Ah, that sounds really frustrating. The kind of itching you’re describing often roots down to an internal imbalance, particularly in Ayurveda terms, possibly pointing to aggravated Pitta due to your spicy diet and stress levels. Let’s try breaking it down into some actionable steps that could help.
First off, about diet: Considering Pitta, spicy foods and excessive tea can aggravate the condition. Try to cut down on chillies, hot spices, tomatoes, and fermented foods. Introduce cooling foods like cucumber, coconut water, and sweet fruits (like melons) into your routine. Hydrate plenty, but avoid stimulants like coffee or excessive tea.
Now, herbs you mentioned—neem, manjistha, haritaki are great indeed. Neem can be taken internally as capsules or powder but also consider neem oil applied externally to soothe the skin. Manjistha is excellent for blood purification—try it as a tea or supplement. Haritaki can optimize digestion, which seems relevant given your symptoms worsen after meals.
For external itching relief, infusing coconut or sesame oil with a few neem leaves and applying it to affected areas might actually help. Do an oil massage once a day, maybe before showering.
About Panchakarma: It’s powerful but I wouldn’t rush into it without consulting an Ayurvedic practitioner. They’d usually do a detailed analysis before suggesting such treatments. It’s really intense and not always necessary for every case.
You might want to also try a simple detox—a light diet with khichdi (rice and lentil dish) for a week, along with plenty of warm water, could help cleanse your system. Consistency over a few weeks should show you some results.
Patience is key—Ayurveda is about long-term balance. Keep an eye on incorporating gentle stress-relief techniques too—yoga, pranayama, even simple walks. They can synergize with your other efforts for deeper relief.