Q and A: Home Remedies for Psoriasis
Even if your case of psoriasis has a genetic origin, you may be able to mitigate your irritation with herbs such as yellow dock, stinging nettle and burdock root.
By Chanchal Cabrera and D. Paul Barney
May/June 1997
In every issue of Herbs for Health, professionals from a variety of health-care fields answer your questions about using medicinal herbs. Herbalist Chanchal Cabrera and medical doctor D. Paul Barney responded for this issue.
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Q&A
I am fifty-three and have severe psoriasis, which first started about five years ago. I was first treated with topical creams and then with baths and UBV treatments. After three months, I was all cleared. Unfortunately, it’s back, and worse than ever. My dermatologist won’t let me take any more UBV treatments because of the risk of skin cancer, and I don’t want to start using the topical ointments and creams anymore because of the side effects. Is there an answer for me using natural herbs?
C. R.
Depew, New York
Psoriasis, a flaky, itchy skin condition, is due to various causes. If it is genetic (often associated with a family history of rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease), no herb or any other treatment is going to make a lasting improvement. Other cases of psoriasis are due to food allergies, especially to dairy and wheat, and most cases are aggravated by stress.
Even if yours is the genetic type, it is still worth addressing possible food allergies. I suggest undergoing proper allergy testing with an alternative medical practitioner using Vega or some other diagnostic method. Do not use the skin-prick testing as it is only about 40 percent accurate for food allergies. Simply avoiding wheat, dairy products, refined sugars, and coffee may make a great deal of difference.
It is often useful to undergo a good cleansing and detoxification program when beginning treatment for psoriasis. This is best done under the supervision of a qualified herbalist, and you should be prepared for a slight worsening of the symptoms as stored toxins get moved out of the body.