Turmeric for Treating Psoriasis

Psoriasis – a chronic skin disease caused due to auto – immune disorder or genetics that appears as thick, scaly build-up of dead cells on the surface of the skin which forms as large patches of dry, red and itchy rashes.

However, there is no complete cure for psoriasis but the symptoms can be minimized a lot with some over the counter medications and natural home remedies. But prefer natural remedies at home for treating your psoriasis which is safe, cost effective and gives long lasting results.

Turmeric is one of the best remedies that widely used in Indian Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating various health and beauty problems, including psoriasis.

Is Turmeric Good for Psoriasis?

• Turmeric has curcumin that reduces the histamine levels (responsible for inflammation), blocks a molecule called nuclear factor Kappa B (NF – kB) to turn off the inflammation response in cells to prevent pain and other discomforts.
• It protects and detoxifies the liver from toxic damage by cleansing the blood to prevent impurities and thereby reduces psoriasis.
• It acts as a natural immunity booster with its natural compound called lipopolysaccharides that stimulate the immune system by raising the white blood cells count.
• It has natural antibacterial, antiviral and wound healer that cures the skin infections and heals the skin damage internally.
• It has antioxidant property that prevents the formation of free radicals which in turn clears the dead cells on the skin.
• It inhibits the enzyme called Ph – K that is responsible for the overactive skin cell growth which is associated with psoriasis. Also inhibits the expression and secretion of various matrix metalloproteinases (MMPS) that contributes to chronic diseases, including psoriasis.
• People who suffer from psoriasis are more susceptible to develop an infection which in turn worse the actual situation. But the usage of turmeric, a natural anti-microbial prevents this condition along with treating psoriasis.
• Curcumin has immunomodulatory properties which can control the inappropriate immune responses and prevents the abnormal production of skin cells. It has immune suppressing activity which makes it as a best alternative to steroids and thus suppresses the activity of T – cells.
• In some research, it is proved that curcumin in turmeric inhibits the activity of cyclin D1, a protein that involved in cell proliferation and thus prevents the growth of psoriatic skin cells.
• It helps for proper digestion and also relieves you from obesity which in turn reduces the psoriasis patches on the skin.

How to use Turmeric for Psoriasis:

There are many effective ways of using turmeric for treating psoriasis. Let’s have a look these turmeric methods and use them regularly to reduce psoriasis.

Method – 1: (Turmeric Intake)

The body quickly absorbs the nutrients when taken in fluid or liquid form. So, drinking turmeric will improve the recovery rate of the problem from inside out. Consuming turmeric drink in every morning will give best results against psoriasis.

Steps to be followed…

• Add 1 teaspoon each of turmeric powder and black pepper powder in a small amount of juice.
• Stir it well and drink this mix.
• Regular intake of this mix will help you to get rid of the problem.

Note:

• Or you can replace the juice with water, coffee or milk and have it.
• Or include turmeric in your daily diet by adding it to marinade or add in lemonade or sauté it with onions or add in cereal or soups or curries or stews or add in your recipes to increase the daily intake and reduce the problem.

Method – 2: (Turmeric – Topical Application)

Topical application is another effective way of using turmeric, as it reduces, itching, burning sensation and redness caused by psoriasis.

Steps to be followed…

• Add water in enough of turmeric and mix it well to make a thick paste.
• Apply this paste on psoriasis affected skin areas.
• Massage it gently to spread the paste all over the affected area.
• Let it sit for few minutes to overnight till it dries completely.
• Wash it off with lukewarm water followed with normal water.
• Pat the skin dry and apply some moisturizer.
• Repeat it regularly for 2 – 3 times daily to get relief from psoriasis.

Note:

• Alternatively, apply this paste on affected areas and cover it with gauze to prevent shifting and staining. Rinse it off with water in next morning.
• Or add this mix to your topical ointments and apply this on the affected skin areas.
• Or simply add milk instead of water and follow the same process.
• Also, you can rub the affected area directly with dry turmeric powder for few minutes and wash it off with water.
• Or else add enough of mineral oil or Vaseline to turmeric instead of water to keep the scaly skin hydrated.

Method – 3: (Turmeric with Bromelain)

Adding bromelain to turmeric extracts will improve the anti – inflammatory effect and reduces the redness and swelling on the skin.

Steps to be followed…

• Add some bromelain extracts in enough of organic turmeric powder.
• Stir well and spread this paste on the affected areas.
• Leave it on for few minutes and rinse it with water.
• Pat the skin dry and apply your regular moisturizer.
• Do the same process regularly to get relief.

Method – 4: (Turmeric Oil)

Turmeric oil contains a compound called Ar-tumerone that exhibits strong anti-fungal property that treats fungal and other infections on the skin.

Steps to be followed…

• Spread some turmeric oil on psoriasis affected skin areas.
• Massage it gently for few minutes.
• Leave it on for few hours to overnight.
• Wash it off in the next morning with lukewarm water.
• Pat the skin dry and apply some moisturizer on it.
• Regular follow-up of this process will definitely help you in dealing with psoriasis.

Method – 5: (Turmeric for Face Psoriasis)

This facial mask helps to remove the scales of psoriasis on face and neck.

Steps to be followed…

• Add 1 tablespoon each of neem powder and honey, 5 drops of lavender essential oil in 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder.
• Stir it well to make a fine paste and apply this paste on the face and neck as a facial mask.
• Let it sit for 20 – 30 minutes till it gets dried completely.
• Rinse it off with lukewarm water followed by cold water.
• Dry the skin and continue applying this facial mask regularly till you cleared the psoriasis patches on face and neck.

Tips and Precautions:

1. Make sure to consult your nature doctor to know all about your health condition and the dosage of turmeric in treating psoriasis.
2. It might interact with certain medications and causes certain health problems like upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. if used in over-dosage.
3. Check whether the usage of turmeric causes any allergic reaction on the skin or not and then continue using it regularly.
4. You can use turmeric in root form or powder form or capsules form or tincture form for getting rid of the problem.
5. You can also use turmeric based gels or creams or lotions or soaps for treating psoriasis.
6. Turmeric has curcumin which is well absorbed by the body when its gets mixed with piperine (found in black pepper) and gives your effective relief from psoriasis.

Stop itching and worrying about psoriasis, try these turmeric methods regularly without any fail. Let me know which method works well in treating your psoriasis by sharing your experience.