Ultimate Ayurvedic Guide to Eczema (Vicharchika): Causes, Treatment & Healing

🌿 Introduction: Healing Eczema from the Inside Out

Eczema, medically known as Atopic Dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that goes far beyond dry, itchy patches. It reflects deeper internal imbalances involving immunity, digestion, stress, and toxin accumulation. While modern medicine provides temporary symptom relief through steroids and immunosuppressants, Ayurveda aims to treat the root cause, offering sustainable and natural recovery.

Known as Vicharchika in Ayurveda, eczema is viewed as a manifestation of vitiated doshas, impaired digestion, and toxin build-up in the blood and skin tissues. Ayurvedic treatment focuses on cleansing, balancing, nourishing, and rejuvenating the body for long-term relief.

“कण्डू-पिडका-श्याव-बहु-श्रावा-रुजा-राजयः, विशर्चिका लघु कुष्ठं पित्त-कफोद्धवंसम्।”
—Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana

🔹 Download our App “AyurCare” for a Free Consultation with Senior Ayurvedic Doctors.

🔍 What is Eczema?

It may be acute (short-term flare-ups) or chronic (lasting months or years). Eczema is not contagious, but it can severely affect quality of life if untreated.

Ayurveda considers the coexistence of eczema with other skin or systemic disorders as Vyadhi Sankara or Vyadhi Samuccaya. This requires a more layered approach where both conditions are addressed simultaneously through personalized treatment and stepwise Panchakarma protocols.

Eczema refers to a group of inflammatory skin conditions characterized by:

• Persistent dryness

• Redness and rashes

• Severe itching

• Fluid-filled blisters

• Cracking or thickening of the skin

• Hyperpigmentation in chronic stages

It affects people of all ages and is often aggravated by allergens, dietary habits, emotional stress, and climate change.

1. Modern Classification: Types of Eczema

Your content refers to eczema generally, but Google often ranks content higher when it answers subtype queries. Include a short table or list like this:

🧾 Types of Eczema

📖 Vicharchika in Ayurveda: The Root-Cause Approach

In Ayurvedic classics, Vicharchika is listed under Kshudra Kushtha (minor skin disorders). It is caused by the disturbance of Tridoshas—especially Pitta and Kapha—and the accumulation of Ama (toxic waste) in the blood and skin channels.

Key Pathogenic Factors:

• Improper diet (viruddha ahara)

• Weak digestion (mandagni)

• Emotional stress

• Poor skin hygiene

• Environmental exposure to allergens or chemicals

These imbalances lead to symptoms such as:

• Kandu (itching)

• Pidika (fluid-filled eruptions)

• Rukshata (dryness)

• Shyavata (discoloration)

• Raji (cracking)

• Ruja (pain)

• Bahusrava (oozing)

🧬 Understanding Dosha-Specific Symptoms

• Vata-type eczema: Dry, flaky skin with intense itching and fissures

• Pitta-type eczema: Red, inflamed, and burning skin with possible pus

• Kapha-type eczema: Sticky discharge, swelling, and slow-healing lesions

Ayurvedic treatment is personalized according to your doshic constitution and disease stage.

Ayurvedic Diagnostic Methods (Ashtavidha Pareeksha)

To make the Ayurvedic process feel more credible and structured, add this after lifestyle and before real case studies:

🧪 Ayurvedic Diagnosis of Vicharchika

At Ayurvedic clinics like Adyant Ayurveda, eczema is diagnosed using:

• Darshana (Observation): Skin condition, color, texture

• Sparshana (Palpation): Lesion temperature, roughness, tenderness

• Prashna (Questioning): History of diet, lifestyle, stress, and digestion

In addition, the Ashta Sthana Pareeksha (Eight-fold examination) includes:

1. Nadi (Pulse)

2. Jihva (Tongue)

3. Shabda (Voice)

4. Sparsha (Touch/Skin)

5. Drik (Eyes)

6. Akruti (Body structure)

7. Mala (Stool)

8. Mutra (Urine)

🩺 This helps determine the underlying doshic imbalance and stage of eczema.

🔬 Samprapti (Pathogenesis of Eczema in Ayurveda)

The Ayurvedic understanding of disease development (Samprapti) for Vicharchika is as follows:

1. Agni Mandya (Weak digestion) →

2. Formation of Ama (toxic metabolic waste) →

3. Vitiation of Tridoshas, especially Pitta and Kapha →

4. Circulation of vitiated doshas + ama via Rakta dhatu →

5. Accumulation in Twak (skin) →

6. Manifestation of symptoms: Kandu (itching), Pidika (blisters), Bahusrava (oozing)

This systemic imbalance, if left untreated, leads to chronic eczema with deeper tissue involvement.

👶 Eczema in Children (Balaka Vicharchika)

Pediatric eczema is increasingly common and is referred to as Balaka Vicharchika in Ayurvedic practice.

🌱 Causes:

• Weak immunity

• Maternal dietary habits (if breastfeeding)

• Early exposure to allergens

• Genetic predisposition (Beeja Dosha)

🧡 Ayurvedic Management:

• Mild herbal decoctions: Khadira, Guduchi, and Bala

• External oils: Durvadi Taila, Shatadhouta Ghrita (100-times washed ghee)

• Swarnaprashana: A classical Ayurvedic Rasayana to boost immunity in children

• Peya & Manda: Easily digestible rice soups to balance digestion

⚠ Always treat pediatric cases under supervision of a certified Ayurvedic physician.

🎯 Ayurvedic Healing Goals

The main objective of Ayurvedic eczema treatment is to eliminate the root cause and restore internal balance through:

1. Shodhana (Detoxification) – Elimination of accumulated toxins and doshas

2. Shamana (Pacification) – Symptom relief through herbal medicine

3. Raktashodhana (Blood purification) – Cleansing the bloodstream of impurities

4. Agni Deepana (Digestive fire enhancement) – Strengthening metabolism to prevent ama

5. Rasayana (Rejuvenation) – Rebuilding skin tissues and immunity

⚗️ Panchakarma Therapy: Internal Detox for Lasting Results

Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma, a series of deeply purifying treatments to remove doshic imbalances and toxins.

Panchakarma is often followed by Rasayana therapy to revitalize skin and prevent recurrence.

🌿 Ayurvedic Herbs and Oils for Eczema

Internal Medicines:

• Mahamanjishtadi Kwatha – Purifies blood and reduces pigmentation

• Khadirarishta – Anti-itch and liver-supportive

• Panchatikta Ghrita Guggulu – Deep skin detoxifier

• Triphala Guggulu – Supports gut and skin health

• Arogya Vardhini Vati – Liver cleansing and Pitta balancing

External Applications:

• Neem oil – Antibacterial, cooling, and healing

• Turmeric + coconut oil paste – Reduces itching and inflammation

• Mahatiktaka Taila – Soothes inflammation, heals skin

• Nalpamaradi Taila – Beneficial in oozing and discolored lesions

These herbs are selected based on your Prakriti (body constitution), season, and disease stage.

🥗 Diet and Nutrition in Ayurvedic Eczema Treatment

Your food habits directly influence your digestion, immunity, and skin health. Ayurveda prescribes a dosha-pacifying and anti-inflammatory diet.

✔ Recommended Foods:

• Warm, cooked meals (kitchari, rice, moong dal)

• Seasonal vegetables (bottle gourd, ash gourd)

• Ghee in moderation (cleanses and lubricates tissues)

• Fruits like pomegranate and fig

• CCF Tea (Cumin + Coriander + Fennel) for digestion

❌ Foods to Avoid:

• Spicy, sour, fermented foods

• Fried items, bakery products, white sugar

• Milk and fish combinations

• Curd, cheese, and yogurt (especially at night)

• Citrus fruits during flare-ups

💆 Ayurvedic Lifestyle and Skincare Tips

Lifestyle is a core pillar of Ayurvedic healing. For eczema patients, a calm, balanced, and toxin-free lifestyle supports faster recovery and long-term prevention.

🧴 Skin Care:

• Use herbal soap or bath with neem decoction

• Avoid chemical creams and perfumes

• Massage gently with coconut oil or Mahatiktaka taila

• Avoid scratching or hot water baths

🌅 Daily Routine (Dinacharya):

• Wake up before sunrise (Brahma Muhurta)

• Practice pranayama and light yoga

• Follow a consistent sleep schedule

• Avoid daytime naps and late-night meals

🧘 Emotional Balance and Stress Management

Stress is a major trigger and aggravator of eczema. Ayurveda addresses mental health through a Sattvic lifestyle, herbs, and meditation.

Recommendations:

• Meditation (10–15 minutes daily)

• Pranayama (Anulom Vilom, Bhramari)

• Ayurvedic mind-calming herbs: Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Jatamansi

🧾 Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Eczema (Vicharchika)

🧪 Real Case Study Insight

A 42-year-old patient with chronic eczema for 6 years underwent:

• Virechana (purgation therapy)

• Raktamokshana (leech therapy)

• Internal Rasayana medicines (Guduchi, Manjishtha, Triphala)

Results:

• 80% reduction in itching and discharge in 3 weeks

• Lesions healed fully in 45 days

• No recurrence after 6-month follow-up

Another patient’s EASI score dropped from 39.8 to 30.8 in just 14 days after Panchakarma therapy, as reported by SDM Ayurveda College, Udupi.

🏥 Why Ayurveda is the Best Natural Solution for Eczema

• ✅ Root-cause treatment, not just symptom control

• ✅ Personalized therapy based on individual constitution (Prakriti)

• ✅ No side effects, chemical-free healing

• ✅ Combines detoxification, herbal medicine, diet, and lifestyle

• ✅ Addresses both body and mind

📌 Conclusion: Heal Your Skin Naturally with Ayurveda

Eczema can be frustrating, painful, and emotionally exhausting. But with Ayurveda’s time-tested, holistic approach, healing is not only possible—it’s transformative.

Through detoxification, dosha balancing, herbal medicine, a nourishing diet, and a calm mind, you can restore your skin’s health from the inside out.

If you’re seeking a natural, effective, and sustainable solution to eczema, Ayurveda offers a pathway to real, long-term relief.

Discover how personalized Ayurveda can eliminate root causes, not just suppress symptoms. Book a consultation with an expert Ayurvedic doctor and start your healing journey today.

🔗 Read More:

• Ayurvedic Treatment for Psoriasis

• Panchakarma for Skin Detox

• Best Ayurvedic Skin Doctors in Bangalore

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Ayurvedic Eczema Treatment