What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin disease and can be a serious ailment that can effect your skin, nails, joints and even heart. The most common type of Psoriasis can be easily identified by raised red patches on the skin that are covered with a silvery buildup of dead skin cells referred to as "scale". These patches are most commonly seen on elbows, scalp, knees and torso. The skin cells replicate too rapidly, as much as 1,000 times more rapidly than than normal skin.
Psoriasis is linked to an immune system break down but no one really knows for sure what it is caused from however a number of factors appear to contribute to psoriasis including poor digestion, bowel toxemia, impaired liver function, alcohol consumption, too many animal fats in your diet and an excess of stress in your life.
In my Holistic Healthcare schooling I have learned that skin diseases are linked to the liver, and with knowing this then we can rely on the fact that foods or avoidance of foods can help alleviate most skin conditions.
Foods that are healing for Psoriasis are foods high in antioxidants such as carrots, tomatoes(however, in some people may worsen flare ups), fresh fruits and dark leafy greens.
Foods that are high in fiber, this will help eliminate foods that trigger the flare ups that may be in your intestines.
Topically using Capsaicin, aka cayenne or other peppers, however some burning feeling may be felt and too uncomfortable for some, otherwise after a few days of using an over the counter cream with capsaicin, the burning feeling will subside.
Also topical ointments or salves containing glycyrrhetinic acid from licorice, and chamomile.
Consider taking a good source of omega 3's, such as flaxseeds or flaxseed oil or eating purslane ( you can find purslane in some natural grocery stores produce dept. and Food City Markets)
A natural home rememdy made of equal parts honey, bees wax and olive oil to apply to the skin.
The
NATIONAL PSORIASIS FOUNDATIONS suggest oatmeal baths, see there website for ingredients and direction.
Tumeric in foods but also topically however this can be messy and may stain clothing.
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar-1 cup to one gallon of water and either bath in it or make compresses to apply to inflammed skin. You can also add baking soda to this mixture.
Beet/carrot juice with lemon wedge.
Herbs used for Psoriasis:
The list is long and depends on the type of psoriasis that you have but out of the 18herbs that I know used for this disorder I will list 6.
(not in any specific order)
Red Clover
Oregon Grape
Burdock
Sarsaparilla
Tumeric
Dandelion
Foods to avoid:
SUGAR, Gluten, Alcohol, fried or fatty foods,high-protein foods and of course drinking grapefruit juice if you are taking medication for psoriasis.
resources:
Healing foods by Michael Murray N.D.
Green Pharmacy Healing Foods by James A. Duke, PhD
300 Herbs by Matthew Alfs
