The skin is the largest organ of the body, spanning the entire surface area of a person, covered with nerve endings, friendly flora, sweat glands and delicate hairs all protecting and rejuvenating the appearance of the body daily. When a condition such as psoriasis arises, there is no greater indicator to the sensitivity of this organ and its health as being vital to well being and comfort. There are few things as bothersome and constantly discomforting as itchy, scabby skin. If you are one of those suffering with psoriasis, you may be in luck with some of the soothing remedies of nature and the mind explored here.
Psoriasis is believed to be an autoimmune dis-ease, one in which the immune system is over-reacting and attacking the skin, thereby producing more skin when unnecessary. Somewhere around 7.5 million people are said to be bothered by this condition including up to five different ‘types’ of psoriasis, the most common of which is named plaque psoriasis, appearing as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells.
Many medications have been offered to those who itch with this condition, though few find relief. The medical world offers no cure for psoriasis and so we press onward and outward searching for comfort. In the realm of nature and the mind, alternative treatments have been both soothing and relieving to this uncomfortable predicament, in some cases even miraculous.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil in its raw, unrefined state has been shown to be particularly soothing and healing to the skin. It is recommended that it be taken as a dietary supplement both internally and externally up to 3 tablespoons per day to affect skin health. Rubbed into the skin, coconut oil can restore damaged tissues, penetrating deeper layers in order to strengthen connective tissues and increase elasticity. Coconut oil helps to reset and balance the immune system when taken internally and is particularly beneficial to the health of the body’s many glands. Externally, coconut oil also helps to remove the dead cells of the skin making for smoother, more supple skin – a celebration to anyone experiencing psoriasis.
Turmeric
Another amazing herb to try for the irritating symptoms of psoriasis is the yellow root spice called turmeric. Used endlessly in Ayurvedic medicine as a ‘cure-all’, turmeric is now receiving extensive interest and undergoing much scientific research for its many benefits from cancer to Alzheimer’s. When rubbed on the skin (with coconut oil – would be great) it soothes inflamed tissues and offers great relief to all the itching pain of peeling, scabbing tissues. Turmeric can be ingested to affect the immune system directly and offers great promise in the way of immune modulation and anti-inflammatory response.
One particular sufferer of psoriasis has found nearly 95% relief from all symptoms by incorporating the above two measures along with rubbing the skin with a banana peel (in the morning after showering), drinking lemon water (half a lemon to a glass of water per day) – to balance the body’s ph, while continuing to use a medicated skin cream called Sudocrem.
Mental games
One more area worth addressing that is often over-looked in terms of healing conditions such as psoriasis, is the mental state and mind talk accompanying the person who suffers. What common themes run through the minds of those who itch? What is the itch a deeper signifier of? Surely we cannot separate our mental thoughts and beliefs from our physical experiences even though science has not been able to thoroughly explain how they connect. We do know they connect. We also know that thinking positive, healing thoughts has assisted those with even as serious of conditions as cancer, to turn around a negative prognosis.
This is not about pretending to know what those mental ideas are, which might contribute to the manifestation of an autoimmune dis-ease which affects the skin. Rather, this train of thought is meant to inspire a look into the mental repetitions and beliefs that might cause such a physical symptom to arise. It might be helpful to think ‘what are the feelings I continuously feel while itching?’ or ‘what thoughts arise when I contemplate this condition?’ Allow the conscious and the subconscious to intermingle until a connection is achieved between feelings and emotions largely experienced and what the symptoms of the psoriasis might represent to you.
There are other things that can be tried for psoriasis relief that may prove soothing remedies. For now, we focus on the few mentioned here and see what happens with just a few changes. With no known side effects for any of the above suggestions, it can’t hurt to give relief another try.
Written by: Stasia Bliss