10 Do-It-Yourself Home Remedies for Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that causes patches of skin to appear red and scaly. Plaque psoriasis is the most prevalent type of Psoriasis. Skin gets thick and scaly as a result of Psoriasis. Psoriasis treatment can help manage symptoms even though there is no cure. For Psoriasis, your doctor might suggest certain lotions or ointments. Psoriasis can be very painful and affects nearly 2% of the global population. Currently, there is no specific cure for this disease.

Common Treatment Options

Common treatments for Psoriasis include topical and oral medications. The mainstay of treatment is a combination of topical corticosteroids and ultraviolet light therapy (UVB). Another therapy includes simultaneous psoralen and ultraviolet light.

Not all individuals can tolerate these medications, and not everyone's body reacts to them. For example, about 48% of patients report gastrointestinal disturbances caused by oral steroids that respond to phototherapy. The problems can make it very difficult to take oral treatments for widespread Psoriasis.

Researchers studied alternative therapies and found them very helpful. Most of the alternative therapies can be done at home. Home remedies include daily use products to treat Psoriasis.

Here is a list of 10 common home treatments for Psoriasis, including several that have scientific support −

1. L-lysine

Lysine is an essential amino acid that plays a vital role in skin health. Lysine is naturally present in many foods like pork, chicken, and eggs. Studies show that Lysine can be obtained easily from 400 mg capsules of Lysine. Lysine has an anti-inflammatory effect and may help relieve pain and itching.

2. Garlic

More than 2600 studies have shown that garlic benefits various health conditions. Garlic is suitable for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and depression. The main active ingredient in garlic is Allicin. Allicin comes from crushed garlic, and it has an anti-inflammatory effect. Garlic also appears to have a skin-soothing effect and has the potential to treat skin irritations such as eczema and Psoriasis.

3. Yogurt

Yoghurt is rich in lactic acid, which can help soothe inflamed skin by promoting skin hydration. It may also contain other substances, including calcium (which promotes healthy cell growth), zinc, and vitamin B12, which assist in producing collagen (a protein that provides structure).

4. Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is a flowering plant that is native to the Mediterranean region. The herbal supplement is an antioxidant that protects cells from damage by free radicals. The central component of milk thistle, silymarin, shows anti-inflammatory effects. This can help in treating Psoriasis. A recent study found that after taking silymarin, patients had less inflammation than those who took a placebo, although there was no improvement in their psoriasis symptoms.

5. Vitamin B

The Vitamin B complex contains various compounds, including the anti-inflammatory compound Niacin. Niacin can reduce inflammation by interacting with the enzyme Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2).

COX2 is responsible for converting certain fatty acids into prostaglandins, compounds promoting inflammation. Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) can also be effective in reducing inflammation and pain. However, numerous studies have shown that vitamin supplements do not necessarily help Psoriasis. Some believe these supplements contain only one or two active ingredients and must contain adequate amounts of other components to work effectively.

6. Cumin

Cumin has anti-inflammatory properties and corydalis, which may help calm inflamed skin. It also contains signaling molecules that help in relieving pain. A study at the University of Maryland compared the treatment of Psoriasis with corydalis and found that after 3 months, patients taking corydalis had more improvement in their symptoms than those receiving a placebo. The researchers determined both were effective, but corydalis was more effective for treating pain, scaling, and itching in the skin.

7. Blueberry Pomegranate Juice

Blueberry pomegranate juice contains anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant that may help reduce the enzyme Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) activity. This enzyme plays a role in the production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and may thus contribute to the formation and maintenance of Psoriasis.

8. Mistletoe

Mistletoe is a flowering plant commonly found in Europe, Russia, and South Africa. People have been using mistletoe for centuries to treat various illnesses, including bowel cancer and arthritis.

The FDA does not regulate mistletoe because it is not a drug. However, it can be dangerous if taken incorrectly or in high doses, such as drinking copious amounts at once or combining it with other medications.

A study published in the Archives of Dermatology suggests that mistletoe may help relieve itching in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis (a severe and chronic form of Psoriasis). Patients took a high dose of herb extract on alternate days over 6 weeks. The researchers found that 71% of those receiving the mistletoe extract had at least a 50% reduction in their level of itching.

9. Black Currant Leaf Extract

Black currant leaf extract is rich in various substances, including flavonoids, vitamin C, and minerals that may be beneficial for psoriasis symptoms. Oral supplementation with black currant is beneficial for psoriasis symptoms such as itching and redness, but there is no research on topical use.

10. Echinacea

Echinacea is the herbal remedy used for centuries to treat skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and Psoriasis. Echinacea has an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps reduce inflammation in the skin and ease itching.

Scientific evidence does not support the use of Echinacea. However, because it may be effective for treating certain other skin conditions without causing side effects (such as redness and swelling), it can help reduce some psoriasis symptoms.

Conclusion

These treatments can help control the symptoms of Psoriasis. No one remedy works best, but when used together and in moderation, it can improve the quality of life for someone suffering from this disease. The most effective way to combat Psoriasis is to work with a doctor or dermatologist. If creams or medications are ineffective, there are other treatments available. Keeping up your general health will also help in symptom improvement. However, if you are looking for natural remedies to help with your Psoriasis, these 10 remedies are good to start with.