If you’re living with psoriasis in Bangalore or anywhere in India, you’ve probably heard different opinions about which treatment system works best. Your dermatologist recommends allopathic medicines, your grandmother swears by Ayurveda, and your friend had success with homoeopathy. So which path should you choose?
This comprehensive guide objectively breaks down all three systems, helping you make an informed decision based on science, experience, and your personal situation.
Understanding the Three Systems: A Quick Overview
Before diving into comparisons, let’s understand what each system offers:
Allopathy (Modern Medicine): Evidence-based medical system using pharmaceutical drugs, biologics, and advanced therapies. Focuses on symptom management and immune system modulation.
Ayurveda (Traditional Indian Medicine): A 5,000-year-old holistic system that views psoriasis as a dosha imbalance. Uses herbs, oils, diet modification, and Panchakarma detoxification.
Homoeopathy: a 200-year-old system based on “like cures like” principle. Uses highly diluted substances to trigger the body’s self-healing response.
The Reality: What Research Actually Shows
Allopathy’s Evidence Base
- Clinical Trials: Thousands of double-blind, placebo-controlled studies
- Success Rate: 75-90% improvement in moderate to severe cases with biologics
- FDA Approved: Over 20 approved medications specifically for psoriasis
- Speed: Visible results in 4-12 weeks with most treatments
Ayurveda’s Evidence Base
- Clinical Studies: Growing but limited compared to allopathy
- Success Rate: 60-75% improvement reported in Indian studies
- Traditional Use: Thousands of years of documented use
- Speed: Results typically visible in 3-6 months
Homoeopathy’s Evidence Base
- Clinical Trials: Limited high-quality studies; mixed results
- Success Rate: Highly variable (20-60% in available studies)
- Mechanism: Not scientifically established
- Speed: Results may take 6-12 months or longer
Detailed Comparison Table
| Factor | Allopathy | Ayurveda | Homeopathy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment Philosophy | Target immune dysfunction with pharmaceutical intervention | Stimulate the body’s healing with micro-doses | Possible with homoeopathy |
| Typical Duration | Ongoing (months to years) | 6-12 months intensive, then maintenance | 12-24 months minimum |
| Initial Results Visible | 2-12 weeks | 4-16 weeks | 3-6 months |
| Severity Best Suited For | Mild to severe, especially moderate-severe | Mild to moderate, some severe cases | Mild to moderate |
| Cost in Bangalore (Monthly) | ₹5,000-₹50,000+ (biologics expensive) | ₹3,000-₹15,000 | ₹1,500-₹5,000 |
| Side Effects | Possible (varies by medication) | Minimal (mostly digestive) | Rare to none reported |
| Scientific Evidence | Extensive (Grade A) | Moderate (Grade B-C) | Limited (Grade C-D) |
| Lifestyle Changes Required | Minimal (medication-focused) | Extensive (diet, routine, detox) | Moderate (dietary restrictions) |
| Invasive Procedures | Sometimes (injections, IV infusions) | Yes (Panchakarma procedures) | No (oral pills only) |
| Insurance Coverage | Often yes (check policy) | Rarely covered | Rarely covered |
| Monitoring Required | Regular blood tests for some drugs | Periodic pulse diagnosis | Minimal |
| Relapse Rate After Stopping | High (60-80% within 6 months) | Lower (30-50% with lifestyle maintenance) | Variable (40-70%) |
| Combination with Other Systems | Limited (drug interactions) | Possible with homeopathy | Possible with Ayurveda |
Allopathy for Psoriasis: The Modern Medicine Approach
How It Works
Allopathic treatment targets the overactive immune response causing psoriasis. Modern treatments include:
- Topical Treatments (for mild cases)
- Corticosteroids
- Vitamin D analogues
- Retinoids
- Calcineurin inhibitors
- Phototherapy
- UVB therapy
- PUVA therapy
- Targeted laser therapy
- Systemic Medications (for moderate to severe)
- Methotrexate
- Cyclosporine
- Acitretin
- Biologics (advanced cases)
- TNF-alpha inhibitors (Humira, Enbrel)
- IL-17 inhibitors (Cosentyx, Taltz)
- IL-23 inhibitors (Tremfya, Skyrizi)
Pros of Allopathy
✅ Fast Results: Most patients see improvement within 4-8 weeks
✅ Proven Efficacy: Backed by thousands of clinical trials
✅ Severity Management: Effective even for severe, life-altering psoriasis
✅ Standardised Dosing: Clear protocols, predictable outcomes
✅ Emergency Relief: Quick control during severe flare-ups
✅ Insurance Coverage: Many policies cover allopathic treatments
✅ Specialist Availability: Dermatologists are widely available in Bangalore
Cons of Allopathy
❌ Side Effects: Liver toxicity, kidney issues, immunosuppression possible
❌ Dependency: Often requires long-term or lifelong use
❌ High Cost: Biologics can cost ₹40,000-₹2,00,000+ per month
❌ Not Root Cause: Manages symptoms rather than addressing underlying causes
❌ Monitoring Required: Regular blood tests needed for some medications
❌ Rebound Effect: Symptoms often return quickly after stopping
Ideal Candidates for Allopathy
✔ Moderate to severe psoriasis covering >10% body ✔ Psoriatic arthritis requiring immediate intervention ✔ Failed to respond to natural treatments ✔ Need rapid symptom control for professional/social reasons ✔ Willing to undergo regular monitoring ✔ Have access to specialist dermatologists ✔ Can afford or have insurance coverage
Real Patient Experience
“I had severe plaque psoriasis covering 40% of my body. After starting biologics (Cosentyx), I saw 80% clearance in 3 months. The cost is high (₹1.2 lakhs/month), but my quality of life improved dramatically. I can wear short sleeves again!” — Rajesh, 42, Bangalore IT Professional
Ayurveda for Psoriasis: The Holistic Approach
How It Works
Ayurveda views psoriasis (Kushtha) as a manifestation of toxin accumulation and dosha imbalance, particularly Vata and Kapha. Treatment involves:
- Panchakarma Detoxification
- Vamana (therapeutic vomiting)
- Virechana (purgation)
- Basti (medicated enemas)
- Raktamokshana (bloodletting in specific cases)
- Herbal Medications
- Neem, Turmeric, Manjistha
- Guggulu preparations
- Khadirarishta
- Arogyavardhini Vati
- External Therapies
- Abhyanga (oil massage)
- Lepa (herbal paste application)
- Takradhara (buttermilk therapy)
- Shirodhara (for stress-related cases)
- Diet & Lifestyle Modifications
- Avoiding incompatible foods (viruddha ahara)
- Following dinacharya (daily routine)
- Seasonal adjustments (ritucharya)
Pros of Ayurveda
✅ Holistic Healing: Addresses root causes, not just symptoms
✅ Minimal Side Effects: Natural herbs are generally well-tolerated
✅ Lifestyle Integration: Teaches sustainable health practices
✅ Lower Relapse: Better long-term remission with lifestyle maintenance
✅ Additional Benefits: Improves overall health, digestion, and stress levels
✅ Cultural Acceptance: Well-established in India, family support is easier
✅ Personalised Treatment: Customised to individual constitution (prakriti)
✅ No Dependency: Can be gradually discontinued after improvement
Cons of Ayurveda
❌ Slow Results: Takes 3-6 months for visible improvement
❌ Strict Compliance Required: Diet and lifestyle changes are non-negotiable
❌ Time-Intensive: Panchakarma requires 2-4 weeks of dedicated time
❌ Quality Concerns: Herb purity and authenticity vary between providers
❌ Limited Emergency Use: Not suitable for acute severe flare-ups
❌ Less Standardisation: Treatment protocols vary between practitioners
❌ Limited Insurance: Rarely covered by health insurance
Ideal Candidates for Ayurveda
✔ Mild to moderate psoriasis ✔ Willing to commit to lifestyle changes ✔ Can dedicate time for Panchakarma treatments ✔ Prefer natural, holistic approaches ✔ Have chronic cases with frequent relapses ✔ Want to avoid pharmaceutical side effects ✔ Can follow dietary restrictions long-term ✔ Seeking overall health improvement
Real Patient Experience
“After 2 years of steroid creams with temporary relief, I tried Ayurveda. Underwent 21-day Panchakarma at a Bangalore centre. It was intense—diet restrictions, daily procedures—but my psoriasis cleared 70% in 4 months. Key was continuing the diet; when I cheated, patches returned.” — Priya, 35, Teacher
Homeopathy for Psoriasis: The Individualized Approach
How It Works
Homoeopathy treats psoriasis by prescribing ultra-diluted remedies based on individual symptoms, personality, and constitution. Common remedies include:
- Constitutional Remedies
- Arsenicum album (anxiety-prone patients)
- Graphites (thick scales, oozing)
- Sulphur (burning, itching, heat intolerance)
- Sepia (hormonal-related psoriasis)
- Acute Remedies
- Mezereum (scalp psoriasis)
- Petroleum (winter aggravation)
- Rhus tox (joint involvement)
Pros of Homoeopathy
✅ No Side Effects: Extremely safe, even for children and pregnant women
✅ Individualised: Treatment tailored to the complete person, not just the disease
✅ Affordable: Most cost-effective option (₹1,500-₹5,000/month)
✅ Easy to Take: Small sugar pills, no bitter taste
✅ Holistic: Addresses mental/emotional aspects
✅ Can Combine: Often used alongside other treatments
✅ Long-term Relief: Some patients report lasting remission
Cons of Homoeopathy
❌ Slow Results: May take 6-12 months to see significant improvement
❌ Limited Evidence: Few rigorous scientific studies support efficacy
❌ Not for Severe Cases: Insufficient for rapidly progressing or severe psoriasis
❌ Initial Aggravation: Symptoms may temporarily worsen before improving
❌ Practitioner Dependent: Success heavily relies on homoeopath’s skill
❌ Unpredictable Results: The Same remedy may work differently for different people
❌ Placebo Debate: Ongoing scientific debate about the mechanism
Ideal Candidates for Homoeopathy
✔ Mild psoriasis with limited body coverage ✔ Children with early-stage psoriasis ✔ Cannot tolerate pharmaceutical medications ✔ Strong emotional/stress component to condition ✔ Patient, willing to wait for gradual improvement ✔ Previous good response to homeopathy ✔ Budget constraints ✔ Seeking complementary treatment alongside other systems
Real Patient Experience
“My 8-year-old daughter developed small psoriasis patches. Didn’t want to start her on steroids. Tried homoeopathy—took 10 months but patches gradually faded. Now mostly clear with occasional flare-ups managed with the same remedy.” — Anita, Parent, Bangalore
The Combination Approach: Can You Mix Systems?
Many patients in Bangalore successfully combine treatments:
Safe Combinations
Ayurveda + Homeopathy
- Generally safe, no drug interactions
- Use an Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle with homoeopathic medicines
- Many practitioners support this combination
Allopathy (Topical) + Ayurveda (Internal)
- Apply steroid creams while taking Ayurvedic herbs
- Helps transition from allopathy to Ayurveda
- Monitor with both practitioners
Any System + Lifestyle Changes
- Diet modification improves outcomes across all systems
- Stress management enhances any treatment
- Exercise benefits all approaches
Risky Combinations
Allopathy (Systemic) + Ayurveda (Internal)
- Potential liver toxicity when combining
- Some herbs interfere with drug metabolism
- Requires careful medical supervision
Starting Multiple Systems Simultaneously
- Can’t determine what’s working
- Difficult to identify side effects
- Recommend trying one system for 3-6 months first
Treatment Selection Guide: Decision Tree
Start Here: Assess Your Psoriasis
If Severe (>10% body coverage, psoriatic arthritis, or rapidly worsening): → Choose Allopathy for rapid control → Consider adding Ayurvedic lifestyle changes → Once stable, evaluate transitioning or combining approaches
If Moderate (3-10% body coverage, manageable symptoms): → Try Ayurveda first if you can commit to lifestyle changes → Keep allopathy as backup if no improvement in 6 months → Homeopathy as complementary support
If Mild (<3% body coverage, occasional flare-ups): → Start with Ayurveda or Homeopathy → Focus on triggers, diet, stress management → Allopathic topicals as needed during flare-ups
Consider Your Personal Factors
Time Availability
- Limited time: Allopathy (minimal lifestyle change)
- Moderate time: Homoeopathy (regular consultations)
- Flexible schedule: Ayurveda (Panchakarma, cooking special meals)
Budget
- High budget: All options available, biologics if needed
- Moderate budget: Ayurveda or allopathy (non-biologics)
- Limited budget: Homoeopathy or basic Ayurveda
Age
- Children: Homoeopathy or Ayurveda preferred (safer)
- Adults: All systems are suitable
- Elderly: Ayurveda (fewer drug interactions) or gentle allopathy
Lifestyle Willingness
- High compliance: Ayurveda (best long-term results)
- Moderate compliance: Combination approach
- Low compliance: Allopathy (medication-dependent)
Success Factors Regardless of the System Chosen
No matter which treatment path you choose, these factors significantly impact success:
1. Trigger Management
- Identify and avoid personal triggers
- Common triggers: stress, alcohol, smoking, certain foods, infections
2. Diet Modification
- Anti-inflammatory foods benefit all systems
- Avoid: processed foods, excessive sugar, alcohol
- Include: omega-3s, turmeric, green vegetables, fruits
3. Stress Reduction
- Meditation, yoga, breathing exercises
- Adequate sleep (7-8 hours)
- Work-life balance
4. Consistent Treatment
- Don’t skip doses or appointments
- Give chosen system adequate time (minimum 3 months)
- Track progress with photos and journals
5. Regular Monitoring
- Follow up with your practitioner
- Adjust treatment based on response
- Blood tests when required (especially allopathy)
6. Realistic Expectations
- Complete clearance may not be possible
- 75-90% improvement is excellent success
- Maintenance therapy likely needed long-term
Cost Comparison: Bangalore Pricing Guide (2025)
Allopathy
- Initial Consultation: ₹1,000-₹3,000
- Follow-up: ₹500-₹1,500
- Topical Treatments: ₹500-₹3,000/month
- Phototherapy: ₹500-₹1,500/session (15-20 sessions needed)
- Systemic Medications: ₹3,000-₹10,000/month
- Biologics: ₹40,000-₹2,00,000/month
- Blood Tests: ₹1,000-₹3,000 (every 3 months)
Average Annual Cost: ₹60,000-₹24,00,000 (varies dramatically based on severity)
Ayurveda
- Initial Consultation: ₹1,000-₹2,500
- Follow-up: ₹500-₹1,000
- Panchakarma (21 days): ₹50,000-₹1,50,000 (one-time)
- Monthly Medicines: ₹2,000-₹8,000
- External Therapies: ₹5,000-₹15,000/month (if ongoing)
- Special Oils: ₹500-₹2,000
Average Annual Cost (First Year with Panchakarma): ₹1,20,000-₹3,00,000 Subsequent Years: ₹30,000-₹1,20,000
Homeopathy
- Initial Consultation: ₹800-₹2,000
- Follow-up: ₹400-₹1,000
- Monthly Medicines: ₹500-₹2,000
- No additional tests typically required
Average Annual Cost: ₹18,000-₹36,000
Top Treatment Centres in Bangalore
For Allopathy
- Manipal Hospital, Whitefield
- Apollo Hospital, Jayanagar
- Columbia Asia Hospital, Hebbal
- Sakra World Hospital, Marathahalli
- Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road
For Ayurveda
- Ayurveda Kendra, Jayanagar
- Sri Sri Ayurveda Hospital, Kanakpura Road
- Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, Multiple locations
- AVN Ayurveda Formulations, Madivala
- Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital, Indiranagar
For Homeopathy
- Dr. Batras Positive Health Clinic, Multiple locations
- The Healing Sanctuary, Koramangala
- Allen Homoeopathy, Indiranagar
- Prashanth Homoeopathy, JP Nagar
- Life Force Homoeopathy, Jayanagar
The Verdict: Which System is Best?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The “best” treatment depends on your individual situation:
Choose Allopathy If:
- You have moderate to severe psoriasis
- You need rapid symptom control
- You have psoriatic arthritis
- You’ve tried natural methods without success
- You can afford or have insurance coverage
- You’re willing to accept potential side effects for faster results
Choose Ayurveda If:
- You have mild to moderate psoriasis
- You’re committed to lifestyle changes
- You want holistic, long-term healing
- You prefer natural approaches
- You can dedicate time for Panchakarma
- You want to address overall health, not just skin
Choose Homoeopathy if:
- You have mild psoriasis
- You’re treating a child
- Budget is a primary concern
- You can’t tolerate other medications
- You’re patient with gradual improvement
- You have strong emotional/stress component
Consider Combination Therapy If:
- Single system hasn’t provided adequate results
- You want benefits of multiple approaches
- You’re transitioning from one system to another
- You have complex health conditions requiring comprehensive care
Taking the Next Step
Regardless of which system you choose:
- Find a qualified practitioner with psoriasis experience
- Be honest about your compliance ability during the consultation
- Document your baseline with photos and a symptom diary
- Set realistic goals (75% improvement is excellent)
- Commit to the chosen path for at least 3-6 months
- Stay informed but avoid information overload
- Join support groups for emotional support and practical tips
Conclusion: Your Personalised Path to Healing
Living with psoriasis can be challenging, but effective treatments are available across all three systems. The key is choosing the approach that aligns with your:
- Disease severity
- Personal values
- Lifestyle capacity
- Financial situation
- Treatment goals
Remember, psoriasis management is a journey, not a destination. Many patients achieve excellent results by:
- Starting with one system
- Adjusting based on response
- Incorporating elements from other systems
- Focusing on sustainable lifestyle changes
The best treatment is the one you can follow consistently with realistic expectations and professional guidance.
Ready to Start Your Treatment Journey?
Book a consultation at our Bangalore clinic to discuss which approach is right for you. Our integrative team includes:
- Board-certified dermatologists (Allopathy)
- Experienced Ayurvedic doctors with Panchakarma expertise
- Qualified homeopathic practitioners
Contact us for:
- Free initial assessment
- Personalized treatment plan
- Cost estimation
- Insurance guidance
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare practitioners before starting any treatment. Individual results may vary based on psoriasis severity, overall health, and adherence to treatment protocols.
Sources:
- National Psoriasis Foundation
- Indian Journal of Dermatology
- Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine
- International Journal of High Dilution Research
- Clinical practice guidelines from Bangalore dermatology centers