1. Mahonia Aquifolium Herbal Extract
Mahonia Aquifolium (also known as Oregon Grape Root) grows in various parts of North America, South American and Europe. Berberine is one of the active ingredients in Mahonia Aquifolium which fights the inflammatory responses. It has significant anti-microbial properties, and helps to eliminate bacteria, viruses, parasites and other harmful microorganisms. Alkaloids found in Mahonia Aquifolium (Oregon Grape) inhibit the over-proliferation of skin cells called keratinocytes, which is a hallmark of psoriasis. The stem and leaves of this plant are grounded into a powder or distilled into an extract. This extract is used to make up the topical creams, ointments and shampoos that are used for the treatment of Psoriasis by reducing the redness and thickness of psoriatic flares along with other symptoms. See our full range of Mahonia Aquifolium Psoriasis treatments here.
It’s safe and effective. When taken orally, it can also help to battle some of the internal causes that trigger psoriasis. The dosage is 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon (3 ml) taken three times per day. It’s often recommended to dilute the extract in water or juice for a better taste.
In a clinical trial conducted in London on 50 Psoriasis patients, it was found that application of Oregon grape extract significantly improved the symptoms of 86% of the patients. Most of them noticed a marked improvement in just four weeks.
In Germany, another study in which 440 Psoriasis patients were treated with ointment from this plant. It was reported that 81% of the patients improved their symptoms or completely healed the condition. Oregon grape extract dropped the number of patients who had severe psoriasis from 30% to less than 6% in just 3 months of treatment.
2. Colloidal Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal has long been known to soothe irritated skin — not when you eat it, but when you apply it to the skin. All you need is plain ground oats and a bathtub. Oatmeal is scientifically proven to reduce skin swelling and itching, it contains fats like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that are healthy for your skin.
Colloidal oatmeal is a finely ground oatmeal that dissolves in hot water and won’t clog your drain. You can buy it ready-made or you can make your own colloidal oatmeal by grinding whole oats in a blender or food processor until the texture is a little grittier than regular flour. To see if you’ve ground it fine enough, mix a tablespoon in a cup of hot water. It should blend and stay suspended, with very little settling on the bottom.
Don’t use instant oatmeal. It is gentle on the skin and rarely causes skin allergies, but you should use organically grown oats for your bath to reduce the possibility of any irritants.
For your bath it’s best to start with 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of colloidal oatmeal and work up to as much 1 1/2 cups (12 ounces). Don’t make the water too hot and add the oatmeal into the bath under the running water. It is good to infuse your bath with essential oils like Lavender.
“Colloidal oatmeal is thought to have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties due to the presence of compounds such as Vitamin E, Ferulic acid, and Avenanthramides. It is thought that these compounds can help soothe the skin, and many people do report a beneficial effect,” explains Dr. Ophelia Veraitch dermatologist at The Cranley Clinic, Harley Street.
3. CBD Oil
A great deal has been written about the benefits of CBD oil for psoriasis sufferers. It is used mainly as drops that are held under the tongue for fast absorption into the blood stream. This allows for the benefits to be felt much quicker than with edibles that need to pass through the digestive system. Drops should be taken every 4-6 hours and it’s advisable to start with a low dose (500mg per 10ml) and work up to a high dose (2000mg per 10ml) depending on your requirements. Working out exactly how much CBD is effective for you is personal and is discovered through a process of trial and error by adjusting up or down as needed. For topical use, there are creams and ointments available that contain CBD but probably, just adding a few drops of your CBD Oil to your own skin moisturisers and emollients, could work just as well.
See our sister site for a range of CBD oil’s – www.thehonestleafcompany.com
What are the benefits of CBD?
- Can Prevent the Overgrowth of Skin Cells
- Has Immunosuppressant Properties
- Has Anti Inflammatory Properties
- Can Alleviate Stress
- Acts as a Natural Pain Reliever and Analgesic
- Boosts the Immune System
- Relieves the Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, Apple Cider Vinegar may help soothe the itching or irritation from psoriasis due to its antiseptic properties especially on the scalp. Research has shown that, when used externally, it promotes blood circulation in the small capillaries of the skin, has antiseptic qualities which prevent bacteria, and regulates pH levels on the skin.
Apple Cider Vinegar can be used in the following ways:
- Apply the vinegar directly to the scalp several times a week but not if the scalp is cracked, bleeding, or there are open wounds as it could cause pain and possibly further irritation. It’s advisable to dilute the vinegar to start with to reduce the possibility of any burning sensation. Rinse the scalp once the vinegar has dried.
- Take a bath in diluted apple cider vinegar. To do this, add 1 cup to a warm bath. There are tremendous skin health benefits to having a vinegar bath. Apple Cider Vinegar kills fungus and bacteria on the skin and provides relief for many people with psoriasis and eczema.
- Apply ACV directly to any individual and stubborn areas using a cotton ball or, for nails, dip your nail beds into the solution.
- Drink Apple Cider Vinegar for psoriasis by mixing two to three tablespoons in a tall glass of water, normally once a day in the evenings, just before dinner in order to get your gastric juices flowing. Try to get organic ACV that is free of preservatives and additives.
5. Plant Based Omega3
Research has suggested that omega-3s may improve symptoms of psoriasis. A comprehensive review, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, shows that omega-3 improved the symptoms of psoriasis in 12 out of 15 trials. These benefits included improvements in itching, scaling and inflammation. Omega-3 is most effective taken orally over a period of 3 months or longer and can effectively enhance the immune system.
Omega 3 is found in oils, vegetables and nuts and, although it is commonly understood that Omega 3 is found in fish and shellfish, the fact is that Omega 3 is naturally produced by algae, not fish! Just like us, fish only get omega 3 from the foods they eat. It all starts with tiny microscopic algae plants that convert the sun’s energy into omega 3. Krill eat the algae, and the fish eat the krill.
By taking omega 3 straight from algae, you can benefit from a purer form of omega 3 without the fishy aftertaste and free of toxins! The other bonus is that no fish are killed, and no ecosystems damaged in the process
We recommend Nothing Fishy from https://www.nothingfishy.co/. 100% plant based, algae cultures are grown in seawater in a controlled environment, making this the cleanest source of Omega 3 available.
6. UVB Rays From Sunlight
Present in natural sunlight, ultraviolet B (UVB) is an effective treatment for psoriasis. UVB penetrates the skin and slows the growth of affected skin cells. Research suggests that UV rays have immunosuppressive effects, which can help reduce psoriasis symptoms. The sun emits Ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can be UVA or UVB. The difference lies in the size of the wavelength. UVA rays can reach deeper into the skin, while UVB rays do not penetrate as deeply and while natural UVA rays alone do not appear to improve psoriasis symptoms, UVB exposure from the sun can slow the rapid growth of skin cells that occurs with psoriasis. This may help ease inflammation and reduce scaling in people with mild to moderate psoriasis.
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to all areas of unaffected skin.
- Wear sunglasses.
- Do natural sun therapy sessions when the sun is at its strongest.
- Stay outside for only 10 minutes at a time to reduce the risk of sun damage.
If your skin can tolerate the exposure, you can slowly increase your sun exposure by 30 seconds to 1 minute each day.
It is best to work with a doctor, such as a dermatologist, to determine the right amount of sun exposure. They may recommend a more controlled type of UV exposure, such as narrow-band UVB therapy as PUVA (UVA rays) can increase the risk of skin cancer.
7. Probiotics
A growing body of evidence suggests that an imbalance of bacteria in the gut, or gastrointestinal Dysbiosis, can cause psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases. Probiotics are living microorganisms that can occur in certain foods. Consuming these organisms increases the diversity of bacteria in the gut. This may help the body to control inflammation. People with psoriasis often have higher amounts of inflammation-causing bacteria in their intestines and probiotics can influence the immune system’s inflammatory response by stimulating the cells that regulate inflammation.
Adding probiotic-rich foods to your diet is an easy way to introduce these bacteria into your system. Probiotic bacteria are commonly found in the following:
- Yogurt
- Fermented cheeses, such as gouda, cheddar, Swiss, and parmesan
- Sourdough bread
- Pickles
- Acidophilus milk
- Miso soup
- Dark chocolate
- Apple cider vinegar
You may also consider taking a probiotic supplement. If you do take a supplement, consult your doctor.
Most people with psoriasis have a compromised immune system and Scientists are still working to develop an entirely new class of probiotics that are highly targeted to address psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
8. Acupuncture & Acupressure
Acupuncture is a holistic treatment where trained practitioners insert fine needles into the skin. This is done to stimulate specific points and reactions within the body. It’s used as an alternative treatment for several different conditions, including psoriasis. Stress is a common trigger of psoriasis flares and acupuncture is an effective stress reliever. In cases of psoriatic arthritis, it can help to relieve pain.
Acupressure is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice that makes use of the same pressure points targeted in acupuncture, and some people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis have utilised acupressure to relieve pain and other symptoms of the disease
A 2004 study included 80 participants. It saw a 91.3 percent effectiveness rate in alleviating psoriasis symptoms after just five acupuncture sessions.
A newer study from 2016 also found improvement of lesions after using acupuncture as a treatment for psoriasis.
Learn more about our range of natural treatments available for Psoriasis & Eczema.
