Last verified: April 2026

Skin Conditions — Kushtha

कुष्ठ — Kushtha — from Kush (to suffer) — that which causes suffering of the skin

Kushtha is the classical Ayurvedic umbrella category for skin conditions — documented as 18 distinct types in Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. All Kushtha conditions are documented as involving three Doshas to varying degrees, along with impurity of the blood (Rakta Dushti) and multiple Dhatus. This makes Kushtha the most multi-factorial disease category in the classical system.

Important noticeThis page documents what classical Ayurvedic texts record. This is not medical advice. Diagnosis and treatment require assessment by a qualified practitioner (BAMS or MD Ayurveda). Full disclaimer →

Charaka Samhita, Chikitsasthana 7.4

Kushtha sarva dosha prabhavam — All Kushtha conditions arise from the combined vitiation of all three Doshas. Although one Dosha predominates in each type, the involvement of Rakta (blood), Mamsa (muscle), and Tvak (skin) makes Kushtha a multi-Dhatu condition requiring comprehensive treatment.

The 18 classical Kushtha types

Charaka Samhita divides Kushtha into two major groups: Maha Kushtha (seven major types — more severe, involving deeper Dhatus) and Kshudra Kushtha (eleven minor types — more superficial, involving Tvak and Rakta primarily). The seven Maha Kushtha include: Kapala (large white patches — resembling vitiligo in some documentation), Audumbara (fig-like eruptions with discharge), Mandala (circular eruptions with fever), Rikshajihva (black elevated lesions), Pundareeka (lotus-petal-like eruptions), Sidhma (discolouration conditions), and Kakanaka (black, painful conditions). Modern dermatological mapping of these classical types is an ongoing area of research in Ayurvedic academic literature.

Dosha classification of skin conditions

Vataja Kushtha: Dry, rough, scaly, dark-coloured skin conditions; associated with pain, cracking, and neurological involvement. Pittaja Kushtha: Inflammatory, red, hot, burning conditions; associated with fever, yellow or reddish discharge, and spreading quickly. Kaphaja Kushtha: Pale, white, cold, thick, oily conditions; associated with itching, heaviness, and slow progression.

Primary classical herbs — skin conditions

Neem (Azadirachta indica) — the primary Kushtha herb; Krimighna, Kaphahara, Pittahara, blood-purifying. Documented in Charaka Samhita's Kushtha Gana. Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) — the primary Raktaprasadana (blood-purifying) herb; documented for all Pittaja and Raktaja skin conditions. Khadira (Acacia catechu) — documented in Charaka Samhita specifically for Kushtha; Catechins are the primary studied active compounds. Haridra (Turmeric) — Lekhana, anti-inflammatory; documented for Kaphaja and Pittaja skin conditions.

Virechana in Kushtha

Classical treatment for Maha Kushtha specifically includes Virechana (purgation Panchakarma) as a primary procedure — documented for removing the accumulated Pitta and Rakta from the channels that sustains chronic skin conditions. Charaka Samhita, Chikitsasthana 7 documents that Kushtha not treated with Shodhana (purification) will recur even after symptomatic management.

Diet in skin conditions

Classical Apathya (contraindicated foods) for Kushtha are among the most extensive in the entire classical dietary documentation: sesame, jaggery, fish, salt (excess), sour foods, milk with fish, and incompatible food combinations are all documented as specifically aggravating Kushtha. The Viruddha Ahara (incompatible foods) chapter in Charaka Samhita was originally documented in the context of Kushtha causation.