Put down the steroid cream, there is a natural way to heal.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes the rapid growth of skin cells. This buildup of cells scaling on the skin’s surface.
Psoriatic scales are whitish-silver and develop in thick, red patches. Sometimes the patches can crack and bleed.
Symptoms of psoriasis
Red, raised, inflamed patches of skin
White-sliver scales or plagues on the red patches
Dry skin that may crack and maybe bleed
Soreness around patches
Itching and burning sensations around patches (many people do not feel itchy)
Painful, swollen joint or other areas of the body
Typically it develops on joints, such as elbows and knees.
It may also develop anywhere on the body, including hands, feet, neck, scalp, face and genitals.
Common triggers for psoriasis
Stress
Depression
Anxiety
Injury to the skin, such as a cut or a severe sunburn
Heavy alcohol consumption
Smoking
Medication
Infection
Vitamin D deficiency
Chinese Medicine for Psoriasis
The reason in Chinese medicine theory for psoriasis are:
Heat in the blood: the skin lesions are more fresh red, very itchy, feverish feeling, patient usually is irritable, dry mouth, constipation, yellow urine
Blood deficiency: the psoriatic scales looks more pale red, dry skin, pale tongue body
Blood stagnation: the skin lesions are dull red, sore, thick plages and hard to clear, patient with purple tongue body.
When you choose Chinese medicine to help with psoriasis, your practitioner will have a consultation with you for the whole health assessment and then distinguish the type of the psoriasis in Chinese medicine. In cases of psoriasis expected treatment can be 6 months to 1 year depending on the status of the body.
Here are some diet suggestions for psoriasis.
Suggested Foods
Grapefruit (clear heat and cool blood)
Winter melon
Spinach
Broccoli
Cabbage
Boi choi
Cucumber
Bean sprout
Celery
Carrot (rich with Vitamin A)
White radish (cooling in nature)
Eggplant (cool the blood, clear itchiness)
Potato (clear heat, reduce inflammation)
Watermelon
Pineapple
Pears (moisture the skin)
Figs (reduce pain)
Goji berry
Avoid:
Alcohol
Spicy food (chili)
Seafood (reduce the amount of intake)
Too much curry
Too much lamb (heat in nature)
Coffee
Cheese
Milk
Gluten/Wheat
In my experience, using a combination of western and eastern medicines, diet therapy, acupuncture and cupping to manage psoriasis has the best results.
Created by Kelsey Bru
Registered Acupuncturist + TCM Herbalist
Doctorate of Traditional Chinese Medicine