RATIONAL APPROACH TO DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF PAITTIKA SKIN DISEASES IN AYURVEDA: A REVIEW

*Dr. Yogesh Kumar Pandey, Dr. Abhilasha Jareda, Dr. Pooja Sabharwal and Prof. M.B. Gaur

ABSTRACT

Skin functions as antimicrobial and chemical barrier, mechanical support and protects body from a number of external hazards. In Ayurveda, skin diseases are described in various classical texts. Cause of the skin disease is vitiation of tridosha and dhatus. Out of total 166 skin diseases are described in brihattrayi, 24 are pitta prominent skin diseases. Although most of skin diseases are described under the kushtha and shudraroga but description of some of other skin diseases is scattered throughout samhitas. A compilation and critical analysis of skin diseases in Charak samhita, Shusruta samhita samhita, Vagbhatta, Chakradatta, Sharangdhar, Vangsen samhita and Bhela samhita is presented in this study. Pittaja skin diseases are udumabar kushtha, vivrutaa, palita, kaksha and jala-gardabha, neelika, charma dalana, ati sweda, davathu and pitta dominant visarpa, vidhradi, arbuda, upadansha etc. It is observed that basic therapeutic protocol is Virechana (~purgation), raktmokshan (~bloodletting) with internal use of tikta rasa dominant medicated ghee and parishek for all pitta dominant skin diseases. Virechana (elimination of doshas through per rectal route) and raktmokshana (bloodletting) are best therapies for elimination of pitta dosha. Ghee is the best shaman (pacification) treatment for all pitta predominant diseases. Compilation and critical analyses of the all pitta predominant skin diseases in this paper emphasizes the fact that all pitta predominant skin diseases have almost similar therapeutic approach. Pitta dominant skin diseases can be properly diagnosed and treated with the help of this critical analysis.

Keywords: Pitta, kushtha, skin diseases, dermatological manifestations.