Etiology-based survey study of skin disease as per ayurvedic text

Introduction: Our main aim is to adopt the holistic approach of Ayurveda in the prevention of disease before to treat the cause. Because of changing lifestyle and environmental conditions skin diseases are markedly increased in number. Aims and Objectives: To assess the effect of Ahara (diet) and Vihara (life style) on Kushtha (skin disease) through conceptual study and survey study is applied on clinical grounds. Methods: In the present study, etiological-based survey of 90 patients who visited in the outpatient department and inpatient department of the Department of Agad Tantra (Ayurveda Toxicology) National Institute of Ayurveda was carried out to assess the dietary and habitual lifestyles of people suffering from Kushtha (skin disease). The study was interview-based survey on simple randomized selection of patients. In the present study, an etiology-based survey questionnaire was prepared based on classics to assess dietary and habitual lifestyles of people suffering from skin disease. Results: In the present clinical study, maximum number of patients having mandagni. Aam rasa is produced due to mandagni, which is stated as the prime cause for almost all diseases. Viruddahara, Mithyahara-vihara are perceived as major causative factors in observation during the study. Conclusion: Avoidance of these aetiologies is concluded to be the first step in the direction of control and management of Kushtha (skin disease). As Ahara and its related codes and conducts have been long forgotten by the human being; therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate and rediscover this ancient science of dietetics in Ayurveda both conceptually and clinically.