Home Remedies for Psoriasis

Nutrition, Supplements and Herbs for Dry, Scaly Skin

Aug 13, 2009 Cindy Ausbrooks

Proper diet, nutritional supplements and herbs are effective home remedies for psoriasis which may help reduce dry, scaly skin.

Psoriasis can cause extreme discomfort, itching and unsightly patches of red scaly skin. The skin disorder is believed to be hereditary, with approximately one-third of sufferers having family members who also exhibit symptoms of psoriasis. However, the condition can be combated with home psoriasis treatments including improved nutritional habits, vitamin and mineral supplements, and psoriasis herbs.

Psoriasis Nutrition

A poor diet high in saturated fat is believed to contribute to the development and outbreak of psoriasis. Several types of foods should be eliminated from the diet to heal and prevent the condition from reappearing. Proper nutrition is one of the safest and easiest home remedies for psoriasis. If you’re suffering from the skin disorder, try decreasing your intake of the following foods:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Sugar, refined foods and processed foods
• Citrus fruits, milk, eggs, corn, wheat and other foods which may trigger allergies

For the best results, remove all of the above foods from your diet. Add them back in one at a time, and closely monitor your body’s response. If several days go by and the condition has not worsened, you may conclude that the food in question is not to blame for your psoriasis. Continue until you find the foods which do cause outbreaks and eliminate them for good.

In addition to removing certain foods from the diet, many foods may be added to promote healing. This is particularly important if your diet is less than wholesome. Try eating some of the following foods on a regular basis to improve the health of your entire body and reduce dry, scaly skin:

• Whole grains such as brown rice, millet and oats
• High-fiber fruits and vegetables of all kinds
• Dark green, leafy vegetables
• Oily fish, high in essential fatty acids
• Nuts and seeds, which are also high in essential fatty acids

Psoriasis Supplements

Several different supplements have been used as effective home remedies for psoriasis. Speak to your doctor about adding any of the following natural psoriasis treatments to your daily routine.

• Fish oil – A 2006 study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that 80 percent of patients given a daily dose of fish oil over six weeks experienced modest improvement in psoriasis, including a diminution of scaling. The recommended dosage is 10 grams per day, but a doctor should be consulted before taking such a large dose, particularly if the patient is taking blood-thinners.
• Folate – Patients with psoriasis use folate more rapidly than others, making a supplement necessary to keep up with the demand. An effective psoriasis remedy, around 400 mcg of folate should be taken daily.
• Vitamin E – According to a 1995 article published in the Journal of Molecular Medicine, vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant which has the ability to decrease the frequency and severity of pathological events in the skin. For this reason, it is recommended by alternative medical practitioners as a home remedy for psoriasis. Suggested dosage is 400-800 IU per day.
• Zinc – This mineral is a recommended home remedy for psoriasis when applied topically. A study published in the Dermatology Online Journal in 1997 found a topical cream containing zinc pyrithione is a safe and effective treatment for psoriasis. It may also be taken internally, with a suggested dosage of 30 mg per day.

Psoriasis Herbs

Herbal psoriasis remedies are plentiful and most often safe for the treatment of the skin disorder. Herbs such as milk thistle, coleus, aloe and cayenne have all been used with success as home remedies for psoriasis. These and other herbs have been proven effective in clinical trials, and are recommended by herbal and medical practitioners. If you’re interested in using herbs to heal or prevent psoriasis, please see the article herbal psoriasis remedies.

Always consult a qualified herbal or medical practitioner prior to taking any home remedies for psoriasis to make sure they are safe for you. Some drug interactions may occur with certain herbal and nutritional supplements.

References:

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

Maurice, P.D.L., Allen, B.R., Barkley, A.S.J, Cockbill, S.R., Stammers, J., Bather, P.C. (2006). The effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil in patients with psoriasis [Electronic Version]. British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 117 Issue 5, 599-606.

Haas, Elson M., & Levin, Buck (2006). Staying healthy with nutrition: the complete guide to diet and nutritional medicine. Celestial Arts.

Nachbar, F., Koeting, H.C. (1995). The role of vitamin E in normal and damaged skin. Journal of Molecular Medicine. Volume 73, Number 1.

Crutchfield C, Lewis E, and Zelickson B. (1997) The highly effective use of topical zinc pyrithione in the treatment of psoriasis: a case report. Dermatology Online Journal. 3(2):11a; discussion 11h.

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

Psoriasis on the knees and legs