Alternative Treatment for Psoriasis
What is Psoriasis?
According to this shloka, ekkushta is defined as the disease in which there is a lack of perspiration that affects the larger areas of skin and looks like fish scales and this condition is known as ekakushta.
(Reference: Charak Samhita (Chikitsa sthan): Chapter-7 and shloka-21)
As Per Ayurveda Aspect
In Ayurveda, psoriasis is caused due to the vitiation of Vata and Kapha doshas. The other main cause is the imbalance of fire/pitta energy which causes an accumulation of ama (toxins) in the deep tissues like rasa (plasma), rakta (blood), mamsa (muscles) and lasika (lymph) which leads to lack of perspiration, causing fishy scaly skin.
As per Modern Aspect
While medical experts do not know the main cause of psoriasis, everyone assumed that genetics and the immune system play an important role in its development. When the skin cells in the people normally grow at an abnormal rate then it causes the buildup of lesions. Usually, men and women develop psoriasis at equal rates.
This condition usually develops between the age group of 15 to 35 but can develop at any age. Some infants may develop psoriasis, but it is considered rare.
Psoriatic lesions are not infectious and the condition is not contagious.
Psoriasis is a chronic and autoimmune disease that causes red, dry, scaly patches and flakes to appear on the skin. Rashes may often go away for a while but then it flares up again which often get triggered due to stress, anxiety, etc.
What are the Causes and Types of Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease which causes damage to the healthy cells of the body. This leads to excessive growth of inflammation and skin cells.
Types of Psoriasis
- Erythrodermic Psoriasis
Erythrodermic psoriasis is an inflammatory condition that affects the larger parts of the body surface with redness. People with unstable plaque psoriasis where lesions are not clearly defined generally develop this condition. There may be edema or swelling due to fluid retention around the ankles. In this, the body is unable to regulate the temperature and can cause shivering.
- Pustular Psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis affects adults more than the children and appears as white patches, blisters which is surrounded by redness. It appears most commonly on the hands and feet but may appear on any part of the body. Redness is followed by the formation of pustules and scaling.
- Inverse Psoriasis
Inverse psoriasis, mostly appears in the armpits, under the breasts and any other part of the skin such as around the genitals and the buttocks. Firstly, it appears as red lesions usually without the scales associated with plaque psoriasis. The skin appears smooth and shiny. Irritation due to the excessive rubbing and sweating can make it worse. It usually affects the genital parts.
- Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis mainly starts in childhood or young adults. Spots are reddish, small that are not normally as thick as crust just like the plaque psoriasis. Various conditions such as upper respiratory tract infections, stress, injury to the skin, injury to the skin may trigger guttate psoriasis.
- Psoriatic Arthritis
People who are suffering from psoriasis also have joint pain and inflammation and also have other symptoms associated with arthritis, this condition is known as psoriatic arthritis. It affects the joints and is common among the age group of 30 and 50.
What are the Symptoms of Psoriasis?
In skin conditions, the cells of skin shed all the time, but in psoriasis, both the live and dead cells get collected on the skin surface because the replacement process is fast.
The main symptoms are:
- Intense itching and burning sensation on the skin
- Red and crusty patches covered with silvery scales that sheds easily
- The severity may range from mild to severe According to the national psoriasis foundation:
- Mild psoriasis: It covers less than 3 percent of the body
- Moderate psoriasis: It covers 3 to 10 percent of the body
- Severe psoriasis: It mainly covers more than 10 percent of the body
- It can affect any part of the body, but mostly appears on the knees, elbows, scalp and lower back area
Planet Ayurveda offers an effective herbal treatment for psoriasis and this treatment usually focus on the root cause of the disease. These herbal formations are free from preservatives, fillers, additives and have no side effects. The combination of herbs used in these formations work in a synergistic manner and shows good results in treating psoriasis.
This pack contains
- Manjistha Capsules
Manjistha capsules are formulated with the pure and standardized extract of Manjistha herb. This herb keeps the skin healthy by eliminating the toxins from the body and has blood purification properties. It also controls the over-activation of the immune system in psoriasis.
Dosage: 1 or 2 capsules two times a day with plain water after meals.
- Pitta Balance
Pitta balance pacifies the pitta dosha in the body. The ingredients used in the preparation of this formulation is akik pishti, Mukta pishti, praval pishti, jahar mohra pishti, kamdudha ras, and giloy. These capsules pacifies the excessive pitta dosha in the body and improve the digestion. As altered digestive system leads to an increase of pitta dosha into the rasa dhatu. Thus, it also manages the symptoms like a burning sensation, itching, soreness, etc.
Dosage: 1 or 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.
- Neem Capsules
Neem capsules are formulated with the standardized extract of neem herb and it has been used in Ayurveda since ancient times to treat skin disorders. It is packed with anti-fungal, analgesic, anti-parasitic and antibacterial properties. These capsules provide relief from the symptoms associated with psoriasis, such as itching, soreness, etc.
Dosage: 1 or 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.
- Radiant skin Hair Nail Formula
Planet Ayurveda offers radiant skin hair and nails formula for treating psoriasis. The herbs used in the formulation of this herbal remedy are chirata, manjistha, ghritkumari, and pitt- papda. All these herbs work in a synergetic manner to treat psoriasis. These herbs boost up the immune system and eliminate the toxins from the body.
Dosage: 1 or 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.
- Navkarshik Churna
Navkarshik Churna is a combination of wonderful herbs that has immuno-modulator properties. The herbs used in this formulation are Amalaki, bibhitaki, haritaki, neem, Vacha, katuki, giloy, manjistha, and daruhaldi. These herbs are anti-microbial, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory in nature. It purifies the blood by removing the toxins from the body and corrects the metabolism. This churna not only relieves the pain, but also helps in healing the non-healing wounds.
Dosage: 1 tsp. twice daily with plain water after meals.
- Psorolin Ointment
Psorolin ointment is an effective herbal ointment useful in reducing the symptoms related to psoriasis, mostly during the scaling stage of the disease. This ointment contains extract of Cynodon dactylon and Wrightia trinctoria oil. These oil extracts reduce the scaling and hinder the inflammatory process.
Usage: For local application. Apply this ointment on locally affected parts.
- Lippu Oil
Lippu oil contains an extract of karanj (Pongamia glabra) mixed with coconut oil. Karanj contains essential oil which contains a chemical compound called karanjin. It has an anti-microbial property and no side effects. Regular use of this oil combats the symptoms of psoriasis.
Usage: For local application. Apply this oil on the affected areas.
Some Effective Home Remedies for Psoriasis
- Consume all kinds of guard juices such as bitter gourd, long gourd, round gourd as these juices are good for skin problems such as psoriasis.
- The paste of cabbage leaves can be applied over the affected areas. These leaves work as an effective home remedy for psoriasis.
- Sunbath or sea bath is also recommended.
- Vitamin E therapy has also been found useful in psoriasis.
- Consumption of neem capsules and application of Aloe Vera gel is also very effective in reducing the symptoms.
