Herbal Remedies for Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a poorly understood condition in which skin cells reproduce at an extraordinarily high rate. This leads to a buildup of cells that create the silvery scales characteristic of psoriasis. It causes severe itching and can cause an inflammatory type of arthritis. It has no cure and is typically treated with a topical cortical steroid. Herbal remedies can be used to address the same symptoms without cortical steroids.

Prevention/Solution

• Omega 3 oil from fish or flax seed has overall benefits for skin health as well as being linked specifically to improvement in psoriasis.

Prevention/Solution

• Capsaicin, which is derived from chili peppers, has been shown to decrease the pain associated with, as well as the severity and thickness, of psoriasis scaling when applied topically.

Prevention/Solution

• A daily multivitamin with minerals is suggested due to the deficiencies in vitamin A and zinc that is common in psoriasis sufferers.

Prevention/Solution

• Sarsaparilla has shown promise as a remedy for psoriasis due to its blood-cleansing properties. It helps to eliminate toxins produced by incomplete protein digestion, which has been linked to psoriasis.

Prevention/Solution

• Silymarin is a flavonoid that improves liver function, inhibits inflammation and may reduce excess cell reproduction. Poor liver function, inflammation and excess cell production are all linked to psoriasis.