ROLE OF PANCHAKARMA IN EK-KUSHTHA (PSORIASIS) – A CASE STUDY

Anirudh*, Sharma S. and Anand N.

ABSTRACT

Ek-Kushtha is a type of kshudrakushtha that resembles psoriasis in its clinical presentation and is mainly caused by disbalance of VATA and KAPHA doshas, that causes a rash with itchy & scaly patches. It can be painful, interfere with sleep and make it hard to concentrate. The condition tends to go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months then subsiding for a while. According to WHO (2016) prevalence of psoriasis in countries ranges between 0.09% and 11.4%[1], making psoriasis a serious global problem. Prevalence of psoriasis in India is 0.44-2.8%[2], it commonly effects individual in their 3rd or 4th decade with males being affected two times more common than females. According to Acharya Sushrut, Ek-Kushtha is defined as the disorder which makes the body blackish or reddish. Ek-Kushtha is a long-term disease and difficult to cure, Samshodhana is the primarily therapy which is indicated in the treatment of Kushtha (Psoriasis). Based on this, a 41-year-old male patient having symptoms of itching and scales on bilateral legs and few tiny patches on bilateral elbows was managed with Vamana, Virechana and Samshodhana as mentioned in classical texts. The purpose of this study is to give a view of the effect of Vamana, Virechana followed by Takradhara in the management of chronic psoriasis.

Keywords: Ek-kushtha, Vamana, Virechana, Takradhara.