Rosacea is an inflammatory disorder of the skin that manifests on the face -- particularly the nose -- as pronounced ruddiness; enlarged blood vessels; and eruptions of acne. It occurs most often in women between the ages of 30 and 50, although symptoms may be more noticeable in men. Although there is no universally recognized cause or cure for rosacea, practitioners of both Western medicine and Ayurveda -- traditional Indian medicine -- recommend dietary changes to help alleviate outbreaks.
The Doshas
In Ayurvedic theory, everyone manifests a different combination of the three doshas, or energies: kapha, pitta and vata. One dosha usually dominates and affects things like your personality traits, body type and tendency toward certain disorders. People with dominant vata dosha tend to be thin, cool and pale. Kapha dosha types are heavy and slow. People with dominant pitta are thought to "run hot" and be easily inflamed. Ayurvedic theory considers rosacea and other inflammatory diseases to be the result of overabundant pitta. Other manifestations of pitta imbalance include hot flashes and heartburn.
Rosacea and Digestion
Both Western studies and Ayurveda have established a connection between rosacea outbreaks and digestive difficulties. A study in the journal "Clinical and Experimental Dermatology" cites a patient whose rosacea symptoms abated following measures to reduce the transit time of foods through the intestinal tract. Rosacea may also be symptomatic of insufficient gastric acid and B vitamins, particularly B2 or riboflavin, according to Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D., authors of "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine." Ayurvedic theory, meanwhile, considers the small intestine to be the "home" of pitta energy and postulates that rosacea results from the ingestion of pitta-aggravating foods, particularly those that induce flushing.
Foods to Eat
From an Ayurvedic perspective, rosacea sufferers should eat cooling, calming foods to quiet inflammation of the skin. These foods include most fruits and leafy vegetables; coconut and olive oils; whole barley and wheat; yogurt; and milk. Consume plenty of fiber to facilitate digestive efficiency, in keeping with both Ayurvedic and Western approaches. Mild spices such as cumin, turmeric and coriander may be beneficial. You may include foods high in riboflavin such as broccoli, collard greens and chard without undermining the Ayurvedic approach.
Foods to Avoid
To avoid triggering a rosacea flare-up, practitioners of Ayurveda recommend you stay away from alcohol, coffee, spicy foods, fried foods, pickled or fermented foods, and anything to which you have a known sensitivity, particularly if it causes a flushing reaction. Also avoid consuming red meat and oily, heavy foods that can slow digestion. Avoid onions, chilis, garlic and cayenne. Finally, you should try to avoid eating when rushed or upset and take measures to reduce your overall life stress. Factors such as insufficient sleep, smoking and lack of exercise can exacerbate doshic imbalance, disrupt digestion and increase the likelihood of rosacea flare-ups.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Rosacea
- "Body Renewal: The Lost Art of Self-Repair"; Jay Glaser; 2010
- "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"; Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.; 1998
- "Clinical and Experimental Dermatology"; Remission of Rosacea Induced by Reduction of Gut Transit Time; S.N. Kendall; May, 2004
- Ayurveda For You: Diet According to Dosha
