Psoriasis is an
immune-related disease known for its chronic and refractory nature. There are five different types of psoriasis,
of which the commonest is the plaque type, in which skin cells pile up and
create a silvery appearance. When the
plaque is removed, pinpoint bleeding spots can be seen in the skin below. It is
estimated that nearly six million people in the US and nearly 21 million people
in India are affected with various forms of psoriasis. While not life-threatening, this chronic skin
condition can cause considerable disability and loss of quality of life, in
addition to being socially embarrassing and psychologically distressing.
Various treatments
are currently available for psoriasis in the form of local applications and
oral treatment. While these treatments
do provide temporarily relief, currently there is no known cure for psoriasis
with conservative treatment. Ayurvedic
herbal medicines, given in high doses, can gradually bring about a complete
remission in most patients of chronic psoriasis. Treatment needs to be regularly taken for
about four to six months to obtain a complete remission, with a complete resolution
of all the patches on the skin, which assumes a normal appearance.
After a complete
remission of the disease, medicines which were initially required to be given thrice daily can then be
reduced to twice daily for a few months and then once daily for another few
months. This ensures that the patient
remains in remission and there is no relapse of the disease. Local Ayurvedic applications in the form of
ointments, oils and pastes can be used to help supplement the oral
treatment. The treatment protocol for
psoriasis requires to be individualised according to the response of each
patient; however, significant relief can be obtained by nearly all patients,
provided regular treatment is taken. Ayurvedic
herbal treatment can thus provide relief to millions of people affected with
psoriasis.
The writer, Dr. A. A.
Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com
