Skin diseases are generally acknowledged to be due to Blood disorder, especially Heat or Heat and Toxin of the Blood. Cases with Burning indicate excess Heat; when there is itching, Wind is involved. Weeping as is seen in ‘Wet Eczema’ indicates involvement of Damp.

Skin diseases may also be associated with Deficiency of Blood, in which case the skin is pale, the pulse weak, and the body is cold and weak. In other cases, Blood stagnation may be related. In such cases, there may be dark colored lesions, such as with nodular acne with dark purplish color.

In classical texts, skin diseases were often combined together as the basic pathology and treatment principle is usually similar. Ayurveda, for example, has the term Kustha, meaning obstinate Skin diseases, including Eczema and Psoriasis, and even Leprosy.

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See also

Acne
Boils and Abscesses
Eczema & Psoriasis
Vitiligo, Leucoderma
Ringworm & Tinea
Materia Medica for Skin Diseases

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Primary Herbs for Skin Diseases

Secondary Herbs for Skin Diseases

Ayurvedic Groups for Skin diseases

Kushthaghna is the Ayurvedic Herbal group used for obstinate and chronic Skin diseases:
Acacia catechu, Chebulic Myrobalan, Emblic Myrobalan, Turmeric, Semecarpus anacardium, Echites scholaris bark, Cassia fistula, Nerium odorum, Embeila ribes, Jasminum grandiflorum leaf

Kandughna is the group used to cure Pruritus:
Red Sandalwood, Andropogon muricatum, Cassia fistula, Pongamia glabra, Melia azadirachta, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Mustard seeds, Licorice, Barberry bark, Cyperus rotundus

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Differential Diagnosis and Treatment

Wind and Heat

Wind and Heat typically is an acute condition, however in certain skin diseases it can become chronic. The main signs include both redness and itchiness. It can come as a result of an allergic reaction from contact Dermatitis or may be associated with Eczema, Psoriasis, Pruritus, Hives, Vitiligo etc.

Simples:

Compounds:

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Wind and Phlegm / Damp

Some skin conditions manifest without redness or inflammation. There maybe itching and oozing clear fluid. This is seen in some forms of Dermatitis and Eczema.

Simples:

Compounds:

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Heat and Toxin

Heat and Toxin refers to a toxic state of the Blood. The skin often looks ‘dirty’ and may be prone to spots, inflammations and rashes. The tongue will be red with a dirty coat. The pulse is fast and big. Toxic heat often makes the person feel ‘sick’ with Headache and a general feeling of being unwell. In acute and severe conditions, there may be Fever.
This may be seen in various skin diseases such as Acne, Boils and Carbuncles, Dermatitis, Eczema, as well as Syphilis and the early stages of diseases like Leprosy.

Simples:

Compounds:

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Damp-Heat

Damp-Heat is similar to Heat condition except that there is more fluid associated. So there will be redness, fast pulse and maybe fever, but with signs of Damp such as Diarrhea, Yellow Urine etc. In skin conditions, Damp-Heat has yellow fluid or weeping of fluid. This is seen in conditions such as Acne, Boils, and Moist Eczema.

Simples:

Compounds:

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Blood Heat

Blood heat causes red, inflamed lesions but with less signs of toxic heat, but signs of Blood-Heat. The skin complexion is high, red cheeks, and a full and strong pulse. Females will have strong periods and thick hair.
Blood Heat is generally a deeper condition than Toxic-Heat or Damp-Heat. It also can be associated with Hormones, for example the premenstrual or menopausal acne some women experience. It can be associated Acne and Boils, but also with more obstinate skin diseases such as Eczema, Psoriasis.

Simples:

Compounds:

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Melancholy

Melancholy is also associated with more severe and obstinate skin diseases. Nodular, scarring and fibrotic skin diseases are associated with Melancholy. Leprosy and Elephantiasis were the classical Melancholy diseases of the skin. But also nodular and cystic types of Acne are of this type. The complexion is dull or dark, the tongue dry or with a dry, dirty tongue coat. The pulse is low and weak.

Simples:

Compounds:

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Blood Stasis

Blood stasis is seen in cases with dark, purplish discoloration. For example, some cases of Acne and Boils are very dark around the perimeter. The lips, tongue and nail beds will be dull or purplish, the pulse tends to be choppy.
This can be noted in Acne and Boils, but also in some cases of other skin diseases such as Eczema where there is slowness to be relieved with dark scarring.

Simples:

Compounds:

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Special Formulas

‘Obstinate Skin Diseases’

In Ayurveda and Tibetan Medicine, there is a class of diseases called ‘Obstinate Skin Diseases’. This refers to chronic and obstinate skin diseases which includes Psoriasis and Leprosy. They are classed together as their etiology and treatment is often similar, the formula used being applicable to various obstinate and chronic skin diseases.
Bezoardic Powder of Viper
Arab Confect Purging Melancholy (Confectio Hamech)
Garuda 5 (Khyung Lnga) (Tibetan Medicine)
Wish-fulfilling Jewel (Bsam phel nor bu) (Tibetan)
Manjistha Kvatha (Madder Decoction)

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Research:

1. The efficacy and safety of herbal combination of Unani Medicine in chronic urticaria: A randomized, controlled study