THE next time you see someone scratching themselves, don’t give them a disgusted look. They could be suffering from psoriasis or Eka-Kushta, as it is known in ayurveda.
This recurrent skin disease, which causes silvery-grey scaling or flakes, can occur on any part of the body. The most common areas though are the knees, elbows and scalp.
Ayush Ayurvedic’s Dr Ajith Kumar says: “In ayurveda, the cause of this disease is thought to be impurities in the blood associated with some emotional factors.”
The frantic scratching is due to severe irritation on the affected areas. And the more the patient scratches, the more scales are shed from the area, leaving shiny silvery skin exposed. Sometimes, due to excessive scratching, a watery substance or even blood oozes out of the affected area. This then leads to a burning sensation.
“A medicated ayurvedic oil called Danthappala Kerathailam is highly effective in treating this condition. It is rubbed on the affected areas and the surrounding part of the skin, says Dr Kumar.
“We also treat the condition internally. A herbal concoction called Gulgulutiktham Kashayam and a medicated ghee with the same herbs, namely Gulgulutiktha ghritham, are given to psoriasis patients. The Kashayam contains, among other things, Gulgulu and five bitter herbs and helps to keep the bowel clean, promote digestion, stimulate the liver, purify the blood and produce an unctuousness (oilyness) in the body.”
Other ayurvedic treatments for this disease include Thakradhara, where medicated buttermilk is continuously poured over the patient’s forehead for an hour. This treatment should be done seven to 14 times on consecutive days.
When it comes to their diet, ayurveda recommends that psoriasis patients avoid non-vegetarian food, especially seafood, chicken and mutton. Hot and spicy foodlike pickles should also be avoided.
“The patient should also avoid too much salt and curd. On the other hand, vegetables with a bitter taste like bitter gourd, the bitter variety of drumsticks and the flowers of the neem tree are very useful for this condition,” adds Dr Kumar.
It is also recommended that the patient does not use nylon and other synthetic fabrics and bathes every day with water that has been boiled with neem leaves. Exercises, especially brisk walks in the fresh air, are also useful.
Ayush Ayurvedic
146 Race Course Road
Tel: 6398-0415
