
Benefits of Using Turmeric for Treating Psoriasis
Turmeric is touted as one of the most magical superfoods, thanks to its healing powers. Indian and Chinese medicine has propagated the powers of this plant time and time again. It is considered as quite helpful for a host of things, such as being an antiseptic and helping in weight loss. It is also largely used as a home remedy for treating skin conditions like psoriasis. Read on to know more about the benefits of turmeric and its contribution to alleviating psoriasis.
Overview of psoriasis
Psoriasis can be described as a noncontagious skin condition, wherein certain types of cells start to build over the skin itself. This build-up may then cause various symptoms like red and scaly patches, itchy skin, and bleeding skin, amongst many other telltale signs. Plaque psoriasis is the most common forms of psoriasis that affects around 4 million people in the country. It may also result in psoriatic arthritis for many patients as the joints start to get affected. However, psoriatic arthritis often occurs once the skin infection has begun.
Turmeric and its benefits
Turmeric is considered to be a relative of ginger. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, making it a good option for treating psoriasis and even psoriatic arthritis. The main reason for this is the presence of curcumin, which is one of the most active ingredients present in turmeric. It is attributed as one of the main reasons for giving turmeric such great healing capabilities.
Based on many studies, curcumin has shown impeccable results in alleviating symptoms of psoriasis when combined with antibiotics and topical steroids. This works great in combination with certain lifestyle restrictions, such as staying away from dairy products and even preventing contact with allergens.
Forms of turmeric to be used
There are plenty of ways in which one can use turmeric. In grounded form, turmeric can be used to cook a variety of foods such as curries, stews, and soups. In fact, South East Asian cuisines use this as one of the major components in all of its foods. To use this, you need to add around a single teaspoon to the food you want to add it in.
Additionally, one can also consume turmeric in the form of teas or through supplements. However, this would need to be purchased only from a trusted source. Fresh turmeric is often difficult to source. Therefore, you would need to get it in the aforementioned forms.
Turmeric can also be used topically to treat psoriasis; it can also be used in other forms owing to its anti-inflammatory nature. It can be applied on the affected area or where there is joint pain. To do this, you would need to take one part turmeric and mix it in two parts of water to get the right paste consistency. Once you start applying it regularly, and you will get great results.
Other health benefits of turmeric
Apart from playing a role in helping psoriasis heal faster and providing relief in psoriatic arthritis, turmeric is said to have a lot of other benefits. It is said to help in curing depression as well. Some studies suggest that depression may be a cause of inflammation and, therefore, turmeric may be useful due to its anti-inflammatory properties and help in healing this particular mental disorder. Apart from psoriatic arthritis, it can help in providing relief for rheumatoid arthritis as well. It also helps in balancing blood sugar and may reduce the adverse effects of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, it can be used for weight loss as it can help the body burn fat.
Turmeric works well with almost everybody’s metabolism and adverse side effects are seen very rarely. Therefore, it is suggested that you use it as an additional remedy along with the course of treatment prescribed by your doctor to get better results.