Ayurvedic Treatment for Eczema: How Does It Work?

You’ve tried all the antihistamines and steroids on the market to stop any more flare-ups.  Not only are you overcome with prickly heat but you can’t stop itching it!

Before you despair, consider Ayurvedic treatment for eczema instead. Not sure what that entails? Read on to find out.

About Eczema

For a re-cap, eczema is a skin condition that results in dry and itchy skin patches.

These can flare up on your face, neck, hands, arms, and legs. And because of the itchiness, people that have the condition end up scratching and possibly ending up with an infection.

Your diet can also trigger eczemas such as eating foods heavy in gluten, eggs, soy, citrus fruit, and nuts. Even your clothing can play a role so it’s best to avoid donning synthetic fabrics.

What Is Ayurvedic Treatment?

Ayurvedic Medicine, or Ayurveda, comes from Ancient India.  This practice aims to improve your overall health and balance depending on your body’s constitution.

Ayurveda believes that your body’s balance depends on five elements that form within our mind, body, and spirit.  These include space or ether, air, fire, water, and earth.

Ayurvedic medicine for skin allergy is done through a combination of a balanced diet, herbal supplements, and massages with special oils. After a consultation, Ayurvedic doctors can identify your body’s imbalance and recommend corrective herbs.

Ayurvedic Perspective on Eczema

Eczema Ayurvedic treatment stems from an Ayurvedic doctor’s perspective on the matter.  For example, many Ayurvedic professionals believe that suppressing your feelings or over-napping during the day can trigger a flare-up.

Other examples include eating anything that’s difficult to digest, too much time in the sun, and eating before your last meal has had time to fully digest.

Therefore, avoid eating spicy foods and wear loose-fitting clothes made from cotton or other natural materials.  This is so your body doesn’t perspire as much and maintains a cool temperature throughout the day.

In Ayurveda, Eczema is called “Vicharchika” which leads to an impairment of digestion and speeds up “Pitta Dosha”.  “Pitta” manifests in the skin and produces heating toxins called “ama”.

These toxins seep into body tissues, contaminating them on a deep level, and resulting in Eczema.  So, through Ayurvedic medicine for itching, we must pacify “Pitta” by enhancing the body’s digestion and cleansing the body from toxins.

Treating Eczema With Ayurvedic Medicine

There are different variations for the treatment of eczema in Ayurveda,  that include:

Panchakarma

This is an intensive cleansing treatment that follows Ayurvedic texts. Panchakarma retreat is an extensive treatment, following five actions that purify your body.

According to Charaka Samhita, a sacred Ayurvedic text, the five actions are Vamana (induced vomiting), Virechana (purgation), Kashaya Vasti and Sneha Vasti (two types of enemas), and Nasya (nasal medication).

Below you’ll find Vamana and Virechana fall under Panchakarma’s purifying treatments.

Vamana

This Ayurvedic medicine for eczema is also known as emesis therapy and is considered effective in destroying Pitta.

Vasantika Vamasa

Often done in spring, Vasantika Vamasa is another way to prevent eczema.  They treat patients with Vamana yoga, a medicated formula filled with four-parts of Madanaphala pipe, two-parts of Vacha, one-part of Saindhava Lavana, and one-part honey.

The patient must take this over five days followed by Pashtakakarma (or post-operative care).  Once undertaken, the patient will notice a significant reduction in their flare-ups.

Virechana

Otherwise known as Purgative therapy, this treatment focuses on the primary site where Pitta is produced, which is in the stomach and small intestine.  As a result, toxic waste is eliminated before it can manifest into a flare-up.

Vasti

We also call this Enema therapy and it purifies the colon where the primary location of Vata nourishes the body.

Other Ayurvedic Tips

Before you take the Ayurvedic route, consider these tidbits of advice.

Learn about Ayurveda

It’s tempting to jump right in but take time to know how the treatment will affect your system before signing up.

Find an Authorized Ayurvedic Center

You must find an Ayurvedic doctor who is also familiar with Western medicine. This is so they can explain the effects of your medication and how it will work alongside your Ayurvedic treatment.

Note that Ayurvedic medicines are unregulated by the government so an Ayurvedic professional is key.  This is also because natural herbs can be potent so we should handle them with the same care as regular medicine.

Be Patient

Ayurveda can take longer than regular medications to work their magic.  These are often long-lasting or permanent treatments that heal the body and return it to its correct state (with no nasty side-effects).

You may see improvements in two weeks when you can slowly wean out antihistamine or steroid creams.  Also, during the process, you may need to tweak your treatment based on the individual’s response as everybody is different.

Will You Try an Ayurvedic Treatment for Eczema?

There are many things to consider regarding Ayurvedic treatment for eczema.  Before you start your holistic journey, only take recommendations from an Ayurvedic professional who knows which treatment will be the most effective for you.

It’s also important to be patient throughout the process.  This is because the length of treatment will differ depending on your body and the severity of the condition.  Good luck!

If you’re in Melbourne and are looking for a chat with an Ayurvedic professional, look no further.  Contact us here for further details.

• December 15, 2019
• 0 Comments
•  Latest Blog Our Blog SkinHealth
• Dr. Stomy Jose