shamana chikitsa-
This refers to the application of internal and external medicines for the treatment
Rasayana chikitsa–
The last stage aims at boosting immunity and making our body ready to fight if the disease recurs.
Internal Medicine in Treatment of Psoriasis
The severity of psoriasis determines which therapy will be useful at that stage of the disease. Few therapies have proven to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis.
Topical therapy–
The products are available in the form of ointments, moisturiser, sprays, and shampoos. Ultraviolet lights are also used in affected skin. Doctors recommend these in cases of mild to moderate psoriasis.
Systemic therapy–
Oral medications, biological drugs and phototherapy are given to patients who have advanced psoriasis.
Inno modulation–
Innomodulator means a substance that can influence the functioning of the immune system. Rasayana is a term used in Ayurveda medicine for psoriasis that mentions the role of herbs and natural ingredients to improve immune functions and provide resistance to it.
Managing Stress by Aromatherapy- An Aspect of Natural Ayurvedic Treatment
For ages, Ayurveda treatment has emphasized stress management to cure diseases. Stress is the root cause of imbalance in our bodies. Our quality of life is reduced as we focus more on our work than our health.
Emotional balance is the result of stress; hence steps should be taken on a personal level to reduce stress and live a peaceful life. Below are a few methods to identify psoriasis natural treatment with essential oils-
Lavender oil is an essential oil for psoriasis natural treatment–
The oil reduces anxiety. Inhaling or mixing lavender oil with water while showering, calms the mind and body.
Coconut oil is an essential oil for psoriasis natural treatment–
Due to its anti-inflammatory property in psoriasis natural treatment coconut oil is preferred.
Tea tree oil is an essential oil for psoriasis natural treatment–
The oil has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties and also aids proper immune functions.
Rose oil is an essential oil for psoriasis natural treatment–
The strong scent of rose provides relief from depression, panic attacks, shock, and sadness. It boosts mental strength.
There are multiple ways available for psoriasis cure in Ayurveda, but each treatment’s impact on our body varies.
Psoriasis disease treatment in Ayurveda is favoured as it has no or very less negative effects on the patient’s health. Research studies have shown if the patient carries through instructions given by healthcare professionals, maintains a strict psoriasis diet, follows a healthy lifestyle, then the cure is sooner, and chances of recurrence are negligible.
