The honest summary
Where it may help
Very little, and almost all of it is about psoriasis. A 2023 review of 18 trials of turmeric or curcumin in skin conditions gave psoriasis a grade B recommendation in its own grading scheme, along with itching and caesarean scars. The authors say the best dose is not known and larger trials are needed.[1]
Where evidence is thin
We found no eczema trial at all, and the curcumin review had none either. The one Ayurveda trial we found compared two versions of Rasamanikya, a medicine made from haratala (orpiment), an arsenic compound, with each other. With no placebo or standard treatment to compare against, it cannot show that either works, or that the medicine is free of harm.[1][2]
When to see an allopath
Eczema care starts with moisturisers (emollients). Psoriasis is usually treated with vitamin D creams, steroid creams and moisturisers, and more severe psoriasis may need light therapy or medicines. The two are different conditions, so a result in one says nothing about the other. A doctor can confirm which you have, and check for psoriatic arthritis if your joints keep hurting.[3][4]
How the texts understand it
Charaka describes eka kushtha as skin that does not sweat, over a large area, looking like fish scales. The Rasamanikya trial on this page uses eka kushtha to mean psoriasis. The national NAMASTE terminology links it to ichthyosis instead, a different scaly skin condition, and uses sidhma for psoriasis and vicharchika for eczema. The match is loose either way.[5]
Codes: ICD-11 EA90 (Psoriasis)[6]; ICD-11 EA80 (Atopic eczema)[6]; ICD-11 TM2 SN4A (Psoriasis disorder (TM2))[6]; ICD-11 TM2 SN43 (Eczema disorder (TM2))[6]; NAMASTE ED-4.2.7 (Sidhma, listed against SN4A (psoriasis).)[7]; NAMASTE ED-4.3.10 (Vicharchika, listed against SN43 (eczema).)[7]; NAMASTE ED-4.3.1 (Eka kushtha, listed against SN4B, Ichthyosis disorder (TM2), not psoriasis.)[7]
What trials found
Systematic reviewSystematic review of 18 randomised trials of turmeric or curcumin in skin conditions, including psoriasis, itching, vitiligo, radiation skin damage and scars. Psoriasis, caesarean scars and itching received a grade B recommendation in the authors' scheme. There was no trial in atopic eczema. The authors say the best dose is not known and larger trials are needed.[1]
RCTDouble-blind trial of 76 people with eka kushtha, taken to mean psoriasis, for eight weeks. Both groups took Rasamanikya with Guduchi ghana (a giloy extract); the only difference was how the haratala, an arsenic compound, had been processed. The groups did not differ. With no placebo or standard-care group, this compares two versions of one arsenic-based medicine and cannot show that it works or does no harm. The abstract's statistics are also internally inconsistent.[2]
Signs that need a doctor
- Psoriasis skin that quickly turns red and breaks out in white, pus-filled bumps that join together, or a fever or fast heartbeat with it. This is an emergency. Go to a hospital.[4]
- Psoriasis patches on the feet that are filled with pus, or red, scaly, pus-filled bumps on the tips of the fingers or toes. Go to a hospital emergency department.[4]
- Joint pain, stiffness or swelling that keeps coming back. It can be psoriatic arthritis, which a doctor should check.[4]
- Eczema that is blistered, crusty, leaking fluid or has spots filled with pus. It may be infected, so see a doctor urgently.[3]
- Eczema that is painful, swollen or warm, or suddenly gets worse or spreads. See a doctor urgently.[3]
- Eczema with a high temperature. See a doctor urgently.[3]
Withheld until review
Questions people ask
Can eczema be cured by Ayurveda?
We found no trial of Ayurveda, or of curcumin, in eczema in our search, so these studies cannot say whether it helps. Regular moisturising is the base of standard eczema care.[1][3]
Can Ayurveda cure psoriasis?
None of the studies we found showed that. Some Ayurvedic skin medicines, such as Rasamanikya, are made with arsenic compounds. Tell your doctor about any Ayurvedic tablet you take for your skin.[2]
Related
Khadirarishta
An arishta of khadira, devadaru, bakuchi and triphala, listed for skin disease. It contains alcohol from fermentation and is heavy in honey and sugar.
InteractionGiloy with immunosuppressants and steroids
Not tested together. Giloy has been linked to autoimmune-like liver injury, which matters for people whose immune system is being treated.
InteractionNeem and transplant medicines (immunosuppressants)
In lab tests, neem blocked the liver enzymes that clear tacrolimus, which could raise its levels. We found no study of neem with transplant medicines.
Sources
- Patel P, Wang JY, Mineroff J, Jagdeo J. Evaluation of curcumin for dermatologic conditions: a systematic review. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2023;316(1):37. PMID 38085369.
- Parekh DN, Bopaliya D, Prajapati D, Bedarkar P, Patgiri BJ. Role of Haratala Shodhana in the therapeutic efficacy of Rasamanikya along with Guduchi Ghana in the treatment of Ekakushtha (psoriasis): a double-blind randomised clinical trial. Ayu. 2021;42(2):76-86. PMID 37153068.
- NHS. Atopic eczema.
- NHS. Psoriasis.
- Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana 7.21, opening portion (Kushtha Chikitsa Adhyaya).
- World Health Organization. ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, release 2026-01, simple tabulation.
- Ministry of Ayush. NAMASTE portal, Ayurveda terminology, rows 892, 895 and 905.
Updated 4 November 2026
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