EFFECT OF THE NIRGUNDI TAILA AS EXTERNAL APPLICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PSORIASIS

Abstract

Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by red scaly patches on the skin and intense itching. Extensor surfaces of the body like knee, elbow, scalp, palms, soles, finger nails, toe nails and genitalia are the most commonly affected sites. It is relapsing and immune mediated systemic disease. Management of it includes topical agents like retinoids, coal tar and phototherapy. But the amount of the relief is varied and relapses are more common. To avoid the relapses, alternate medicines like herbal based medicines are given prime importance. Ayurveda, the Indian system of medicine relies on herbal based medicine and provides considerable relief for the treatment of various such conditions. Nirgundi tail, one of the medicines mentioned in Ayurvedic System of Medicine is most commonly used as a pain killer. Apart from the anti-inflammatory conditions, it is useful in many other conditions like skin disorders. The present study was planned to know the efficacy of the Nirgundi taila as external application in the management of psoriatic skin disorders. The study was an open arm clinical study with single blinding design. 30 patients were studied and were assessed before the start of the treatment and after 2 months of the treatment. Assessment was done according to the PASI score. The results showed that Nirgundi taila was found to be statistically significant in reducing the erythema, scaling and redness (p<0.001). Thus, Nirgundi tail can be an effective remedy for the management of Psoriasis.