Alternative Treatment and Self Care for Psoriasis

Here in this article you will find five alternative treatments and self-care remedies for the aggravating skin condition known as psoriasis.

If you are suffering from painful symptoms like inflamed, flaking and red skin you may have a skin condition called psoriasis. The chronic skin condition is due to an overactive immune system that can be triggered by a number of internal and external factors. Many conventional treatments include steroid creams and oral medications that may come with some unwanted side effects.

Below are alternative treatments that are safe and natural – helping reduce symptoms of psoriasis and leading you back to better health.

1. Herbal Remedies

● Aloe Vera: The gel from this cactus plant can be used generously on your skin to reduce redness and scaling caused by psoriasis. Aloe vera can be found in almost any grocery or health store.

● Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is thought to have antiseptic properties. It can sooth irritated skin or scalp and can be applied daily.

● Turmeric: Turmeric has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Because of this, turmeric has been found to reduce psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis flares. Turmeric can be found in pill form as well as powder form to be added to food.

● Dead Sea Salts: Soaking in a bath with Dead Sea salts or Epsom salts can remove scaly skin and reduce itching. It is recommended that you use warm water and stay in the tub for 15 minutes.

Individual herbs can be helpful but combining herbs together, as typically done in Chinese herbal medicine, to address an individuals pattern of signs and symptoms has a more powerful and therapeutic effective. Consider scheduling an appointment for a diet and herbal consult to receive a personalized treatment plan involving diet changes, herbal and whole food supplements that can help reduce symptoms of psoriasis and inflammation in your body.

2. Mindfulness/Meditation

Mindfulness and meditation practices have been found to be effective in people suffering with chronic pain like psoriasis.

Meditation is the practice of focusing your attention on the moment and ridding yourself of all external thoughts you may be having. This can lead to a state of relaxation and calmness, slowing down the mental chatter and bringing balance to your body and mind.

Mindfulness, which is practiced in meditation, includes becoming completely aware of your body, externally and internally. This can be a seated meditation that is focused on awareness of mind, body and senses. It’s important to be able to relax your body to better focus your mind and deepen your breathing. You can try laying down if it’s more comfortable for you but remember, if you fall asleep, you are no longer practicing conscious meditation although sleeping has it’s health rejuvenating benefits too!

3. Exercise

Not only is exercise important to maintain overall health and wellness, it is especially beneficial for people with psoriasis.

Because people with psoriasis have an increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, regular exercise can prove very helpful.

Many find it hard to exercise because of the chronic pain associated with psoriasis. Exercise programs in the water prove to be an effective alternative that is easier on the body and still allows you to build endurance and strength.

Other simple ways to fit more exercise into your day include short walks outside, walking in-place inside, taking the stairs and stretching.

4. Massage

Seeing a licensed massage therapist can help reduce symptoms and pain. Massage promotes the function of muscle and connective tissue and can increase relaxation and open circulation in the body.

5. Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been proven to be effective in minimizing chronic pain in patients. Acupuncture takes a holistic approach with the body and symptoms you may be experiencing. By returning the body to its natural flow, acupuncture can help reduce the intensity of symptoms of psoriasis.

Self Care Remedies:

● Soak a towel in cold milk and apply to affected area to relieve itching.
● Add ½ cup ground oatmeal into a warm bath.
● Rub the affected area with the inner side of a banana peel.
● Apply aloe vera gel to affected area.
● Cut several fresh willow branches into 3-inch stems and place in a pot with plenty of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until water becomes black. Wash affected areas with the water three times daily.
● Slice 15 water chestnuts and soak in 3 oz. of rice vinegar crush and store in a sealed jar. Apply the paste to the affected area and cover with gauze. Change daily.

Sources:
https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis

Photo Source: “Psoriasis 002” by Jacopo188 – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.