Natural treatment of psoriasis with aloe vera

Psoriasis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that affects the skin and It affects approximately one in 40 people. It is one of the most frequent chronic skin diseases and its incidence is increasing: in Spain the cases have doubled in the last 15 years, according to the study “Prevalence of psoriasis in Spain in the era of biological agents”, published in the magazine Dermo-Syphiliographic Acts.

People affected by severe psoriasis often take medicines that decrease the immune response, like cyclosporine, but they can increase blood pressure, cause long-term kidney damage, and even increase the risk of cancer. Drugs from the corticosteroid category are the most used against mild or moderate psoriasis and can be applied externally, but these drugs make the skin thinner and more vulnerable, and in the long term they are no longer effective.

Treatment of psoriasis with medicinal plants

Safer treatment with medicinal plants is possible. He aloe vera gel It has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic (against itching) and healing properties. In a study carried out at the University Hospital of Malmoe (Sweden), published in the journal Tropical Medicine and International Health, an aloe vera-based cream was found to be effective in 83% of patients, with “significant clearance of psoriatic plaques.” The aloe cream was even more effective than steroid creams in reducing the clinical symptoms of psoriasis.

It is true that other subsequent studies have downplayed the beneficial effects of aloe vera, but it is no less true that the application does not have negative side effects which is a great excuse to try this plant.

In addition to aloe vera there are other medicinal plants that may be indicated to treat psoriasis, according to an article published in Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders-Drug Targets. Different herbal components such as alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, polyphenols, phenylpropanoids, fatty acids, lipids, and several other compounds show immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activity against psoriasis:

The mahonia or Oregon grape, which contains the anti-inflammatory molecule protoberberine, is applied to the skin and may reduce the severity of psoriatic lesions. It is also recommended for hives, eczema and acne. duzhong extracts (Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.) and yerba mate (ilex paraguariensis) have antipsoriatic action, by reducing the secretion of many proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-1b.indigo naturalis (in Chinese, qing dai) is a dark blue powder prepared from the leaves of plants such as Baphicacathus cusia,Polygonum tinctorium, Isatis indigotica and Indigofera tinctoria. This preparation inhibits hyperproliferation and abnormal differentiation of keratinocyte cells.

The turmeric (Curcuma longa) is widely used in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, and in China to treat inflammatory problems. Its main component is curcumin, which has the most powerful anti-inflammatory action. ginger (Zingiber officinalis), also exhibits an antipsoriatic action like curcumin, due to the presence of 6-gingerol. Rhizoma coptidisand its main alkaloid component, berberine, inhibit in a dose-dependent manner the pro-inflammatory activity induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)2. The aqueous extract of Hypoxis daylily Fisch contains phytosterols and sterolins with anti-inflammatory properties.

Taheebo (Tabebuia avellanedae), is an ancient medicinal plant, which has been used for more than 1,000 years in the South American jungle to treat inflamed skin.Asiatic spark is a traditional antipsoriatic herbal medicine, thanks to its pentacyclic triterpenes. The decoction of the bark ofThespesia populnea Soland It has proven to be very effective in treating skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, and scabies. In addition, its leaves, flowers and fruits are also effective. Essential oils distilled from lavender (L. angustifolia, L. latifolia, L. stoechas and intermediate length) have been used to alleviate skin disorder symptoms in psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema. Topical application of tuhuaia Chinese medicine preparation based on Flos sophorae, Smilax glabra roxb and licorice, possesses antiproliferative properties and anti-inflammatory activity in psoriasis. Chinese medicinal plants such asTripterygium wilfordii Hookand Triptergium hypoglaucum Hutch possess immunosuppressive substances and anti-inflammatory properties that are effective against psoriasis and eczema with minimal side effects.Topical treatment with bark of Camptotheca acuminate, with a 0.03% camptothecin concentration, it shows more antipsoriatic activity than 1% hydrocortisone. This plant is known as “the Chinese tree of happiness” or “tree of life”.