Cracked heels are an extremely common problem faced by men and women alike. There are many reasons for this condition. In Ayurveda, cracked feet are called Padadari. Paada means feet/heels and Dari, Darana means cracking. It is categorized under shudra khushtha, a minor skin disease. Though it may seem harmless, it can seriously impact your life. Individuals who suffer from diseases like diabetes need to take extra precautions.
Ayurvedic physician’s state that walking barefoot and long distances can create an imbalance of Vata and cause cracked heels. Dry and cold weather can worsen the vayu in the body and trigger cracked heels. Such weather can make the existing cracks on heels worse. The Vata dosha can dry up the sweat glance, and lack of sweating causes skin dryness.
Causative Factors
- Walking on uneven, rough surfaces
- Unhygienic conditions of the feet
- Standing for long hours
- Reduced sleep
- Less intake of fruits and vegetables
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Obesity or overweight
- Improper footwear
- Aging
- Exposure to irritants like detergents
- Overexposure to extreme weather conditions
- Improper diet
- Dehydration
Symptoms
- Extreme dryness of the foot
- Cracks
- Fissures
- Reddish and flaky patches
- Itching
- Pain on the palm and sole
- Bleeding
- Burning sensation
Cracked Heels Ayurveda management
Cracked heel being a minor Vata disorder is managed effectively and easily by Vata pacifying ayurveda therapies like:
Pada Abhyanga – According to Ayurveda, the foot is the place where important nerve endings meet. Massaging the foot with medicated oils helps revitalize these neural pathways. This is beneficial not just for cracked heels but also for maintaining overall health and well-being. Oil massage moisturizes and softens the skin in the affected area. Along with repairing cracked heels, it provides nourishment to the foot by easing inflammation.
Swedana – This is the process of herb-induced sweating using the steaming technique.
Snehana, also called Oleation, is the process of oiling the affected body area with medicated oils.
Lepana or application of medicated paste. Pastes made from medicinal herbs are applied to the feet. These pastes help ease the condition.
Diet restrictions – Limit or restrict foods that aggravate Vata dosha.
Include the following foods in your daily diet like
- Fruits
- Cucumber
- Ash gourd
- Tender coconut water
- Ghee
- Butter
Reduce or restrict the consumption of the following food items:
- Deep-fried food
- Spicy food
- Pepper
- Bitter gourd
- Chilly
- Mustard
Conclusion
A Cracked heel could be a simple and minor health complaint predominantly found in wet and cold climates. Although this does not cause a severe health issue, this results in disturbance to the daily routine. The best part of following these unique cracked-heel Ayurvedic treatments is that they come with no side effects. So to get long-lasting comfort and to solve the root cause, it is always good to tackle the cracked heel problem holistically.
At Ayurclinic, our Ayurvedic practitioners combine Ayurvedic herbs and an Ayurvedic diet to get to the bottom of this issue. We will also give you actionable suggestions to amend your lifestyle which can help the entire Ayurvedic treatment.
If you are looking for more information about Padadari (Cracked heels) you can always contact us or Call us at +61 3 9078 2940.
