The Ayurvedic Path to Skin Wellness: Understanding and Treating Psoriasis

Have you ever heard about psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a complex skin condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Your skin gets red and itchy with patches that have white scales. It's not something you catch from others, but it can make you feel uncomfortable and worried about how your skin looks. Let's talk about psoriasis in a simple way. I, Dr. Geeta Patil from Sanjeevani Ayurveda, will share insights into this condition and how Ayurveda, an ancient way of healing, can help

What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes rapid skin cell growth. Normally, skin cells grow gradually and flake off about every four weeks. However, with psoriasis, this process is accelerated, leading to a buildup of cells on the skin's surface. This results in red, raised patches covered with silvery scales, which can be itchy and painful.

What Causes Psoriasis?
The exact cause of psoriasis is still not fully understood, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Certain triggers can exacerbate psoriasis symptoms, including:

• Genetics: Psoriasis tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic predisposition to the condition.


• Immune System: Psoriasis is considered an autoimmune disease, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, causing inflammation and triggering the rapid growth of skin cells.


• Environmental Factors: Factors such as stress, infections, injuries to the skin, and certain medications can also trigger or worsen psoriasis symptoms.

Types of Psoriasis:
Psoriasis can manifest in various forms, including:

• Plaque Psoriasis: The most common form, characterized by raised, red patches covered with a silvery-white buildup of dead skin cells.


• Guttate Psoriasis: Small, dot-like lesions that often appear after a streptococcal throat infection.


• Inverse Psoriasis: Smooth, red patches of inflamed skin that develop in skin folds, such as the armpits, groin, and under the breasts.


• Pustular Psoriasis: Characterized by white, pus-filled blisters surrounded by red skin.


• Erythrodermic Psoriasis: A rare but severe form of psoriasis that can cause widespread redness, severe itching, and shedding of skin.


• Palmar Psoriasis: Affects the palms of the hands, leading to red, scaly patches that can be painful and may crack or bleed.


• Plantar Psoriasis: Affects the soles of the feet, causing similar symptoms as palmar psoriasis, including red, scaly patches that can be painful and may crack or bleed.

Ayurvedic Treatments for Psoriasis

Ayurveda, an ancient healing system originating from India, offers a complete approach to treating psoriasis.Ayurvedic treatments focus on restoring balance within the body, addressing the underlying causes of the condition rather than just alleviating symptoms. Here are some Ayurvedic treatments for psoriasis:

Panchakarma Therapy:
Panchakarma is a detoxification therapy that aims to eliminate toxins from the body and restore balance to the doshas (energetic forces) – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Shodhana Chikitsa (Detoxification)
Shodhana Chikitsa, or detoxification therapy, aims to remove accumulated toxins (ama) from the body. This helps to reduce inflammation, restore balance to the doshas, and strengthen the body's natural defense mechanisms.
These Ayurvedic treatments can be used individually or in combination to manage psoriasis symptoms and promote skin healing. This therapy involves a series of cleansing procedures such as oil massages (Abhyanga), therapeutic sweating (Swedana), and purgation (Virechana). Panchakarma helps to remove accumulated toxins from the body, reducing inflammation and promoting skin healing in psoriasis.

Ayurvedic Oil Therapy (Taila Pidana)
Ayurvedic oil therapy involves the application of medicated oils to the affected areas of the skin. These oils are specially formulated with herbs known for their anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and skin-healing properties. Massaging the affected areas with these oils helps to improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and nourish the skin. Commonly used oils include coconut oil, sesame oil, and neem oil infused with herbs like turmeric, manjistha, and licorice.

Basti Therapy:
Basti therapy, also known as Ayurvedic enema therapy, is a cleansing procedure that helps to remove toxins from the body and restore balance to the doshas. In the case of psoriasis, basti therapy may involve the use of medicated enemas containing herbal decoctions, oils, or ghee (clarified butter). These enemas help to detoxify the colon, improve digestion, and strengthen the immune system. Basti therapy is often recommended for individuals with chronic or severe psoriasis to address underlying imbalances in the body.

Dietary Changes
Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of diet in maintaining overall health and well-being. In the case of psoriasis, certain dietary changes can help to reduce inflammation and promote skin healing. Ayurvedic dietary guidelines for psoriasis may include:

Avoiding spicy, oily, and processed foods that can aggravate inflammation. Including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats in the diet.

Drinking plenty of water and herbal teas to stay hydrated and flush out toxins from the body.

Stress Management:
Stress is known to trigger or worsen psoriasis symptoms. Ayurveda recognizes the mind-body connection and emphasizes the importance of stress management techniques such as:
Yoga : Practicing yoga asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation can help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation.
Mindfulness : Cultivating mindfulness through activities like deep breathing, visualization, and progressive muscle relaxation can help calm the mind and alleviate stress.

Ayurvedic Herbs for Psoriasis Treatment
Ayurveda, views psoriasis as an imbalance in the body's doshas, particularly the Pitta and Kapha doshas. Some herbs commonly used in Ayurvedic treatment for psoriasis include:

• Neem (Azadirachta indica): Known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, neem is often used to alleviate itching and reduce inflammation associated with psoriasis.


• Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory effects, making it beneficial in managing psoriasis symptoms.


• Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller): Aloe vera gel is soothing to irritated skin and can help reduce redness and scaling associated with psoriasis lesions.


• Guggul (Commiphora wightii): Guggul extract is believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties and may aid in the management of psoriasis symptoms when applied topically or taken orally.

Conclusion:
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that can have a significant impact on physical and emotional well-being. While there is no cure, various treatment options and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life for those living with psoriasis. If you suspect you have psoriasis or are struggling to manage your symptoms, remember, you're not alone. I'm Dr. Geeta Patil from Sanjeevani Ayurveda, here to provide guidance and support in navigating life with psoriasis.

Wishing you healthy skin and balanced well-being,

Dr. Geeta Patil

Sanjeevani Ayurveda