Psoriasis is a common auto immune skin disease. It is responsible for a considerable amount of misery. It varies in severity from a mildly itchy scaly scalp to ‘snowflake’ scalp associated with scaly plaque lesions on the skin that can cover large areas. It is not contagious but people find it embarrassing. It can affect self confidence.

There are many creams and shampoos available from the doctor or pharmacy. I will suggest some natural approaches that can be integrated with any of these.

It is a very frustrating condition to deal with.

If I had the foolproof treatment of psoriasis wouldn't it be wonderful! But here are some suggestions that in my experience offer reasonable payback.

1. The most neglected aspect is moisturizer, moisturizer, MOISTURISER! Use whatever is cheap and spreads well and comes in a pump dispenser (more likely to use it regularly). If it smells good to you it is a bonus.

2. Take a good quality Fish Oil supplement.

3. Eat FOODS rich in Essential Fatty Acids (for life!) see www.healthandherbs.ie and click on articles.

4. Eat SEVEN portions of fruit or vegetables per day. Particularly good are celery and beetroot.

5. Many patients tell me that stress exacerbates the problem so do whatever helps you ‘chill out’.

Herbs for Psoriasis

Only use if you prioritize the above changes otherwise you are wasting your money.

I have taken the herbs most indicated for this condition and put them in a blend of tinctures (herbs preserved in solution with water and a little alcohol as preservative) and teas.

Take Skin Clear Tonic (Eu11 per week) for at least six weeks along with Skin Cleansing

Tea (Eu4.95 per week).

Continue using the Skin Cleansing Tea long term for six months.

Skin Clear Tonic is formulated to help the body eliminate breakdown products. This is particularly helpful for Psoriasis as it is characterized by a high turnover of cells.

Bogbean, Burdock, Cleavers, Red Clover, Skullcap, Yarow, Sarsaparilla, and Yellow Dock.

Skin Cleansing Tea supports the action of the tonic with some overlap and designed to be less expensive way to manage improvement long-term.

Burdock, Cleavers, Liquorice, Nettle Leaf, Sarsaparilla, Yellow Dock.

The above herbs can be used from any preparation or you can blend your own teas or tincture blend. Nor are they a definite list, they are the ones I have found most helpful over the years and have blended for convenience.

Herbal cream (e.g. Anti Itch Cream- Marigold, Chamomile base with essential oils Chamomile and Lavander) preparations can also be useful but used alone they will not give sustained or substantial benefit as it an internal condition.

The Tonic and Tea can be used with any topical treatment.

If these do not help you may benefit from individualized treatment with a medical herbalist.

Please advise any supplier of herbs if you are taking any medication.

I never said it would be easy!!

Dr Clare