Role of Virechana Purvaka Shamana Sneha with Rasayana drugs in the management of Psoriasis (Ekakustha)

Abstract

Skin diseases are taken up as a social stigma, due to altered appearance. Psoriasis is one of the most repulsive skin diseases which may disturb patient’s life. It usually runs a chronic course with remission and exacerbations. As far as treatment is concerned modern medical science has number of therapeutic measures which provide temporary relief accompanied by side effects and which make the patients to take lifelong treatment. So it is a need to find out an effective radical cure for psoriasis through Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda all skin diseases are taken under generalized term Kustha. In present study psoriasis is considered as Ekakustha, one type of Kshudrakustha. As Shodhana therapy is essential in the management of all skin diseases, Virechana Karma was selected because it is the only procedure which acts upon all three Doshas and Raktadi Dushyas which are vitiated in Kustha. After Virechana Karma, Shamana treatment was also given to alleviate remaining Doshas and to continue the normal state of Dhatus. This clinical trial was conducted on total 13 patients of psoriasis (Ekakustha) to compare the effect of Virechana Purvaka Shamana with only Shamana. For Shamana purpose Shamana Sneha (Panchatikta Ghrita) along with some Rasayana drugs were used. Duration of Shamana treatment was 2 months in both groups. Patients of both the groups showed significant results. But Virechana Purvaka Shamana was found to be more effective than only Shamana.