Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a long-term immune-related skin condition that causes thick, red, scaly patches, often on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. It can also affect the nails and joints (psoriatic arthritis). Stress, infections, alcohol, smoking and some medicines can trigger flares. In Ayurveda it is often linked with Ekakushtha or Kitibha, the Sanskrit names for skin disorders of this kind, which involve imbalances of Vata and Kapha: two of the three doshas (body energies) in Ayurvedic thinking. Our care suits people with psoriasis who want diet, stress care and herbal support alongside their dermatologist.
Visit us in Sector 75, Noida
C8, 5th Floor (Medical Floor), C-Tower, Spectrum Mall, Phase 1, Sector 75, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301Assessment & Treatment
- Consultation on extent, triggers, stress, diet, joints and current treatment.
- Diet changes and stress management (see Chronic Stress & Burnout).
- Herbal medicines and topical applications chosen for you, after we check your full medicine list, pregnancy status and liver health. Some herbs may interact with steroid tablets, methotrexate or biologic medicines, and some can affect the liver, so tell us about every medicine and supplement you take.
- Panchakarma such as Vamana or Virechana for selected cases only, after careful preparation. These treatments cause vomiting or purging. Vamana is not suitable for pregnant women, young children or frail older people. Virechana is not suitable for pregnant women or young children. We assess you first.
Precautions & When to See a Doctor
Our Ayurvedic care is complementary to dermatology, not a replacement for it. Psoriasis should be managed with a dermatologist, especially if it is widespread, affects joints, or you are on systemic or biologic medicines. Seek urgent care for red skin covering most of the body, or for fever or chills, which can mean a serious skin infection. See a doctor soon for new or worsening joint pain, swelling or stiffness, or for spreading redness, warmth or pus at a patch. Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or pain under the right ribs can signal a liver problem, so see a doctor promptly, especially if you take herbs or methotrexate. If you feel very low or have thoughts of harming yourself, contact a doctor or emergency services straight away. Do not stop prescribed treatment without your dermatologist.
Learn More
Tap a topic to read more.
What the Evidence Shows
The evidence is limited. A critical appraisal of Indian traditional treatments for psoriasis found that studies need better design and standard measures such as the PASI score (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) [1]. Individual case reports describe improvement with cleansing and herbal treatment [2, 3], but case reports cannot prove effectiveness. An open (unblinded) clinical trial of drinking medicated ghee (Snehapana) reported that it reduced psoriasis features to some extent [4]. A double-blind randomised trial of Rasamanikya, a mineral-based traditional medicine, concluded that it was safe and effective for psoriasis (Ekakushtha) [5]. Each is a single study, so none gives firm conclusions. Mineral-based medicines need the same checks for metal content as described below.
Some Ayurvedic medicines contain detectable lead, mercury or arsenic. One study found this in one in five Ayurvedic medicines bought online [6], and another found potentially harmful levels in one of five medicines made in South Asia and sold in South Asian grocery stores in Boston [7]. Ask us what each medicine contains and where it is made, and we will discuss any safety question openly.
Prepared by the AyurSoul Healthcare team from the published research listed below. Medical review by Dr. Hemlata Soni, BAMS is in progress. This page is for education and does not replace individual medical advice. Medical disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Ayurvedic care help control psoriasis?
It may ease symptoms in some people, alongside their dermatologist. The evidence is limited. We do not promise to remove psoriasis, because it is a long-term condition.
Does stress make psoriasis worse?
Yes, stress is a common trigger, so stress care is part of the plan.
Are your medicines safe?
Herbal medicines can cause side effects or interact with other medicines. We check your full medicine list first, explain what each medicine contains, and monitor you for side effects. Do not stop any prescribed medicine without your doctor. Please ask any questions you have.
Clinical Research
7 studies: 1 randomised trial, 1 clinical study, 1 review article, 2 case reports, 2 narrative articles.
Show the 7 studies
Numbers in the text refer to this list. Each study is labelled by type: systematic reviews and randomised trials are stronger evidence than pilot studies or single case reports.
- Dayanand ND, Amuthan A, Ballambat SP, et al.. Indian Traditional Treatments for Psoriasis: A Critical Appraisal of Available Evidence Supporting Efficacy. Chinese journal of integrative medicine, 2023. Review article PubMed
- Nagpure D, Asutkar S, Yadav P, et al.. Managing Scalp Psoriasis Through Ayurvedic Therapies: A Case Report. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 2025. Case report: low evidential weight PubMed
- Agalcha R, Singh SK, Rajoria K. Management of Chronic Plaque Psoriasis through Panchkarma: A case report. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine, 2025. Case report: low evidential weight PubMed
- Ramteke R, Vinodkumar G, Meharjan T. An open clinical trial to analyze Samyak Snigdha Lakshana of Shodhananga Snehapana with Mahatikthakam Ghritam in Psoriasis. Ayu, 2011. Clinical study PubMed
- Parekh DN, Bopaliya D, Prajapati D, et al.. Role of Haratala Shodhana in the therapeutic efficacy of Rasamanikya along with Guduchi Ghana in the treatment of Ekakushtha (psoriasis): A double-blind randomised clinical trial. Ayu, 2021. Randomised controlled trial PubMed
- Saper RB, Phillips RS, Sehgal A, et al.. Lead, mercury, and arsenic in US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines sold via the Internet. JAMA, 2008. Perspective / narrative article PubMed
- Saper RB, Kales SN, Paquin J, et al.. Heavy metal content of ayurvedic herbal medicine products. JAMA, 2004. Perspective / narrative article PubMed