Herbal Psoriasis Remedies

Treating Rough, Dry Skin with Herbs

Aug 12, 2009 Cindy Ausbrooks

Clinical trials have proven many psoriasis herbs effective natural remedies in the treatment of the skin condition.

Psoriasis is a skin disorder characterized by raised scaly lesions often silver to reddish-pink in color, a result of the build-up of dry, rough dead skin. Psoriasis patches are most commonly found on the elbows, knees, lower back and groin. Affecting more than 6 million people in the United States, the condition is believed to be an inherited disorder. It can be effectively treated with herbal psoriasis remedies including milk thistle, coleus, cayenne and aloe.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle extract (Silybum marianum), also known as silymarin, is recommended by alternative medical practitioners to stimulate bile production in the liver and regulate the immune system. The herb will keep the blood clean and protect the liver, which makes it an effective psoriasis remedy. According to the Dermatology Online Journal, milk thistle has numerous benefits to the skin, including the treatment of psoriasis.

Dosage: Lisa LeVan, author of The Psoriasis Cure, recommends taking 300 milligrams of milk thistle three times per day for approximately three months. Reduce the dosage to 70 to 210 milligrams three times per day after this. Levan also suggests increasing the dosage if your liver is damaged prior to beginning the herbal psoriasis treatment.

Coleus

Although scientific evidence is lacking, the Ayurvedic herb coleus (Coleus Forskohlii) has been used historically as one of many herbal psoriasis remedies. Lita Lee, PhD, a prominent chemist and enzyme nutritionist, suggests that coleus is valuable in treating skin disorders such as psoriasis due to its ability to promote normal cell division. It is used by herbalists to treat not only psoriasis, but also eczema and even cancer.

Dosage: Take 50 to100 milligrams of coleus two or three times per day, or 2 to 4 milliliters of the fluid extract two or three times per day. For the best results, take coleus extract which has been standardized to 18 percent forskolin, the herb’s active ingredient.

Cayenne

Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) is regarded by many experts as an effective natural psoriasis remedy. The herb contains a substance known as capsaicin, which relieves pain and itching associated with psoriasis by depleting neurotransmitters from the sensory nerves. A 1993 double blind study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that topically applied capsaicin effectively treats pruritic psoriasis.

Dosage: Use a cream containing 0.025 to 0.075 percent capsaicin for topical psoriasis treatment. The solution will likely cause a burning sensation during the first few uses, but this will diminish over time. Always wear gloves while applying capsaicin cream to prevent accidental transfer to the nose, eyes or mouth, and wash the hands thoroughly after handling.

Aloe Vera

According to a double-blind study published in Tropical Medicine & International Health in 1996, the topical application of aloe vera is a safe and natural psoriasis remedy. Patients participating in the trial experienced a severe reduction in lesions and many were considered “healed” by researchers after four weeks of treatment. The aloe cream healed 25 out of 30 patients, compared to the placebo which healed only 2 out of 30 patients. No adverse reactions were reported.

Dosage: Cream containing 0.5 percent aloe vera extract was used in the trial, and was applied to the affected areas three times per day. Herbalists recommend keeping the skin saturated in the cream as much as possible until the psoriasis is healed.

Other Herbs

Numerous other herbal psoriasis remedies exist, some backed by science and others merely anecdotal. Burdock root, yellow dock, red clover, cleavers, bilberry, golden seal and echinacea are all mentioned in various herbal texts. Any of these herbal remedies for psoriasis may be consumed in the form of extracts, teas or tinctures. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for proper dosage.

In addition to the above herbs, several topical remedies are also recommended for sufferers of psoriasis. Apple cider vinegar, evening primrose oil, oatmeal, tea tree oil, oregano oil and Oregon Grapeseed oil have all been suggested. Apply any of these herbal psoriasis remedies several times per day to the affected area. Always consult a qualified herbal or medical practitioner prior to beginning any natural medicine regime to make sure it is safe for you.

References:

Ehrlich, NMD, Steven D., (2008). Psoriasis, University of Maryland Medical Center Complementary Medicine. Retrieved August 12, 2009.

Healthnotes, (2007). Psoriasis, University of Michigan Health System Alternative Medicine. Retrieved August 12, 2009.

Datner, Alan, Silymarin. Dermatology Online Journal, Volume 6 Number 1. Retrieved August 12, 2009.

Lee, PhD., Lita (2006). Psoriasis. Retrieved August 12, 2009.

Ellis CN, Berberian B, Sulica VI, et al. A double-blind evaluation of topical capsaicin in pruritic psoriasis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1993;29:438-42.

Syed TA, Ahmed SA, Holt AH, et al. Management of psoriasis with Aloe vera extract in a hydrophilic cream: A placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Tropical Medicine & International Health 1996;1:505-9.

The copyright of the article Herbal Psoriasis Remedies in Natural Medicine is owned by Cindy Ausbrooks. Permission to republish Herbal Psoriasis Remedies in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Milk thistle, an effective herbal psoriasis remedy