Considered one of the oldest healing sciences, Ayurveda is a holistic system of dietary guidelines, herbal remedies and lifestyle habits intended to treat and prevent disease by promoting proper energy balance in the body. Ayurvedic philosophy teaches that psoriasis and other skin conditions are caused by energy imbalances, which can be remedied with detoxification therapy and herbal remedies.
Ayurvedic Doshas
Ayurveda states that each person contains a unique energy pattern made up of distinct physical, emotional and mental characteristics. Each person's energy pattern contains elements of three different types of energy: vata, pitta and kapha. Your own personalized regime for treating and preventing disease is determined by your dominant energy type, or dosha.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by itchy or scaly red skin. According to MedlinePlus, psoriasis usually appears on the elbows, knees, scalp, face, back, hands and feet. Psoriasis is caused by an immune system disorder that triggers the increased production of skin cells, causing dead skin cells to build up in thick patches on the surface of the skin. Psoriasis is a chronic disease, and you may have periods in which your condition improves, alternating with periods when your psoriasis worsens. Infections, stress and certain medications can trigger a psoriasis outbreak.
Ayurveda and Psoriasis
Ayurveda For You reports that psoriasis is related to imbalances in the vata and kapha doshas. Psoriasis may also be caused by an accumulation of toxins in the body and by an improper diet. Certain foods such as yogurt, seafood, salty foods and sour foods may contribute to psoriasis. Food combinations that are considered incompatible in Ayurveda, such as dairy and fish, may also contribute to the condition.
Ayurvedic Treatment of Psoriasis
Ayurvedic treatment of psoriasis aims to rid the body of accumulated toxins. Ayurveda's primary purification and detoxification method is a process known as panchakarma, which uses a combination of therapies to cleanse the body and balance the doshas. Panchakarma may include therapeutic vomiting, purgation, enema therapy and nasal cleansing, as well as the use of medicated oils and steam baths. After the detoxification process, patients undergo a period of rest that may involve a special diet. AltMD reports that supplements containing the root and bark of neem, a tree native to India, may help treat skin conditions. Ayurvedic soaps also often contain neem extract.
Considerations
AltMD reports that Ayurveda is a natural approach to treatment with fewer side effects than prescription drugs and traditional therapies. However, herbal remedies may interact with certain medications. Talk to a medical professional before beginning an Ayurvedic treatment program, especially if you are under a doctor's care for a pre-existing medical condition or if you are pregnant.
