EFFECT OF VAMANA KARMA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PSORIASIS – A CASE STUDY

Abstract

ABSTRACT

                   Psoriasis is a non-communicable, disfiguring, chronic, painful, and disabling disease for which there is no cure and creates a negative impact on patient's quality of life. The reported prevalence of psoriasis in India ranges between 0.44% to 2.8%¹ and that of developing countries ranges between 0.05% to 6.6% making psoriasis a serious global problem². Psoriasis causes great emotional, physical and social burden. Ksudrakushtha described in ayurveda consists of many skin disorders and one among them is Kitibha-Kushtha . It is Vata- Kapha predominant disorder with the features like Shyavavarna, Kathin, Kharasparsh, Kandu. Patients suffering from Psoriasis complain about substantial amount of dryness, itching, blackish-brown rashes which is characteristic feature of Kitibha-Kushtha, these symptoms shows Vata-Kapha predominance of disease. Ayurveda has  unique treatment modalities which provides long lasting results and a better life to patients. Shodhana  is one such modality which is adopted in Bahu Dosha Avastha³ . In this study one patient of Kitibha-Kushtha was taken. Patient was treated with Classical Vamana Karma (therapeutic emesis). The result was encouraging.

Key words:- Psoriasis, Kitibha-Kushtha, Vamana Karma, Ayurveda, Panchakarma