Home Remedies for Psoriasis

Psoriasis is one of the most stubborn skin diseases. It is a chronic disease, characterized by thick, red, silvery, scaled patches of the skin. This disease affects both sexes equally, and is more common during the first fifteen to thirty years, although it may appear at any age. Psoriasis is not contagious.

Psoriasis symptoms

Skin appears red, irritated and with bright silvery scales

Generally, the skin of the person suffering from this disease appears red and irritated and may be covered with bright silvery scales. Sometimes there is also a little itching.

Psoriasis causes

Abnormality, metabolism of amino acids

The areas usually involved are the elbows, knees, and the skin behind the ears, the trunk, and the scalp. The disease may also affect the underarms and genital areas. The lesions vary in size from minute papules to sheets covering large parts of the body. Quite often, they are discs from half an inch to several inches in size. The lesions are always dry and rarely become infected. Recent studies have shown that psoriasis involves an abnormality in the mechanism in which the skin grows and replaces itself. The abnormality is related to the metabolism of amino acids, the nature's basic building blocks for the reproduction of cell tissues

Heredity

Heredity also plays a role in the development of psoriasis as it tends to occur in families.

Stress, infections and medicines

The factors that aggravate and precipitate the outbreak of this disease are physical and emotional stress, infections, and use of certain medicines for the treatment of other diseases

Home Remedies for Psoriasis

Psoriasis treatment using Cabbage Leaves

Cabbage leaves have been successfully used in the form of compresses in the treatment of psoriasis. The thickest and greenest outer leaves are most effective for use as compresses. They should be thoroughly washed in warm water and dried with a towel. The leaves should be flattened, softened and smoothed out by rolling them with a rolling pin after removing the thick veins. They should he warmed and then applied smoothly to the affected part in an overlapping manner. A pad of soft woollen cloth should be put over them. The whole compress should then be secured with an elastic bandage

Psoriasis treatment using Bitter Gourd

Bitter gourd is a valuable remedy for psoriasis. A cup of fresh juice of this vegetable, mixed with a teaspoon of lime juice, should be taken sip by sip, on an empty stomach daily for four to six months

Psoriasis treatment using Avocado Oil

The oil of avocado has been found beneficial in the treatment of this disease. It should be applied gently to the affected parts

Psoriasis treatment using Cashewnut Oil

The oil extracted from the outer shell of the cashewnut is acrid and rubefacient. It can be applied beneficially on the affected area

Psoriasis treatment using Buttermilk

The use of curd in the form of buttermilk has proved useful in psoriasis and the patient should drink it in liberal quantities. The application of buttermilk compresses over the affected parts will also be useful in treating this condition

Psoriasis treatment using Vitamin E

Vitamin E therapy has been found effective in the treatment of psoriasis. The patient should take this vitamin in therapeutic doses of 400 mg a day. It will help reduce itching and scab formation

Psoriasis treatment using Lecithin

Lecithin is also considered a remarkable remedy for psoriasis. The patient may take six to nine lecithin capsules a day-two or three capsules before or after each meal. If taken in the form of granules, four tablespoonfuls may be taken daily for two months. The dosage may be reduced thereafter to two tablespoons

Psoriasis Diet

Carrots, beets,cucumbers and grapes juices

Since psoriasis is a metabolic disease, a cleansing juice fast for a week is always desirable at the beginning of the treatment. Carrots, beets, cucumbers, and grapes may be used for juices

Well-balanced diet made of raw seeds, nuts etc

After the juice fast, the patient should adopt a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits. Emphasis should be placed on raw seeds and nuts, especially sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and plenty of organically grown raw vegetables and fruits.When there is a substantial improvement, goat's milk, yoghurt, and home-made cottage cheese may be added to the diet. The juice fast may be repeated after a month or so

Avoid animal fats, refined or processed foods

All animal fats, including milk, butter, eggs; refined or processed foods; foods containing hydrogenated fats or white sugar; all condiments; and tea and coffee should be avoided. When there is a substantial improvement, goat's milk, yoghurt, and home-made cottage cheese may be added to the diet. The juice fast may be repeated after a month or so

Other Psoriasis treatments

Warm-water enema and Sea-water baths

During the initial juice fast, a warm-water enema should be used daily to cleanse the bowels. Regular sea-water baths and application of sea water externally over the affected parts once a day are beneficial

Frequent bath and soap should be avoided

Frequent baths should be avoided. Soap should not be used

Hot Epsom salts bath

Hot Epsom salts baths also prove valuable in psoriasis. After an Epsom salts bath, a little olive oil may be applied. The skin should be kept absolutely clean by dry friction or daily sponging