Abstract
Having bad skin is just one of the many things that can affect our confidence. Good skin boosts our confidence and it initiates good health too. A simple pimple can also be disturbing and we try our best to get rid of it. Psoriasis is a disease that can lead to serious social anxiety and hopelessness. Psora means itch, rash, or skurf. It is a chronic auto-immune disease characterized by excessive proliferation of keratinocytes in the epidermis (outer layer of skin) which results in flaking of the skin over the bones, elbows and scalp.
According to Ayurveda, Psoriasis is a Tridoshaja vyadhi with Vata-Kapha dosha predominance. Dryness and flakiness of the skin are attributed to Vata dosha while redness and inflammation to Pitta dosha. Ayurveda treats psoriasis identically, taking into account the doshic constitution and the dosha that is driving this tri-doshic illness, yet by addressing the core cause of the symptoms.
Apart from authentic treatment modalities, Ayurveda advocates a healthy lifestyle, dietary habits and special day to day activities that keep Psoriasis under control and reduce the frequency of the disease episodes. Here the study of the effect of Trailokya Vijaya Vati on Psoriasis is being addressed.
Case Description
A 27-year old male patient presented with signs exhibiting dandruff-like white flakes in the whole body along with severe itching, joint pain which sometimes caused bleeding spots, and lesions on the nail beds. The complaints initially started in mid of 2013 with scalp itching and flakiness. He had complaints of constipated bowels, inadequate appetite, disturbed sleep pattern and was a smoker and alcoholic. Presently he is sober for more than 4 years.
Initially, he consulted an allopathic dermatologist who gave topical steroid ointments and later oral steroids. He did not get much relief and episodes of attacks were frequent. He contracted Dengue fever in 2015, had to be on antibiotics which further worsened his skin condition and later also worsened his joint pain-causing chronic pain and inflammation.
He approached Ayurveda by 2020, to get a permanent solution to his agonizing condition. Before starting the treatment, a biopsy was also done which confirmed Psoriasis. The ASO titre was found to be positive.
Past medical history:
● Topical steroidal ointments
● Oral steroids with topical ointments
● Dengue fever history. Lesions started appearing all over joints along with joint inflammation and pain, confirmed Psoriatic Arthritis
Investigations
A. Before starting Ayurveda treatment
● Biopsy result confirmed Scalp Psoriasis
● ASO Titre blood test- Positive
B. After Ayurveda treatment
● ASO- negative
Diagnosis
Kitibha Kushtha
Psoriatic Arthritis
Treatment plan
1. Lifestyle modifications
● Educating the patient about possible causative factors that lead to exacerbation of his condition.
● Palliative advise regarding diet and lifestyle were suggested.
● Smoking and alcoholic liquor should be prohibited.
2. Ayurvedic medication
● Internal medication
Mahathiktham kashayam
Khadiaristam
Tab Arogyavardhini Vati
Trailokya Vijaya vati
Atrisor shampoo (Atrimed) for head wash
Thailam Ayyapala for local application on head and body
● External treatments or Panchkarma Procedures
Lepana karma with psoriatic spectrum drugs
Shiro Dhara with Thakram as Classical siro dhara
Abhyanga and Swedana with Ayyapala kera thaila
Virechana karma with Avipathi choorna
Observation
The itching had considerably reduced after the first 30 days of the treatment. Flakiness had also reduced. And rest period of 20 days after whole treatment plan, itching and flakiness completely reduced. However, his bowel, appetite and sleep had not yet improved until the panchakarma therapy was started. Panchkarma treatment included various topical procedures like lepana, dhara etc which improved the bhrajaka pitta (Type of pitta present in the skin layers). Occasional virechan performed helped in eliminating the vitiated dosha thus strengthening his innate immunity and improving his bowels.
Psoriasis is one type of kushtha (skin disorder according to Charaka) caused basically by a constant imbalance in the dietary habits and lifestyles, disrupting the body metabolism in nutritional plasma, blood, muscles, and lymph, resulting in Kitiba. If Kitiba is not handled in the early stages, it progresses to the deeper dhatu i.e. asthi, producing joint symptoms such as Psoriatic Arthritis.
Discussion
Ayurveda heals ailments by addressing the underlying cause, which, according to Sankhya philosophy, is located in the mind. Psoriatic arthritis, according to Ayurveda, is a condition of Vata imbalance, Rakta (blood), and Kushta (skin disorders). Ayurvedic remedies for Kushta Rogas are also thought to be beneficial in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis or Vatarakta. Panchakarma ensures that the disease does not advance further and that the causes come to a halt in the early stages.
Psoriasis is incurable by nature as it is an auto-immune condition with hereditary involvement, strict diet plan and lifestyle restrictions gave him a prolonged sense of well-being and substantial intervals between exacerbation (if any).
The amazing healing effect of the herbo-mineral drug of Ayurveda along with the healing touch of panchakarma procedures and pain-relieving action of Trailokya Vijaya Vati, a herbal composition with the outstanding benefits of a medicinal version of cannabis and vanshlochan, effectively alleviate the state of chronic pain. Analgesic characteristics are possessed by cannabinoids. They interact with a variety of receptors throughout the body, including those involved in pain perception.
Conclusion
Psoriasis is a serious skin condition that affects a person physically and mentally. If not treated right and at the proper time, the patient can become crippled, depressed and it can even disrupt his/her normal life. Even though the disease is difficult to cure and is chronic, it can be kept under control by observing a disciplined lifestyle and proper medication.
Since pain management is what every patient seeks for Trailokya Vijaya Vati proved a very potent herbo-mineral preparation. The action of this drug on this particular condition began the vaidyas to make use of its shoolahara property in other arthritic conditions.
Case Study By: Dr. Arunan Rama Warrier
Published by: HempStreet
