Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease. It causes bumps, scaly red patches that appear on the skin. Outside of the elbows, knees or scalp are typically affected but it can appear on any site. Some people complaint that psoriasis is itchy, burns and stings. Psoriasis is not transmissible and the lesions that are produced are not infectious. The genes and our immune system play important roles in its progress. The skin cells of psoriasis patients grow at an abnormally fast rate, which causes psoriasis lesions to build up. Men and women are equally prone to develop psoriasis. It can occur at any age but often develops in age between 15-35. Psoriasis can be mild, moderate or severe.
Severity depends on how much of your body is affected by psoriasis. The whole surface of the hand is equal to about 1 percent of your body surface area. The severity of psoriasis can also be measured by how it affects a person’s quality of life. For example, psoriasis can have a serious impact on an individual’s daily activities. It is also known to have a bad impact on the quality of life of both patients as well as individual’s family members. Some disability is experienced by the individual depending upon the location of the lesion.
Basic functions, such as self-care and sleep are interfered with due to itching and pain. If lesions are present on the foot and knees activities like running or sporting activities are hindered. Psoriasis on the scalp can be sometimes embarrassing, as flakes in the hair can be mistaken as dandruff. Psoriasis can naturally be treated with medicinal herbs in Ayurveda. Psoriasis is a chronic disease that often comes and goes with time. The main aim of treatment is to inhibit the skin cells from growing so fast.
Signs and symptoms of psoriasis are different for different individuals. These include:
• Thick, silvery scales on the skin with red patches.
• Small scaly spots commonly in children.
• Bleeding from lesions due to dry and cracked skin.
• Burning or soreness, itching.
• Thickened, ridged nails.
• Stiff and swollen joints.
CAUSES:
The symptoms of psoriasis often become worse due to certain conditions. These may be physical and environmental factors. The common factors which are responsible for the cause and severity of psoriasis are:
• Severe at low temperatures.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol.
• Smoking not only increases the risk of disease but also increases the severity of psoriasis.
• Individual already suffering from auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or HIV.
• Infections may weaken the immune system like strep throat.
• Any skin injury such as cut, burn or sunburn.
• Tension and stress.
• Certain medicines like beta-blockers or anti-malarial drugs.
• Vitamin-D deficiency.
• Family History.
• Bacterial and viral infections.
AYURVEDIC VIEW OF PSORIASIS
Psoriasis is known as Kitibha in Ayurvedic literature.
Kitibha (psoriasis) is one of the form of eleven kṣudra kuṣṭha (comparatively less harmful, easily treated obstinate diseases of the skin). The Doṣha (body humors) involved in this disease are kapha and Vata. The clinical features are Śyāvaṁ (Blackish brown discoloration of skin), Kiṇakharasparśa (affected skin will be rough to touch like the scar tissue), Paruṣa.
NATURAL & HERBAL TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS
In Ayurveda, there is the number of herbs that can treat psoriasis. Chandigarh Ayurved and Panchakarma Centre have formulated ayurvedic medicines for Natural & Ayurvedic Treatment For Psoriasis named as psoriasis care kit. This kit consists of five products. The details of these products are given below:
1.Detox Standard Powder
This is a herbo powder containing different minerals that contain different ayurvedic herbs like Parwal Pishti, Giloy satv, Shukta Pishti, Kamdudha Ras, Gandhak Rasayan, Tal Sindoor, etc. This powder helps in reducing inflammation, itching of the skin, and also balances the pitta dosha in the body. This herbal powder has antioxidant and analgesic properties.
Recommended Dosage: Take one sachet twice a day with normal water.
2. Manjisthadi Churna
This is an excellent herbal churna prepared with the combination of two herbs Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) & Neem (Azadirachta indica). The inflammation, itching, flaking, thick, white, silvery, red patches are treated with this amazing churna in a psoriasis patient.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 teaspoonful twice daily with normal water.
3. Skin Khada
This syrup contains herbal ingredients like Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Methi Dana (Trigonella foenum-graecum), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Haldi (Curcuma longa), Baheda (Terminalia bellirica), Chirata (Swertia chirata), which helps in removing all toxins from the body. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-bacterial properties of these herbs give effective results in Psoriasis patients.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 teaspoonful twice a day.
4. Panchtikta Ghrit Guggulu
These herbal tablets help to balance Pitta and Kapha doshas in the body. Panchtikta Ghrita Guggulu contains ingredients like Neem (Azadirachta indica), Patola (Trichosanthes dioica), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Vasa (Adhatoda vasica), Patha (Cissampelos pariera), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), etc that provides very good result in Psoriasis patients.
Recommended Dosage: Take two tablets twice daily with normal water.
5. Sarvin Tablets
These herbal tablets are prepared from ingredients like Shudh Gandhak (Purified Sulphur), Shudh Hartal (Arsenic Tri Oxide), Kali Jeeri (Centratherum anthelminticum), Khair Chal (Acacia catechu), etc that reduces inflammation & redness in psoriasis patients. It cleanses the body from inside.
Recommended Dosage: Take two tablets twice daily with normal water.
HEALTHY TIPS AND ADVICE:
• Keep your skin well moisturized because dry skin is more prone to outbreaks and psoriasis.
• Soaking the affected area in warm water for 15 minutes can help to loosen scales and also reduce the itching and inflammation caused by psoriasis.
• Exposure to the sun can also diminish the psoriasis lesions.
• Do not scrub the lesions as it will irritate them and make them worse.
• Keep your mind free from stress as stress is a trigger for psoriasis.
• Don’t be harsh with your skin.
Vaidya Jagjit Singh is an Ayurvedic Physician in Chandigarh and has an experience of 30 years in this field. He is founder of Chandigarh Ayurved Centre. Chandigarh Ayurvedic Centre provides best ayurvedic treatment &panchakarma therapies centre in Chandigarh. Chandigarh Ayurvedic Centre is a leading Multi specialityAyurvedic Clinic of North India.
