Understanding Psoriasis According to Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, psoriasis is considered a type of “Kushtha” (skin disorder), primarily caused by an imbalance of the Vata and Kapha doshas, and sometimes Pitta. It arises due to the accumulation of toxins (ama) in the body, improper digestion (Agni dysfunction), and disturbed immunity. These imbalances lead to dryness, scaling, itching, and inflammation—classic signs of psoriasis.
Ayurveda sees the skin as a mirror of internal health. So, the root cause of psoriasis is linked to dietary habits, lifestyle choices, mental stress, and weak digestion, which cause toxins to accumulate and affect the skin.
Causes of Psoriasis in Ayurveda
Common Symptoms of Psoriasis
- Red, inflamed patches of skin – Often covered with silvery-white scales
- Dryness and scaling – Skin may become excessively dry and flaky
- Itching or burning sensation – The affected areas can be itchy, sore, or even painful
- Cracked or bleeding skin – In severe cases, the skin may crack and bleed.
- Thickened skin or nails – Nails may become discolored, pitted, or detached from the nail bed.
- Periodic flare-ups – Symptoms may come and go, often triggered by stress, diet, or climate.
- Worsens in winter or with cold/dry weather
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that causes skin cells to multiply faster than normal, leading to red, scaly, and inflamed patches on the skin. It commonly appears on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back but can occur anywhere on the body. The exact cause is unknown, but it involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including immune system dysfunction.
After treating over 2000 Psoriasis patients, we found that Psoriasis stem from an immune system response that make skin cells regenerate faster than normal. But why does the immune system react this way? The root causes (Mental stress, Physical stress, Digestive issues, Hidden infections and Climate ) trigger this response, leading to uncontrolled regeneration of skin cells.
To effectively treat Psoriasis, we must address its root causes, as only root-cause treatment leads to true recovery.
Possible root causes of Psoriasis in patients?
While our primary focus has been arthritis treatment for the past 9 years, psoriasis is closely linked — nearly 20–30% of arthritis patients either suffer from psoriasis themselves or have a family history of it. With our experience with different patients, we concluded there following root causes we usually get with almost all patients. Which are:
- Hidden infections – Hidden infections (also called silent infections or low-grade infections) can contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases like psoriasis. These infections may not cause obvious symptoms but can trigger chronic inflammation.
Hidden infections lead to psoriasis by :
• Immune System Overactivation: Persistent infections can keep the immune system in a constant state of alert, increasing inflammation in the body.
• Molecular Mimicry: Some infections trick the immune system into attacking healthy tissues, mistaking them for harmful invaders.
• Gut Dysbiosis & Leaky Gut: Infections in the gut can lead to toxins and bacteria entering the bloodstream, triggering inflammation in the body.
• Toxin Buildup: Some hidden infections release toxins that trigger autoimmune responses.
Common Infections Linked to Psoriasis:
• Bacterial Infections – Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), Mycoplasma, Streptococcus
• Viral Infections – Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Hepatitis, Parvovirus
• Gut Infections – H. pylori, Candida overgrowth, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
• Urinary & Reproductive Infections – Chlamydia, Ureaplasma - Mental stress (overthinking) – It can lead to psoriasis or worsen its symptoms through several mechanisms:
• Increased Inflammation – Chronic stress triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can lead to long-term inflammation, a key factor in psoriasis development.
• Weakened Immune System – Prolonged stress disrupts immune function, making the body more prone to autoimmune reactions, as seen in conditions like psoriasis.
• Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices – Stress often leads to poor dietary habits, lack of exercise, and sleep disturbances, all of which contribute to inflammation.
• Gut Health & Autoimmune Connection – Stress negatively impacts gut health, which plays a crucial role in immune regulation. A disrupted gut microbiome can trigger immune system imbalances, potentially leading to psoriasis. - Physical stress – It can contribute to psoriasis or worsen its symptoms in several ways:
Injury & trauma – physical trauma can trigger psoriasis lesions at the site of injury in susceptible individuals.
Inflammatory response – physical stress activates the immune system, increasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, which drive psoriasis flares.
Oxidative stress – physical trauma can increase oxidative stress, worsening skin inflammation and plaque formation. - Digestive issues – It can contribute to psoriasis in several ways:
• Leaky Gut Syndrome (Intestinal Permeability) – A damaged gut lining allows toxins and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream, triggering an immune response that can lead to autoimmune diseases like psoriasis, arthritis.
• Gut Microbiome Imbalance (Dysbiosis) – An unhealthy balance of gut bacteria can cause chronic inflammation, increasing the risk of inflammatory conditions like psoriatic arthritis.
• Nutrient Malabsorption – Poor digestion can lead to deficiencies in vitamins and minerals essential for health, such as vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, increasing inflammation.
• Chronic Inflammation – Digestive disorders like IBS, IBD, gastritis, and Crohn’s disease create systemic inflammation, which can spread to the skin, leading to itching and dryness.
• Food Sensitivities & Autoimmunity – Certain foods, like gluten or dairy, can trigger immune reactions in sensitive individuals, worsening inflammation and contributing to autoimmune psoriasis. - Climate – climate can contribute to psoriasis symptoms. Cold, dry conditions may worsen psoriasis symptoms.
How We Treat Psoriasis
We believe that Psoriasis arises from a Vata-Kapha-Pitta imbalance in the body, often triggered by mental stress, physical strain, poor diet, hidden infections, and environmental factors. Instead of just managing symptoms, we take a personalized approach, identifying the root cause and underlying imbalances in each patient to promote long-term healing.
How we treat Psoriasis?
Step 1 – Talk to the patient, do pulse diagnosis and try to find out the root cause of the disease.
Step 2 – Once root cause is identified, then we try to target the root cause with diet, lifestyle changes, ayurvedic therapies (if needed) and ayurvedic medications.
Step 3 – Once the root cause is resolved, the patient fully recovers. To prevent Psoriasis from returning, we help patients understand their triggers and maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep their immune system balanced.
Effective treatment is a team effort between us and the patient
What We Offer:
- Honesty – We believe in complete transparency. We don’t make false promises; instead, we provide realistic expectations based on the patient’s condition. Our guidance is always truthful, ensuring the best possible path to recovery.
- Our Commitment – We assure you that we will use our best knowledge, experience, and dedication to provide the most effective treatment for your recovery.
- Targeting the root – We focus on treating the root cause of the disease rather than just providing temporary symptom relief. Our approach goes beyond arthritis treatment—we guide our patients toward overall health and well-being, ensuring long-term healing and balance.
- Three month approach – We are dedicated to providing the best possible treatment and expect patients to follow our guidance consistently for up to three months. When both the doctor and patient give 100% effort, significant relief is typically achieved. In rare cases where there is no improvement within this period, we may suggest exploring other options. However, such cases are uncommon, as we have been successfully treating arthritis patients for the past nine years.
What we want from our patient
- Trust & Honesty – Healing is a team effort. Patients should trust that we are fully committed to their recovery. At the same time, honesty is crucial—sharing accurate details about health and lifestyle helps us provide the best possible treatment. A strong partnership built on trust and transparency leads to better results.
- Positive Thinking – With so much information available today, the human mind is naturally drawn to negativity. However, a positive mindset is the foundation of healing—more important than any medication.
- Believe – Believe in your recovery, and your body will follow. Without belief, true healing is not possible.
- Discipline & Consistency – Successful recovery requires commitment. Following our guidance on diet, lifestyle, and mindset with discipline ensures the best results. Healing is a process, and consistency plays a key role in achieving lasting relief.
- Doubt – Taking treatment while constantly doubting its effectiveness can hinder recovery. Doubts create roadblocks, making the treatment a waste of time and money. If you’re unsure, it’s best to ask questions, clear your doubts, and commit with confidence before starting any treatment.
