Home Remedies for Psoriasis | Clinical Trials, Scientific Facts, Reviews

In order to reduce or eliminate Psoriasis symptoms it is recommended to work with your doctor or dermatologist. Some remedies work for some people while other remedies work for others. Here's an overview of some of the different options as well as some info on studies and clinical trials.

Plague psoriasis
The most common form of psoriasis. It affects 80 to 90% of people with psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis typically appears as raised areas of inflamed skin covered with silvery white scaly skin. These areas are called plaques. (source: Wikipedia)

Guttate psoriasis
Is characterized by multiple tiny areas of psoriasis that tend to affect most of the body. 'Gutta' is Latin for tear drop. Guttate psoriasis looks like small red tear drops on the skin. (source: Wikipedia)

Pustular psoriasis
appears as raised bumps that are filled with non-infectious pus (pustules). The skin under and surrounding the pustules is red and tender. Pustular psoriasis can be localized, commonly to the hands and feet (palmoplantar pustulosis), or generalized with widespread patches occurring randomly on any part of the body. (source: Wikipedia)

Flexural psoriasis or inverse psoriasis
appears as smooth inflamed patches of skin. It occurs in skin folds, particularly around the genitals (between the thigh and groin), the armpits, under an overweight stomach (pannus), and under the breasts (inframammary fold). It is aggravated by friction and sweat, and is vulnerable to fungal infections. (source: Wikipedia)

There are a few factors that seem to influence the amount of psoriasis symptoms. Stress, grief, depression, a (temporarily) less active immune system and a emotional unbalanced state appear to be key factors.

The fact that the source of psoriasis outbreaks is internal is why many creams and ointments do not work. It seems the basic cause of psoriasis is liver dysfunction. When the liver is not able to detoxify the body in a way it should psoriasis outbreaks will occur. That's also why excessive use of alcohol is so bad for psoriasis sufferers.

A healthy diet of fresh, organically grown fruits, vegetables, and nuts, preferably raw, whole wheat products, chicken breast and fish complemented with lecithin powder can help with reducing psoriasis symptoms.

Avoid eating nightshade foods (Potatoes, tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, eggplant, tomatillos, tamarios, pepinos, pimentos, paprika, cayenne, and Tabasco sauce) , fried foods and drinking alcohol as much as possible. And try to quit smoking.

The adagio; If you can't safely eat it - then don't put it on your skin is very true for psoriasis sufferers.

R. Lincoln Graham, M.D. and naturopathic physician says this about soap:

"If soap has an excess of alkali-and most of them do-this alkali promptly unites with the delicate fatty substances secreted for the protection of the skin, and removes it, leaving the skin surface dry and harsh. Cracks then form in the skin, and dirt works into them, frequently requiring the use of even stronger soap the eradicate. This still further deepens the cracks, and so it goes, from bad to worse"

Taking two baths a week with Epsom Salt also seems to relief the symptoms.

Because many sources on the Internet can not be trusted I am always searching for clinical trials and reviews / experiences of persons I trust. On the Wiley Interscience website I found this Cochrane review.

Conclusion of this review based on 131 studies is that:

• The combination of Vitamin D products like Dovonex with high-strength corticosteroids, (groups I & II) were the most effective topical treatments. (Combined vitamin D with a potent corticosteroid was more effective than either vitamin D alone or topical potent corticosteroid alone.)

Other outcomes were:

• Vitamin D products (e.g. Dovonex) performed better than coal tar treatment.



• Vitamin D products were more effective when covered (occlusion), or when applied twice-daily rather than once-daily.

You can buy Dovonex at Medstore International

Note: Keep in mind that when using creams and other topical ointments you are treating the effects of Psoriasis and not the source.

The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans already knew about the health and beauty benefits of fruit. In many countries, the banana and its peel are considered to be the 'golden fruit' of nature because the fruit stimulates natural beauty and keeps the body and skin healthy.

Banana peel has been used to reduce inflammation and treat skin infections. The key compounds in the peel include potassium and other antioxidants that help to keep the skin looking soft, supple and healthy. These compounds and have a positive effect on conditions such as psoriasis and warts, and also help to relieve irritation from allergies and other skin conditions.

The skin of a banana contains esterified fatty acids, which can be used as a skin lotion. Natives rub banana peels on their skin problems; which is supported by modern research, which says that banana peels used on red, scaly patches of psoriasis will provide a natural relief. Exorex lotion is a patented lotion created from the isolation of the esterified fatty acids and is sold commercially.

How to use Banana peel as a natural psoriasis treatment
Rub the inside of the peel on the by the psoriasis affected skin twice a day. Tape a piece of the peel to the area and change it daily for more severely affected skin.

Banana peel method seems to work

This forum thread shows someone who has tried the banana peel method and it seems to work for him. There is noticeable improvement in my right leg. I mean really noticeable.

And another review post on psoriasis-cure-now.org

I've had psoriasis for over 20 yrs. I've done phototherapy & steroid treatments, which were expensive, & only somewhat helpful. I started using banana peels a month ago, & this is the best my psoriasis has ever looked. "If there were already a cure for psoriasis, we would all know it by now," is not necessarily true...you can't make money off of banana peels, so nobody is going to market it. There are many inexpensive, natural remedies that are lost because people want a golden pill that will cure their ailments.

And one more on the Talk Psoriasis forum.

Hi. I live in Rhode Island. I think this is actually helping. I used a bannana peel this morning for my third day and my skin looks great. It gets pretty red when I first put it on, but then calms down and it is hard to see the P. I just ordered some Psorolin soap too. That should help even more, I hope. Anyone else try the bannana yet?

The indigenous to south east Asia herb Centella Asiatica is reputed to have anti psoriatic properties.
There is a study in which researchers compared this anti psoriatic activity with that of the psoralen-containing seeds of Psoralea corylifolia which is a type of tumbleweed.

Both extracts inhibited keratinocyte (major constituent of the epidermis) replication. Centella was found to be more effective. (Phytomedicine 2001;8:230-5).

Well I don't know for sure. My friend's psoriasis is almost gone at the moment. When it will rise again he will try it out and I will update this page with the outcome as soon as possible.

But considering the fact that Manuka honey really is a wonderful product with many medicinal benefits it might work. And then there is this post I recently read on the Talk Psoriasis forum. Manuka honey really seems to work for the people in this thread.

Also the fact that research on Manuka honey has shown it to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties might be an indication this could be an option to consider trying.

Read this review!

"This afternoon I happened to spy a jar of Active 5+ Manuka Honey in the kitchen cupboard (that I had only previously used for marinating chicken with) and thought to myself.........why not experiment.

I spread some on my left elbow and realizing how sticky it was, I lay down on the bed whilst it soaked in. I fell asleep and woke up two hours later to find my left elbow stuck to the bed sheet. After I peeled it off, I then found bits of fluff and cat hair also stuck on my elbow.

As you can imagine, I was silently cursing the person who posted this tip. Later on during our evening walk, I showed my elbows to my husband and asked if he noticed any difference between the two and he said that my left elbow looked a lot clearer than my right elbow.

Wow...........especially since my husband had no idea that I had applied honey to my elbow.Anyway I am going to continue with this sticky experiment on my left elbow only and compare the differences at the end of the week."

and

"My very best friend so far!!! Just put on some old jammies after applying the stuff. It really WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't had this kind of response to traditional medicine, creams etc. etc.. Ive been taking 2 tsp of the stuff per day as well as applying it to my skin. I don't know if that is helping but it certainly isn't hurting. Good luck and keep trying.."

A visitor of this lens decided to try manuka honey on the psoriasis on her elbows. Here are some before and after photos of her progress. This is after only two weeks of topical application of Manuka Health MGO 400 honey.



Initially she planned on keeping a control stripe clear of the honey but when she noticed almost immediate improvement she decided to apply the honey on the whole area. She informed me that after two weeks : "the affected area has noticeably decreased, and skin is now completely smooth with no bumps/plaques."

I have to mention she also takes lecithin, fish oil, and vitamin D on a daily basis and soaks in dead sea salt.

Jenny thanks so much for sharing these photos! As you mentioned it might work for others as well.

Dermasis cream offers skin relief for Psoriasis sufferers. The active ingredient in Dermasis cream is Salicylic acid (2%). This ingredient shreds the plagues away and also reduces skin irritation, redness and itching. Furthermore it can prevent flaking of the skin. This cream is approved by the FDA.

Salicylic acid is obtained from the bark of the Willow tree. (the Latin word for willow tree is Salix) Salicylic acid is found in plants and has roles in plant growth and development, photosynthesis and transport.

It is known for its ability to ease aches and pains and reduce fevers. The medicinal properties of salicylate, mainly for fever relief, have been known since ancient times, and it was used as an anti-inflammatory drug. More information on this natural ingredient on Wikipedia

Besides this natural component this cream also contains essential oils like tea trea oil and palm oil. Tea tree oil improves skin health and comes from the Manuka bush in New Zealand. It also contains Vitamin E which is known to hydrate the skin.

This cream can be ordered at the Revitol website and has a money back guarantee.

Parts of the Tea tree have been used as a folk medicine by Maori and Aboriginal peoples for centuries. Nowadays research shows tea tree oil is used effectively in treating various skin conditions. It has shown to be active on (fungal) infections, viruses, and bacteria. But does tea tree oil relief psoriasis? Well several anecdotal reports show it does. It also has no side effects such as corticosteroids which are known to thin skin.

Don't know about this one. I thought it would be worthy of mentioning. An old Zulu remedy for bad skin has been developed as a high tech treatment for psoriasis - its main ingredient is bananas. The product is called Exorex lotion and you can find more information on the BBC website.

The active ingredient of Exorex lotion is coal tar. Coal tar has been used in skin care for centuries.

From Netdoctor.co.uk: "Coal tar is known to have mild anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects, and relieves itching. It is also absorbed into the skin cells and is thought to inhibit DNA replication in these cells. This slows down cell division and stops the cells from multiplying excessively. In turn, this reduces the thickening and scaling of the skin and clears up psoriasis plaques.

Coal tar may also work by breaking down keratin, a protein that forms part of the skin structure. This helps the skin cells shed from the treated area, thus reducing the thickening and scaling of the psoriasis plaques. "

Visit Netdoctor.co.uk for more info on coal tar and Exorex lotion.

In contrary to the many topical products Loma Lux is an internally used, homeopathic product. Not only are little to no side effects reported but reviews also show this product really offers relief.

Many reviews online as well as the reviews and ratings on Amazon show Loma Lux delivers remarkable results in psoriasis relief. Like mentioned before, this is not a cure because it is almost impossible, if not impossible, to eliminate psoriasis from the biological system. But it really helps keeping the symptoms under control.

The pills should be taken orally in the morning, before eating or drinking anything other than water.