Abstract

AN AYURVEDIC REVIEW ON PLANTS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF SKIN DISEASES

*Dr. Dinesh Kumar, Dr. Desh Raj, Dr. Vikrant Sharma, Dr. Manoj Kumar Thakur, Dr. Rakesh Kumar

Abstract

Skin is the most extensive and diverse organ of the body. Maintaining healthy skin is important for a healthy body. Ayurveda has discussed all skin diseases under the name of Kushtha and Kshudra rog in other words it can be known as “Ayurvedic dermatology”. According to our Acharyas there are eighteen type of Kushtha out of which seven are known as „Mahakushtha‟ and eleven are known as „Kshudra kushtha‟. According to acharya Sushruta there are fourty four Khusdra rog. Skin disease are numerous and a frequently occurring health problem affecting all ages from the neonates to elderly and cause harm in number of way. The use of plants in the treatment of diseases is as old as the mankind. Plants and their parts are frequently used in the treatment of skin and other diseases. Natural treatment is cheap and is claimed to be safe. A review of some of plants for the treatment of skin diseases described in the Ayurvedic literature described here.

Keywords: Skin diseases, kustha, kshudra rog, plant drugs, herbal drugs, medicinal plants.