Treatment of psoriasis
PSORIASIS is a non-infectious, inflammatory disease of the skin. It is characterised by well-defined erythematous (reddish) plaques with large adherent silvery scales. The main abnormality in psoriasis is an increased proliferation of the skin layers due to excessive division of the cell in the basal layers of the skin. Severe itching may associate with the plaques. Dryness of the skin and silvery scaling are characteristics of this condition.
One to 3% of the population has psoriasis. It is very common among Europeans and North Americans. It is often seen between 15 to 40 years of age.
The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown. There is frequently a genetic predisposition. A child with one affected parent has a 15% chance of developing the disease and this rises to 50% if both parents are affected. Streptococcal infection of the upper respiratory tract may exacerbate the condition.
Deprivation of sunlight influences this condition and mental stress plays an important role in aggravating the condition. Certain drugs like chloroquine, chlorpropamide, lithium and practaol may aggravate this condition.
The peculiar lesions will be raised and red with dry, silvery-white scaling. Size may vary from a few millimetres to several centimetres in diameter. Common sites are scalp, elbows, knees and lower back. Pitting of the nails is very common. Involvements of palm are not uncommon. Many may develop sero-negative inflammatory arthritis, which is characterised by multiple involvements of joints and pitting on nails.
AYURVEDIC VIEW:
Psoriasis Causes: Many basic Ayurvedic texts have explained skin diseases, which resemble psoriasis. According these references, psoriasis can be considered as the vitiation of Vata and Kapha. (Two of the basic energies/humours, which maintain our body equilibrium.) Accumulation of low potency poisons are the basic pathological changes taking place in the system.
Irregular food habits, consumption of foodstuffs that cannot be eaten together (eg: dairy products with fish), excessive intake of yoghurt, black gram, seafood, sour and salted items etc can activate the pathogenesis. Alcohol and tobacco consumption will act as a catalyst here. Ayurveda do emphasise the effect of stress in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
Psoriasis Treatment: Coming to the treatment aspects of psoriasis according to Ayurveda, it aims at detoxification of the body or elimination of toxins from the body fluids. It is achieved by “panchakarma” treatments.
The current schedule, comprising various treatment aspects of Ayurveda, is aiming at a better control of psoriasis. This includes internal and external medications purely of plant origin. The rough outline of this schedule is as follows.
(i) Consumption of medicated ghee, considering the dosha type of the psoriasis and the person, for five to seven days.
(ii) Detoxifying, by inducing vomiting (Vamana) and purgation (Virechana). This is followed by medicated buttermilk dripping overhead (edahara) and pasting the body with a paste of medicines and mud.
(iii) Basthies (medicated enemas) are done for seven days and internal medicines like herbal concoctions and medicated ghee have to be consumed for at least 90 days.
Psoriasis Diet: A strict diet regime has to be followed during the entire treatment period and it is better to continue as vegetarian. Yoghurt, black gram, chillis and salted things have to be restricted. It is better to avoid refrigerated/chilled foods.
Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Psoriasis:
Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum)- Kakmachi: The juice of the leaves of the black nightshade can be applied locally on the affected regions. It helps in reducing the inflammation of the skin, and also has beneficial properties in allaying the pain and the itch.
Garlic (Allium sativum): Garlic is a blood purifier. Eating a few cloves of garlic every morning on an empty stomach filters the toxins out of the blood and provides protection against psoriasis.
Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum): The flowers of the jasmine have good effects in the treatment of psoriasis. The flowers are crushed, made into a paste and are directly applied on the inflamed parts. This application reduces the pain and the itchiness of psoriatic inflammations.
Guggul is an Ayurvedic herb from the resin of a small tree, which grows in north-western India. It’s useful in treating psoriasis. It has anti-inflammatory and lipidlowering actions, helps remove fat and excess fluids from the body and penetrates deep into the tissues. It is an effective Kapha – and Vata – pacifying supplement. Kaishora Guggulu is a useful remedy for psoriasis.
Neem is among the best blood purifiers and detoxifiers known to Ayurveda. It enhances the immune system and neem oil is an antiseptic in itself. Leaf extracts are used in antiseptics and can be effectively used in treating psoriasis. It destroys fungus and bacteria and is best for almost all kinds of skin diseases, including redness of skin and itching.
Turmeric: The spice has a long history in Ayurveda and is a primary component for cooking. The powdered form can be used with food, or is available as capsules as a dietary supplement. Due to the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric, it relieves the pain, swelling and inflammation associated with psoriasis, arthritis etc.