Medication in skin diseases

The medications of skin ailments are designed to augment the functions of body tissues, to control doshas (Vata-neurological, Pitta-metabolic Kapha -anabolic) vitiations. Some of the formulations are targeted to improve the appearance and health of the skin ageing. These also include improving circulation, providing nutrition, and bringing back its colour and luster. Some formulations are targeted to kill the external causative organisms (krimi) ie. bacteria, virus and fungus) without damaging the health of the skin.

Introduction

The line of treatment for acute and chronic skin disease varies according to Ayurveda. In chronic skin aliments, purificatory measures (Panchkarma) are required for a complete cure.

Following formulations are widely used  for common skin ailments and have been used effectively by the physicians.

The clinical condition covered in this include scabies urticaria, boils, dandruff, erysipelas,

Formulation for skin ailments

Formula Number 1 

Remedy for all type of skin ailments

Ingredients

boil

• Khadira (Acacia catechu - Bark)
• Aargavadh (Cascia fistula) Bark or Marrow of the ripen fruit
• Haridra (Curcuma longa) Rhizomes.
• Vidanga (Emblica ribes) Fruit.
• Jati (Jasminum officianale) Chameli  leaves, roots.
• Karavira (Nerium indicum) Indian oleander, Root.
• Bhalla taka (Seme carpus anacardium) fruit.
• Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) Fruit shell
• Amalaki (Embelica officinalis). Fruit shell.
• Saptaparna (Alstonia scholaris) Bark in equal parts.

Decoction

Method of preparation

Wash materials prescribed to remove dirt. Chop into pieces and pound well. Boil 60 gm of material (all 10 ingredients together 60 grams i.e  (6 gram each) in 1 liter of water  and reduce to 120 ml. Filter it  and use twice (60ml) or thrice daily for minimum 7 days.

Dosage

Children : 15-30 ml

Adult : 40-60 ml

Mode of administration

Internally, twice or thrice on empty stomach

Precaution

(Pathya/Apathya)

Take vegetarian food items after one hour and avoid taking excessive salt, curd and pungent items.

An infection of the upper layer of the skin and superficial lymphatics caused by bacteria.

Formula Number 2 

ERYSIPELAS

Erysipelas

Rare (Fewer than 10 lakh cases per year in India)

Treatable by a medical professional

Requires lab test or imaging

Can last several days or weeks

Common for ages 5 and younger, and ages 60 and older

Boils

                       

       

 

Associated Symptoms

Burning sensation and pain on affected area.

Ingredients / Composition

• Patola परवल (Root of Trichosanthes cucumerina)
• Nimba (Azadirachta indica)
• Katuja Kutaki (Rhizome of Picrorhiza kurroa)
• Darvi, Daru haridra (Bark of Berberis aristata)
• Patha (Rhizomes of Cyclea arnotii)
• Duralabha (root of Tragiain volucrata)
• Parpata (whole plant of Hedyotis corymbosa) पर्पटक
• Brahmi (whole plant Bacopa monnieri
• Musta (Bulb of Cyperusrotundus)
• Bhunimba (whole plant Andrographis paniculata)
• Abhaya (Fruit shell of Treminalia chebula0
• Kana (Fruit of Piper longum) lendy pippli
• Candana (heartwood of Santalum album) 5 grams each.

Form / Type of medicine

Decoction

Method of Preparation

Wash material prescribed to remove dirt.(chop into pieces and pound well. Boil 60 gms of material in 1 liter of water and reduce to 12o  ml. Filter it  and use twice (60 ml) or thrice daily for minimum 7 days

Dosage

Children 20 ml

Adult 40-60 ml

Mode of administration

Twice or thrice on empty stomach

Indications (potentially useful in other disease conditions)

Vitation of pitta skin diseases, burning sensation (daha) itching, (kandu) chronic ulcer,(dusta nadivrana), carbuncle (apaci) Boil (Visphota,) inflammatory growth (Vidradhi), Black discoloration of face (Vyanga)

Precautions (Pathya/ Apathya)

Non vegetarian foods should be avoided completely. Fresh vegetables and fresh fruits should be taken. Avoid physical contact.

Formula Number 3 

Remedy for skin diseases such as Scabies & Dandruff

Dandruff

Scabies

Associated Symptoms

Itching, burning sensation and appearance of rashes on the skin.

Ingredients / Composition

Durva Burmuda grass (Cynidon dactylon) Leaves.

Form / Type of medicine

Oil

Method of Preparation

250 grams of leaves are crushed to make a juice. Juice is boiled with one liter of coconut oil until all water content gets evaporated.

Dosage

Children 10 ml

Adult 20 ml

Mode of administration

For external use. Apply on a affected area and leave for around one hour and wash. This can be applied on head and washed after an hour.

Indications (potentially useful in other disease conditions)

Body itching, dandruff and dry skin.

Precautions (Pathya/ Apathya)

One should avoid very fired, spicy, sour and excessive sweet foods. Non veg foods should be avoided completely.  Fresh vegetables and fresh fruits should be taken. Avoid scratching the affected part. Wash hands and cloths separately.

Formula Number 4 

Remedy for skin diseases due to Pitta

Associated Symptoms

Burning sensation, reddish eruptions in inflammations

Ingredients / Composition

• Patola (roots of Trichosanthes cucumerina)
• Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
• Vibhitaki (Terminelia bellerica)
• Amalki (Phullanthus emblica)
• Visala (Roots of Trichosanthusbracteata)
• Brahmi (Bacopa munnieri)
• Katurohini kutaki. (Rhizome of Picrorhiza kurroa)
• Nagara (Rhizome of Zingiber officinale) ginger or Adrak

Form / Type of medicine

Decoction.

Method of Preparation

Wash material prescribed to remove dirt.  Chop into pieces and pound well. Boil 60 gram of material in 1 liter of water and reduce to 120 ml. Filter it and use twice (60 ml) or thrice daily for minimum 7 days.

Dosage

Children 10-20 ml

Adult 30-60 ml

Mode of administration

Internal, twice on empty stomach.

Indications (potentially useful in other disease conditions)

Irritable bowel (Grahni), Piles (Arsa), Urinary disorders (krchra mutrruja), Liver disorders (Kamala)chest pain(hrdruja) irregular fevers (visamajvara)

Precautions (Pathya/ Apathya)

One should avoid very fired spicy, sour and excessive sweet foods. Non veg foods should be avoided completely. Fresh vegetable and fresh fruits should be taken. Avoid scratching the affected part. Wash hands and cloths separately.

Formula Number 5 

Remedy for skin diseases due to Ringworm

Associated Symptoms

Skin infection with itching and red circular patches on skin.

Ingredients / Composition

Sigru (Root of Moringa oleifera)

Form / Type of medicine

Paste

Method of Preparation

Roots are made into a paste with water.

Dosages

Adults As required to cover the area.

Children 2-5 gm

Mode of administration

Applied externally on the affected parts. Leave for around 45 minutes and wash.

Indications (potentially useful in other disease conditions)

Skin eruptions with itching

Precautions (Pathya/ Apathya)

One should avoid very fired, spicy, sour and excessive sweet foods. Non-veg foods should be avoided completely. Fresh vegetables and fresh fruits should be taken. Avoid scratching the affected part. Wash hands and cloths separately.

Formula Number 6 

Remedy for skin diseases due to Urticaria, Skin Allergies

Associated Symptoms

Patched red discoloration of skin with  itching, appear and disappear on  exposure to certain  allergens, food, medicines.

Ingredients / Composition

• Nimba (Azadirachta indica)
• Amrta (Tinospora cardifolia)
• Vrsa ( Adhatola vasica) Malabar Nut
• Patola (Trichosanthes cucumerina)
• Nidigdhika (Solanum xanthocarpum) Wild egg Plant
• Mahausadha (Zingiber officinale)
• Nisa (Curcuma longa)
• Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
• Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica)
• Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica) in equal parts.

Form / Type of medicine

Decoction

Method of Preparation

Wash material prescribed to remove dirt.(chop into pieces and pound well. Boil 60 grams of material in 1 liter of water and reduce to 120  ml. Filter it  and use twice (60 ml) or thrice daily for minimum 7 days

Dosage

Children 10-20 ml

Adult 30-60 ml

Mode of administration

Internal . Twice on empty stomach.

Indications (potentially useful in other disease conditions)

Urticaria (sitapitta)

Precautions (Pathya/ Apathya)

One should avoid milk and milk products. Non veg items. Fresh vegetables and fruits should be taken. Try to identify agents / foods that cause allergic reaction.

Formula Number 7 

Remedy for skin ailment in general

Associated Symptoms

Allergies, Eruptions associated with irregular bowel movements.

Ingredients / Composition

• Abhaya (terminalia chebula)
• Arista (Azadirachta indica) in equal parts. 

Form/Type of Medicine

 Powder

Method of preparation

A powder is prepared crushing dried fruit shells oof Abhaya and bark of Neem.

Dosage

Adult 10-15 grama

Mode of administration

Taken internally twice for a month.

Indications (potentially useful in other disease conditions)

Chronic skin ailments.

Precautions (Pathya/ Apathya)

One should avoid very hot , spicy sour and excessive sweet foods. Non veg foods. Non veg foods should be avoided completely.

Formula Number 8 

Remedy for skin diseases due to Dandruff &Skin Eruptions

Associated Symptoms

Itching, and scaling of scalp, 

Ingredients / Composition

• Japa (Hibiscus rosa sinensis)
• Vilva (Aegle marmelos)
• Paranti (Ixora cocinea)
• Tambula (Piper betel)
• Tulasi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
• Nilini( Indigo feratinctorea)
• Samanga (Mimosa pudica)
• Tamalaki (Phyllanthus amarus)
• Jiraka (Cuminumcyminum)
• Krishna Jiraka ((Centratherum anthelminticum or Carrum carvi).

Form / Type of medicine

Oil

Method of Preparation

Leaf juice of the above ingredients and equal amount of coconut oil is used. Paste cumin Jera is added at the end. These are boiled till the liquid is added and evaporated and the paste does not stick to the bottom of the vessel.

Dosage

10-15 ml

Mode of administration

Externally. Apply on head half an hour before head bath.

Indications (potentially useful in other disease conditions)

Dandruff, Hair care

Precautions (Pathya/ Apathya)

Avoid excessive use of soap

Formula Number 9 

Remedy for skin diseases due to Ringworm

Associated Symptoms

Skin infection with itching, and red circular patches on skin.

Ingredients / Composition

Chakramarda (Casia tora) leaves and tender fruits Or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) leaves.

Method of Preparation

Paste leaves and tender fruits are made into a paste with water.

Dosage

30 gms

Mode of administration

Applied externally on affected parts. Leave for 45 minutes and wash.

Indications (potentially useful in other disease conditions)

Ringworms, skin eruptions with itching.

Precautions (Pathya/ Apathya)

Avoid scratching the affected part. Wash hands and cloths separately.

Formula Number 10 

Remedy for skin diseases 

Associated Symptoms

Most often skin diseases associated with arthritis. (Psoriasis)

Ingredients / Composition

Guduchi (Tinospora cardifolia),for decoction and same plant as paste for the praparation.

Form / Type of medicine

Oil.

Method of Preparation

One part of prescribed kalka (paste) is boiled with 4 parts of til oil (sesame oil)and 16 parts of milk. These are boiled till the liquid added has evaporated and the paste does not stick to the bottom of the vessel.

Dosage

10-15 ml

Mode of administration

Externally.

Indications (potentially useful in other disease conditions)

Skin diseases (Kushta, Tvakvikara, Dadru) Erysepelas (Visarpa), Itching (kandu) Rheumatoid Arthritis (Vatarakta)

Precautions (Pathya/ Apathya)

Avoid using too pungent, salty food items. Fresh vegetables and fresh fruits should be taken. Try to identify agents / foods that cause inflammation.

Formula Number 11

Remedy for skin diseases due to Psoriasis & Eczema Kushta, PAMA 

Ingredients / Composition

Majista (Rubia cardifolia), Amalki (Phyllanthus emblica), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Vibhitaki (Terminelia bellirica), Lac (Laksa), Haridra (Curcuma longa) Sulphur (Gandhaka)

Form / Type of medicine

Oil

Method of Preparation

One part of the powder of the ingredients are mixed with 16 parts of oil and cooked in the sunlight.

Dosage

10-15 ml

Mode of administration

Externally, apply on affected part.

Indications (potentially useful in other disease conditions)

Skin diseases similar to Psoriasis (Kushta PAMA)

Precautions (Pathya/ Apathya)

Avoid using using too pungent salty and fermented foods items, inflammatory foods. Intake of excessasive alcohol.

Formula Number 12

Remedy for skin diseases due to Scabies, fungal infections

 Associated Symptoms

Itching and scaly skin, reddishness and watery skin, occurs usually between thighs, feet,

Ingredients / Composition

Rhizomes of Haridras (Curcuma longa) 15 grams Or Nimba bark and leaves of (Azadirachta indica)

Form / Type of medicine 

Paste

Method of Preparation

A paste is prepared with water.

Dosage

Children 2-3 grams. Adults 5-10 grams.

Mode of administration

Applied externally on affected parts. Leave for around 45 minutes and wash.

Indications (potentially useful in other disease conditions)

Skin eruptions with itching

Precautions (Pathya/ Apathya)

Avoid scratching the affected part. Wash hands and cloths separately.

Panchakarma in Skin Diseases

Ayurveda describes 2 modalities of treatment –

1) Shodhana Chikitsa (Eliminating treatment)

2) Shamana Chikitsa (Palliative treatment)

In Shamana chikitsa, Dosha are pacified in the body with various oral medicines.

In Shodhana chikitsa vitiated Dosha are eliminated out of the body through nearest route. Thus radical removal of vitiated Dosha & disease is possible with the help of Shodhana chikitsa.

Shodhana chikitsa is also called as Panchakarma as it comprises 5 procedures viz –

1) Vamana – Emesis

2) Virechana – Purgative

3) Basti – Medicated enema

4) Nasya – Nasal administration

5) Raktamokshana – Bloodletting

Panchakarma chikitsa is indicated when –

1) When Dosha are vitiated to large extend.

2) Dosha are Nirama.

3) Strength of the patient is good.

Kustha / skin diseases are Bahudosha pradhana vyadhi i.e. diseases caused due to vitiation of Dosha at large extend. Also this disease is caused due to vitiation of 3 Dosha. Thus all types of Shodhana chikitsa are indicated in skin diseases. Panchakarma should be given frequently in skin diseases for radicle removal of Dosha. It is described in Sushrut Samhita that in chronic skin diseases, Vamana should be done every 15 days, Virechana once in every month, Raktamokshana twice in year & Nasya after every 3 days.

Vamana is recommended mainly in skin diseases having dominance of Kapha dosha.

Virechana & Raktamokshana are beneficial in skin diseases having dominance of Pitta Dosha & Rakta Dhatu. Basti should be given in dominance of Vata Dosha while Nasya is recommended in skin diseases in head, neck & face region.

Shodhana chikitsa comprises 3 procedures –

1) Purvakarma (Pre procedures)

a) Snehana (Internal & external oleation)

b) Sweadana (Sudation)

2) Pradhanakarma (Main procedure) i.e. Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya & Raktamokshana.

3) Paschatkarma – Special diet regimen which improves digestive power slowly like thin & thick rice gruel, bean soups without & with tadaka.

Panchakarma treatment though having lots of benefits in skin diseases, It has to be given under supervision of expert physician as it may lead to many complications if it is not administered properly.