Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition linked to stress and diet. It is characterised by red, scaly and raised patches of skin, usually on the arms, elbows, legs, knees, scalp and back. This can often cause discomfort and embarrassment.
Here are 5 natural cures for psoriasis that will help to alleviate some of the symptoms and prevent future break outs.
1. Take a bath
Firstly, just taking a warm bath with Dead Sea salt or Epsom salts can help with dry patches of skin, and alleviate the itching and burning due to the high mineral content. However, be careful not to have your bath too hot as this can have the opposite affect and aggravate the skin. Soak for 15 minutes, pat dry and apply a good quality organic moisturiser as soon as you get out for best results.
Create a relaxing lavender bath float
Ingredients
Organic oats – 1 tbsp
Bran – 1 tbsp
Dried lavender flowers – 1 tbsp
Lavender essential oil – 4 drops
How to make
Lay a muslin cloth on a table, add the dry ingredients and then the essential oil in the centre of the cloth. Gather the cloth around the mix, and tie with a ribbon to create a bag and keep all the ingredients together. Place the float in a warm bath, and dab gently onto the skin to soothe affected areas.
2. Reduce stress
High stress levels have been linked to this condition, so it makes sense that mind-body therapies and daily stress management can really help with flare ups.
Many studies have found that a high proportion of patients with high amounts of emotional stress experience some sort of disease or illness, which can then cause even more stress and trigger a vicious cycle. And as mentioned above, the vast majority of people with psoriasis report high amounts of stress prior to the outbreak of their symptoms. Therefore, you can benefit greatly by simply making time in your diary for stress relievers like regular exercise, fun hobbies, meditation, yoga and spending time outdoors. Just doing this can help keep inflammation at bay and therefore psoriasis symptoms under control.
Meditation can be very helpful in dealing with worry, anxiety, and calming the emotions. Best of all, you can practice anywhere, with no equipment, therapist or programme needed and achieve great results practicing for just 15-20 minutes a day.
3. Drink water
May sound simple, and I always use this advice in my blogs, but that’s because water is such a key element. We all lose water throughout the day from urinating, sweating, and even breathing, so it’s not rocket science to understand we need to replace these lost fluids. Dehydrated skin will struggle to heal itself, so drinking plenty of fluid will help retain your skins moisture, and naturally keep your skin and body healthy. You should aim to drink at least 8 glasses a day.
Drinking warm water, although not a cure for psoriasis, can be highly beneficial. Drinking warm water rather than cold will offer advanced benefits such as:
Detoxification – sweating is a natural process the body uses to eliminate toxins through the skin (the largest organ in the human body). Warm water will increase your body temperature, and the body will compensate by sweating, and therefore eliminating toxins at the same time.
Promotes weight loss – as the body temperature increases from drinking warm water, the metabolism also increases, burning more calories. Warm water can also gradually break down body fat, and adding lemon to your water will help control food cravings, all adding to natural weight loss.
Pain relief – warm water can be soothing on the joints by increasing the blood flow, and helping to relax the joint muscles.
4. Aloe vera
Applied as a topical cream, or taken as a daily supplement, aloe vera is very soothing to the body and the digestive system, and will help heal the body from the inside out.
Used as a moisturiser, and taking its properties as a mild anaesthetic, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory substance, it forms a protective barrier on the skin, which reduces redness, swelling, itching and inhibits bacterial growth. It also contains 99% water, and various nutrients which help to hydrate the skin, preventing dryness and irritation, as well as encourage new skin cells and keeps skin healthy.
When taken as a drink, it helps to repair the gut and detox the body from within, adding proper digestion and absorption of vitamins and minerals through your digestive system.
5. Alternative Therapies
According to the National Psoriasis foundation, patients have found that some alternative therapies can help to relieve symptoms. Many alternative therapies work on reducing stress, creating balance, and eliminating toxins, so it makes sense to find patients were getting some benefits out of trying the following therapies:
Massage – Massage involves the manipulation of the muscle and tissue to enhance function, improve lymph circulation, aid removal of waste products and promote relaxation. Certain oils can also help to hydrate the skin.
I would advise call your chosen therapist first and explain you have psoriasis and its not contagious. Check which oils they use as some may cause irritation to the skin, and if they don’t understand your condition, find a more experienced massage therapist who will adapt the treatment to your needs.
Reiki – Reiki is a relaxation technique that can help with mental stress, emotional stress and aid healing. This therapy will have a calming, soothing and deeply relaxing effect on the mind and body. It’s not a substitute for other treatments, but can work wonderfully well beside them. By managing your stress which can cause, or make flares ups worse, Reiki can encourage the body to function better and therefore promote the body’s own natural healing process.
Reflexology – has been used extensively to cure skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis and shingles. This is because most skin disorders are a sign that the internal organs are not working as efficiently as they should be. Reflexology will stimulate the organs, increase blood flow and encourage elimination of toxins. It’s also very calming, balancing and great for reducing pain and high stress levels. If you have any affected area on the feet, which are sore and painful, Reflexology can also be worked on the hands.
“I am not this hair, I am not this skin, I am the soul that lives within” - Rumi
Sharon Cole
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