Psoriasis Treatment - Herbal Medicines and Alternative Cures

Psoriasis is a skin disease wherein the symptoms include rashes in the knees, elbows, the face, and even in the genitals and the scalp. Psoriasis affects a large section of the population (it is more common among Scandinavians and less common among Africans and Asians) and to those who are affected, psoriasis treatment is a priority because the rashes often look bad.

Treatments and cures are prescribed by the doctor from how it is effecting the patients state of mind, their confidence, if it is exposed on the face or hands. Other factors to consider are lifestyle, occupation, geographic location (if at a distance from treatment centres, it could be difficult for the patient to receive certain therapies, such as photo therapy), other health problems that require medication (certain psoriasis medications might interact with other medications)

An alternative treatment for psoriasis is detoxification. This treatment may just be the solution that you need to keep your skin disorder under control. According to naturopathic doctors, treating psoriasis helps by treating your liver. Psoriasis has been linked to the presence of several microbial byproducts in the blood. These signs point to an abnormal function of the liver.

When psoriasis is extensive then ultraviolet light treatment or phototherapy is used on patients. Phototherapy involves exposure of the skin to wavelengths of ultraviolet light under medical supervision. Ultraviolet light B (UVB) is an effective form of ultraviolet radiation for treating psoriasis. It is present in natural sunlight and penetrates the skin. UVB slows the abnormally rapid growth of skin cells associated with psoriasis. Treatment involves exposing the skin to an artificial UVB light source over a set period of time.

Fumaric Acid Ester Therapy. Introduced almost 30 years ago, this is one of Germanys most commonly prescribed oral treatments for sever plaque psoriasis. Common side effects include: flushing, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. Kidney disorders, decreased white blood cell count, and osteoporosis are more serious side effects of this psoriatic treatment. The gastrointestinal side effects have caused 37% of people taking the original medication to discontinue use; however, recent reformulation offers only rare reports of the gastrointestinal side effects.

Herbal medicines like Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Khadir (Acacia catechu), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), and Jatamansi(Nardostachys jatamansi) are used to treat the skin and blood tissue, and to reduce stress.

Other medicines like Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and Bhrungraj (Eclipta alba) are used to treat the disturbed immune system of the body.

Aloe Vera and Jojoba based shampoos are considered excellent psoriasis natural treatments for the scalp area, because they help soften the skin and psoriasis plaques.

Oatmeal is another psoriasis natural treatment that can help the entire body, because it can simply be shaken into bathwater and used as a soak. This softens the skin naturally, and helps thin out and soften the psoriasis plaques too.