While skin diseases have many different causes, in general they are the result of the habitual intake of unhealthy or incompatible foods (e.g. fish with milk, meat with honey, etc.), an excessive reliance upon certain tastes or qualities in food (e.g. excessively greasy, sour or heavy foods), improperly cooked foods, eating too often, poor digestion, suppression of the urge to vomit and irregular sleep. Habits such as these vitiate the three doshas and affect the quality of blood and lymph, thereby producing toxic materials that initiate skin disorders.
General Treatment of Skin Diseases
Treated at their early stage of manifestation, skin diseases will respond well to simple methods of treatment. For example, Vataja skin diseases in the early stages can be treated with intake of ghrita (ghee), Pittaja skin diseases with venesection along with purgation, and Kaphaja skin diseases with emesis. After such detoxification measures, external remedies act quickly.
Purgation can be induced with equal parts Trivrit root (Indian rhubarb /Operculina turpenthum), Danti seed (Baliospermum montanum) and Triphala (Phyllanthus emblica / Terminalia belerica / Terminalia chebula), in doses of 2-3 grams.
Emesis can be induced with a decoction of equal parts Vacha rhizome (acorus / Acorus calamus), Vasaka leaf (Malabar nut / Adhatoda vasica), Patola fruit (Trichosanthes dioica), Nimba leaf (neem / Azadirachta indica) and Priyangu seed (Prunus mahaleb) with honey, in doses of 2-3 grams.
A simple external application for simple dermatitis (charmasotha) is a plaster of a paste made from Khadira extract (catechu / Acacia catechu, white). Another external application is a plaster made from Chandanam wood (white sandalwood / Santalum album) and Tankana Bhasma (purified borax).
Kustham (Leprosy)
Kustham is correlated with the disease of leprosy, and in general, is caused by pathogenic defects of the blood that causes the blood to turn blackish. Ayurveda divides kustham into seven different forms known as Kapala, Udumbara, Mandala, Risyajihwa, Pundarika, Kakanam, and Dadrukustham. All types of leprosy are very difficult to cure, and is incurable in the advanced stage.
One general treatment for leprosy is equal parts Vakuchi seed (Psoralia corylifolia), Khadira extract (Acacia catechu, white), Nimba leaf (neem / Azadirachta indica) and Haritaki fruit (Terminalia chebula), taken in doses of 1-2 grams, twice daily. Another simple remedy for leprosy is Kaisara Guggulu, taken in doses of two pills twice daily.
For external use, a paste can be made from Karanja seed oil (Indian beech / Pongamia pinnata), Chakramarda seed/leaf (taper / Cassia tora), Kustha root (Saussurea lappa) and gou mutra (cow urine).
Kapala Kustham
Kapala kustham is a form of kustham caused by the aggravated function of the nerves along with blood defects. It is treated with general therapies to reduce Vata along with venesection, oily plasters, the general measures described for leprosy and specific remedies. These methods can also be used for neurodermatitis.
One specific remedy to treat kapala kustham is equal parts Ela fruit (greater cardamon / Amomum subulatum), Kustha root (Saussurea lappa), Darvi root (Berberis asiatica), Daruharidra bark/extract (barberry / Berberis nepalensis) and Shala resin (sal tree /Shorea robusta), taken in doses of 1-2 grams twice daily. Other remedies include Kanakabindwaristam or Abhayarista, either of which is taken after meals, in doses of 12-24 mL after meals, twice daily.
Udumbara Kustham
Udumbara kustham involves the aggravated function of the veins along with blood defects. It is treated with general measures to reduce Pitta along with venesection, cooling plasters, laxatives and the general remedies for leprosy.
Mandala Kustham
Mandala kustham is caused by the aggravated function of the arteries along with blood defects. It is treated with general measures to reduce Kapha together with venesection, warming plasters, emetics, and the general remedies for leprosy.
Risyajihwa Kustham
Risyajihwa kustham is caused by the aggravated function of the nerves and veins along with blood defects. It is treated with general measures to reduce Vata-Pitta, with venesection, plasters, and the general remedies for leprosy.
Pundarika Kustham
Pundarika kustham is caused by the aggravated function of the veins and the arteries along with blood defects. It is treated with general measures to reduce Pitta-Kapha, along together with venesection, plasters, and the general remedies for leprosy.
Kakanam
Kakanam involves complicated (Sannipata) symptoms involving the nervous, venous and arterial systems, along with blood defects. Although it is considered incurable, the general measures described for leprosy can be used as a palliative measure.
Dadrukustham
Dadrukustham is a form of leprosy that resembles ringworm, and is caused by the aggravated function of the arteries along with blood defects. It is treated with the remedies used for mandala kustham.
Additional headings in this chapter*
Sidhma (Tinea Versicolor)
Dusivisa Kustham (Psoriasis)
Vaipadikam (Rhagades)
Dadru (Ringworm)
Charmadala (Candidiasis)
Pama (Eczema)
Kachchu (Pustular Eczema)
Visphota (Pemphigus / Blistering Skin)
Shataru (Flexural Eczema)
Vicharchika (Scabies)
Switram (Leucoderma / Vitiligo)
Shitapittam (Urticaria / Hives)
Kotha / Utkotha (Allergic Rash)
Visarpa (Erysipelas)
Visphota (Impetigo)
Yavaprakshya (Keloid)
Andhalagi (Keloid Folliculitis)
Vivrita (Cutaneous Leishmaniasis)
Kachchapika (Carbuncle)
Balmika (Skin Neoplasm With Holes)
Indraviddha (Comedo)
Gardhabhika (Boil With Pimples)
Pasanagardhabha (Mumps)
Jalagardhabha (Neuralgia)
Kaksa (Herpes Zoster)
Agnirohini (Bubonic Plague)
Chippam (Paronychia)
Kunakham (Tinea Inguinalis)
Anushayi (Tinea Pedis)
Vidarika (Inguinal Bubo)
Sharkararbuda (Ulcerative Neoplasm Of The Skin)
Kadara (Corn, Clavus)
Alasam / Alasakam (Lichen Simplex Chronicus / Lichen Planus)
Yuvanapidaka (Acne Vulgaris)
Masakam (Wart)
Tilakalaka (Freckle)
Nyachcham (Melanoma)
Shukaradamstraka (Inflammatory Ringworm)
Vidradhi (Abscess, External)
Pramehapidakas (Boils and Pimples caused by Prameha)
Bhagandara (Fistula)
Galaganda (Goiter)
Gandamala (Scrofula / Cervical Tuberculous Lymphadenitis)
Apachi (Glandular Tuberculosis)
Granthi (Small Neoplasm)
Arbuda (Large Neoplasm)
Swetaraktarbuda (Adult Leukemia)
Slipada (Elephantiasis / Filariasis)
*To acquire the complete contents of “Ayurveda In Nepal: The Bajracharya Samhita” please click here.
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