Skin diseases-

Skin diseases are often seen as a sign of dosha imbalance. For example, Vata-related skin diseases are often characterized by dryness, itching, and inflammation. Pitta-related skin diseases are often characterized by redness, heat, and swelling. Kapha-related skin diseases are often characterized by heaviness, oiliness, and dullness.

Ayurveda offers a variety of treatments for skin diseases. These treatments can include herbs, diet, lifestyle changes and Detoxification.

■  Panchakarma   

is one of the best AyurPsoriasisedic treatments for skin problems that restores the doshic balance and promotes skin health by removing the toxins that have accumulated in the body. Panchakarma therapy is a complete detoxifying program that flushes out toxins from the body and cleanses it at the cellular level. When the toxins are cleared from the body, the doshas gain equilibrium, and the organs and skin go back to their normal functions.

 Some of the common skin diseases that are seen in individuals are

■ Acne vulgaris

■  Psoriasis

■ Eczema

■ Leucoderma.   Here are their causes and treatment methods as described by Ayurveda for skin diseases:

■  Acne Vulgaris
                                                        This condition is common in teenagers caused by overactive sebaceous or oil glands. During the onset of puberty, these glands secrete excess sebum causing the blockage of skin pores and inflammation of hair follicles leading to a series of skin problems. The pores may congest due to build-up of dry skin, dirt and bacteria and worsen the acne. Chronic acne vulgaris can lead to severe scarring.

               ■ Treatment

 Acne vulgaris can have several symptoms caused due to vitiated blood or Rakta Dushti and subtle channels of the body. The treatment methods for acne are designed keeping this in mind.

■ Some of them include:

                  •  Steaming

                  •  Vamana- Therapeutic Emesis

                  •  Virechana - Therapeutic Purgation 

                  ▪︎  Nasya- instillation of medicine through nostril

                   •  Raktamokshana- Blood letting therapies 

   ■   Psoriasis
                                           It is an inflammatory skin disease characterised by the presence of bumpy red patches with large white scales. Psoriasis is caused when the cells in the basal layers of the skin multiply much faster than the normal rate. The disease is noninfectious and is triggered when the Vata and Pitta dosha are aggravated leading to the accumulation of toxins in the Rakta (blood), Mansa (Muscles), Lasika (Lymphatic) and Rasa (Plasma) dhatus.

■  Treatment

The Ayurvedic treatment for psoriasis aims at eliminating toxins from the blood and tissues and balancing the digestive system.

Here are some of the treatment methods for psoriasis treatment:

■   Snehanapanam - Oral intake of medicated Ghee

■    Basti: Medicated enemas 

■   Detox therapies:

                  Detox therapies like Virechana and Vamana work well for the treatment of psoriasis. Therapies like Thakradhara where medicated buttermilk or decoction is dripped over the forehead may be used especially for Pitta dominated psoriasis.

■   Eczema
                                                Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease characterised by red and itchy skin and sometimes may be present with papules and vesicles. Although the exact cause of eczema is not yet known, it is considered that the symptoms of eczema arise due to overreaction of the immune system to irritants. Moreover, hereditary and environmental factors have also been associated with the cause of the disease.

■    Treatment

In the initial phases of the treatment, oral medicines have to be administered for purification. Then, medicines for external application are given. Finally, for the rejuvenation and nourishment of the skin, Rasayanas are provided.

The following are some of the therapies effective in the treatment of eczema:

■   Snehapanam - Medicated ghee intake.

■   Sweating: 

■  Vamana: Medicated Emesis 

■   Mridu Virechana:Medicated Purgation 

■   Rakta Sodhana: Bloodletting Therapies 

Procedures that involve the application of external medicines are:

■  Lepa: A paste made of suitable herbs is applied on the affected area.

■  Parisheka: Warm oils and herbal decoctions are poured onto the body to eliminate toxins.

■  Udvarthana: Herbal Powder massage 

■  Avagaha:  In Avagaha therapy, the individual is made to sit in neck-deep warm water with medicated herbs.

■  Dhupana: Especially in Vata and Kapha dominant conditions, fumigation with certain herbs is carried out called Dhupana.

      ■  Leucoderma
                                         Leucoderma or vitiligo is a skin disorder in which pigment cells or melanocytes die or stop functioning causing white patches on different parts of the body. It is an autoimmune condition and generally affects the hands, wrists, knees, neck and the back. In some cases, the retina, mucous membrane, and the hair of the scalp may also be affected.

■   Treatment

Ayurveda predicates that leucoderma is caused due to the imbalance of all the three doshas that vitiate the Rakta, Mansa and Medha dhatus. It can be treated or managed by the following:

■  Nidana Parithyaga: The factors that could lead to the condition have to be determined and avoided.

■  Shodhana Chikitsa: Ayurvedic cleansing of the body through Panchakarma treatments like Vamana, Virechana, etc.

■  Shamana Chikitsa: Following the Shodhana Chikitsa, Shamana procedures are performed which involve administering oral medications and external applications of herbal paste or powders.

■  Patya: Making the right lifestyle changes and dietary choices along with yoga and meditation.

Treatment Time Period  21--28 Days