Psoriasis herbal remedy that has the potential to relieve symptoms

Not a few people combine the use of psoriasis medications with herbal remedies from natural ingredients. In fact, many natural psoriasis treatments tend to be chosen because they are considered more practical, easy to obtain, and affordable than medical drugs.

So, what are the ingredients used as herbal remedies to treat psoriasis? Is its use really safe?

Herbal remedies that have the potential to treat psoriasis

The main goals of psoriasis treatment are to restore the health and natural appearance of the skin and relieve itching and pain caused by inflammation so that the patient can return to activities without interruption.

Well, the use of herbal medicines from natural ingredients is one way to deal with the recurrence of psoriasis which is widely believed by people apart from doctor's medication.

There have been many studies that have shown that certain herbal remedies can help soothe inflamed and irritated skin. The following are some herbal remedies that have been proven effective in overcoming psoriasis symptoms.

1. Aloe vera

The benefits of aloe vera that can relieve itching and irritation, including due to psoriasis, have been widely proven by scientific studies.

Aloe vera is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve itching and the sensation of burning, burning, and redness caused by inflammation of the skin. However, the potential is not only that.

A study published in the journal Biomed Research International in 2015 found that the glucomannan content in aloe vera can help reset skin regeneration processes that are too fast.

The process of changing skin cells too fast is one of the main factors in the thickening of the skin experienced by psoriasis sufferers.

The study also reported that the glucomannan in aloe vera helped accelerate the healing of wounds caused by psoriasis. Aloe vera gel can help moisturize the skin while fighting the bacteria that cause skin infections affected by psoriasis.

Aloe vera gel also triggers the production of more collagen in the skin to speed healing of symptoms. In addition, collagen can reduce scaly skin patches caused by psoriasis.

Currently, there are many products available for the skin that use aloe vera as the main ingredient. This product is often found in gel or cream form.

If you want to try, choose a cream that contains 0.5% Aloe vera . As for products in gel form, choose one that contains at least 70% Aloe vera .

You can also use natural aloe vera gel, simply by peeling the leaves and scraping off the gel in the flesh of the leaves.

Apply the product three times a day on the inflamed skin area. Do not apply the product too often because it will dry out the skin.

2. Turmeric

More popularly used as a natural remedy for ailments such as gastritis and menstrual pain, turmeric's potential for psoriasis should not be underestimated. Turmeric contains active ingredients that are antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant.

In the treatment of psoriasis, each of these ingredients can provide properties that will aid in healing. Antioxidants work to ward off free radicals, so that the skin can avoid damage. Anti-inflammatory will inhibit the production of cytokines, a type of protein that triggers inflammation.

The antioxidant properties of turmeric are proven in a study that states they can relieve the symptoms of skin lesions that appear in psoriasis patients. In another study conducted in 2017, it was shown that the curcumin content in turmeric can inhibit the growth of psoriasis cells.

In addition, turmeric can also increase the production of invoclurin and flaggrin, aka a special protein that plays a role in the formation of the skin's protective layer.

You can get the benefits of turmeric as an herbal remedy for psoriasis by consuming turmeric extract supplements and turmeric creams or gels. You can also add turmeric to drinks and food. However, consult further with your doctor about the dosage and the rules for drinking it.

3. Mahonia aquifolium

The next natural remedy for psoriasis is Mahonia aquifolium . It is a flowering plant which is also known by the name Oregon grape .

This plant, called mahonia, has long been used as a remedy for various diseases related to inflammation, such as psoriasis. According to the National Institute of Health, Mahonia aquifolium has the strongest potential in treating psoriasis than other psoriasis herbal remedies.

Mahonia aquifolium contains strong antimicrobial components that are tasked with suppressing inflammation in the body. In addition, the active antiproliferative compounds in it are also able to slow down the growth of skin cells, thereby reducing the effect of scaly skin in psoriasis sufferers.

People with psoriasis can also get the natural benefits of this plant in the form of medicinal creams or oils that are applied directly to the affected skin. Creams containing 10 percent mahonia can effectively treat mild to moderate psoriasis.

Mahonia belongs to the alkaloid family, which means that this plant can cause poisoning when consumed. Therefore, the drug should be used only in the form of topical drugs.

4. Indigo naturalist

Other flowering plants that can be used as a natural remedy for psoriasis are Indigo naturalist . This herb has been used for centuries to treat eczema, mumps, and ulcers.

Indigo naturalist widely used in China under other names qingdai. This herb is used systemically (through oral or injected drugs) in the treatment of psoriasis, but its use has been reduced because it can cause side effects such as gastrointestinal irritation.

That's why, Indigo naturalist more widely used in the form of topical drugs. Containing active ingredients, one of which is indirubin, this plant is believed to produce anti-psoriasis effects by controlling the growth of skin cells.

Not only that, researchers in studies in journals BMC Complement Altern Med find out the consumption of extract supplements Indigo naturalist able to slow down the inflammatory process in the body of 24 psoriasis patients after being routinely taken for 8 weeks.

Herbal remedies containing this plant can be used either as a single treatment or as part of a combined therapy.

5. Apple cider vinegar

The benefits of apple cider vinegar as a natural remedy for psoriasis also have a similar effect. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, apple cider vinegar has antiseptic properties that can help relieve itching or irritation caused by psoriasis, especially scalp psoriasis.

Apart from being a psoriasis herbal remedy, apple cider vinegar has been used since time immemorial as a disinfectant or bacteria killer. Some people have even shown a reduction in psoriasis symptoms after using apple cider vinegar as an herbal remedy for several weeks.

However, you still have to be careful when using apple cider vinegar to treat psoriasis conditions. The reason is, using too much apple cider vinegar will actually cause a sensation like burning skin.

Also, apple cider vinegar should not be used on areas of skin that are exposed or injured, as it can cause irritation that can worsen psoriasis symptoms.

6. Meet jokes

When met by the Hello Sehat team at RSCM Kencana, Central Jakarta, Thursday (1/11), dr. Endi Novianto, SpKK, FINSDV, FAADV, as Chair of the Indonesian Psoriasis Study Group (KSPI) explained that the benefits of temu lawak are no less effective than other herbal medicines to relieve symptoms of psoriasis that often recur.

He explained that the antioxidant properties in temu comak are said to be able to reduce oxidative stress in skin changes caused by psoriasis. Unfortunately, the results of further research are still needed to prove it.

7. Coconut oil

Another ingredient that is also said to help with psoriasis treatment is coconut oil. Coconut oil contains lauric acid which is used to produce an antimicrobial agent called monolaurin which can fight bacteria, fungi and other pathogens.

Coconut oil works as a skin moisturizer and has anti-inflammatory properties so it can be used to reduce inflammation in skin affected by psoriasis. As is well known, psoriasis also causes symptoms in the form of silvery skin scales, it is the use of coconut oil that can overcome these symptoms.

Be careful using natural remedies to treat psoriasis

There have been many studies that have proven that the above natural ingredients can be used as herbal remedies for psoriasis. However, there are some important things you need to pay attention to, especially regarding their purpose, safety, and how to use them.

Basically, it is okay to treat psoriasis naturally with herbal ingredients. However, most of the effects of natural remedies only work to relieve the symptoms that appear and not completely cure the disease.

One example is aloe vera which only has a cooling effect on the skin affected by psoriasis.

Dr. Endi added that herbal remedies that are suitable for use by other people do not necessarily work the same on your skin. Everyone's condition is different, as is the way the body accepts and digests certain substances.

Please also note, the natural ingredients above can cause allergic reactions in some people with sensitive skin. To be safer, you certainly have to do an allergy test before you choose to treat psoriasis with herbal remedies.

Medical drugs are still the recommended treatment to treat your symptoms. However, there is nothing wrong if you want to try herbal medicines as long as you have consulted with your doctor first.