A Case Study on Plaque Psoriasis with Ayurvedic Management

Abstract

Skin disease is one among Deerghkalinvyadhi (Chronic disease) and also one of the AsthaMahagada (Eight dreadful diseases). The disease psoriasis comes under the Kustha roga. Psoriasis is one of the most common dermatologic disorder and a chronic skin disorder of present day. Almost all the skin disease is explained under Kushta- Rogadhikara (skin disease) and classified as MahaKushta and Kshudra Kushta (Major and Minor skin disease). Acharya have described that all Kushta’s have Tri Dosha (three energies) involvement but the type of Kushta depends on the predominance of particular Doshas. The signs and symptoms of Eka-Kushta (psoriasis) in Ayurveda are similar to that of psoriasis explained in modern medicines. Psoriasis is marked by periodic flare-ups of sharply defined red patches, covered by a silvery, flaky surface. Aswedana (Absence of perspiration), Mahavastu (Present all over body), MastyaShakalopama (Look like a fish scale) is the feature mentioned by Acharyas for Eka-kushta. In Psoriasis relapsing nature is most common, which suggests that it needs long term treatment. In modern there is no such treatment for psoriasis. Here is the case of 52 yrs old male patient diagnosed as Plaque psoriasis undergone treatment of Shodhan (Purification) i.e. Vaman (Emesis) as well as Shaman Chikitsa (Palitative treatment) having marked improvement. The study showed that combination of Ayurvedic modalities gives significant result in lakshnas (Symptoms) like Aswedana, Mahavastu, MastyaShakalopama.