Role of Ayurveda in treating and curing Psoriasis

by Dr Neela Seth | Switzerland | Feb 12, 2023 | Ayurveda

Role of Ayurveda in treating and curing Psoriasis

Role of Ayurveda in treating Psoriasis – Interview with Dr Neela Seth, Switzerland

Dr. Neela Sheth

Ayurvedic Doctor

Shuvra Dev Burman

Wellness Director

1) What does Ayurveda say about psoriasis?

Dr. Neela Seth: According to Ayurveda, psoriasis is a multi-factorial chronic inflammatory skin condition. Several studies are being conducted to determine the exact cause of psoriasis, but there are many. It has to do with how one handles his/her life, what one eats, how much stress one is under, what’s going on in their life, and if their past is influencing their present. As per Ayurveda, many doshas/ element imbalances are involved, including Vatapitta and Vatakapha, and all of these involvements have a deeper connection to the cause of the disease. So we must first motivate someone to make the necessary changes and then treat them. That is why Ayurveda can effectively treat such chronic skin conditions.

Since Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with primarily nutritional and lifestyle issues, from an Ayurvedic standpoint, whenever we treat someone, we have to look into everything they do in their life, the kind of life a person leads, and the type of nutrition they consume. This plays a vital role in developing this type of chronic disease.

2) Can Ayurveda cure psoriasis completely?

Dr. Neela Seth : Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that progresses at its own pace, depending on how long one has been suffering from it and how motivated one can be made to make lifestyle and mental pattern changes. If we can do all of this, then Ayurveda does have an answer for psoriasis. Also, we must recognise that psoriasis has a relapsing nature, which is why it is not only Ayurvedic medicine that can change or cure one but a whole programme. If someone can follow the whole programme, it makes life easier and allows them to escape this situation.

The problem with psoriasis is social because one has to carry the skin disease with them all the time until it is cured. Psoriasis requires much attention, but it is frequently ignored, and people are told to live with it. We can do a lot about it with Ayurveda if we know what the causes are and start treatment as soon as possible. In Ayurveda, we believe that no two people are the same and that all of the factors about the person are much more individualized, which is why the treatments are particular.

3) Is psoriasis treatment possible at any stage of its severity?

Dr. Neela Seth: This question is easier to answer if we get into the patient’s specifics. However, if someone recognises that they are experiencing skin problems and suffering, we can always work on resolving the issue. However, if the problem is chronic and has been bothering someone for the past 20 years, one cannot be cured in 20 days. We keep motivating the patient to reduce their suffering, and it depends on how the body works and reacts to the treatment so that we can treat them accordingly. The patient also needs to cooperate by following the prescribed treatments.

In Ayurveda, we typically work in two ways. The first is sodhana, the detoxification process, and the second is Ayurvedic medicine. The deeper panchakarmas or detoxification process is required for psoriasis patients. Since the problem is more profound, both medicines and panchakarma are used to treat psoriasis. It is not just a simple process of eating and drinking, commonly referred to as detoxification.

Authentic ayurvedic detoxification or panchakharma programmes are very serious cures that must be taken in a proper environment, under authentic Ayurvedic setups and followed by specific facilities, which is why I am so happy to be associated with Asha.

Before my association with ASHAexperience, I treated psoriasis only with medication and advised some mild therapy. But we need relatively deeper panchakarmas to cure Psoriasis. Authenticity needs to be maintained under proper supervision. When I became associated with ASHAexperience, I could confidently send all my patients for complete and authentic panchakarma treatment in India, that can cure Psoriasis.

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Ayurveda- The Alternative Treatment for Psoriasis

by Dr Neela Seth | Switzerland | Jun 3, 2022 | Ayurveda

Ayurveda- The Alternative Treatment for Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease, usually treated with corticosteroids and salicylic acid-based ointments. Those looking for an alternative, natural, less invasive and holistic remedy can turn to Ayurveda.

Today more and more people are looking for natural remedies and cures for chronic diseases, and psoriasis is no exception. Modern medicine offers psoriasis therapy in the form of corticosteroid creams which, when used long-term, pose a number of problems.

Read on to find information on psoriasis and alternative treatment that can be helpful and effective!

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a condition that affects the skin and accelerates the life cycle of cells. The condition ranges from mild (less than 3% of the skin is affected) to severe (more than 10% of the skin affected) and includes symptoms such as dry, cracked skin that tends to bleed, red, itchy patches and flaking, as well as the joints swollen and stiff, also known as psoriatic arthritis. Here the patient tends to have sore joints, which are often hot due to the inflammation. This commonly causes swelling of the fingers and toes and is accompanied by pain in the back or feet.

About 125 million people worldwide are affected by psoriasis, many of whom also develop psoriatic arthritis. This condition can present at any age, but most patients tend to show the first symptoms between the ages of 15 and 25 and progress to psoriatic arthritis between the ages of 30 and 50.

Psoriasis signs and symptoms

Aside from the common symptoms, psoriasis is often accompanied by many consequences on the quality of life, particularly for women. For example, patients experience a physical impact such as pain and discomfort, which limits the activities they can undertake, a psychological impact, such as being more aware of one’s image, and social implications, such as the tendency to avoid social encounters or the knowledge of new people.

Traditional therapy for Psoriasis

Nobody is entirely sure of the cause of psoriasis; however, some known triggers could worsen the condition, including stress, smoking, vitamin deficiencies, and more. There is also no known cure for psoriasis, simply medications and measures that patients can take to minimize discomfort and symptoms..

Causes of Psoriasis according to Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, the kushta roga (skin disorder) related to psoriasis is triggered by imbalances in the dosha Kapha (the body mood associated with the elements earth and water) and Vata (the body mood associated with the elements air and ether.). These doshas are believed to negatively impact blood tissues and skin, as well as the aqueous components of the skin. Kapha causes the skin to become coppery or whitish in color, while Vata causes it to become scaly and dry.

Furthermore, the accumulation of ama, also called metabolic waste, caused by environmental stressors, unhealthy eating habits, and lifestyle can contribute to the onset of psoriasis. In Ayurveda, improper eating habits are considered a significant cause of psoriasis; Certain foods such as citrus fruits, curds, fish, sweets, sesame oil, rice flour, and milk should be avoided. In general, all excessively salty, spicy, or acidic foods, carbohydrate-rich, refined or sugar-laden foods, as well as heavy and hard-to-digest foods, are not recommended. But that’s not all, as it also warns against the consumption of incompatible foods (viruddha ahara), as they could have a toxic effect on the organism; an example of incompatible foods are fish and milk.

Ayurvedic treatment for psoriasis includes:

Lepanam: In this treatment, medicines along with some herbal liquids are mixed together in the form of a paste applied to the affected parts of the body. Lepanam acts as a body scrub used to smooth the skin, rejuvenate blood circulation, relieve body aches, remove skin disorders, manage pain, etc.

Abhyanga: Abhyanga is one of the most important treatments in Ayurvedic treatment of psoriasis in India. External oleation or Abhyanga is a specialized oil massage. According to Ayurvedic theory, Abhyanga helps move toxins to the intestines to promote their elimination from the body. Abhyanga is also known to reduce skin dryness and decrease the severity of flaking.

Snehapanam: Internal oleation (Snehapanam) uses medicated oil. The type and volume (dosage) are determined depending on the constitution of the patient. Dosage and combinations are also based on dosha constitution and disease progression. Medicated ghee for the Ayurvedic treatment of psoriasis usually contains liver-cleansing, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulating herbs. Snehapanam decreases the scaling (patches of skin that come off), itching, and dryness of psoriasis.

Pizhichil: For this therapy, the practitioner pours medicated oils continuously on the patient’s body for a few minutes. The therapy invigorates, relaxes, nourishes, and improves the body’s immunity by enabling detoxification.

Takradhara: Takradhara is a solution of butter, and medicated herbs poured all over the patient’s body. The treatment helps nourish the skin, and the medicinal herbs help repair skin cells and reduce inflammation.

Diet: Diet is very important in this treatment. Food consumption actually modifies the disease. The practice, therefore, advises the patients to follow a strict menu containing easily digestible and balanced diets with ingredients to maintain the appropriate levels of the Pitta and Kapha doshas.

Panchakarma – Ayurvedic way to finalize the cleansing of a detoxification of the organism:

As per the causes, psoriasis is caused due to imbalance between the body’s doshas due to the toxins present in the body. So if you want to cure psoriasis from its roots, then the only thing that can help you is by cleansing the body of all toxins. By doing this, the balance between doshas will be created within the body, and the immune system will restore its proper functioning. This deep cleansing of the body is accomplished by a process called panchakarma-in Ayurveda. A special diet accompanies these therapies.