What is Psoriasis?

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:

1. Heat in the blood: the skin lesions are more fresh red, very itchy, feverish feeling, patient usually is irritable, dry mouth, constipation, yellow urine

2. Blood deficiency: the psoriatic scales looks more pale red, dry skin, pale tongue body

3. 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.

Kelsey Bru is a licensed acupuncturist and TCM Herbalist in the Courtenay, British Columbia. She loves working with women's health, hormones, menopause, fertility, mental health, and beyond through her online articles and at her clinic, The Remedy Room, on Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay. Call for an appointment at 250-800-7738.