Psoriasis Cure in Ayurveda: Root Cause Healing through Herbs, Panchakarma, and Diet

Psoriasis patients can return to a normal life by committing to Ayurvedic treatment, making dietary and lifestyle changes, and undergoing Panchakarma purification therapies. At Yukti Herbs, we understand your suffering (itching, oozing skin, and that irritating scaling from skin tissue) and genuinely care about your well-being by reversing the condition back to normal. Read this article in detail; it will surely serve as both an eye-opener and a supportive guide, helping you understand your exact health condition and how to return to normal by addressing the root cause. 

A psoriasis patient can often feel overwhelmed; the constant itching, scaling, and sudden flare-ups usually arrive uninvited, disrupting their daily life. Ayurveda helps you break free from this cycle and offers more than just relief; it provides a way to feel at ease in your own skin again. By following this path, you will be free from the most frustrating feeling, ‘Why me?’ 

With Ayurveda, you can regain control, rebuild your skin health from within, and step into a lifestyle that supports your overall well-being. More than 30% of psoriasis patients develop psoriatic arthritis too, due to similar dosha imbalances and causes responsible for psoriasis. Such patients suffer from joint pains, stiffness, and back or neck pain. Both these disorders are considered autoimmune disorders; our treatment approach is to address the root cause of both, not some symptomatic relief or band-aid approach.

We know if you are reading this article, you've likely tried everything modern medicine offered:

• Steroidal ointments and coal tar preparations for local application

• Steroids, which helped you temporarily, but there were unbearable side effects

• Tried UV therapy, phytotherapy, PUVA treatments, and all failed on you

• Maybe immunosuppressants, too, with lots of side effects

• Tested most promoted skincare solutions, home remedies and diets

• Experimented with home remedies and skincare products promoted over social media 

• Visited all expert dermatologists and people known for their magical remedies (quacks, of course)

Yet today, the red scaly patches, itching, irritability, and sleepless nights disturb your soul, and you are tired of finding relief and somehow reached here. Believe it or not, taking the time to give this a sincere read can change your future health. This will make you understand the root cause and a logical approach to reverse this condition back to normal. You will be able to understand why your psoriasis keeps coming back, why the remission or treatment is not permanent, and why there are recurring flare-ups.   

First things first, understand your present condition and how it got so much worse:

In Ayurveda, it is linked to deep-rooted imbalance of  Vata, Kapha, and Pitta doshas, which fills your blood with impurities (dooshit rakta dhatu). Why this happened is explained by the following shloka mentioned centuries back in Charaka Samhita:

Shaloka Reference:

वातादयस्त्रयो दुष्टास्त्वग्रक्तं मांसमम्बु च। दूषयन्ति स कुष्ठानां सप्तको द्रव्यसङ्ग्रहः॥

Translation: When a person consumes Viruddha Ahara (incompatible food combinations), their Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas become aggravated and disturbed, resulting in the contamination of bodily compounds such as ‘tavaka’ (skin), ‘rakta dhatu’ (blood), ‘mamsa’ (muscle tissue), and ‘ambu’ (body fluids). These seven disturbed factors together are responsible for the manifestation of skin diseases.¹

A person who develops such a skin disease can understand their condition by noticing the following signs & symptoms, which are generally seen in all psoriasis patients:

• Red, raised, and scaly skin patches (plaques) that may itch or burn

• Skin dryness and cracking, which generally leads to wounds with associated bleeding.

• Nails are hard & rough, often with discoloration (nail psoriasis)

• Itchy, flaky scalp that resembles dandruff (scalp psoriasis)

• Joint Pains and stiffness after psoriasis (psoriatic arthritis)

Shaloka Reference:

स्पर्शाज्ञत्वमतिस्वेदो न वा वैवर्ण्यमुन्नतिः। कोठानां लोमहर्षश्च कण्डूस्तोदः श्रमः क्लमः॥

Translation:  Few symptoms when your skin feels weird, such as loss of sensation, excessive or no sweating, discoloration of skin,  thickened patches, tingling sensation, itching, burning, pricking pain, and fatigue; these symptoms can also manifest before you are diagnosed with psoriasis.²

Understanding the Root Cause of Psoriasis through Ayurveda's Lens

Ayurveda is not a pseudoscience; everything is evidence-based and time-tested, and the following table will make you feel how scientific it is, as it explains all 6 types of psoriasis, and that too with root cause analysis, which clearly shows that psoriasis is beyond an autoimmune disorder:

 

Note: The above table shows how Ayurveda interprets your condition, and this will help you to understand what kind of psoriasis you are suffering from and how deep it is. Ayurveda believes in personalized treatment plans, not a standard treatment for each individual.

So, in short, ‘Virudha Ahara’ (incompatible food combinations) is the major cause of all this imbalance, and if someone continuously is in such a process, it leads to so many autoimmune disorders, and all such disorders are very difficult to reverse until someone commits to corrective measures religiously.

The difference between the modern medicine approach and the Ayurvedic treatment approach for Psoriasis

Unlike temporary relief from creams or ointments, and instead of focusing on external symptoms, at Yukti herbs, with the help of Ayurveda, we offer long-term healing, which helps in balancing the body's digestion (agni), cleanses the toxins (ama), and pacifies the aggravated doshas. This emphasizes a holistic healing journey that not only helps the skin but also the mind and overall well-being. A detailed overview for your quick reference is available at the end of this article, which you must go through for an elaborated viewpoint.

“An article published in 2021 in J-AIM unveils the effective & lasting Ayurvedic treatment for psoriasis, highlighting sustained improvement over time with no signs of recurrence.”3  

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2020.11.009

Modern Lifestyle Triggers that Aggravate Psoriasis

Like many chronic skin conditions, psoriasis flare-ups are often triggered by common dietary and lifestyle factors. Understanding what not to do is just as important as knowing the right treatment. If you want to protect yourself from aggravation, you need to stay mindful of daily habits. Many patients describe it as a cycle—just when they start feeling close to normal, one wrong food choice, a late night, or even peer pressure from those around them pushes them back into discomfort. To break this vicious cycle, it’s essential to recognise and avoid your personal triggers. While this list is not exhaustive, the following are the most frequent and well-known psoriasis triggers that every patient should be aware of.

Dietary & Lifestyle Triggers that Psoriasis Patients Must Avoid

• Repeated or excessive intake of salty, sour and fermented food items like pickles, breads, packaged snacks;

• Intake of wrong or incompatible food combinations (Viruddha Ahara) like Milk & Salt, Fish & milk, grains with pulses, milk with banana, etc.

• Avoid intake of all types of Frozen, Packaged, and Processed foods 

• Alcohol and smoking, or even living in a very polluted environment

• Late-night dinners, irregular meal timings, and even overeating

• Stress, anxiety, depression, irregular sleep, sleep deprivation, and chronic fatigue 

• Suppression of natural urges like burping, farting, and holding feelings of motion or urination

• Sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, and unhygienic living

Shloka Reference:

लघूनि चान्नानि हितानि विद्यात् कुष्ठेषु शाकनि च तिक्तकानि। भल्लातकैः सत्रिफलैः सनिम्बैर्युक्तानि चान्नानि घृतानि चैव॥
पुराणधान्यान्यथ जाङ्गलानि मांसानि मुद्गाश्च पटोलयुक्ताः। शस्ता, न गुर्वम्लपयोदधीनि नानूपमत्स्या न गुडस्तिलाश्च॥

Translation: Easily digestible and wholesome food, green leafy vegetables, bitter-tasting items, ghee fortified with Bhallataka, Triphala, and Nimba, one-year-old cereals, the meat of animals inhabiting arid areas, and preparations made from Mudga and Patola are recommended. Avoid heavy-to-digest foods, sour items, milk, curd, the meat of animals living in marshy areas, fish, jaggery, and sesame.³

Yukti Herbs' Comprehensive 5-Goal Ayurvedic Treatment Protocol for Psoriasis

At Yukti Herbs, we approach psoriasis through our proven "Pancha-Lakshya Chikitsa" (Five-Goal Treatment) model, designed to provide complete healing from the root level.

Goal 1: Shodhana (Deep Detoxification) to Eliminate Accumulated Toxins

This very first and important step of your healing journey is to detox yourself completely from the toxins accumulated over the years in your blood, liver and skin tissues. 

This is achieved through purification therapies like Vamana, Virechana, Basti, and Raktamokshana. Our experts prepare your personalized treatment plan and decide therapies, herbs, diet and lifestyle changes to start with the treatment protocol. 

Shodhana (detoxification) – Panchakarma therapies like 

• Virechana (therapeutic purgation) – to pacify excess Pitta dosha

• Vamana (therapeutic emesis) – to excrete aggravated Kapha Dosha

• Raktmokshana (blood purification) – for cleaning the impurities in blood due to excessive pitta dosha and the build-up of toxins

• Basti (medicated enema): For balancing Vata dosha, useful in psoriatic arthritis

• Shirodhara (medicated oil stream on forehead) – To relax the mind so that you can combat that unbearable stress and disturbed sleep patterns. 

These therapies help in correcting the metabolism, reducing the toxins, and balancing the aggravated doshas.

Shloka Reference: 

वातोत्तरेषु सर्पिर्वमनं श्लेष्मोत्तरेषु कुष्ठेषु। पित्तोत्तरेषु मोक्षो रक्तस्य विरेचनं चाग्रे॥

Translation: When the aggravated dosha, which is dominant in different individuals, is identified, treatment is started based on the dominant dosha. In Vata-type psoriasis, cow ghee-based therapies are used to lubricate & pacify dryness. In Pitta-type psoriasis, raktmokshana (blood purification) & virechana (therapeutic purgation) are used to reduce burning, redness & inflammation. In Kapha-type psoriasis, Vamana is done to clear excess kapha and heaviness.⁴

Treatment Components

Apart from regular Ayurvedic medicines, your treatment will include Panchakarma therapies like

• Virechana (Therapeutic Purgation): Pacifies aggravated Pitta dosha, which is the root cause of disturbed Liver function 

• Rakta Mokshana (Bloodletting Therapy): Direct purification of vitiated blood through leech therapy or controlled bloodletting

• Abhyanga with Medicated Oils (Full body oil massage): Daily massage with anti-psoriatic oils like Karanja, Neem, Marichyadi, etc.

Note: Blood purification should be done through purgation therapy or bloodletting. Such therapies are easy to follow and have many beneficial effects apart from just detoxification.

Goal 2: Agni Deepana (Digestive Fire Restoration)—To Rebuild Metabolic Strength

As mentioned earlier, the root cause of psoriasis is the accumulation of toxins in the body over the years due to low digestive fire, so the Ayurvedic treatment always starts with this basic approach of Deepana-Pachana. The best Deepaniye and Pachniye herbal formulations are used to achieve this, like Chitrakadi Vati, Avipatikar Churna, Hingwashtak Churna, Trikatu Churna, etc. During this phase, you need to regulate your diet as guided by our Ayurveda experts, including the complete prohibition of virudha ahara (incompatible foods).

Goal 3: Rasayana Chikitsa (Tissue Regeneration)—Rebuild the Healthy Skin

When a psoriasis patient undergoes Rasayana Chikitsa, he can feel the regenerative effects of herbs, oils, and ghrithams prepared using herbs such as Khadir, Bakuchi, Yashtimadhu, Neem, and Chakramarda. Our Ayurveda experts select a combination of herbs for both internal and external use, which possess skin-nourishing, beautifying, healing, and rasayana properties. For external use, medicated oils and ghrithams (clarified cow butter) are advised for local application; herbal pastes or soaps prepared from neem, haridra, aloe vera, etc., are recommended for daily cleansing and healing.

Goal 4: Vata-Pitta Shamana (Dosha Balance)—To Achieve Constitutional Harmony

As most of the patients have aggravated Vata-Pitta imbalance, which is also the main cause of flare-ups, there is an urgent need to address the imbalance to stop inflammation, itching and irritation of scaling. So our Ayurveda experts will immediately give you Ayurvedic medicines that are cooling (Sheeta), bitter (Tikta), and astringent (Kashaya) in taste so that internal imbalances get back to a balanced state quickly. Apart from internal medication and dietary changes, external measures are advised to be adopted immediately, like 

• Snehana (internal oleation) with medicated ghrithams (intake of medicated cow ghee)

• We prepare a special ‘Potli’ containing skin-friendly fresh herbs, herbal powders and oils to counter dryness and stop scaling & itching.

• Shirodhara to relax the mind and nervous system with specially prepared skin-friendly oils, which also help with psoriatic patches on the scalp.

Goal 5: Satvavajaya Chikitsa (Psycho-Spiritual Healing) – To address the Mental-Emotional factors

Psoriasis has a strong psychological component. Addressing mental stress, emotional patterns, and lifestyle factors is crucial for complete healing. Herbal medicines and Panchakarma therapies to relax the mind and provide emotional stability. Our Ayurveda experts counsel you and also advise following a yoga, Pranayama and meditation-like lifestyle modification to make your mind capable of handling that low self-esteem or low confidence, as these external therapies make you mentally and emotionally strong to fight back. We know you are suffering equally with the health issues faced, physically and with body image complexes. If you add a well-balanced daily routine (Dinacharya & Ritucharya), spiritual practices for peace of mind and a social circle (maybe if you can form a group of other such patients in your society or on social media networks to exchange your strengths, learning and weaknesses).

Pathya & Apathya (Essential Dietary Guidelines)

It is very important to keep track of what you eat on a daily basis, as diet plays a vital role in the treatment of psoriasis. The following table will make you understand what exactly you should consume and what you should not eat at all. 

Comprehensive Treatment Components for Psoriasis

1. Ayurvedic Herbs Useful in Psoriasis

*Note: Do not use these herbs without proper consultation with an Ayurvedic physician, as dosages need individual customization based on prakriti and severity of the disease.

Yukti Herbs' Clinically Researched Patent & Classical Formulations for Psoriasis Reversal

Blood Cleanser Capsules

To purify the blood and excrete deep-seated toxins, or 'Ama,' which are the root cause of psoriasis and often responsible for flare-ups, the first and most important step is to eliminate them using blood-purifying herbs.  Blood Cleanser capsules are composed of 100% pure, standardised extracts of herbs such as Sariva, Patol, Raktachandan, Chirayata, and Mustak, making this formulation excellent for cleansing the blood of impurities and providing long-term relief and management of psoriasis. 

Pitta Balance Capsules

As mentioned in the beginning, aggravated Pitta dosha leads to inflammation, red patches, and oozing from skin layers. To counter these complications, Pitta Balance capsules play a vital role. Pitta Balance capsules contain cooling herbs and minerals like Pitapapda, Amrita, Mukta Shukti, Mukta Pishti, Kamdhudha, Jahar Mohra & Akik Pishti, etc. This combination starts working from the very first dose, allowing one to naturally eliminate aggravated Pitta. Apart from psoriasis, these are very helpful to control hyperacidity, gastritis, hypertension, loose stools, hormonal imbalance, etc. 

Manjishtha Capsules

Manjishtha is regarded as the topmost herb by all Ayurvedacharyas for the treatment of all types of skin disorders due to its blood-purifying and skin-care properties. They help to remove toxins, reduce excess heat, and regenerate new healthy skin cells. Our high-potency Manjishtha standardized extract capsules reduce redness, scaling and discoloration. They are gentle but good for long-term healing and steady recovery.

Neem Capsules

Neem has been considered the No. 1 remedy for all skin-related health issues for centuries due to its anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Neem also helps in pacifying aggravated Pitta dosha, which makes it a choice of herb for psoriasis flare-ups. Due to all such properties, Yukti’s Neem capsules help in regaining healthy, well-textured, clear skin. It can be used for the long term without any side effects.

Gandhak Rasayan Tablets

It's a classical Ayurvedic rasayana formulation prepared using purified and standardised sulphur (as the main ingredient) and a few more herbs. It works as a curative tonic for the skin, rejuvenating skin cells properly. It helps psoriasis patients to combat dryness, itching, and scaling as well as improving their immunity and overall vitality.   

Arogyavardhini Vati Tablets

It’s a time-tested classical Ayurvedic preparation containing liver detoxifying, blood purifying and metabolism improving herbs like Kutki, Shilajit, Gandhak (sulphur), Triphala, Neem, and Chitrakmool, etc. As psoriasis is a deep-rooted disease, taking care of the governing factors side by side becomes important. Arogayavardhani Vati’s daily consumption ensures liver detoxification, blood purification and skin rejuvenation. Not just psoriasis; it works in all skin disorders, and all expert Ayurvedacharyas prefer to include this for their skin patients.

Virechan Ghritham

Virechana therapy is considered the best for pacifying and balancing both Vata and Pitta doshas. The process of this therapy includes daily intake of Virechan Ghritham (a classical medicated ghritham for Virechana only). At Yukti Herbs, we prepare this medicated ghritham using very potent herbs and 100% pure A2 cow ghee. This helps to a great extent to eliminate toxins from the body and stop flare-ups. This can be taken under the supervision of an Ayurveda expert for longer times to keep the Pitta dosha in a balanced state. Virechan Ghritham gives instant relief from burning sensation, redness and itching to psoriasis patients. 

Jatyadi Thailam

Jatyadi Thailam is a classical medicated oil for external use. One can apply it after the bath on all the patches (affected parts), as it helps a lot in cases where thick plaque is present. It lubricates the skin and is very soothing in nature, promoting natural skin regeneration. Jatyadi Thailam is considered the topmost antiseptic and antifungal, which psoriasis patients need the most. 

Ayyapal Kera Thailam

It’s a coconut oil-based medicated preparation for external use, widely used for skin disorders. Most practitioners in South India advise this to their patients, as it immediately gives relief from itching, scaling and burning-like issues. It is a very effective moisturiser with cooling properties. It helps in pacifying Vata and Pitta doshas. Psoriasis patients can notice visible improvement in their skin texture and comfort within 2-3 applications. One should apply this after a bath or washing the affected area with skin-friendly herbal soaps.

Note: All the above-mentioned patented and classical formulations are clinically tested and must be used under the supervision of Ayurveda experts; do not consume any of the above on your own. It will be perfect if we avoid self-medication.

Comprehensive Comparison: Allopathy vs. Ayurveda at Yukti Herbs

You need to understand the basic differences between allopathy & Ayurveda ideologies to choose the one wisely, logically, and knowingly. The following table will precisely explain each and every aspect of both.

When you should consider IPD stay at Yukti Herbs

If you are suffering from a very chronic stage of psoriasis or you are getting flare-ups very frequently, and even modern treatments fail, in such conditions, IPD stays become mandatory to be considered. Once you decide to stay with us at our IPD facility, you basically get a chance to experience the best Ayurvedic treatment. Our Ayurveda & Panchakarma stay facility fulfils the very basic requirement of a complete Ayurvedic cure for psoriasis – you get consultations, standardized medicines, panchakarma therapies, ayurvedic diets, and daily routines including yoga, meditation and counselling sessions by experts.

IPD Stay Benefits at Yukti Herbs:

• You are under 24/7 observation by Ayurveda experts

• Treatment modifications as and when required

• Active flare-up control regimens

• Panchakarma therapies, which are not possible at home

• Facility for external applications like Patra Lepan, Skin-friendly Potli Swed, etc.

• Healing environment without any stress and anxiety

• No one judges you during your stay with us

• Special training session for Ayurvedic cooking and lifestyle as per the seasons 

• You get a complete guide to manage your condition at home after discharge

A Typical IPD Duration – 

Make up your mind to stay at least 7 to 14 days to get proper relief from your condition. Give yourself a break from your daily routine to give your body a fair chance to make a comeback. It is possible only with determination and by religiously following the complete treatment protocol. 

If you are searching for the best Ayurvedic treatment for psoriasis in India, Yukti Herbs – Multispeciality Ayurveda & Panchakarma Hospital offers a patient-centric, holistic healing approach.

“Don’t wait for the next flare-up. Your skin deserves healing from the inside out. Begin your holistic healing journey towards balance and comfort at Yukti Herbs.”

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References:

1. Charak Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chp. 7, Shloka 9

2. Charak Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chp. 7, Shloka 11

3. Study published on - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2020.11.009

4. Charak Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 7, Shloka 82-83

5. Charak Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana Chapter 7, Shloka 39