Life Herbs Blog

Psoriasis Treatment: Drug Free

Rubbing hand cream into skin

Herbal medicine has much to offer this condition. Psoriasis, like many skin conditions, is an internal condition attempting elimination through the skin. It is the body attempting to rebalance itself and this is where herbs really come into their own. Herbs used are those with blood purifying and cleansing action and can work wonders. In fact if psoriasis is caught early enough when it starts to appear as discreet small red areas it can be sorted out within a month or two. Generally however someone will have been suffering for many years and then it can take quite some time to gently assist this elimination together with appropriate corrections in the diet.

Herbs which I have found particularly beneficial are Burdock root, Turmeric, Red clover, Yellow dock root, and Mahonia. I prescribe these as tinctures, generally in a combination.

DIET – Omega 3 and G.L.A. Fatty Acids

As often as not psoriasis results from faulty fat metabolism. That is why omega 3 and G.L.A. fatty acids are so helpful. Sesame seeds, rich in oleic acids can also be very beneficial as is sesame oil. These oils decrease inflammation and eliminate auto-immune disease.

Note: People who take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin) have a higher risk of bleeding if they also take omega-3 supplements. Therefore, it is better to consume fish that contain omega-3 rather than taking supplements.

Beta carotene/provitamin A foods like greens, carrots, pumpkin and squash, kale, Swiss chard and watercress are particularly helpful as is the blue green algae Spirulina. Any green vegetable rich in chlorophyll will purify the blood.

Drinking plenty of water is essential to aid faster recovery.

Foods To Avoid

  • Spicy Foods
  • Fatty Foods
  • Greasy Foods

Also best avoided are:

  • Sugar and foods containing it
  • Citrus fruits.

Other beneficial natural treatments

Exposure to sunlight

  • Exposure to sunlight can sometimes improve the appearance of the skin when a person has psoriasis. People should expose their skin gradually and for brief periods.
  • It is recommend starting with 5-10 minutes of midday sun exposure once a day. It is essential to cover healthy skin with clothing so that only the affected areas get exposure to the sun. If their skin tolerates it, an individual can slowly increase sun exposure in increments of 30 seconds each day.
  • If a person gets sunburnt, they should avoid any further sun exposure.
  • It is the sun’s UVB rays that are beneficial for psoriasis symptoms rather than the UVA rays. Sun and indoor tanning beds mostly emit UVA rays.
  • People who use indoor tanning beds have a higher chance of skin damage. Using them can also increase the risk of a type of skin cancer called melanoma by 59%.
  • Some medications can also make the skin more sensitive to the sun.

Probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are present in yogurt and fermented foods

Moisturising Creams

I sell several vegan organic creams on my website [Nature’s Creams Shop] which would be helpful for psoriasis sufferers. See below:

  • Skin Calm Cream
  • Aloe Vera cream
  • Hemp Seed Cream

Wet dressings and warm baths with salts or oats

  • Baths and showers can be relaxing, but those that are too long or too hot can strip the skin of its oils, and this can obviously make psoriasis worse.
  • Some people find that a warm bath containing colloidal oatmeal or Epsom salts is soothing and relieves symptoms.
  • According to research, an oatmeal bath or a wet dressing can reduce itching, and a warm bath containing a suitable bath oil can help moisturise the skin.
  • Dead Sea salt baths which is rich in magnesium, bromine and potassium but low in sodium can be very beneficial.
  • In 2005, researchers found evidence that Dead Sea salts might help with dry skin. Volunteers immersed a forearm in water with a 5-percent concentration of magnesium salts, the most common minerals in the Dead Sea, for 15 minutes.