Panchakarma for Psoriasis: Detoxifying Your Body for Healthier Skin

Psoriasis is a recurrent non-curable skin condition that involves the formation of red and scaly patches on the skin. It is more often than not encompassed by itching, pain, as well as occasional embarrassment leading to disruption of the quality of life. Though there is no treatment for this condition, its symptoms can be effectively managed for better life quality. Skin health is another index that needs to be taken into consideration, and one of the crucial factors is the detoxification process. Thus, you can enhance the general state of the skin to get rid of toxins in it.

Panchakarma, one of the best Ayurveda treatment centre in Kerala is on the notification of the body tissues as a means to eliminate diseases. It has a sequencing of treatments that pamper and wash a body hence facilitating skin health. Panchakarma is not a single therapy but a package and a series of therapies appropriate for the treatment of the disease. Such treatments aid in detoxification, enhancing the immune defense of the body and increasing its wellness and therefore is a useful technique for Psoriasis. This blog ‘Panchakarma for Psoriasis: Detoxifying Your Body for Healthier Skin’ discusses the procedures of Panchakarma and how they can assist in cleansing the body and leading to healthier skin.

What is Psoriasis? 

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that accelerates the growth cycle of skin cells, leading to thick, red, scaly patches that can be itchy and painful. Common symptoms include red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales, dry and cracked skin that may bleed, and itching or burning sensations.

Symptoms of Psoriasis

Psoriasis manifests through several noticeable signs, including:

• Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales
• Dry, cracked skin that may bleed or itch
• Itching, burning, or soreness around affected areas
• Thickened, pitted, or ridged nails
• Swollen and stiff joints (in some cases, leading to psoriatic arthritis)
• These symptoms can vary in severity and may flare up periodically.

Common Triggers

• Stress
• Infections
• Skin injuries
• Certain medications

Type of Psoriasis

• Plaque Psoriasis: The most common form, plaque psoriasis appears as raised, red patches covered in silvery-white scales. These patches, or plaques, can be itchy, painful, and may crack and bleed.
• Guttate Psoriasis: This type is marked by small, red, teardrop-shaped spots that often appear suddenly. It's most common in children and young adults, often triggered by a bacterial infection like strep throat.
• Inverse Psoriasis: Characterized by smooth, red patches in skin folds such as the armpits, groin, and under the breasts. This type is often worsened by friction and sweating, making it uncomfortable.
• Pustular Psoriasis: This type features white, pus-filled blisters surrounded by red, inflamed skin. It can be widespread or localized and may come with fever and chills.
• Erythrodermic Psoriasis: A rare and severe form, it covers large areas of the body with a fiery red rash that sheds scales in sheets. It can cause severe itching, pain, dehydration, and other serious health problems.
• Nail Psoriasis: Affects the nails, causing pitting, thickening, or separation from the nail bed. Nails may become discolored and brittle.
• Scalp Psoriasis: Affects the scalp, causing red, scaly patches and itching. If untreated, it can lead to hair loss.

What is Panchakarma?

Panchakarma is a traditional Ayurvedic therapy designed to detoxify and rejuvenate the body. Originating in ancient India, its name means "five actions," referring to five primary procedures aimed at cleansing the body. The core principles of Panchakarma are to balance the body's doshas (energies) and eliminate toxins, promoting overall health and well-being. If you are interested in knowing more about holistic practice, enroll in the panchakarma course online offered by the School of Ayurveda and Panchakarma. 

Core Principles and Goals of Panchakarma

• Balancing Doshas: Restoring harmony among the body's energies (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha).
• Detoxification: Removing accumulated toxins (ama) to enhance physical and mental health.
• Rejuvenation: Revitalizing body tissues and boosting immunity

Key Components and Procedures

• Vamana (Therapeutic Emesis): Induced vomiting to cleanse the upper digestive tract.
• Virechana (Purgation Therapy): Induced purging to cleanse the intestines.
• Basti (Enema Therapy): Herbal enemas to cleanse the colon.
• Nasya (Nasal Administration): Nasal drops to clear the head and sinuses.
• Raktamokshana (Bloodletting): Removing impurities from the blood.

How Panchakarma Helps with Psoriasis

In psoriasis, Panchakarma has an important role to play as it helps in the detoxification of the skin and proper skin health. Detoxification assists in clearing toxic substances called ama which may cause or exacerbate Psoriasis, hence maintaining healthy skin.

Use of Panchakarma Procedures in Psoriasis

• Vamana (Therapeutic Emesis): This refers to the process whereby vomiting is induced to clear the upper gastrointestinal passage. It aids in detoxification and improvement of skin health by eliminating toxins and inflammation respectively.
• Virechana (Purgation Therapy): This procedure entails using of herbal purge to clean the intestines. It aids in the purification process that helps in flushing out the excess Pitta dosha, which is useful for skin diseases with itching and redness.
• Basti (Enema Therapy): Enemas require the usage of some herbs in order to help eliminate wastes from the colon. This aids in balancing Vata and also in eliminating toxins that may be lodged deep within the constitutions.
• Nasya (Nasal Administration): This includes putting oils or powders through the nostrils either in a fluid form or in the form of powders. They assist in the elimination of toxic material from the head and neck area; and thus play a role in the overall health of the skin.
• Raktamokshana (Bloodletting): This process involves withdrawing a small portion of blood and filtering it, which can assist in the lessening of skin inflammation and redness.

Ayurveda's Perspective on Psoriasis and Its Treatment

According to Ayurveda, diseases of the skin are described under the category of Kushta Roga. This skin disease is connected to Kitibha, Sidhma, and Ekakushta of Ayurveda. In particular, most of them are associated with the disturbance in the ratios of the three doshas; Vata and Kapha doshas are default.

The major causes for Kushta Roga are unhygienic living conditions and some specific food habits like irregular food intake, eating fish and milk together, and overeating things like curds, seafood, black gram, and sour and salty items. Also, Ayurveda also categorizes stress a significant factor in causing various diseases. These imbalanced doshas act over the skin (twak) and blood (rakta) causing skin disorders which is described as twak roga.