Treat Psoriasis With Essential Oils

 

Essential oils and psoriasis

If you’re dealing with itchy, uncomfortable patches of psoriasis, you’re not alone. This relatively common skin condition can flare up at any time and leave discomfort in its wake. Relief can come in many forms, from medications to light therapy treatments to essential oils.

Essential oils are used in aromatherapy and other alternative therapies for a wide range of health issues, including skin conditions like psoriasis. Relatively few studies have explored essential oils as a treatment for psoriasis. A lot of the information available is anecdotal in nature.

Essential oils aren’t recommended as a primary or first-line treatment option. You should use them only as a complementary therapy to your regular regimen. You should also consult with your doctor before adding essential oils to your treatment routine. They can help determine whether this is the best option for you.

Here’s a breakdown of the oils commonly used to treat psoriasis.

Part 2 of 11

Coconut oil for psoriasis

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Coconut oil isn’t considered to be an essential oil. But it has anti-inflammatory properties that may help ease psoriasis pain. It’s widely regarded as a gentle ingredient. Because of this, it’s often recommended as a treatment for scalp psoriasis. The oil moisturizes the skin and scales.

When used alone, coconut oil doesn’t typically cause any side effects. The oil is routinely used as a cooking ingredient and is safe for consumption. It can be taken internally or applied externally with few, if any, interactions.

You can use coconut oil in several ways. Try ingesting up to two tablespoons of virgin coconut oil daily. The lauric acid substance inside may block bacteria and viruses from entering your body. You can also apply virgin coconut oil liberally to the affected areas. It may be more effective if you put it on your skin directly after bathing.

If you have pain, itching, or other unusual symptoms after using coconut oil, stop using it and speak with your doctor.

Check out: Does coconut oil work for scalp psoriasis? »

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Tea tree oil for psoriasis

Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of a plant native to Australia. The oil is said to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It may also support healthy immune function.

If you scratch an area affected by psoriasis, consider applying tea tree oil to the area. This may help ward off infection and ease inflammation. Don’t use too much of this powerful oil, as it may dry out your skin and make matters worse.

There aren’t any scientific studies to confirm or deny the effectiveness of tea tree oil on psoriasis. Additional skin irritation or an allergic reaction is possible. To determine if you’re allergic, you should test a small area of skin before using the oil over a large area.

Some people find relief by using store-bought products that contain tea tree oil. You can find this ingredient in anything from shampoos to soaps to lotions.

Learn more: Tea tree oil: Psoriasis healer? »

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Castor oil for psoriasis

Castor oil isn’t an essential oil, but it can be used as a vehicle for applying essential oil. You can add essential oils to a castor oil base before application. This can help dilute the essential oil and prevent any adverse effects.

This natural emollient also works to soften skin. Anecdotal accounts suggest that cold pressed castor oil may help speed up healing and moisturize areas of dry, flaky skin when used daily.

It’s also thought that applying castor oil directly to your skin may help remove toxins. It may improve immune function by increasing your count of disease-fighting lymphocyte cells.

Castor oil sold in stores may be chemically processed or sourced from seeds that have been sprayed with pesticides. You should read labels carefully, and proceed slowly to avoid side effects like skin irritation. You shouldn’t use this oil if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.

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Lavender oil for psoriasis

Lavender oil is one of the most studied essential oils. It’s frequently used for a variety of conditions, including abrasions, headaches, and muscle pain. Lavender oil has even been shown to have successful antibacterial and antifungal properties against different bacterias when traditional medicines have failed.

If you’re under stress, consider applying diluted lavender oil to your temples. This may help ease your mind, possibly alleviating certain emotional triggers. Lavender oil may also helps to lessen itching on the skin when mixed with a lotion and applied to the skin.

Pregnant and breast-feeding women, as well as people who have diabetes, should avoid using lavender oil. Overuse of this oil may result in nausea, vomiting, or headaches.

As with other essential oils, you may try applying a few drops of lavender oil to your skin when diluted with a carrier like coconut oil. Some people add drops of this oil directly to bath water.

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Geranium oil for psoriasis

Geranium oil can improve circulation, lessen inflammation, and even work to relieve stress. It also promotes the growth and regeneration of healthy cells.

You may experience minor side effects when applying this oil directly to the skin. You should do a patch test before applications. You should also dilute full-strength oil by using carrier oils. This can reduce the likelihood of an adverse reaction.

Geranium oil is known to slow or stop blood flow, so use caution if you have high blood pressure or are at risk of cardiovascular diseases.

For skin issues ranging from acne to dermatitis, you can try mixing up to five drops of geranium oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil. Apply this mixture to affected areas twice daily until you see improvement.

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Peppermint oil for psoriasis

Peppermint oil may help most with any itching and pain you get in and around psoriasis patches. There are some 25 different species of peppermint with over 600 varieties. No matter what plant you use, the menthol in the oil is what gives peppermint its punch. This oil also tackles itching caused by anything from herpes blisters to scabies infestations.

In small doses, peppermint doesn’t usually cause any side effects. There’s a slight chance of allergic reaction, so be on the lookout for any unusual signs and symptoms after application.

A popular home remedy involves combining one cup of distilled water with five to seven drops of peppermint essential oils in a spray bottle. You can spritz this mixture onto painful, itchy skin for soothing relief.

Part 8 of 11

Argan oil for psoriasis

Argan oil is a carrier oil, not an essential oil. It’s rich in vitamin E, which is hydrating to the skin. It may also improve your skin’s metabolism, reduce inflammation, and protect skin from the sun.

Argan oil may work on psoriasis because it’s both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. This means that the oil helps to reduce redness, dryness, swelling, and itchiness.

Note that culinary and cosmetic argan oils are not the same thing. You shouldn’t ingest cosmetic argan oil. Allergic reactions are rare, and you should discontinue use if you experience discomfort.

Because argan oil isn’t an essential oil, it can be applied directly to the skin or mixed with essential oils for a blend of results.

Part 9 of 11

Black seed oil for psoriasis

Also called “black cumin seed oil,” this oil has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and anthelmintic properties. It can help with a range of skin issues, from ones caused by psoriasis to ones caused by parasites.

It helps to soothe any inflammation while also speeding up the skin’s healing process. Black seed oil is an excellent moisturizer and can even reduce scale thickness.

Black seeds may slow blood clotting and lower blood pressure, so people with clotting disorders, diabetes, or low blood pressure should speak with a doctor before use. Pregnant women should also avoid using black seed oil. Black seed oil may also have a sedative effect.

You may apply black seed oil directly to the skin or mix it with a carrier oil before application. This method should help soothe itch and moisturize skin.

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Risk factors to consider

Always research the specific oil you intend to use before you incorporate it into your treatment plan. Each oil comes with its own cautions and interactions.

Although they’re all natural, essential oils can be particularly potent ingredients. For this reason, they should be treated like medicine and used with care.

Essential oils are generally not recommended for pregnant or breast-feeding women. Some oils may interact with certain medications or health issues. You should speak with your doctor about the oils you’d like to use to complement your current psoriasis care.

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What you can do now

If you’re looking to use essential oils to treat your psoriasis symptoms, there a few things you can do now:

• Ask your doctor if essential oils are right for you.
• Research the cautions and interactions of each oil.
• Read product labels carefully and proceed slowly to avoid side effects.
• Test a small area of skin before using the oil over a large area.

Because specific studies about essential oils are still lacking, it’s a good idea to involve your doctor in your exploration of oils as a psoriasis treatment.

Psoriasis is a long-term skin rash that has no medical cure, although it can be managed with the help of doctors.
As with many conditions that are difficult to manage and need treatment, alternative treatments are available. These are often without the same scientific backing that conventional medicine has.
Essential oils are one of the alternatives to medical treatment that are available to people with psoriasis. Some oils have had some research done on them for psoriasis, but many have not.

Contents of this article:

1. What is psoriasis?
2. What are essential oils?
3. Other natural remedies used for psoriasis
4. Medical management of psoriasis
5. Causes of psoriasis

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition.
Estimates for the United Kingdom and northern Europe suggest 1 percent or 2 percent of the population has psoriasis.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks the body's own cells in the skin in the same way that it would attack foreign bodies.
People with psoriasis have a rapid buildup of skin cells that form inflammatory papules and plaques with silver-colored "scales" on the surface of the skin. These lesions can also be:

Psoriasis varies greatly from person to person and is a relatively common condition

• Itchy
• Dry
• Red
• Painful

Psoriasis shows in various ways in different people. Some have psoriatic plaques in specific places - at skin folds, palms of the hands, or soles of the feet. Others have psoriasis that affects the whole body, and in particular:

• Knees
• Elbows
• Lower back
• Scalp

Psoriasis comes and goes over time. It appears gradually, then goes away for a time before returning again. The flare-ups can come and go in relation to triggers.
Psoriasis is generally defined as mild, moderate, or severe. Each category depends on the amount of the body affected, and how badly quality of life is reduced.
Some doctors make a detailed evaluation such as provided by this online tool. It rates the area involved, the redness, thickness, and the amount of scale.
A small number of people with psoriasis have a condition called psoriatic arthritis. This inflammation affects the joints. It usually occurs along with the skin condition, although it can occur on its own, too.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are natural oils from plants obtained by distillation.
They are volatile oils. This means that they can be readily vaporized and then condensed in the process of distillation.
Essential oils carry the odor typical of the plant they are extracted from. Aromatherapy is a field of interest that uses the full range of essential oils.
There is a long list of essential oils. Common examples are chamomile, bergamot, lavender, lemon, peppermint, and rosemary.

Essential oils to treat psoriasis

Some standard medical treatments for psoriasis are derived from plants. Salicylic acid was originally drawn from white willow bark, for example.
Tea tree oil, chamomile, and bergamot oil are examples of essential oils from plants that have been used against psoriasis.
Tea tree oil is found widely in nonprescription commercial skin products. It is available in shampoos used for scalp psoriasis, for example. It is known to have antiseptic properties and has been used in acne treatments.
Some people are allergic to tea tree oil and should stop using it if it causes any reaction. There is no evidence from scientific studies to confirm if there is any benefit against psoriasis from tea tree oil.
There is also a long list of essential oils used by aromatherapists. One review of essential oils used in aromatherapy listed only chamomile for psoriasis. Other sources suggest using a blend of several oils.
Bitter apricot essential oil is another example that has had some scientific study. Researchers found that it had an effect on the growth of skin cells in psoriasis. It was not a clinical study though, so no testing was done on humans, but instead on cells in dishes.
Essential oils from the East Indian Globe Thistle have also received some study. Again, this research has been at a basic chemical level. The oil's effect against psoriasis is suggested but not proven.
There is limited scientific evidence for essential oils used against psoriasis at present. More and more studies are looking at how essential oils work. It is possible that some people may benefit from trying them.

Other natural remedies used for psoriasis

Some essential oils and natural remedies may help to alleviate psoriasis

Evening primrose oil has been used to treat psoriasis. Fish oil supplements are also taken orally, including supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are available in dietary supplements but can also be found naturally in some vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, soy foods, fatty fish, and algae. Several studies suggest that fish oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids are effective against psoriasis.
Aloe vera is a gel-like substance from the aloe plant and can be applied to skin affected by psoriasis. Creams containing aloe vera may have some effect on symptoms such as redness and itching. Oregon grape is another option, which is also used to treat acne.
One final option that has had some research is the key component of cayenne peppers - capsaicin. A small placebo-controlled trial found 0.025 percent capsaicin cream applied to the skin four times a day for 6 weeks reduced psoriasis itching compared with a placebo. The cream cannot be used on open skin or the face, and some people experience burning sensations.

Medical management of psoriasis

Doctors involved in the treatment of psoriasis include dermatologists, who are specialist skin doctors. Patients who also have the joint disease that can go with psoriasis may be treated by rheumatologists.
There are three broad forms of medical treatment for psoriasis:

• Topical treatments applied to the skin
• Ultraviolet light therapy, also called phototherapy
• Prescribed drugs for severe cases

Prescribed drugs include:

• Methotrexate, which suppresses the immune system
• Retinoids such as acitretin and isotretinoin
• Cyclosporine, which suppresses the immune system
• Biologics, including etanercept, adalimumab, and infliximab

Topical treatments are generally for mild psoriasis. Phototherapy is added for moderate problems, and drug treatments are given for severe psoriasis.
Topical treatments include corticosteroids and vitamin D-based products. A review of treatments applied directly to the skin found that corticosteroids were most effective.
Vitamin D-based treatments also worked against psoriasis, but corticosteroids were better and gave fewer side-effects.
Other topical treatments include tar-based preparations, dithranol, salicylic acid, and vitamin A. Corticosteroids and vitamin D-based products are more commonly used. Two reasons for this are that they may look better and a lack of side effects.
All of these topical treatments can be prescribed by doctors.
Emollients are recommended for anyone with psoriasis and are available from the pharmacy without prescription. Emollients include creams, ointments, petrolatum, and paraffin. They reduce scaling in psoriasis and should be applied to the skin twice a day.
Phototherapy for psoriasis can be as simple as getting more exposure to sunshine. Controlled artificial exposure to UV light is also available through doctors.
Phototherapy can be effective but needs repeated exposure, which can increase other skin risks, such as sunburn and skin cancer.

Causes of psoriasis

Sunshine can help to treat psoriasis but too much may be a trigger

Psoriasis is not fully understood by doctors. Many factors have been linked as triggers of the rash, however:

• Genetics
• Damage to the skin
• Infections, including HIV
• Certain drugs, including beta-blockers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Too much sun exposure
• Too much alcohol intake
• Smoking
• Emotional stress

When to see a doctor

Anyone with a long-term skin rash should see a doctor. This should lead to an accurate diagnosis and medical management.
A skin specialist will usually diagnose psoriasis by appearance and clinical history alone.
Rarely, doctors will have a sample of skin analyzed in the lab after taking a biopsy. This may be to separate it from other possible skin conditions.

Written by Markus MacGill