A Case Study: Role of Raktamokshan and Bahya Lepa in Manage-Ment of Psoriasis

Abstract

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease characterized by red scaly patches over the skin. Broadly all the diseases of skin come under the umbrella of kustha. In ayurvedic text, Charaka samhita, kustha has been beautifully explained. Psoriasis is an immune mediated disease which mistakenly sends out faulty signals for a normal skin assuming it as a pathogen which causes overproduction of new skin cells. Fortunately, it is a non-contagious inflammatory skin disease. Psychological stress is one of the major triggering factors in the exacerbation of the disease. Ekkustha has similar features as like Psoriasis. Ayurveda is a holistic ap-proach particularly correcting the root cause through shodhana (panchakarma). While explaining the treatment for kustha, acharya chakarapani explains repetitive shodhana karma to be done on regular in-tervals to cure the disease. Hence a single case of ekkustha was given Raktamokshana followed by bahya lepa at regular interval to access the effect of the procedures. Different assessment criteria were used to monitor the improvements. There was significant relief in the scaling, discolouration of skin, elevated patches & redness of the skin lesion which explains that detoxification of the body reduces the inflamma-tory condition of the body by bringing back the normalcy of the dosha in the body