General health — By MoreHealth on April 18, 2013 в 20:36

People suffering from this unpleasant, often painful, and in many cases embarrassing autoimmune condition known as psoriasis, have been waiting for a cure for it, but meanwhile many of are them relying on natural remedies for psoriasis.

There are various pharmaceuticals, medical procedures, spa procedures, lifestyle changes and diets, which could be applied, by themselves or in a combination, to alleviate the symptoms and sooth the outbreaks.

Despite all the efforts from doctors and scientists from around the world, there is no medical treatment which is known to cure psoriasis invented yet. Otherwise, there are various pharmaceutical products available to treat it – some more successful and others not so much.  There are three types of medical products for psoriasis: topical (ointments and lotions, products applied directly to the skin), ultraviolet light therapy, which includes exposing the body to systematic UV rays, and the third is pills and injections.

Unfortunately, psoriasis has a tendency to grow resistant to any product or therapy.

This is the reason why, a majority of people affected by this non-contagious but very unpleasant skin condition tend to turn to the natural remedies for psoriasis.

Herbs, spices and other home supplements as natural remedies for psoriasis

Cayenne/Red pepper – the Capsaicin from hot chili peppers is said to be great for pain and itching relief of psoriasis scabs and patches. It is the substance which makes the chili hot, and is added to certain capsaicin-based creams. The concentration shouldn’t be higher than 0.075%, because the cream may  actually burn the skin and irritate the area even more.

Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil. Patients with psoriasis find that taking fish oil orally daily, and even treating the psoriasis patches topically directly with fish oil helps them improve and heal. There are of course, specialized creams which include fish oil as well. It is well worth a try; at least it won’t worsen things.

Apple cider vinegar is known to help heal minor burns and infections, and has been found to have a positive effect with psoriasis patients. People use it directly to treat affected toe and fingernails, or in a cup per gallon solution to apply on the body parts affected by psoriasis to decrease and sooth itching.

Aloe Vera gel and avocado oil applied directly to the affected skin will help with the itching and healing.

Olive oil is an excellent scalp mask, people trying natural psoriasis remedies recommend that a small quantity of olive oil is warmed up, and gently rubbed into the scalp to reduce the scaling and peeling of the scalp skin. Also, a few tablespoons of olive oil with a couple of cups of milk can be added to the bath water for extra moisturizing and patch-relieving effect.  Other people suffering from psoriasis prefer to use a cup of vegetable or mineral oil in their bath for moisture and soothing.

Half a cup of baking soda dissolved in a gallon of water is another solution, which people find soothing when applied to the scabs and patches.  Oatmeal can also be used in the bath to soften the psoriasis patches.

Herbs, which are known to be useful for treating psoriasis, include: garlic, jasmine, onions. A few garlic cloves on an empty stomach helps the organism clear out of the toxins, and prevents psoriasis outbreaks.  Onion too should be present in the diet of people affected with psoriasis, because it helps the blood purify itself too. Crushed jasmine flowers applied on the patches and scabs are said to have a magical soothing effect as natural remedies for psoriasis.

Eastern alternative medicine also proposes that the powder of several almonds is boiled in water and then used as topical treatment for the patches. They also suggest applying diluted lime juice (with water) to the affected skin. Cabbage soup has a very positive effect on people with psoriasis, the Eastern medicine suggests that they eat a cup of the soup every day.

Lifestyle, food and diets as natural remedies for psoriasis

Following a strict diet is crucial for managing psoriasis flare-ups and alleviating the condition. Firstly, people with this condition should abstain from drinking alcohol and smoking – both of which are known to have a very negative effect on psoriasis. They should avoid medications, which can increase the flare-ups and worsen the condition of the skin.

Also, they need to stay away from too spicy and hot foods. Avoid coffee, tea, sugar, any animal fat, animal proteins, and say no to processed foods. As a whole, people with psoriasis should strive toward trying to keep to a well-balanced diet, consisting mainly of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds.  A common piece of advice given to people affected with psoriasis is to lose weight – take off those extra pounds for easier control of the psoriasis.

People affected with psoriasis should try to lead a more active lifestyle, with lots of movement and exercise, which will not only keep the body healthier and fitter, but will fight off any stress, which is a factor largely affecting psoriasis, and in some cases even causing it to first “unlock” itself in the human organism.

Those relying on natural remedies for psoriasis should remember to take daily baths, showers or swims in order to soften the patches and remove the extra skin. Bathing in lukewarm water with dead sea salts, oatmeal, oils will help soothe the skin and the itching, and will make it softer and more moisturized.

Despite the regular soaking, the skin of people with psoriasis should be moist at all times. They can stay moisturized by applying the appropriate thick lotion, oil or other moisturizers immediately after taking a bath, and periodically, to keep the skin moist and to avoid it getting dry, cracked and sore.

Apart from moisturizing their bodies, people with this disease should try to keep the air in their houses humid – by using a humidifier, which also is sparing on the skin.

The soaps and skin products they use need to be carefully picked, so no harsh soaps, dyes, perms and other skin-irritating chemicals and products should be avoided or if necessary – used with caution.

It is very important for people with psoriasis to protect themselves from injuring themselves and damaging the skin, which usually leads to worsening of the psoriasis outbreak, and take care of their health in general by staying away from infections, which have been known to affect psoriasis too.

Generally, even though there is no known cure for psoriasis, this condition can be managed quite successfully with these natural remedies for psoriasis.

 

Tags: capsaicin, natural remedies, psoriasis, therapy