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

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

ABSTRACT

Skin is outermost covering of the body. Its functions as antimicrobial and chemical barrier, and protects body from a number of external hazards. In Ayurveda, skin diseases are described in various texts. Cause of the skin disease is vitiation of tridosha (three corporeal humors) and dhatus (tissue factors) in ayurvedic text. Out of one hundred sixty six skin diseases are described in brihattrayi, twenty five are kapha prominent skin diseases. While most of skin diseases are described under the kushtha and kshudraroga, description of some of other skin diseases is scattered. A compilation and critical analysis of all kaphaja skin diseases from Charak samhita, Shusruta samhita and Vagbhatta, is presented in this study. It is observed that basic treatment protocol is swedana (~fomentation), vamana (~emesis) and ruksha upnaha (~poultice application) and raktamokshana (~bloodletting) for all kapha predominant skin diseases. Vamana (elimination of doshas through the mouth) is specifically indicated in kaphaja diseases. Go-mutra, ushana virya (hot potency) and bitter, Pungent taste dominant herbs are mainly use for pacification treatment for aggravate kapha dosha.

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