What are the food recommendations for Psoriasis?
Updated: Mar 2
The Ayurvedic holy trinity of treatment is Aahara(food), vihara (lifestyle) and Oushadha (medicines) in that order. While the lifestyle and the medicines can be followed through with the advice of the Vaidya,
Aahara/food can become a cause of concern for the patient. The suitable diet will need to be planned and cooked on daily basis, which can seem overwhelming. In this direction, we intend to write more often about appropriate and beneficial food choices for various health concerns.
This blog post is best read after reading:
How to choose your food when you have a health problem?
While we have discussed the various food ingredients which can be safely used during treatment of health problems, there have been request for recipes suitable for patients' undergoing treatment for psoriasis.
Treatment of Psoriasis largely depends on the food habits as a good diet is as important as medicines in Psoriasis.
It will be difficult to put all the recipes in this post. But as we go, we will collate recipes and will make an effort to keep them all in our blog space for easy access.
In the diet recommendation, most of the gourds found a place owing to their Tikta (bitter) and Laghu(light) properties.
Ridge gourd or Koshataki grows as a climber and is available in 2 varieties. One is the bitter variety used for medicinal purposes and the other one which is called Rajakoshataki which is not bitter and is used as a vegetable. The vegetable has some bitter properties and is a Kaphapitta doshahara (Pacifies Kapha and Pitta dosha)
Please find below a recipe to make a nutritious dish with ridge gourd.
Ridge gourd-green gram curry
This is a side-dish which can eaten with the Kanji and other recipes mentioned in the previous blog post (What to feed your child during illness)
Ridge gourd- 250 grams cut into small cubes
Split green gram- 50 grams (washed)
Cold pressed Oil/ghee- 2 tsps
Mustard- half tsp
Jeera- half tsp
Curry leaves- 1 sprig
Turmeric powder- quarter tsp
Coriander powder- 1 tsp
Whole Kashmiri/ Byadgi chilli- 2
Fresh coconut grated- 1 tbsp (optional)
Method:
Pour the oil/ghee in the pan. When it heats, add the mustard.
After the mustard splutters, add the jeera, red chillies and curry leaves
Add the washed and drained green gram and saute for 2-3 minutes.
Add the chopped ridge gourd and salt. Mix well and close the lid.
When the green gram and the vegetable is half cooked, add the turmeric and coriander powder and mix. Close and cook till the gram, vegetable and spices come together well.
Add very little water if necessary and cook well. Add grated coconut in the end and the dish is ready to be served.
This dish can be made with snake gourd, bottle gourd and ash gourd.
A good diet is an integral part of psoriasis treatment. Patients who are suffering from psoriasis should make a mindful and conscious effort to recognize the relationship between various food items they consume and its bearing on their condition.
Some products useful for external application in Psoriasis
Sorin cream
Psorakot gel