Management of psoriasis with Ayurveda Panchakarma and Manibhadragula as Shodhana Rasayana - a case report.

OBJECTIVES: Plaque psoriasis is very embarrassing condition of skin as it produces itchy rashes and scaly lesions which may not respond well to the treatment. It can be correlated with Kitibhakushta which is one among the 18 types of Kushta (skin diseases). Several corticosteroids for skin applications are used now a day's which gives only temporary relief. CASE PRESENTATION: A 36 years old moderate built male patient complains of blackish skin rashes with itching, pain and scaling all over the body for three months. Based on the symptoms, Dosha (Biological humors) involved were assessed as Kapha (binding factors) and Vata (vital force of life) and suggestive of Kitibhakushta. Diagnosis of the Plaque psoriasis was further confirmed by biopsy. Classical Kushta treatment was adopted here. As Poorvakarma (pre-operative procedures), Rukshana (Dehydrating therapy) was done and then Snehapana (intake of medicated ghee) was administered. Then classical Vamana (emetic therapy) and Virechana (purgative therapy) were performed. This took almost one month. After Samsarjana (special diet) patient was administered Manibhadragula as Shodhana Rasayana for a period of one month. At the end of Manibhadragula intake, remarkable changes were observed in all the symptoms. There were significant changes seen in PASI, DLQI and photographs taken before and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Here the special mode of administration of Manibhadragula as mentioned in Ashtanga Hridaya helps for Shodhana and the Shodhana itself has Rasayana action. Drugs also have Rasayana property. This made the authors to propose a new concept called Shodhana Rasayana. Classical treatment by considering the condition of Roga (disease) and Rogi (patient) helps for management of Kushta.

Management of Erythrodermic Psoriasis through Ayurveda - A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a noninfectious chronic inflammatory skin disorder, characterized by well-defined erythematous plaques with silvery scales. In an ayurvedic perspective, we can compare this disease with Kitibha Kushta (a type of skin lesion) because most of its signs and symptoms mimic that of erythrodermic psoriasis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 23-year-old patient diagnosed with psoriasis presented with erythematous overlapped patches all over the body, Auspitz sign, and pain associated with occasional itching sensation. After assessing the dosha involvement, proper Shodhana (purification therapy), Shamana (pacifying therapy), and Rasayana (rejuvenation therapy) were adopted and a reduction in erythema, itching, scaling, pain, and lesions were seen, along with a swingeing decrease of PASI, DLQI, and VAS scores from 37.4, 11, and 07 to absolute zero. CONCLUSION: Even though erythrodermic psoriasis is very difficult to treat, a thorough assessment of pathogenesis, proper shodhana (purification) and rasayana (rejuvenation therapy) proves to be effective. This gives further scope, similar to a structured clinical trial in the disease.

Ayurveda management of keratosis pilaris - a case report.

OBJECTIVES: Keratosis pilaris (KP) is the condition of the skin with extensive keratin follicular plugging. It may be associated with the erythema. The upper arm extensor area, shoulders, back of neck and thighs, as well as face and the upper trunk are the areas of presentation. Available medications for KP give only symptomatic relief, while some produce serious side effects. There is no proven universal treatment for the disease that can provide complete recovery. Ayurveda management of KP is not yet reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old male patient, presented with main complaints started with papular lesions over his right shoulder, chest and upper back along and later with pustular lesions in the past 2 weeks. The condition was associated with redness, mild swelling and itching. The case was diagnosed as Keratosis pilaris based on its presentation, site, and pathogenesis. Also by analyzing the extent of vitiation of dosas (morbidities), the Vata kapha pitta hara line of treatment was adopted, which was accomplished in two phases i. e. Sodhana Cikitsa and Samana Cikitsa. CONCLUSION: Both internal and external treatments along with diet restrictions were found effective in arresting the pathogenesis and recovery in a short period. All the symptoms associated with the condition were completely cured with no signs of re-occurrence.