Winter Itch!

Does the onset of seasonal cold weather bring you dry itchy skin? Do you feel overall dryness and flakiness? Or experience a burning itch and rash? Have you tried to keep your skin moisturized in the colder months of the year, but to no avail?

Based on our body’s natural tendency towards imbalance or dosha (vata, pitta, or kapha), you may experience dry itchy skin for different reasons and in different ways. Vaidya Mishra

responds to a couple of questions on dry itchy skin, and he elaborates further to give us a full understanding so we can self-manage symptoms as they arise, through SV Ayurveda, before they turn into chronic conditions that can be more challenging to address and correct.

“Dear Vaidya: I am an ayurvedic practitioner – I am 62 years old – who has studied ayurveda in India as well as the US. Last year a friend forwarded me your  newsletter and since then I have been so happy to discover that I can understand already familiar ayurvedic concepts I had already studied in a deeper as well as more practical light. I truly appreciate your SV take on Ayurveda and I am particularly fond of your firm stand on always taking into consideration the whole picture, “satya sampurn gyan” and not just getting side-tracked by one facet or detail, where one gets lost in treating symptoms. In general, I follow Ayurvedic guidelines and I am very good at keeping a good diet and routine. However, last week, I ate some Chinese food and that same night I developed a rash on both my legs, and it was terribly itchy. I had your Aswhagandha with Magnesium Oil at hand, so I applied it thinking it would help, unfortunately it did not help. I am writing because I would like to know why I had the itch, and why the Aswhagandha with Magnesium oil did not help. And what I should/could have done for help in this kind of situation. Thank you for reading my question, Catherine S.”

Dear Catherine: I am very happy that you like the perspective of “satya sampurn gyan” or the idea that “knowledge cannot be truthful when it is incomplete.” In response to your question, I would like to give you the whole picture, a teaching based on SV Ayurveda. Did you know that the ayurvedic study of skin conditions, in modern terms dermatology, is the most extensive in Ayurveda? More so than in any other tradition in the world? Itch in ayurveda is known as “kandu.” In the SV Ayurveda perspective, we opt for the “tri-sutra” approach. Mainstream modern day Ayurveda derives from “tri-sutra” Ayurveda, albeit forgetting it.

In short, a “tri-sutra” approach means you stop to consider the etiological factor or the origin, the cause of what has caused the symptom, instead of addressing the symptom. This can be very crucial because identical symptoms can have completely different root causes that call for completely opposing lines of treatments. Unless we identify the “hetu” or the cause, we will misdiagnose and mistreat, causing more aggravation and imbalance.

Tri-sutra ayurveda is contained, in a nutshell, in the verses: “hetu ling aushadh gyanam,” and “swasthatur parayanam.” The first step is to isolate the etiological factor for that specific person and specific symptom, and then draw the line of treatment.

So let us discuss your situation. Since you yourself mention that your rash appeared the same evening you had Chinese food for dinner, means you are somewhat awere that there may be a connection between the food you consumed and the rash that ensued. In this sense, the “hetu,” or etiological factor of your itch could have been any of the following:

• Industrial unnatural salt
• MSG
• Synthetic vinegar
• Unhealthy processed oil
• Other food colorings or flavorings that are known to be allergic

Either way, your food contained ingredients that aggravated your “pachak” and “ranjak pitta” – the pitta in your stomach and in your liver. Which, eventually, aggravated your “bhrajak pitta” or the pitta in your skin, and that resulted in the rash. This means that you had a pitta predominant skin rash or itch. In other terms, a pitta predominant “kandu.”

Pitta kandu

Let me explain the pathogenesis or “samprapti” further. Aggravated “bhrajak pitta” or the pitta in your skin burned off the “shleshak kapha” of your skin, so that the “vyana vata” of the skin lost its balancing factor, “shleshak kapha” and your ras and itch emerged.

But at the origin was “bhrajak pitta.” A common feature of pitta predominant rash is: it burns when you itch it. The SVA Aswhagandha oil is not recommended for pitta aggravations, that’s why although it’s an oil and it has magnesium in it, it contains Aswhagandha which can be pitta aggravating. That is why it would not soothe your rash. It would have been ideal to apply the SVA Pitta oil with Magnesium which would have pacified your itch.

 Aushadhi Gyanam

Now, to address your rash, what can you do? First thing I would recommend is to apply the Lalita’s Prebiotic CreamClay on affected areas before shower. Why? Because an aggravated “bhrajak pitta” can kill the friendly bacteria of your skin, so I recommend you apply the Prebiotic body clay on the affected areas, leave it one for 10-12 minutes, then wash it off in the shower, and then apply Lalita’s Probiotic cream for the body. Using the creamclay and the probiotic cream, you are not only addressing your “bhrajak pitta” but you are also doing more: pulling out the toxins with the clay, exfoliating the toxins, then with the prebiotic cream you are establishing a good environment for the skin where friendly bacteria can grow, and then you are nourishing and feeding your skin by applying the probiotic cream the replenishes the friendly bacteria. This is a full and complete protocol.

I would like to also mention more possible hetu-s or etiological factors for pitta predominant “kandu” that you can steer clear of:

• synthetic lime juice
• excessive use of sour tamarind
• skipping or delaying meals
• consuming hard liquor or alcohol
• eating pungent foods and specially red chilies
• consuming hing or asafetida
• foods with synthetic additives – colors and preservatives
• decomposed left-over food
• coffee

In general, you should steer clear of pitta provoking foods and behavior. Laugh often. Take things lightly, remember that nothing and nobody is perfect, and perfection is an on-going process of growth, not an accomplished state. Follow a pitta pacifying diet using SVA Pitta Masala or spices, use SVA Pitta Tea twice a day, etc. Surround yourself with the aroma-s of rose and jasmine – soothing, cooling, and uplifting.

This was a pitta dosha related kandu or rash situation. What about Vata and Kapha? I would like, for your our readers, to explain vata and kapha related skin rashes

Vata Kandu

In Vata predominant rashes, the etiological factor is related to dryness: additional dryness in the environment due to the season’s cold windy weather (usually Autumn); or dryness related to diet; lack of good fat in the diet; late night sleep patterns; high altitude, etc. When one gets a “vata kandu,” the rash will itch creating desire to itch further but without the sensation of heat and burning.

“Samprapti” or the circle of pathogenesis ­ cause and effect that keep augmenting each other: vata aggravating environmental, dietary, or lifestyle factors aggravate “vyana vata” or the vata factor that circulates nutrition and lubrication. The skin is the first to get affected by an aggravation of “vyana vata” because it is a barrier between the environment and the body. In addition, in the presence of cold weather, the microcirculatory channels shrink, so the skin receives less nourishment internally from within the body due to shrunk channels. This results in a lessening of the balancing factor of the skin, or “shleshak kapha,” resulting in more “vyana vata” imbalance, because “shleshak kapha” grounds “vyana vata.” This is when the rash or the itch kicks in.

Aushadhi gyanam or therapeutics: apply Vata Massage Oil with Magnesium and Vit D. This will help pacify Vata right away as it contains vata pacifying herbs. Vata will also be pacified as it gets nourished transdermally and externally through touch and the application of the oil that contains Vit D and Magnesium. In addition, add vata pacifying foods to your diet that are primarily nurturing and lubricating: such as ghee, olive oil. Avoid drying foods such as chips, pop corn, cold foods, salads, etc. Go to bed on time, and sleep in a soothing quiet environment free from EMF devices, with good circulation of air, yet warm. Stay rehydrated – make the rehydration drink (lime, water, a pinch of toasted cumin seeds, a pinch of Soma Salt, sugar to taste, 2-3 leaves of fresh mint). Always keep your extremities (hands and feet) warm, by covering them. Enhance blood flow for added thermogenesis by improving your circulatory channel by using SuperSport roll-on or transdermal cream morning and evening. Keep yourself as well as your home and car, as nothing aggravates vata like cold weather!

Another thing that is important to do is to nourish the environment of the skin, using prebiotic and probiotic bacteria, to help reverse the aging of the skin. Using products that re-establish the friendly bacteria in your skin will not only pacify vata externally but internally as well. apply the Prebiotic body clay on the affected areas, leave it one for 10-12 minutes, then wash it off in the shower, and then apply Lalita’s Probiotic cream for the body. The cream will nourish the starved friendly bacteria for your skin, and keep the skin environment healthy, reducing the occurrence of dryness and rashes.

Kapha kandu

For kapha predominant individuals, eating kaphaaggravating foods that are heavy and clogging such as yogurt, avocadoes; or eating too much of the sweet taste (rice, sugar, milk, etc), or using bad fat or too much fat; or napping during the day or sleeping after sunrise; or leading a sedentary life with no or not enough exercise; all these are factors that will imbalance the kapha body type and may result in skin imbalances.

Samprapti or the “how it happens:” kapha aggravating diet and lifestyle will aggravate the shleshak kapha of the skin which will disturb the timely and effective evacuation and release of toxins – as we know, our skin is the largest detox organ.

Kapha kandu symptoms of rash and itch will manifest as a deep desire to itch, without necessarily and external visible markers such as dryness, or redness, heat, or the sensation of burning.

Aushad gyanam or addressing your skin imbalance: use the SVA Detox Oil, warm it and apply a small amount on the affected area, massage in gently, leave on for 10-15 minutes. Then apply the Prebiotic body CreamClay. This will pull out the toxins that are stuck there pacifying “shleshak kapha,.” Leave the creamclay on for 20 minutes, then rinse it off, and apply the SVA Mahasurya Shanti cream. In addition to this local application, maintain a kapha pacifying diet and routine, and don’t forget to exercise to help keep toxins moving out. Incorporate SVA Shroto Shudhi Masala and Shroto Shudhi Tea into your diet.

Keep in mind

That regardless of your body type or condition of your skin imbalance, eating proper protein is necessary – light and easy to digest protein, such as fresh paneer if your lacto-vegetarian, or free-range organic chicken and fish, cooked with spices. Timely and sufficient intake of protein helps keep all doshas and types in balance, and supplies nourishment to help re-instate balance faster and more easily.

Herbal Memory Nectar Drops

The Herbal Memory Nectar Drops will supply deep tissue intelligence to reset your body’s own defense and balance systems to take of your rash effectively when you maintain the guidelines for each body type. You do not need to wait to develop a rash or an itch, you can incorporate the guidelines and the drops, based on your body’s doshic inclination, to keep things running smoothly during the colder weather months.

Use the following formula, add 2 drops of each in 1 liter of water:

• Turmeric drop
• Allergy Formula 2 drops
• Daru Haridra 2 drops
• Yasad – Zinc – 2 drops

Caution: if your skin condition is related to a medical condition such as diabetes, kidney disease, or any other auto-immune medical condition (eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, etc), check with your medical physician before using any herbs or incorporating any alternative ayurvedic or SVA protocol.

“Dear Vaidya Mishra: I am a 42 year old Caucasian female. I’ve recently gained a lot of weight (20lbs in 3 months). Because of stress I kept a bad diet over the past 6 months that resulted in excessive sudden weight gain. I’ve been trying to lose the weight by eating more spices in my food and reducing ghee. But now that the weather has turned cold, I’ve noticed that I have excessive dryness in my skin, for example my fingertips feel almost cracked and they have a very rough feeling. But in addition, last week, I came home from work, very stressed out, and my entire legs, ankles, knees, thighs were almost on fire, with a deep itch. I know this must have something to do with my reducing the ghee and increasing the spices, but what can I do to help me lose weight without getting more dry skin and itching and skin rashes?”

In gratitude, Marlena Z.

Looks like you have kapha predominant body and kapha predominant itch. First, try to stop all kapha aggravating food and behavior and (re)introduce good healthy fat like ghee and olive oil into your diet. Increase the amount of turmeric toasted in ghee, and add to your meals. Do regular daily exercise. Add drumsticks, fenugreek leaves, karela, and white daikon radish with green chili and ginger. Avoid white sugar and pastries. Stress definitely plays a major role. Make the following tea:

• 1 tablespoon dry toasted coriander
• 1 tablespoon raw coriander
• Add ¼ tsp black fresh ground peppercorns
• 2 green cardamom pods

Bring this mixture to a boil, filter, then add 6 fresh leaves peppermint. You can drink this 2-3 times a day.

Then, you have to unclog your channels eliminate the toxins that are coming out through your skin and causing the rash. The tea will help you with that, but you may also add Shroto Shudhi Masala and Shroto Shudhi Tea to your daily routine, rotating with MedAgni Masala. Also, incorproate Garcinia Cambogia Chutney into your diet – ¼ to ½ tsp with your meals. Meditate twice a day to reduce stress. Give yourself a 10-15 minute break in-between tasks.

Another thing that will help you is dry massage. Rub your limbs (arms and legs) with raw silk gloves, particularly on the areas where fat is deposited. This will help with circulation. On the itchy areas, below the waist, apply the SVA Detox oil, leave it on for 10 minutes, then apply the Lalita’s Prebiotic CreamClay for the skin, leave it on for 20 minutes, rinse it off, then apply the Surya Shanti cream and leave it on.