Be your body s best friend the Ayurvedic approach to Psoriasis

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1 Be your body s best friend the Ayurvedic approach to Psoriasis Psoriasis is a common skin condition affecting 2-3% of the UK population (an estimated 1.8 million people). It is a non-infectious, auto-immune disorder that affects the skin and sometimes the joints. The immune system turns on the very thing it is designed to protect, the body. It sends out white blood cells to attack, where there is no enemy and leads to inflammation in the skin and sometimes joints. There are several types of Psoriasis of which two most well known in conventional medicine are Plaque Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis. Psoriasis is caused by new cells of skin being produced faster than normal and before dead cells are shed. This results in excess thickened skin. It can also cause inflammation of the joints, known as psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis can vary in severity ranging from a disorder that is a nuisance to one that is physically and emotionally debilitating for sufferers. According to Ayurveda, the cause of all skin disorders is impaired digestive fire (known as Vishama Agni in Sanskrit), which in turn is caused by incorrect diet and lifestyle. When the digestive fire is imbalanced, either too high or too low, it causes some food to convert to toxins (known as Ama in Sanskrit). These toxins or Ama then circulate throughout the body, and are deposited on the superficial, medial or third layer fascia, which can leave the skin with symptoms ranging from feeling and looking dry, causing irritation, scaling to inflammation and infection. Like a blocked and overflowing drain, the body finds the point of least resistance to deposit toxins. Depending on the individual constitution of the person or dosha, the Ama will deposit itself in the different layers of the skin. This means that from an Ayurvedic approach there are three (main) types of Psoriasis. Vata type Psoriasis Vata type Psoriasis manifests in the superficial fascia. It is characterised by silvery scaling skin, dryness and itchiness. It can be seen mainly on the skin around joints in the body. Vata type Psoriasis doesn t cause pain or discomfort over and above the itchiness. Pitta type Psoriasis Pitta type Psoriasis manifests in the medial tissues of the skin or the second main layer. It appears all over the body and can be identified by the coin-sized, elevated red patches on the

2 skin, which are weeping, irritated and painful. Pitta type Psoriasis is characterised by inflammation. Kapha type Psoriasis Kapha type Psoriasis occurs when the Ama has travelled deep into the third layer of skin. Here the disorder is well rooted and harder to cure. It is identifiable by the large red patches of excess skin on the body often accompanied by a lot silvery scaling skin and can even be pus producing. This type of Psoriasis can appear and feel like wounds and be painful for the individual. The depth to which the Ama travels into the skin means that it is the type Psoriasis which can become Psoriatic arthritis by moving into the joints of the body. Whilst conventional medicine claims that Psoriasis cannot be cured, in Ayurveda, the disorder can be fully eliminated from the body. Using Ayurvedic methods, as the body is cleansed of excess Ama, Psoriasis can leave the joints and re-appear on the skin in its journey to be fully eliminated from the body. Ending the war within Even though skin disorders are influenced by genetics, according to Ayurveda, they can be eliminated or significantly reduced by understanding your body s needs. This means using the right combination of topical preparations to help heal and repair the skin, intelligent diet and lifestyle choices, in accordance with your constitution (known as Dosha ) and sometimes detoxification treatments to cleanse and support the body in its work. From an Ayurvedic approach, you can learn to be your body s best friend and put a stop to the war within by caring for your body with some simple adjustments to your routine. These can bring about significant changes within just days or weeks. Ayurvedic approach for all types of Psoriasis Superficially the elimination of toxins can be assisted by Moisturising the skin daily with a suitable, healing cream such as Dermaved Oleation or regular massage of the skin using suitable oil

3 Internally, to assist in proper elimination of toxins, the most important advice is to restore the digestive fire to its optimum level. To do this, simple adjustments to eating habits will make an enormous difference: Eat plenty of leafy, green vegetables Eat cooked, warm food Eat only when hungry Avoid eating frequent, small meals or snacks Drink water when you are thirsty and avoid flooding the body Avoid acidic foods, red meat, red fish, tropical fruit, red wine, tomatoes, cold raw salads, nuts and seeds Avoid sour foods such as yoghurt, diary products In addition, consciously incorporating these habits into your regular routine will have enormous benefits for your well-being and keep psoriasis away long term: Passing urine regularly whenever the body requires Maintaining a diet which promotes regular, healthy bowel movements Reducing stress levels through meditation or leisure activity Exposing the skin to sunlight for 30 minutes a day if possible Gentle regular sweating to excrete toxins from the system If you choose to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner, some of the methods which can catalyse the detoxification process to eliminate Psoriasis include: Purgation or the use of specific herbal laxatives Enemas using herbal medicated oil Panchakarma therapy which is a last resort and deep, powerful detoxification Which Dosha are you? According to Ayurveda s fundamental principles each person is a combination of the three Doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each Dosha has specific qualities and it is the combination of these qualities, which make us each as unique as our DNA or genetic code. Each of the Doshas is a combination of two of the five elements space, air, fire, water and earth.

4 Vata has the light and mobile qualities of air and space; pitta is passionate and energetic like fire; and kapha is steady and reliable like earth. Once a person understands their own constitution (particularly with the help of an Ayurvedic doctor) and re-orders any imbalance through the use of diet, lifestyle, medicinal herbs, and detox treatments such as Panchakarma, they can expect to live unhindered by skin disorders. Specific Ayurvedic advice for Vata, Pitta, Kapha constitutions Vata Pitta Kapha Foods to avoid Dry, cold, raw Acidic, raw, spicy and diary/sour foods Lifestyle essentials Good night s sleep; Stress reduction; maintaining routine meditation in lifestyle Mealtimes Regular meal times 3 Avoid frequent times a day meals; only eat when hungry Physical activity Yoga, walking, Regular relaxing swimming exercise such as yoga Acidic, raw, spicy and diary/sour foods Regular vigourous exercise; regular meals eaten only when hungry Moderate food intake; have a long gap between meals and avoid snacking Regular, vigorous, aerobic exercise Dermaved Dermaved is a unique preparation of 25 naturally active herbs with Acacia, Venivel and Coral Tree seed plant extracts blended with Shea Butter to instantly relieve itchiness, discomfort and inflammation and help heal and repair the skin. Dermaved is made from sustainably wildcrafted herbs according to a trusted Ayurvedic formula. Formulated with pure, natural ingredients, it is ideal for all skin types and even infants. It is prepared to the highest standard and each ingredient is laboratory tested for purity and potency. It is free from artificial colours, perfumes and parabens.

5 Visit for more information Dr Deepika Rodrigo (B.A.M.S) is a leading Ayurvedic Physician who practises from The Ayurvedic Clinic, established in She specialises in the treatment of skin conditions. Call or visit theayurvedicclinic.com.