Health: Ayurveda with Dr Deepa Apte

​Renowned ayurvedic guru Dr Deepa Apté on how to eliminate excess heat in the body to beat psoriasis
Ayurveda looks at skin as a fire or pitta-related organ. Skin reacts best to sunlight, for example you get tanned, burnt, or can simply be sensitive to sun. All skin ailments, including psoriasis, are considered as pitta imbalances, therefore you need to reduce excess heat or pitta from the body if you are suffering from one. Psoriasis is a pitta ailment – the heat has exceeded its limit and is causing an imbalance.

FOODS:

• Ayurveda stresses avoiding certain ‘faulty food combinations’. The most common of these are fruit and dairy (therefore no fruit and yoghurt or strawberries and cream), meat and dairy, and fish and dairy. These combinations lead to the toxin accumulation in the body that directly attacks the skin causing psoriasis.
• Always eat cooked foods. This helps to stimulate the digestive fire therefore digesting all the food and ensuring none of it is converted into toxins.
• Concentrate on tastes that eliminate heat from the body like natural sweets (sweet fruits), bitter (all green vegetables are bitter) and astringent (many unripe fruits).
• Buttermilk is also specially recommended. To make this, simply blend one quarter yoghurt and three quarters of water. You can add spices like cumin powder, cinnamon, grated ginger, and cardamom. Buttermilk has astringent qualities and helps to eliminate excess heat. Aim to drink a glass three to four times a day.

HERBS:

• Keep your bowels clean. Constipation can also lead to skin ailments including psoriasis. Triphala is a cornerstone herb in ayurveda known for its detoxifying, bowel cleansing and regulating qualities. Daily intake of triphala will not only help to clear away toxins and regulate the bowels, but will also help towards a clear and glowing skin.
• Turmeric is an essential herb in the ayurvedic pharmacy. It has anti bacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and blood cleansing properties. For this reason, it’s also an essential part of the bridal preparations in ayurveda.
• Saffron, cardamom, fennel, cumin and peppermint are the common herbs and spices that can be added to your daily cooking.

LIFESTYLE:

• Lastly if you are an over-worked and stressed person, try to keep work away from your bedroom. Sleep time is so important to achieve complete rejuvenation and healing of tissues.