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Back in the dim days of black-and-white television, one over-the-counter product that was frequently advertised claimed to help "the heartbreak of psoriasis." The phrase is no longer heard in commercials, but the heartbreak is still there.
For reasons that are still somewhat mysterious, an inflammatory immune reaction triggers rapid skin cell turnover in some people. This results in reddish raised plaques with silvery scales.
Knees and elbows are common hot spots, but plaques of psoriasis may develop on the scalp, back, genitals or other places on the body.
There are many treatments, but there is no cure. And surprisingly, some medications may actually trigger a psoriasis outbreak or make an existing situation worse. Powerful immune-system modulating drugs like Enbrel and Remicade used to treat rheumatoid arthritis can set off a new attack of psoriasis. Paradoxically, such drugs are sometimes prescribed for hard-to-treat psoriasis cases.
People with psoriasis often receive a smorgasbord of therapies. Moisturizers, coal tar creams and topical steroids are cornerstones of treatment. Light therapy (PUVA) can also help and in tougher cases, oral medications like methotrexate are frequently added to the regimen.
Patients sometimes get frustrated with the cost or the complications of standard therapies. That's why we often hear from readers who have experimented with alternatives:
"In 2007 I developed psoriasis on about 30 percent of my body. I felt overwhelmed at the age of 47.
"My internist was open-minded when I told him I did not want drugs making my condition worse. Nothing he did helped.
"My psoriasis was painful, with raised and flaky patches. He wanted to try steroids and lots of other drugs. I said no and tried turmeric and bromelain three times a day.
"Within a short time all my psoriasis was gone. I was tested to make sure I had psoriasis and it was confirmed both before and after I took turmeric that I had psoriasis.
"The doctor was shocked, and now this is what he uses first on his patients with psoriasis. I only need to take turmeric once or twice a week now."
Not everyone will benefit so dramatically, and many may get no response. Some readers have reported that the effects of turmeric eventually wear off.
There is science to support this natural approach (Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, Feb., 2009). There are, however, some potential side effects to this remedy.
Turmeric is generally considered safe, since it is a spice commonly used in Indian cooking. It is the yellow spice in curry and is also part of the formula for yellow mustard. Nonetheless, some people develop allergies to this spice. When used medicinally, it may affect liver enzymes. If they begin to rise, turmeric should be discontinued.
We are also concerned about the potential for interaction with anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin). Several readers have reported a dramatic increase in INR (a measure of blood clotting) when they started taking turmeric as well as warfarin. This could lead to a dangerous or even lethal bleeding episode, so no one on warfarin should take turmeric or its active ingredient curcumin.
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I had psoriasis - my Doctor prescribed Soriatane 25mg 1 per day w/ food. I discontinued because of the side effects. Every side effect that was listed among the warnings with the medication I developed. Losing my hair, blisters, blurry eyes etc. I stopped taking it and started turmeric twice a day instead. In a few weeks I was free of all symptoms.
The prescription was very expensive, but the turmeric was very inexpensive.
I have relative with this problem and it becomes severe every once in while. This article is a light at the end of the tunnel for him, but I don't see how this should be taken, ie: with juice, water etc, and how often and in what quantity?
Should it be taken in conjunction with Bromelain or by itself? What is bromelain? Where can I get it? An answer these questions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: BOTH BROMELAIN AND CURCUMIN CAN BE FOUND IN CAPSULE FORM IN HEALTH FOOD STORES. NO STANDARD INFORMATION ON BEST DOSE IS AVAILABLE.
Could you please give the amounts of turmeric and bromelain to take? Also, would one have symptoms if liver enzymes become elevated, or should one be checked before beginning the regimen and then during?
Thank you!
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: LIVER ENZYME ELEVATION CAN BE DETECTED ONLY WITH A BLOOD TEST.
Is the turmeric taken internally or applied externally? Also, what is the dosage?
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: IT IS TAKEN INTERNALLY. THE FIRST PERSON WHO TOLD US ABOUT USING THIS WAS TAKING ONE TEASPOON DAILY. KEEP IN MIND, DO NOT TAKE TURMERIC IF YOU ARE ON WARFARIN.
In what form or dose does one "take" turmeric?
My mother had psoriasis back in the '50's. She cured herself by eating pureed liver baby food. It came in glass jars and was made by Gerber and Beech Nut. It is no longer available. What is the ingredient that would have been so effective for curing psoriasis?
Can you tell me what amount to take? Does it come in pill form or do you take the spice with something? I'm in misery!!
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: TURMERIC CAN BE PURCHASED IN CAPSULES FROM THE HEALTH FOOD STORE. FOLLOW DOSING INSTRUCTIONS ON THE LABEL.
I have psoriasis on my scalp, ears and face. The creams I have tried have not helped except in temporarily stopping the itch. My doctor gave me Hydrocortisone Butyrate topical solution to use on my face, but it hasn't helped either. I am on Warfarin. Any suggestions?
A child of our friends had sever psoriasis for 7 years. She suffered a lot of itching, and from many different kinds of treatments, until it was discovered she was allergic to propylene glycol, a common ingredient in soap, toothpaste, shampoo, most cosmetics and many other products.
It took 7 years of her parents' persistence, which also included a struggle with the insurance company, before this simple answer was found!
How many other sufferers are facing the same problem from undiscovered allergies?
There are many forms of psoriasis and even more opinions on what provides relief. I have had palmo-plantar pustulosis psoriasis (PPP) and plaque psoriasis for years and contact dermatitis and eczema all my life. With all of my skin challenges I have found that one thing may work for one person, but not another. Also, I have learned that something may work for a short while only. I cannot use or do many things... like use soap and toothpaste or swim in pools or drink municipal water.
The only consistent relief I have found has been from the use of RAW ( absolutely nothing added, not even water! ) shea butter....not the creams and lotions in drug stores, but raw, unrefined shea butter. I also use black soap which is made from the potash of a plantain leaf mixed with virgin palm kernel oil. The black soap makes my skin and hair squeaky clean with no harm done to my ultra sensitive skin. It will even remove paint and grime from my hands, yet remain so gentle!
The raw shea butter and black soap can be ordered from the distributor, directly from the source: Ghana. It is much, much less expensive and more effective than the watered down versions.
Also,an oily yet effective substance I use when I have fissures and bleeding with the PPP is RAW lanolin which comes in a jar only. Lanolin in tubes has water added which greatly dilutes the effectiveness. No "lanolin lotions" have ever helped.
I have had this heartbreak for 60 years. It comes and goes. Mostly during a season change. I have had it on back of head, knees, elbows, nails, chest and arms.
I use T-Gel shampoo, Avino cream w/out perfume, and I take Omega 3.
Right now it is in remission, but with winter coming I expect it will show up some where on my body.
I am in my 60's and started getting this on the knuckles of my left hand.
Does anybody remember what the product was that was in those "heartbreak" commercials years ago?
Are turmeric curcumin capsules OK for those with high blood pressure? The vitamin catalog I have offers turmeric curcumin capsules, not just straight turmeric caps.
Regarding lanolin use: lanolin is quite often implicated in contact dermatitis so use with caution. I use neutogena fragrance free soap to avoid a lot of chemicals as well as all fragrance free (synthetic) products, including a natural tea tree oil shampoo which calms my psoritic scalp.
I am confused about your statement that turmeric may cause elevated liver enzymes. Curcumin, the active inflammatory agent in turmeric, is well known as being protective of the liver, improving its detoxification process. I have been able to find nothing about it having adverse effects on the liver. Can you provide a citation to a reference? Thank you.
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: YOU ARE QUITE RIGHT THAT THERE ARE MANY STUDIES SHOWING THAT CURCUMIN PROTECTS THE LIVER FROM HARM. OUR CAUTION WAS BASED ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCES REPORTED TO US VIA THE WEB SITE OR BY EMAIL. DESPITE THE TEMPORAL CONNECTION, TURMERIC MIGHT NOT BE THE CAUSE OF THE LIVER ENZYME ELEVATION OUR CORRESPONDENTS REPORTED.
WE HAVE ALSO BEEN UNABLE TO FIND PUBLISHED REPORTS OF INR ELEVATION AS A RESULT OF INTERACTION BETWEEN TURMERIC AND COUMADIN, BUT SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS HAVE REPORTED THIS EXPERIENCE TO US.
The product from the "heartbreak of psoriasis" commercials was Tegrin. Only turmeric has offered any help to me at all. I've been taking it for about a year, and my psoriasis is now unnoticeable to most people. Before turmeric, my legs were covered in it.
Can you tell me how many mg's you take a day? Thanks in advance.
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: IF YOU ARE TAKING GROUND TURMERIC FROM THE SPICE RACK, APPROXIMATELY ONE TEASPOON DAILY. IF YOU ARE TAKING CAPSULES, FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON THE LABEL AS THE DOSES VARY QUITE A BIT.
I received my order. I got 2 bottles of turmeric curcumin 90 caps to the bottle. It says to take one a day. Today is my second day and we'll see how it goes. The ingredients listed on the bottle are:
turmeric 450mg
turmeric extract 50 mg
I'd mention where I bought them, but that might be frowned on. I'm sure you can get them at a lot of vitamin companies & health stores.
Well I also received two bottles today that I ordered on line. The ones I ordered are strictly turmeric 720 mg. It says take two once a day which is quite a bit more than yours. I just took two for the first time and am anxiously awaiting to see the results. I will post back soon hopefully with good news!! Hope you will post your results too!!
Fiona - where did you get yours? I hope these kind people that control this will let you say the company. I got mine from Puritan's Pride. But the ones you got sound better & I'd like to try them if the ones I have don't work out.
The brand is Swanson and I got them on amazon.com. If you type in turmeric you'll get several choices I chose Swanson 720mg. Or go directly to swansonvitamins. Good luck! Fiona.
I started taking the product that I ordered on Weds Nov11. As of Nov 17 there is some improvement. It is more than a slight improvement - I'd say maybe about 20%! I'll see how this goes. I hope Fiona gets some help also!
Well I could stand it no longer and had to go to the Doctor. I feel like a traitor!! lol!! I had taken the turmeric for seven days with absolutely no improvement. I maybe didn't give it long enough but I was just too miserable. Anyway I'm now on steroids for a month. I'm going to keep taking the Turmeric in the hopes it will help sustain another such onset.
Tony, I'm so glad it's working for you!!
My boyfriend has psoriasis ...
He has it covering his calves on both legs.
Until a few days ago he had been using pure Emu oil.
The Emu oil helped alot with the itching/scratching but had gotten to a point that
it was no longer healing it.
He heard about Tumeric, wanted to give it a shot so I found him some at
Wal-Mart.
It is 500 grams root and 50 grams extract. He has been trying to remember to take two
each day and does usually take them both but a few days he forgot and only took one.
He has been taking them for 5 days so far.
We are very pleased with the results so far.
The patches are decreasing in size, one leg has especially shown improvement.
It was the leg that had the less thickness to the build up of skin cells.
It has decreased in six by at least 2/3 and is not near as thick as it was.
He has only been taking them for five days.
Although. he says he can still feel a very slight itch but nothing like it used to be.
Just wondering how everyone elses is doing ...
Can methotrexate (6 tablets per week) be taken safely with turmeric capsules (900 mg capsule per day)?
Will taking ginkgo (for memory) interfere with using turmeric?
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: WE DON'T THINK SO, BUT WE DON'T KNOW. THE COMBINATION HAS NOT BEEN STUDIED CAREFULLY.
THE RESULTS OF STUDIES ON GINKGO FOR MEMORY HAVE BEEN UNIMPRESSIVE.
BOTH GINKGO AND TURMERIC MIGHT POSSIBLY INTERACT WITH WARFARIN TO INCREASE THE RISK OF BLEEDING.
I would like to the answer to that too... (Also how long before methotrexate starts to clear up psorisis?) I feel like a freak with this stuff on me, it looks terrible. I want to cry every time I look in a mirror.
I've been taking 1000 mg turmeric for 3 months now with no vast improvement, but when I upped the dose to 1500 mg, after a few weeks I began to see central clearing in some of the plaques. The point of this comment is to encourage folks not give up on turmeric if you've only been taking it for a week or 2 and haven't seen a response yet.
Also, the positive response I started getting didn't happen till I upped the dose. So, it might take tweaking the dose or staying on it longer. You've probably had the psoriasis for a long time and it may take a long time to reverse the process. It would be nice if the response happened in a week, but not everyone is so lucky. Don't give up (at least for a while)!