Is Turmeric Good For Psoriasis

My Gluten Free Experiment For Psoriasis

Its been about 11 months since I embarked on my gluten free experiment for psoriasis. Thanks to all who have followed up to see how its going.

A little background: I decided to embark on this experiment after dealing with mild psoriasis for 2 years. Some recent research studies indicate that going gluten free for psoriasis might be effective. You can read more about the reasons behind my gluten free experiment, and how I did it, if you want more of the backstory.

Did my gluten free experiment work? What happened?

Ill spare you a big build up and jump right to the end of the story

Nothing happened.

Nothing with regard to my psoriasis, I mean. My nearly year-long gluten free experiment resulted in the psoriasis neither getting noticeably better, nor much worse. It waxed and waned as it does anyway.

Thats the funny thing about psoriasis its affected by many factors, including stress. And, since I currently have 20 teenagers in the house wait, did I say 20? I meant 2, with one on deck. It just feels like 20 sometimes, what with the groaning, grumpy retorts, raucous disagreements, and heated debates over who gets the last of the chicken salad. Thats enough stress for a decade right there, and while I have the thick skin thats necessary to survive the emotional affronts of teenagery, it seems my actual skin isnt so resilient

Am I disappointed that my gluten free experiment didnt work?

It doesnt look like Im in that 25%.

Nope.

How To Use Turmeric For Psoriasis

Turmeric, scientifically known as Curcuma Longa, is a plant that has been used for centuries in cooking and healing applications. It has recently become more popular because of its anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, turmeric supplements are becoming increasingly popular among psoriasis patients.

Turmeric is an ancient Indian spice made from grinding down Curcuma longa plants. This staining yellow powder has long been renowned throughout India to treat many medical conditions ranging from cancer to liver disease. More recently, researchers have discovered powerful anti-inflammatory properties in turmeric that can benefit people with inflammatory conditions like psoriasis.

Turmeric is available in dry root form, as an extract or capsule, or as a liquid tincture that you can take by mouth. Its also common to find turmeric combined with other spices such as coriander, known scientifically as Cilantro Longa, and ginger, called Zingiber Officinale. Curcuma longa belongs to the Zingiberaceae family of plants.

Chili Pepper Contains Capsaicin Which Helps Ease Pain

Peppers get their heat from a compound called capsaicin, which works to ease pain by encouraging the body to release feel-good endorphins when it hits the tongue, says Alison Massey, RD, LDN, CDE, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at Frederick Primary Care Associates in Frederick, Maryland. Chili pepper is a spicy addition for meat and seafood dishes, she says. Its also great for firing up stews, soups, dressings, and marinades.

Theres no specific dose of chili pepper recommended for fighting inflammation, but the hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin it contains. Still, Massey emphasizes that consuming too much capsaicin can be harmful, so listen to your body and try to include a little spice in your dishes each day, as tolerated.

You can also try topical capsaicin for pain relief: When applied to the skin, capsaicin can temporarily reduce substance P, a chemical that plays a role in arthritis pain and inflammation.

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Is Honey Good For Psoriasis

There have had been multiple studies and surveys that prove the beneficial use of honey to reduce psoriasis with positive results. It cannot be completely treated since the actual reason behind it is still unknown. Honey, however, can help you to get rid of common symptoms of Psoriasis.

Honey is a product that is easily available in the market and one of the most beneficial remedies around the world. This home available ingredient has many medicinal properties that have helped many people to be healed of Honey for Psoriasis easily.

1. Antibacterial

Honey is said to have anti-bacterial properties that can fight against harmful bacteria in your body. According to many studies, it has successfully killed pathogens and harmful bacteria causing Psoriasis directly or indirectly.

This is because of the content of honey such as high density, low acidity, high osmolarity and hydrogen peroxide. Another reason for the antibacterial property of the honey is the thickness. Due to hydrogen peroxide and low pH value, it kills bacteria easier than chemical treatments.

2. Anti-inflammatory

It is anti-inflammatory and it can heal wounds faster than the other methods. It kills free-radicals that further can cause irritation in the already psoriasis prone skin. Honey also removes the dryness,swelling and patch effects Psoriasis has on your skin.

3. Regrowth

4. Anti-fungal

5. Keeps your scalp healthy

6. Cleanses your skin

7. Whitens your skin

Also read: Is Honey Good for Skin Whitening?

Why Is Turmeric Good For Psoriasis

Curcuma longa is popularly known as turmeric. Turmeric contains natural anti-inflammatory properties, which may help people who have psoriasis. The active ingredients in turmeric are called curcuminoids, the most potent of which is curcumin. Curcumin is believed to be responsible for many of the health benefits associated with eating curry regularly.

Also Check: Scalp Psoriasis On Black Skin

Benefits Of Turmeric For Skin

In addition to being a delicious spice and superfood, turmeric also has incredible topical benefits:

• Reduces appearance of acne scars
• Treats acne
• Helps even out skin tone and treats dark spots
• Calms red, blotchy skin with its anti-inflammatory properties
• Turmeric is an antioxidant, which reduces damage to skin from sun and free radicals

No Toxicity Reported With Turmeric

It is encouraging to note that unlike pharmaceutical drugs aimed at psoriasis, high doses of curcumin extracts have not demonstrated any toxicity, apart from nausea and very mild diarrhea. I have recommended turmeric for over twenty years and never heard of any adverse effects, and regularly hear good and even excellent feedback from patients.

Some research has shown that standardized curcumin extracts may be of more therapeutic benefit than using just plain turmeric powder.

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Can Turmeric Help Treat Psoriasis And Other Skin Conditions

Available in everything from oral supplements to facial masks, turmeric may have anti-inflammatory properties that soothe sore, red skin.

Over the past several years, turmeric has gone from being a golden spice commonly found in Indian food to a superfood hailed for its anti-inflammatory qualities. But how much is known about its health benefits, and can it help people with conditions like psoriasis?

People use it as an alternative therapy to fight a range of health problems, including cancer, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimers disease, and depression.

Medicinal applications for turmeric go back thousands of years, but research is still conflicting about its actual effectiveness.

According to research such as a 2018 study published in the journal BioFactors, the spices main ingredient, curcumin, may reduce inflammation and prevent cell damage. A 2015 review of about 700 investigations published in the journal Alternative & Complementary Therapies reports that ethnobotanist James Duke, PhD, concluded that turmeric appears to outperform many pharmaceuticals in its effects against several chronic, debilitating diseases.

On the other hand, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says that claims that curcumin can reduce inflammation are not supported by strong research.

How Does Turmeric Work For Psoriasis

Turmeric contains curcumin which is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin impedes the production of cytokines that can cause skin inflammation, thus preventing psoriasis flare-ups.

Turmeric has many beneficial properties that can potentially relieve symptoms of psoriasis

Turmeric also has antioxidants that help skin cells fight UV damage from excessive exposure to sunlight. Antioxidants also reduce oxidative stress thats related to the appearance of skin lesions.

Curcumin also inhibits the production of phosphorylase kinase which is a component found to be relatively high in psoriasis patients. The spice also has antimicrobial and anti-carcinogenic properties, as well as components that enhance skin-barrier functions.

With these many beneficial properties to human health, theres no wonder why turmeric is considered one of the staple home remedies for psoriasis.

Read Also: What Is The Treatment For Scalp Psoriasis

Turmeric With Mustard Oil And Fenugreek Seeds

Mustard oil contains antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. The combination of mustard oil, turmeric and fenugreek seeds makes an amazing lotion to reduce the rashes and redness of psoriasis flare-ups.

• Boil an inch piece of turmeric in a cup of mustard oil.
• Add 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in the oil.
• Allow the oil to cool down and preserve the oil.
• Spread this oil mix on the affected skin areas daily.
• Massage it gently and leave it on for few minutes to overnight.
• Rinse it off with warm water and pat the skin dry.
• Apply moisturizer and do the same process regularly.

Side Effects And Things To Consider

Its very important to know that using the substance comes with some side-effects it may upset stomach, trigger allergic reactions, and make skin dry or burning and irritated when used topically and the risk of more complicated side effects gets higher when a patient uses turmeric excessively. Of course, the best and most effective way to use turmeric for medical purposes is to ask doctors for their opinions and guidelines and consuming the substance with medicinal amounts. If youre thinking about using turmeric for treatment then you should acknowledge that there are cases in which the ingredient will likely harm more than help first, in cases of pregnancy and breastfeeding, turmeric can cause menstruation, derange the uterus, and contribute to vaginal bleeding. Second, if you are suffering from gallbladder disease or diabetes, turmeric may not only worsen the case or destabilize blood sugar levels, it can also influence the medications you take for these diseases.

Turmeric psoriasis treatment can be very beneficial for your health but it requires careful usage to result in the best outcome for you, so before you start using the spice as treatment for psoriasis or any other condition, you need to check with your doctor and make your research on whether the treatment will likely deliver results or cause more complications. Remember, nothing is beneficial when used the wrong way.

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This Natural Supplement Could Be The Answer To Your Psoriasis Problem

Curcumin, a potent antioxidant found in turmeric, is the Olivia Pope of the supplement worldit seems there’s no issue it can’t fix. In addition to helping ease depression, relieving muscle soreness, protecting against cancer, and helping our bodies manage stress, recent research from the University of Florence in Italy suggests that the super-spice can now add fighting psoriasis to its list of bragging rights.

MORE:5 Eating Strategies To Help Ease Psoriasis

In the study, 60 psoriasis sufferers who added a daily 3,000 mg dose of curcumin to the traditional topical steroids they were already using, saw a 48% drop in the severity of their red, scaly patches of skin after 12 weeks. The science behind the skin improvement: Anti-inflammatory curcumin likely amps up topical steroids’ assault on the inflammation that causes psoriasis, explains Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, director of ethnic skin care for the University of Miami Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery.

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Are There Are Any Side Effects Of Using Turmeric

Though turmeric is considered safe for topical use, still it may lead to the following side effects:

1 . Skin irritation if applied in excess amounts or using too strong of a paste.

2 . If you apply the paste to your eyes by mistake, then this herb can cause mild pain and redness.

3 . Sometimes, it may also lead to your skin becoming excessively dry, so make sure that you moisturize your skin very well with any good-quality lotion or cream after applying it on psoriasis. You can also try using coconut oil for better results.

4 . Its not suitable, especially for infants under age two years, because there have been rare cases where babies experienced severe adverse reactions after using turmeric.

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Celery Seeds Have Been Used For Millennia To Ease Pain

Fragrant celery seeds, which come from the flowers of the celery plant have been used for millennia in the treatment of pain. A review published in 2015 in the journal Progress in Drug Research notes that celery seed extract has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis in animal models.

As promising as some of these ingredients and supplements may be, however, Ana-Maria Orbai, MD, MHS, director of the psoriatic arthritis program at Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center in Baltimore, cautions against viewing them as a cure or a replacement for treatment prescribed by your doctor. That doesnt mean they cant or shouldnt be used in addition to prescribed treatment, though.

As with any health condition, its important to watch what you eat carefully and avoid harmful ingredients with psoriatic arthritis, she says. Although some supplements like turmeric help some people with inflammation, more data are needed.

Additional reporting by Brian P. Dunleavy

Turmeric Lowers Levels Of Enzymes That Cause Inflammation

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation , curcumin, the active ingredient in the Indian spice turmeric, has been shown to help reduce inflammation in the body meaning it has potential benefits for people with psoriatic arthritis. A study published in the October 2017 issue of the European Journal of Pharmacology found that curcumin demonstrated an anti-psoriasis effect by helping to reduce the inflammation caused by the condition. The spice, traditionally used in curries, works by lowering levels of certain enzymes in the body that cause inflammation.

The Arthritis Foundation recommends that you check the curcumin content of products before using them, noting that the ingredient only makes up about 2 to 6 percent of turmeric. It also emphasizes that high doses of turmeric act as a blood thinner and can cause stomach upset.

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Aloe Vera And Turmeric

How to use?

• Take a cup of turmeric powder and a fresh Aloe Vera leaf
• Cut and open the Aloe Vera leaf and take the gel outside with the help of a spoon
• Add the Aloe Vera gel to the cup containing turmeric powder
• Make it as a thick paste and apply it on the affected area
• Massage in a circular motion for 2-3 minutes
• Wash it off with cool water after 15-20 minutes
• Do this on a daily basis on the affected skin regions

Benefits of Aloe Vera and turmeric:

The anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and soothing properties of Aloe Vera make it the best herb to reduce the itchiness, redness, and swelling which occur in psoriasis patients. Aloe Vera also stimulates fresh cell growth and reduces the thickness of the rashes on the affected skin areas. It nourishes and hydrates the skin to make it healthy and soft. The combination of turmeric with Aloe Vera makes it as the best pack for healing psoriasis fast.

The Bottom Line On Turmeric For Psoriasis

Turmeric works best when combined with other psoriasis treatments

Some studies show promising results in using turmeric for psoriasis, either alone or in combination with traditional treatments like topical corticosteroids or phototherapy. Despite some promising results, more research needs to be done on the safety and effectiveness of turmeric as a natural remedy for psoriasis.

Take note also that most of the research conducted regarding the spice is focused on curcumin the active component found in turmeric and not on the food spice turmeric itself. Consuming turmeric may have potential health benefits and is unlikely to cause harm, but its direct effect as a natural remedy for psoriasis needs further studies.

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Turmeric Eases Suffering From Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that produces red, scaly, itchy patches on the skin, particularly on areas like elbows or knees. In mild cases, it can be treated with sunshine or controlled ultraviolet light. Corticosteroid creams are often used as well. But many people would like to find a more natural way to ease the suffering from psoriasis. Could they take turmeric for psoriasis?

Is Collagen Good For Eczema Psoriasis + Other Skin Rashes

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Have you wondered if collagen could be helpful for your rashes and skin health?

Ive been asked if collagen is good for eczema or psoriasis more times than I can count.

Recently I got a ton of requests from our community about collagen so I figured it was time to do a deep dive into the pros and cons of using collagen.

To be fair, collagen isnt good for everyone .

But for many, they might find that it could give an extra boost to their health AND skin on their journey. I personally take collagen daily and recommend it to clients.

So here are my thoughts on all things collagen!

• What is collagen + where is it found naturally in food?
• Do vegan or plant-based sources of collagen exist?
• Topical steroids + collagen production in your body
• Thoughts on topical collagen for thinned skin
• How to add collagen to your daily diet
• What to look for when buying a collagen supplement
• Who should avoid collagen supplements

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Further Research Is Warranted

While the results of the above-described studies seem promising, additional clinical trials are needed before any definite conclusions can be made about the ability of turmeric, or its key active ingredient curcumin, to fight inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. However, if you already want to give turmeric a try, go ahead as with any food remedy, you can always abandon if it doesn’t work. Note, though, that turmeric, like most other foods, may cause adverse reactions in some people, and some people with specific conditions may be advised to limit or avoid using turmeric or curcumin supplements. Therefore, if you suffer from a specific health problem, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take any medications, talk to your doctor before you start experimenting with turmeric or curcumin supplements.

Studies cited:1. N. Chainani-Wu . Safety and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin: a component of tumeric . Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 9:161-8.2. E. Antiga et al . Oral Curcumin Is Effective as an Adjuvant Treatment and Is Able to Reduce IL-22 Serum Levels in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris. BioMed Research International, vol 2015, article ID 283634.

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