5 Herbs That Can Help With Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects the skin. It manifests itself as red—and sometimes silvery-white—scaly patches that develop on various parts of the body, often on the elbows, knees, or scalp. 

According to the World Psoriasis Day consortium, about 125 million people across the world have psoriasis, which accounts for about 2 to 3 percent of the earth's total population. What's more, almost 60 percent of people who have psoriasis reported that the condition has adverse effects in their everyday life. 

Psoriasis often appears between the ages of 15 and 25, but it can develop at any age. At this time, there is no cure to the condition, but it was revealed that patients with psoriasis incur annual health care costs that are greater than those of the general population. In fact, their health-related expenditures can amount to $135 billion annually! This is because many psoriasis treatments involve the use of topical creams, oral or injected medications, and light therapy—all of which can be costly.

Luckily, there are alternative and cost-effective therapies that can alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis, such as the use of natural herbs. This treatment is often deemed as safe and found to be of great help in reducing itching and scaling.

Below are the top herbs that are known to help treat psoriasis:

Turmeric

This root plant has long been recognized in the pharmaceutical industry because of its unique anti-inflammatory properties and an active ingredient called curcumin. A previous study found out that gels that contain traces of curcumin can help people with several cases of psoriasis. Although it has to be mixed with topical steroids and a measure of a low-dairy diet, the subjects who tried it reported significant improvements in their symptoms. 

Aloe Vera

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) has stated that the healing and soothing properties found in aloe vera can go a long way in reducing the symptoms of psoriasis. By applying it to the affected area three times a day for a five-day period, there could be a decrease in inflammation and clearing of a mild psoriasis flare. It is recommended to look for a topical cream or gel that contains at least 0.5 percent aloe for the best results. 

Mahonia Aquifolium 

Also known as barberry, this flowering plant is known for its ability to slow down skin cell growth, making it incredibly effective in reducing the effects of psoriasis. As per the NCCIH, this herb is one of the most useful and potent of all herbal remedies with regard to treating psoriasis. Whether it is in the form of an oil, tincture, or cream, it can reduce inflammation and ease psoriasis symptoms.

Capsaicin

An active ingredient found in pepper that is responsible for the burning sensation, this herb can also "burn" cells, which, if used on psoriasis, leads to a reduction in the growth rate of skin cells. There are several studies that show that minimal to severe cases of psoriasis have seen significant improvements over a period of time after taking controlled doses of capsaicin. 

Indigo Naturalis

Initially used in ancient Chinese medicine, this herb has been adopted by modern medicine and was found to be effective in treating nail psoriasis. In a previous study, oil extract used on nail psoriasis on a daily basis resulted in significant improvement.

Conclusion

Psoriasis is an uncomfortable condition, but it is manageable. If you'd like an organic, more cost-effective approach to treating psoriasis, natural medicine is the way to go. Check out our Psoriasis Treatment Complete Kit if you'd like to give it a try.