Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disease which causes patches of thick, red skin covered with silvery scales. Itching and burning accompanied by pain are the common symptoms of psoriatic skin. The inflammations are observed mostly on the hands and legs, but they could spread to the fingernails, the toenails and even to the mouth and the genitalia.

In complicated form, psoriasis may cause pain in the joints and cracked skin. If there is an injury or a insect bite in the affected part, then there could be severe pain and aggravation, accompanied by bleeding.

Causes of psoriasis are not properly known. There may be a family prevalence of the disease, as 33% of psoriatic patients have another close family member suffering from the same disease. It may be due to viral and bacterial infections, obesity, remaining away from sunlight for long periods of time, stress, cold climate, abrasions on the skin and even alcohol consumption and smoking.

In Ayurveda, diseases such as Eka-kushta, Kitiba-kushta and Sidma-kushta are quite alike to the condition of psoriasis. These are vata vitiations. Treatment is through a very carefully prescribed dietary regimen and drug therapy.


(1)Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Psoriasis

-Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum)
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.

-Onion (Allium cepa)
Onion has blood purifying properties. Hence, it is made an important part of the diet of a person suffering from psoriasis.


(2)Dietary Treatments for Psoriasis

A strict dietary regimen is very important in psoriasis. The wrong kind of foods can aggravate this condition, whereas the right foods can help in early treatment. The following dietary guidelines must be followed:-

-Avoid all hot, spicy and pungent foods. These take long time to digest and cause toxins in the blood, known as ama. When the ama builds up in the body, the psoriasis can spread to a great extent. Also, avoid all foods that cause constipation.

-Salts and curds must be avoided as they can inflame the skin further. This will cause greater itching and hence more discomfort. Rock salt can be taken in small quantities for flavoring, but not the salt readily available in the market.

-Cut down on fats, animal proteins and sugars. Also consume less quantity of food.

-Bitter tastes are preferable. These foods help in purifying the blood and also facilitate the kidneys to flush out the toxins from the blood. For this purpose, foods like bitter gourd, the bitter variety of drumstick and neem are very ideal.


(3)Ayurvedic Treatments for Psoriasis

The Panchkarma therapy is utilized in Ayurveda for the treatment of psoriasis. This is the first step because unless the toxins are removed from the body, it will not respond to any medication. In severe cases, purgation and bloodletting is done to cleanse the body internally.Oleation is employed using medicated ghee with bitter herbs. Commonly used herbs are neem, kutki and guduchi.

Once the purification of the body is done, Mahatikta ghrita or Panchatikta ghrita are prescribed to the person. The dosage is given in one teaspoon quantity twice a day for a month. Any guggulu preparation can be given together for better results.

There are also some popular Ayurvedic oils for external application. These are Mahamasha taila, Pinda taila, Kasisadi taila and Chandana Bala Lakshadi taila. Kushta Rakshasa taila is prescribed only for application when there is severe itching. This oil reduces the itchy sensation and prohibits the psoriasis from spreading.


(4)Home Remedies for Psoriasis

-Take one teaspoonful of sandalwood powder in three cups of water. Boil it till it is reduced to one-third the quantity, i.e. to one cup quantity. Add some rose water and sugar to it. Take this thrice a day.

-Make the powder of some almonds and boil them thoroughly in water. This is used for external application on the affected part. Keep it overnight and wash it next day with water.

-Shikakai (soap nut) boiled in water and applied on the affected parts also gives good relief.

-Attach a fresh thin banana leaf on the affected part.

-Fry thin slices of onion in ghee and eat them.

-Apply lime juice that has been diluted with water externally on the psoriatic patches.

-Cabbage soup is good for treatment of psoriasis. Drink one bowl of it everyday.

Exercise is good for psoriatic people, but care must be taken not to perform exercises like jogging and running which will put more pressure on the knees. Cycling and waling are good. Leading a sedentary life will aggravate the psoriasis further. It is also important to keep the mind stress-free through yoga. Stress can aggravate psoriasis.