Psoriasis – a Natural Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Last Updated on Sunday, 23 May 2010 02:11 Written by Natural Health Team Sunday, 23 May 2010 02:11

Psoriasis is a prolonged inflammation of skin. The causes of psoriasis are still unclear. This condition is neither infectious (Do not spread from one person to another) nor does it affect the general health. It affects both the genders and may start at any age.

Psoriasis is quite common, affecting around two per cent of the population, although people with very mild symptoms may not be aware they have it. Psoriasis can begin at any age but usually starts either around the age of 20 or between 50 and 60.

Causes of Psoriasis

As said earlier according to modern medical science the causes of psoriasis are unknown .But the following factors can trigger psoriasis.

1.Heredity – If one parent is affected then there is 15% of chances for the child to suffer from psoriasis. If both the parents are affected then the possibility of child getting the psoriasis is 60%.

2.Throat infections trigger psoriasis.

3.Trauma or hurt on skin like cuts, bruises or burns may cause psoriasis.

4.Some medicines or skin irritants initiate psoriasis.

5.Smoking and alcohol are other two factors which activate psoriasis.

6.Mental stress or psychological trauma may also set off psoriasis

What does ayurveda say about psoriasis?

Psoriasis is caused by vitiation of vata and kapha dosha. The vitiated doshas affect the skin and blood tissues. They also influence water element of the affected region on skin. Thus the skin which is influenced by affected doshas becomes discolored (white or copper colored), scaly and thin.

Causes of vitiation of Doshas

1.Consuming opposite foods.

2.Controlling natural urges.

3.Exposure to severe climatic conditions

4.Consuming food that is too salty, too sour and/or too heavy for digestion.

5.Sleeping during the afternoon.

6.Taking bath in cold water immediately after physical exertion.

7.Mental stress.

Changes that occur on skin during psoriasis

It takes 27 days for skin to replace itself with new mature skin cells. But the regions of skin affected by psoriasis the skin replace itself within 3-4 days with plenty of immature skin cells forming thick psoriatic patches.

According to ayurveda principles the vitiated vata dries the water element of skin and also initiate rapid growth of skin tissue. The vitiated Kapha dosha causes itching on the affected skin. The blood which is affected by vata and kapha adversely influences healing process.

Self-care for psoriasis

•Avoid all factors which trigger psoriasis.

•Reduce stress levels through meditation and Yoga .

•Do not prick, peel or scratch skin. This may trigger psoriasis.

•After bath or wash pat dry the skin. Do not rub the towel vigorously on skin.

•Avoid soap. Instead use gram flour (besan flour) as soap dries the skin.

•After washing, pat the skin dry, don’t irritate it by rubbing vigorously.

•Apply moisturizing creams liberally on affected areas after bath.

•Opt for cotton clothes over synthetic ones.

Ayurvedic tips for Psoriasis

1.Avoid consuming opposite foods.

2.Do not control natural urges like vomiting, urination, bowel emptying etc.

3.Do not take cold water bath immediately after a heavy work out, traveling, a long walk etc.

4.Take care not to consume foods which cause indigestion.

5.Absolutely do not eat too much of salty, sour or acidic foods.

6.Avoid sleeping in afternoons.

7.Say no to radish, urad dal, sesame, jaggery (gur), curds, fish and other sour foods.

8.Always apply besan flour or herbal scrub instead of soap.

9.Smear herbal balm which is infused with vata and kapha balancing herbs.

10.Keep on applying moisturizing gels or creams continuously to maintain the moisture levels of skin.

psoriasis

Psoriasis – the Best Treatment Through Ayurveda

Last Updated on Saturday, 22 May 2010 02:11 Written by Natural Health Team Saturday, 22 May 2010 02:11

PSORIASIS is a chronic, non-contagious disorder which affects the skin and joints, characterized by flaking, redness and inflammation of the skin. Once thought to be a skin disorder, psoriasis is now understood to be a condition originating in the immune system.

The scaly patches caused by psoriasis, called psoriatic plaques, are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Skin rapidly accumulates at these sites and takes on a silvery-white appearance. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees, but can affect any area including the scalp and genitals. In contrast to eczema, psoriasis is more likely to be found on the extensor aspect of the joint.

The disorder is a chronic recurring condition which varies in severity from minor localized patches to complete body coverage. Fingernails and toenails are frequently affected (psoriatic nail dystrophy) – and can be seen as an isolated finding. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis. Ten to fifteen percent of people with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis.

The cause of psoriasis starts with the immune system. T cells, a type of white blood cell, usually protect the body against infection and disease by attacking bacteria and viruses. However, when you have psoriasis, your T cells mistakenly attack your skin cells instead. Your body then produces other immune system responses, leading to swelling and rapid production of skin cells. Psoriasis tends to run in families and it usually appears between the ages of 10 and 45.

Psoriasis is an inherited disease. However there are certain triggering factors such as injury to the skin, vaccinations and certain medications that have been responsible for the development of this condition. It usually takes about a month for new cells to move from the lower layers of the skin to the surface. In psoriasis, this process takes only a few days, resulting in a build up of dead skin cells and formation of thick scales.

Psoriasis occurs more likely in dry skin than oily or well-moisturized skin. Excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, lack of or overexposure to sunlight, stress, cold climate, physical illness, streptococcal or HIV infection, superficial wounds, or taking certain drugs such as lithium, beta-blockers such as propranolol, anti-malarial medications and in general poor health results in flaring up of psoriasis.

The symptoms of psoriasis can manifest in a variety of forms. Different types of psoriasis exhibit different characteristics that may change over time. One form may change to another, or several forms may exist at the same time.

Plaque psoriasis: This is the most common type of psoriasis. It is characterized by raised, red lesions covered with silvery white scales. The scales are caused by a building up of dead skin cells. It may appear on the knees, elbows, scalp, trunk or any other skin surface.
Guttate psoriasis: It is characterised by numerous small red dots of psoriasis. The lesions may have some scaling. These numerous spots of psoriasis appear over large areas of the body, such as the trunk, limbs, and scalp. It may appear suddenly following a bacterial or viral infection or the administration of drugs like ketoconazole and salicylic acid.
Inverse psoriasis: This is usually found in the folds of the skin in the armpits, groin, under an overweight stomach or under the breasts. It appears as smooth, red lesions without scaling and may cause irritation due to rubbing and sweating.
Pustular psoriasis: It is characterized by blisters filled with pus on the skin. The blisters are not infectious. It may be found on the hands and feet or may be spread all over. The skin under and surrounding pustules is red and tender.
Psoriatic arthritis: About 10% of the patients with psoriasis may develop a form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis. This may cause redness and swelling, primarily on the hands, feet, knees, hips, elbows and spine. It may cause stiffness, pain and joint damage.
Nail psoriasis: produces a variety of changes in the appearance of finger and toe nails. These changes include discolouring under the nail plate, pitting of the nails, lines going across the nails, thickening of the skin under the nail, and the loosening and crumbling of the nail.
Erythrodermic psoriasis: involves the widespread inflammation and exfoliation of the skin over most of the body surface. It may be accompanied by severe itching, swelling and pain. It is often the result of an exacerbation of unstable plaque psoriasis, particularly following the abrupt withdrawal of systemic treatment. This form of psoriasis can be fatal, as the extreme inflammation and exfoliation disrupt the body’s ability to regulate temperature and for the skin to perform barrier functions.

Diagnosis of psoriasis is usually based on the appearance of the skin. There are no special blood tests or diagnostic procedures for psoriasis. Sometimes a skin biopsy, or scraping, may be needed to rule out other disorders and to confirm the diagnosis.

As per Ayurveda, Psoriasis is caused by vitiation of vata and kapha dosha. The vitiated doshas affect the skin and blood tissues. They also influence water element of the affected region on skin. Thus the skin which is influenced by affected doshas becomes discolored (white or copper colored), scaly and thin.

CHARAKA offers a very effective treatment methodology based on the classical texts of Ayurveda. The treatment comprises of Detoxification through Panchakarma therapies, administration of internal medication and external applications, which not only helps in curing Psoriasis but also in preventing relapse.

for more infomation log on to http://www.charaka.org

or mail to info@charaka.org

psoriasis

Psoriasis History

Last Updated on Friday, 21 May 2010 02:11 Written by Natural Health Team Friday, 21 May 2010 02:11

Form the beginning of humankind hundreds of thousands of human beings – from common people to stars, from kings to important modern politicians – suffered and do still suffer from psoriasis today.

Psoriasis is even cited in the writings of ancient healing. Back in the late classic times there was a known disease, which was realized by the peeling and itchiness of skin.

The problem of Ancient Greek medical expressions led to the fact that in the functions of Hippocrates, leprosy and psoriasis were collectively under one name, which was -leprosy. Psoriasis was known in the times of Hippocrates under the names of lepra and psora, as well as alphos and leichen. In the times of Hippocrates a dermatological expressions was introduced, utilized sometimes even at present, some of the terms of which had a group meaning. So, under the term “psoriasis” they united the diseases, which are accompanied by tuberosity, by the formation of scale, spots and by keratosis, such as eczema, lichens (micose, red flat lichen, tubercular lupus, leprosy, etc).

Each of these terms had their really unique elements; for example, the term “leprosy” was used with the determination of the assortment of the diseases, which are manifested by a thick skin, by its peeling and itchiness, which in some way tells us about psoriasis in today’s idea of psoriasis.

At the start of our era a distinguished Greek physician named Claudius Galen was first to use the term “psoriasis” to label the scaly changes in the skin with an extreme itchiness; however, clinically this condition little resembled the present manifestations of psoriasis.

In the writings of the past hundreds of years psoriasis itself was sometimes mistaken to be leprosy, mange, Vitiligo, which usually needed a strict segregation and other subsequent consequences: people with psoriasis didn’t get any health care; they had to wear a really unusual outfit and bell.

With the term “psora” (ancient name of psoriasis) it was called the variety of diseases of the skin, for which was known for it’s peeling, dry skin and itchiness. 

The first visible description of the clinical manifestations of psoriasis belongs to a 2nd century Greek philosopher named Celsus.

Only the start of the 19th Century an English physician named Willan and his students clearly offered the idea of psoriasis as an illness, its manifestations and problems. They differentiated it from leprosy and fungus diseases.They secluded the usual and uncommon surge of psoriasis (changes in the palms, feet, etc. ). Willan described two diseases: discoid psoriasis, which he called Lepra Graecorum and Psora Leprosa. Willan in 1801 gave a description of the ailment taking into account variations in the clinical make-up of psoriasis.

A key role in the course of the probe into psoriasis was done by a Russian dermatologists of the 19th century , which considered this dermatosis as a system ailment,”psoriatic disease”, capturing into account the connection of psoriasis with the pathology of the interior organs, metabolism, and the condition of the nervous system. The physicians of various countries (Gebr, H.Koebner and others) have also later pointed out the connection of psoriatic disease with the circumstance of the nervous system, and the diseases of the interior organs.

Later dermatology was enriched by new facts about the zest of the disease. All the cumulated evidence lets us at present call psoriasis a “system disease”.

New evidence about the essence and the mechanism of the course of the illness was obtained in the last 40 years; the new modern methods for the therapy were envisioned and used: PUVA- treatment, corticosteroids, retinoids, cytostatics in the therapy of severe forms, Selective Ultraviolet Phototherapy, acupuncture, hemosorption etc.

During the latter part of the 20th century it was obvious by a truly immense approach to the dilemma of psoriasis. Only in the last 10 years or so, around the globe there have been published more than ten-thousand pieces, devoted to psoriatic dermatosis, which makes it one of the most examined. However, none of the possibilities or the theories show a complete essence of the illness, and the same problems of treatment and preventive maintenance stands in front of the latest dermatologists as vivid as it did a century ago.

Currently, many Researchers and educational institutions deal with the exploration of the root, manifestations, and with the refinement of new ways to treat and use preventive maintenance measures for psoriasis. In the United States the key scientific focal point for psoriasis is Stanford University, which has 35 different countries from around the world in the form of an international association on the studies of psoriasis. The association publishes the only one on the entire planet the American Journal of Psoriasis. It deals with the inquiries about psoriasis from dermatologist all around the globe.

Every five years there is carried out a World Congress specialized to the difficulty of psoriasis.

October 29th is dedicated as World Psoriasis Day. Every year it is devoted to persons with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

psoriasis

Psoriasis: the Benefits and the Dangers of the Sun

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 May 2010 02:11 Written by Natural Health Team Thursday, 20 May 2010 02:11

What do we know about the influence of the sun on psoriasis? Does the sun improve or worsen  psoriasis? Is the affect of the sunlight same in all the people with psoriasis?

The majority of the people with psoriasis (about 95%) report that the exposure to the sun helps them in their psoriasis treatment.

The exception is the people with the so-called summer psoriasis, which is known to get worse in the summer, possibly under the influence of the sun.

The summer psoriasis is also known as the Photoinduced or the Photosensitive psoriasis. This rare type of psoriasis affects about 5% of the people with psoriasis. The so-called summer psoriasis may be the result of the Koebner phenomenon — when the psoriatic lesions are triggered by any kind of skin trauma. Therefore the people with the photosensitive psoriasis should be extremely careful when exposing their skin to the sun.

The UV light in the sun is capable of suppressing the activity of the T cells in the people with psoriasis. Therefore, the sun in moderation is really capable of improving the course of psoriasis in the people with the so-called winter psoriasis.

Many people with psoriasis often go on vacations to the places with a better climate. People, who live in the Northern climate, usually notice a significant improvement in their psoriasis after a stay in a warm sunny Southern climate. Some people with psoriasis even choose to relocate to the places with a better climate.

But unfortunately the sun in excess may become harmful for the people with psoriasis, even for the people with the so-called winter psoriasis, which is known to get better in the summer, under the influence of the sunlight.

The UV light in excess may cause sunburn. Skin traumas are one of the major psoriasis triggers. Any skin trauma, be it cut, a bruise or a burn may cause either the appearance of psoriasis in the genetically predisposed to psoriasis people, or the flare-up of psoriasis in the people with psoriasis.

And thus the sun may become a psoriasis treatment method, as well as a psoriasis provoking factor.

Therefore, if you decide to improve the state of your psoriasis with the sunlight, you should treat the sun just as you would treat any other psoriasis treatment – there has to be a particular scheme, which you should follow while sun tanning.

If you have fair skin, or in the case, you want to be 100% sure that you will not get a sunburn, it is better to suntan in the shade (i.e. under an umbrella) for the first few days.

Apply gentle moisturizing creams after every sun tanning.

It is also known that some medications can make your skin sensitive to the sunlight, for example St. John’s wort, which is sometimes used in holistic medicine for psoriasis treatment.

If you do develop sunburn, you have to stay out of the sun. Even the strongest sunscreen, cannot protect you 100% from the UV light of the sun.

psoriasis

Natural Treatment for Psoriasis

Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 May 2010 02:11 Written by Natural Health Team Wednesday, 19 May 2010 02:11

Psoriasis is an inflammatory autoimmune skin condition that is non-contagious and chronic. During the earlier times, medical practitioners believe that psoriasis is a variety of leprosy, mainly because of its scaly appearance. It is one of the most ancient human diseases known to mankind. Incidentally, psoriasis has been greatly misunderstood over the years. Scholars eventually paid much attention to this skin disorder, yet to this day – no cure was found.

Psoriasis occurs when an individual’s immune system sends out defective signals that hasten the growth cycle of his or her skin cells. Because ten to thirty percent of people who have had psoriasis get a related form of arthritis, it is imperative that the skin condition is treated immediately and properly.

Note: Psoriatic arthritis is the related form of arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is the inflammation of the joints.

There are five types of psoriasis, each of which has unique signs and symptoms. The five types are plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. Among these five, plaque psoriasis is the most common. Plaque appears as patches of raised, reddish skin covered by silvery-white scale. Usually, the plaques are formed on the elbows and knees as well as the lower back and scalp. However, the plaques can also manifest themselves on any part of the body. About 80% of people who develop psoriasis have plaque psoriasis. The other 20% have any of the other types. Guttate psoriasis appears as small, red spots on the skin. Inverse psoriasis manifests itself as smooth, red lesions formed in skin folds. Pustular psoriasis, on the other hand, appears as white pustules surrounded by red skin, while erythrodermic psoriasis causes widespread redness with severe itching and pain.

People must be aware that anyone may have psoriasis. This skin disorder can occur on any part of the body. Psoriasis causes a person discomfort, no matter they type. Aside from the stubborn itch on the skin, it may also crack and bleed. Severe cases of psoriasis, which are manifested through excessive itching and discomfort, may cause a person to be up all night and the pain that one has to endure can make everyday ordinary tasks difficult. In addition to that, psoriasis is associated with other serious health problems such as heart disease, depression and diabetes, to name a few.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease. That means that it is a lifelong condition that people who have already developed them would often experience flares and remissions all throughout their life. Currently, psoriasis has no cure. There are, however, many different treatments that are available. There are varying treatment for the severity and type of psoriasis. The milder cases may be treated at home with different home remedies. On the other hand, severe cases may require hospitalization.

Herbal skin care advocates are about to receive good news. Psoriasis can be treated naturally. The listed Psoriasis natural treatment below are studied by the medical community. Also, these natural options are reported effective by members of various psoriasis foundations:

1. Apple cider vinegar – It has been reported that the different types of vinegar has been used for medical purposed all throughout history by people of different cultures. Apple cider vinegar, for one, has been used for many years as a cleanser, disinfectant or soothing agent. Apple cider vinegar can help treat psoriasis, according to some people who have had the disease. The vinegar may be applied directly on the skin, added to the bath, mixed with a moisturizer or have their infected body parts soaked on it.

2. Capsaicin – Capsaicin is an ingredient contained in cayenne peppers. Some studies have shown that capsaicin is an effective way to treat psoriasis by reducing the redness, scaling and itching on the skin. Short-live burning sensation, however, is the only side effect.

3. Oats – Extracts from oats have been used for hundreds of years as soothing topical agents for various skin disorders. Oat extracts can be used to treat dry and itchy skin conditions such as psoriasis. People who have psoriasis may make their own oatmeal bath to get rid of the skin disorder.

4. Tea tree oil – Tea tree oil is known for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties and was used in surgery and dentistry as early as the 1920′s. Like aloe vera, tea tree oil is now an active ingredient in many cosmetic products. Tea tree oil, according to some members of psoriasis foundation, is an effective way to treat psoriasis, especially those that form on the scalp.

Whatever the type and severity, psoriasis can affect a person’s quality of life. As already stated, psoriasis is a lifelong condition that poses physical and emotional challenges to an individual. The good news is, members of the medical community and psoriasis foundations are constantly looking for cure for this skin condition. There are now several therapies that have emerged, and it has been reported that more people are experiencing significant improvements to their condition.

psoriasis