Eczema affects more than 30% of people in the UK. The most common type is childhood eczema, even though it typically resolves over time. General factors found to be associated with eczema are environmental factors such as weather changes, dust, and pollen, while the most common factors are diet and nutrition.
The skin, regarded as the largest organ in the human body, is also the most visible. Beyond the physical discomfort of symptoms like itchiness, redness, and discomfort, this condition may also impact patients psychologically because of its outward visibility. Due to this, patients dealing with eczema may also find themselves grappling with issues such as depression, anxiety, and other stress-related illnesses.
An Ayurvedic Perspective on Eczema
In Ayurveda, eczema is known as “Kushta.” “Kush” means discolouration, discomfort, and the nature of itching. These are the most commonly appearing symptoms of eczema. The Ayurvedic term for skin is CHARMA; derived from the Sanskrit meaning of “CH” which means to circulate or spread.
Depicted here is the comparison of the structure of Ayurvedic anatomy and Allopathic anatomy of the skin
Allopathic anatomy
Epidermis
Dermis
Subcutaneous tissue
Ayurveda anatomy
Apicharma
Charma
Adascharma
The skin has three main layers. Thousands of years ago, Ayurveda identified these three layers, which are similar to the modern allopathic anatomy of the skin. Furthermore, Ayurveda has analysed seven additional sub-layers of the skin, named Avabhasini, Lohita, Shweta, Tamra, Vedini, Rohini, and Mansdhara. According to the imbalance of doshas involved in these seven layers, different skin disorders are created, such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, hives, etc.
Though Ayurveda identifies eczema as a Thirosha imbalance disorder, the main dosha involved in eczema appears to be Vata dosha. This is because of its nature of dryness, mobility, and sensitivity, which are qualities commonly found in skin disorders, including eczema.
What makes eczema such a common disorder?
According to Ayurveda, digestive power (Agni) plays a major role in eczema. When this digestive power is impaired, ingested food is not properly digested or is only partially digested. This indigested food can become toxins, which are called “Ama”. This AMA is sticky, heavy, viscous, stable, and non-absorbable, consisting of unmetabolized waste or toxin particles exhibiting more “KAPHA” characteristics. This unmetabolized waste cannot be utilised by the body, and the AMA can circulate throughout the body.
Ayurveda states that our human body is composed of seven blocks called “SAPTHA DHATU.” Out of these, the first dhatu is supposed to be in the skin and is called RASA DHATU, which has the nature of the KAPHA dosha. The non-absorbable toxins with the characteristics of the RASA DHATU are deposited on the RASA DHATU in such a way that things with the same characteristics come together. Then, accumulated toxins are shown on the skin. Due to this mechanism, the wrong food we eat can quickly show up as a reaction on the surface of the skin and that is why eczema can appear on the skin. Intolerance to certain substances further exacerbates skin issues, which is why eczema has such a connection with food.
Foods that aggravate Eczema
Even though eczema is a disorder caused by an imbalance in Thirosha, it mostly appears as a Vata and Kapha imbalance disorder. Therefore, it is best to avoid long-term intake of dry and cold foods in our diet, as they directly affect VATA and KAPHA doshas imbalances.
VATA – Grains, nuts, seeds, low variant of barley, horse gram, black gram, raw vegetables, salads
KAPHA – Wheat, dairy products such as full cream milk, curd, buttermilk, evaporated milk, green salads, lentils
It is mostly caused by incompatible food combinations, as follows;
- Various kinds of classic grams along with milk, curd, buttermilk, horse gram, black gram and oil,
- Continuous intake of aquatic and marshy flesh with milk: such as deer with milk
- Using radish with jaggery
- Excessive use of alcohol with milk,
- Intake of honey and meat after a hot meal and vice versa.
Even though the main imbalanced doshas in eczema are Vata and Kapha, if the impaired digestive fire travels along with non-absorbable toxins and encounters skin heat (Brajaka Pitta), it can manifest as hot and inflamed signs and symptoms on the skin. This condition is called a “flare-up.” It mostly occurs when consuming Pitta-increasing foods, which are pungent, sour, salty, or have excessively hot tastes.
- Fruits – Pineapple, grapefruits, lemons, dried fruits
- Vegetables – Tomatoes, garlic, aubergines, radishes, onions
- Grains – Buckwheat, millet, corn
- Fish used with lemon and milk
- Excessive consumption of newer grains
- Continuous intake of red meats like beef and bacon
- Overconsumption of colourful fish like prawns, lobster, mussels
If the eczema-prone skin exhibits more flare-ups after consuming such foods, the first step is to eliminate them from your diet.
Treating Eczema with Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, the first line of treatment is regarded as a SHODHANA (purification). This therapeutic procedure has 3 steps. Such as
- SNEHANA (Oleation)
- SWEDHANA (Induce the sweat)
- SHODHANA (detoxifying)
SNEHANA (Oleation)
This means lubrication or oleation. After assessing the priority of the defective DOSHA, SNEHANA treatment can be administered internally and externally until signs and symptoms disappear. This is because the main symptoms of impaired VATA include scaling, itching, and dryness, all of which can be alleviated by applying oil.
Oleation reduces inflammation and heat while providing a soothing effect on the skin. By reducing inflammation and heat, it promotes the natural healing process that we are born with. Ayurveda utilises specific natural medicated oils with cooling and moisturising effects. These oils can absorb heat, eliminate excessive dryness from the impaired skin, and retain moisture.
In our Ayurvedic clinic, we commonly use medicated oils and “Chaveda Cream” for eczema conditions. Our patients attest to the immediate cooling and soothing effects experienced after using Chaveda Cream on their skin.
“I have suffered from eczema for years. I had itchy rashes with flaking skin and sometimes inflamed and bleeding skin. It was extremely painful and unpleasant to see. All these years I have been trying steroid creams and antibiotics, but nothing seems to be a permanent solution. I started seeking alternative methods for relief, which led me to find The Ayurvedic Clinic. I have undergone treatments with Dr Deepika to find out the cause for my skin issues. She put me on a strict diet, recommended cleansing herbs, and also recommended Chaveda Extreme Moisturiser as a daily moisturiser for my skin. I also underwent a complete detoxifying treatment called Panchkarma. I loved it so much that I had this treatment a few times. This has greatly reduced my itchiness and helped to relieve my skin condition, and I am finally free from Eczema. And now I know what caused my eczema and can prevent it from happening again.”
– Eczema Treatment, Patient Testimonial
SWEDHANA (Induce the sweat)
This induces sweating, which typically opens the pores of the skin, facilitating the elimination of toxins. We often use Ayurvedic “DHUMA” (herbal smoke or fumigation) on impaired skin once or twice a week for detoxification purposes. Additionally, a regular steam bath or sauna can have beneficial healing effects on skin disorders.
SHODHANA (detoxifying)
There are two steps of Shodana
- LANGHANA (DIETARY GUIDANCE)This is defined as the lightness of the body. It is a body-cleansing therapeutic measure that eliminates vitiated doshas. During this process, the digestive system receives complete rest. Removing food for a period gives the gut a break from digestion and allows for the accumulation of nutrients, benefiting the elimination of micro-toxins.This therapy aids in cooling and calming and is designed to eliminate and reduce vitiated doshas, as well as thoughts and strong emotions. It also helps improve digestive fire, removes AMA from the body, and clears blockages from SROTAS and tissues, resulting in a feeling of lightness and improved health.
- DEEPANA and PACHANA (CORRECTING THE DIGESTION)In Ayurveda, for every disease, the principle of centre of attention is digestive fire or AGNI management. DEEPANA and PACHANA therapeutic procedures help to correct impaired digestion and stop producing AMA inside the gut.These procedures are successfully carried out at our clinic with specific herbal medicine. But our best ayurvedic treatment method for SHODANA is the PANCHAKARMA treatment, which has shown more successful results and is popular among Eczema patients.
Our approach at the Ayurvedic Clinic delves deep into the root cause of skin concerns such as eczema. By guiding you towards the right dietary regimen and lifestyle adjustments, we aim to alleviate these conditions and restore your overall health. Book a consultation with us today, and together, let’s take the first step towards reclaiming the health of your skin.
