The Medicinal Herb Info site was created to help educate visitors about the often forgotten wisdom of the old ways of treating illnesses. Many of today's drugs and medicines were originally derived from natural ingredients, combinations of plants and other items found in nature.

We are not suggesting that you ignore the help of trained medical professionals, simply that you have additional options available for treating illnesses. Often the most effective treatment involves a responsible blend of both modern and traditional treatments.

We wish you peace and health!

Psoriasis

Definition

A common, genetically determined dermatitis consisting of discrete pink or dull-red lesions surmounted by characteristic silvery scaling. Lesions may become confluent. Although they come and go, they usually are chronic. A specific type of arthritis frequently is associated with psoriasis.
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Causes

No known causes. Often hereditary, it is linked to a rapid growth of cells in the skin’s outer layer. It may result from a faulty utilization of fat. Psoriasis is most common between the ages of 15 and 25, and is not infectious. Attacks can be triggered by nervous tension and stress, illness, surgery, cuts, poison ivy, several viral and bacterial infections, sunburn, or the drugs lithium, chloroquine, and beta-blockers.
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Symptoms

May begin at any age as flat-topped papule covered with thin, grayish-white scale spreading peripherally; lesions coalescing; centers regressing, forming circinate lesions. Under the dry scales are red bleeding points (papillae). These patches appear on the legs, knees, arms, elbows, scalp, ears, and back. The toes and fingernails lose their luster and develop ridges and pits. Only the scales and skin debris, which are quite itchy, can be removed. There is presently no known cure. The disease seems to lessen during the summer months. It may go away on its own, but once you have had psoriasis, it is always possible that it will return.
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Nutrients

Unsaturated fatty acids (primrose oil), 1 capsule 3 times per day, important to all skin disorders, it aids in preventing dryness.

Proteolytic enzymes, taken between meals, stimulates protein synthesis and repair.

Vitamin A emulsion, 50,000 IU (or capsules). is essential for healthy skin and nails.

Vitamin B complex, 50 mg. 3 times per day, is necessary in all cellular functions, is an antistress vitamin and helps to maintain healthy skin.

Vitamin C, 2,000-10,000 mg. per day, is important for collagen and connective tissue.

Vitamin D, 400-1,000 IU per day, is needed for healing of skin and for calcium uptake.

Vitamin E emulsion, taken as directed on the label, neutralizes free radicals that damage the skin.

Kelp, 5 tablets per day, supplies balanced minerals and is a good source of iodine.

Zinc, 50-100 mg. per day, metabolism of protein (needed for healing).

Lecithin, 2 capsules per day, protects the cells.

Multivitamin and mineral complex with magnesium and calcium chelate, taken as directed on the label, is needed for basic vitamins and minerals.
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Herbs

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Recommendations

Avoid fats (milk, cream, butter, eggs), sugar, processed foods, white flour, and citrus fruits. Fish oil or primrose oil interferes with the production and storage of arachidonic acid (AA), a natural inflammatory substance that makes the lesions of psoriasis turn red and swell. Avoid red meat and dairy products because the contain AA.

Eat a 50% raw food diet. Oils made from sesame seeds, flaxseed, or soybeans are important. Fish should be added to the diet.

Apply sea water with cotton several times a day to affected areas. If a tar shampoo is prescribed, do not use for a long period of time. Add 2 tsp. of ginger to bath water.

General and nonspecific measures are utilized to give comfort to the patient as well as to help control the disease. Methotrexate is the drug of choice in severe psoriasis not controlled by the usual nonspecific topical agents.
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Suggestions

The freezing of moderate sized psoriasis lesions using liquid nitrogen is being tested, with good results. Moderate sunlight also usually helps.

Long-wave ultraviolet light (UVA) has been effectively used to treat psoriasis, but skin cancer may be a side effect.

The unsaturated fatty acids have been tested among patients suffering from psoriasis and showed a low level of these acids in the blood. When the oils were added to the diet, there was a prompt reduction in the skin disease.
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Cautions

It is essential to monitor renal, hepatic, and hematologic function when this drug (Methotrexate) is used.
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Resource Links

LiveStrong.com: Psoriasis Herbal Remedies

LiveStrong.com: Rosemary for Psoriasis

LiveStrong.com: Aloe Vera Juice & Psoriasis

LiveStrong.com: Rosemary Oil for Psoriasis

LiveStrong.com: Pomegranate for Psoriasis

LiveStrong.com: Curcumin and Psoriasis

University of Maryland Medical Center: Psoriasis

Talk Psoriasis: Western Herbs

National Psoriasis Foundation

Psoriasis.com: Herbs

MedLinePlus: Psoriasis

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Bibliography

Buy It! Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000

Buy It! The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, by Dr. H.C.A. Vogel; Keats Publishing, Inc., 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A. Vogel, Teufen (AR) Switzerland 1952, 1991

Buy It! The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993

Buy It! Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss; Back to Eden Publishing Co., Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994

Buy It! Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973

Buy It! Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992

Buy It! Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements, by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., Avery Publishing Group, Inc., Garden City Park, NY

Buy It! Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 15th Edition, F. A. Davis Company, 1915 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Buy It!The Magic of Herbs, by David Conway, published by Jonathan Cape, Thirty Bedford Square, London, England. (Out of print)

Buy It! The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.

Buy It! The Magic of Herbs in Daily Living, by Richard Lucas, Parker Publishing Co. (1988).

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