Psoriasis – treating and preventing with natural home remedies

[Jane Chitty]

Jane Chitty
28 December 2011

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition which can be chronic and even lifelong for some but, rather than the long term use of synthetic drugs (with all their side effects), psoriasis home remedies can be a safer alternative. Recent research has shown that many chronic skin problems, including psoriasis, may be a sign of gluten or other food intolerances. So if this could be you, it is worth investigating further.

Here are some safer ways to help treat and prevent psoriasis:

- Sunlight can treat and prevent psoriasis. While many doctors prescribe artificial ultraviolet light treatments to patients suffering from psoriasis, if you live in the right climate a “no cost” alternative is to get more sunlight. Depending on your skin tone, 15 to 30 minutes of daily exposure to the sun enhances the production of vitamin D which helps treat psoriasis (amongst many other conditions) while boosting your immune system. The darker your skin, the more sunlight exposure you need and the optimum time is to choose your minutes during those two hours either side of noon while wearing as little clothing as possible. A cold climate alternative is to take sizable doses of vitamin D3 in the form of a supplement.

- Salt water is a great home remedy for psoriasis. If you live close to the ocean, swim as often as you can or take seawater baths or apply seawater over the affected area once a day. Alternatively, bath in Epsom salts or oatmeal. Do not use chemical based soaps and other products as these will make the problem more severe and painful. Look for all natural products.

- Mudpacks will absorb and remove the toxins from the psoriasis affected areas.

- A daily dose of 200 to 800 IU of vitamin E has been found to reduce itching.

- Add 2 drops of calendula to 1 drop of oregano oil in a small cup of olive oil. Apply regularly to the affected area.

- Baking soda is an effective way to treat the itchiness associated with psoriasis. Dissolve 1/3 cup of baking soda in 1 gallon of water, soak a washcloth into this before wringing it out and applying directly to the affected skin. Repeat this several times.

- Coconut Oil is yet another home remedy for relieving psoriasis. You can either take 2 tablespoons of coconut oil each day by adding it to your coffee or tea, or you can apply it topically onto the affected area 3 times per day. When starting with coconut oil, consume just a teaspoon per day and build up from there.

- Petroleum jelly is an effective moisturizer but, as the ingredients are not ideal when seeking a more natural solution, how about making your own natural jelly which can be applied to the affected areas each day. It is also important to apply moisturizer within a few minutes after a bath or shower to “lock in” moisture. The jelly is ideal for this.

Recipe for natural petroleum jelly:

Place 1 oz. of beeswax in the top of a double boiler and heat slowly until it melts. Don’t put beeswax in the microwave or in a standard saucepan, as it is flammable when exposed to direct heat.

Remove the melted wax from heat and squeeze the oil from six x 400 IU vitamin E capsules into the wax. Vitamin E has antioxidant properties which nourish and protect your skin while acting as a natural preservative to prolong the shelf life of your petroleum jelly.

Stir in 1/2 cup of extra virgin or cold pressed sweet almond oil. Stir the ingredients constantly as the mixture cools and thickens.

While still slightly warm, scoop the jelly mixture into a dark glass jar and leave unsealed to cool completely.

Keep in a cool, dark place, or in your refrigerator.

Use it as you would use commercial petroleum jelly.

- Cayenne pepper has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties and is high in capsaicin. Take regularly for psoriasis.

Part of the treatment for psoriasis using home remedies is to follow some simple rules:

- Avoid hot, spicy and pungent foods as they are difficult to digest and can cause toxins in the blood.

- Reduce your intake of bad fats, animal proteins and especially sugars and artificial sweeteners.

- Avoid processed salts and curds as they can inflame the skin further causing greater itching. Natural salt is fine.

- Certain fruits and vegetables are beneficial for psoriasis including beets, grapes, cucumber, green vegetables and carrots while bitter tasting foods help purify the blood and facilitate the kidneys to flush out the toxins.

For a successful, safe, gentle and completely natural home remedy, Healing Natural Oils has a topical product known as H-Psoriasis.

http://www.amoils.com/health-blog/ps...home-remedies/

[Islander]

Thanks, Jane. Good information!

[Reesacat]

Salt water is a great idea — you can get Dead Sea Salt on the Internet....
Thank you Jane for another great article. I really like the recipe for the homemade petroleum jelly — it sounds very soothing. The comercial stuff is just nasty!