Psoriasis - Nature Cures®

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Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that affects 1% to 3% of the world’s population. It is characterised by periodic flare-ups of well defined, red patches covered by a silvery, flaky scale on the skin and the scalp. There are several variations of psoriasis, but the most common type is chronic plaque psoriasis. The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed that a combination of several factors contributes to the development of this disease.

In a normally functioning immune system, white blood cells produce antibodies to foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. These white blood cells also produce chemicals that aid in healing and fighting infective agents. But with psoriasis, special white blood cells called T-cells become overactive.

These T-cells “attack” the skin and set off a cascade of events that make the skin cells multiply so fast they start to stack up on the surface of the skin. Normal skin cells form, mature, then are sloughed off every 30 days. But in plaque psoriasis the skin goes through this whole process in 3-6 days.

Psoriatic arthropathy is a form of arthritis that many people with psoriasis can develop. It causes pain, swelling and stiffness in joints.

Damage and psoriasis

Sometimes an injury to the skin can cause the formation of a psoriasis patch. This is known as the Koebner Phenomenon, and it can occur in other skin diseases, such as eczema and lichen planus. It can take 2 to 6 weeks for a psoriasis lesion to develop after an injury.

Types of damage that can trigger a flare include abrasion – even mild abrasions, increased friction from clothing or skin rubbing against skin in folds, such as armpits or under breasts, sunburn, viral rashes, drug rashes and the weather.

Diet and psoriasis

Alcohol, sugar, coffee, fatty meats, refined processed foods, additives and deficiencies in minerals and other nutrients can induce attacks of psoriasis.

Calcium and psoriasis

Low levels of calcium have been reported as a trigger for psoriasis. Vitamin D3 plus vitamin K2 and some oil can treat psoriasis to enable absorption of calcium. Never take calcium supplements which can cause calcification of arteries and adversely affect the heart. Instead choose natural foods rich in calcium.

Highest sources of calcium in micrograms per 100 grams

Dried herbs such as basil, dill, marjoram, rosemary and thyme 2113 mg
Cheese such as goat’s, gruyere, parmesan, Romano and Swiss 1376 mg
Sesame seeds 975 mg
Mozzarella cheese 961 mg
Tinned fish with bones such as sardines, mackerel and pilchards 383 mg
Tofu 372 mg
Almonds 264 mg
Flaxseeds 255 mg
Chlorella 221mg
Mussels 180 mg
Oysters 170 mg
Brazil nuts 160 mg
Prawns 150 mg
Tripe 150 mg
Scallops, spirulina and watercress 120 mg
Whole milk and whole yoghurt 113 mg
Chinese cabbage 105 mg
Dark green leafy vegetables such as dandelion greens, kale, spinach, Swiss chard and turnip greens 99 mg
Okra 77 mg
Soya beans 75 mg
Boneless fish such as bass, herring, pike, perch, pollock and rainbow trout 74 mg
Kidney beans 70 mg
Eggs 60 mg
Broccoli 47 mg

Phosphates and psoriasis

Phosphates in foods can raise phosphorus levels which in turn reduces calcium levels which can worsen psoriasis. See>> Phosphate dangers

Vitamin E and psoriasis

Vitamin Eis required for healthy skin so it may be worth adding some vitamin E rich foods to the diet.

Highest sources of vitamin E in milligrams per 100 grams

Wheat germ 149.4 mg
Hemp seeds 55 mg
Hazelnut oil 47 mg
Almond oil 39 mg
Sunflower seeds 38.3 mg
Chilli powder 38.1 mg
Paprika 38 mg
Rice bran oil 32 mg
Grape seed oil 29 mg
Almonds 26.2 mg
Oregano 18.3 mg
Hazelnuts 17 mg
Flaxseed oil 17 mg
Peanut oil 16 mg
Hazelnuts 15.3 mg
Corn oil 15 mg
Olive oil 14 mg
Soya bean oil 12 mg
Pine nuts 9.3 mg
Cloves (ground) 9 mg
Peanuts 8 mg
Celery flakes (dried) 6 mg
Spirulina 5 mg
Dried apricots 4.3 mg
Bell peppers (red), eel, olives and salmon 4 mg
Jalapeno peppers 3.6 mg
Anchovies 3.3 mg
Broccoli, chicken, chilli peppers (sun-dried), cod, crayfish, dandelion greens, egg yolk, duck, goose, pecan nuts, spinach, tomatoes (tinned or pureed) turkey and turnip greens 3 mg

Drugs known to worsen psoriasis or induce a flare-up

Chloroquine used to treat or prevent malaria
ACE inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure. Examples include monopril, captopril, and lisinopril.
Beta blockers also used to treat high blood pressure. Examples include lopressor and atenolol.
Lithium a medication used to treat bipolar disorder
Indocin an anti-inflammatory medication used to treat a variety of conditions, including gout and arthritis
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone or solumedrol, can actually dramatically improve psoriasis. However, abruptly stopping the drug or rapidly tapering off of it can trigger a flare-up.

Stress, worry and psoriasis

Psychological stress has long been understood as a trigger for psoriasis flares, but scientists are still unclear about exactly how this occurs. Studies do show that not only can a sudden, stressful event trigger a rash to worsen, daily hassles of life can also trigger a flare up. In addition, one study showed that people who were categorised as “high worriers” were almost two times less likely to respond to treatment compared to “low worriers”.

Infections and psoriasis

Infections caused by bacteria or viruses can cause a psoriasis flare. Streptococcal infections that cause tonsillitis, or strep throat, tooth abscesses, cellulitis, and impetigo can cause a flare of guttate psoriasis in children. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) does not increase the frequency of psoriasis, but it does increase the severity of the disease.

Weather and psoriasis

Weather is a strong factor in triggering psoriasis. Exposure to direct sunlight, which usually occurs in the warmer months, often improves the rash. On the other hand, cold, short days seen in the winter months can trigger the rash to worsen.

Natural remedies for psoriasis

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
Araroba tree (Vataireopsis araroba)
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Black seed (Nigella sativa)
Burdock root (Arctium)
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.)
Chinese rhubarb root (Rheum palmatum L. or Rheum palmatum var. tanguticum, Da huang)
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
Egg white (beaten to fluffy stage)
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica L.)
Jasmine (Cestrum diurnum)
Khella (Visnaga daucoides))
Mango (Mangifera indica)
Oats (Avena sativa)
Olibanum (Boswellia serrata)
Oregon grape, barberry bark (Mahonia aquifolium)
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Pine needle tea bath (Pinus)
Queen Anne’s lace (Ammi majus L.)
Tree tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia, narrow leaved paper bark)
Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens L.)
Tamanu oil (Calophyllum inophyllum)

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