Psoriasis

We do not know at this point what causes psoriasis, although it may well have a genetic origin. Psoriasis appears as well-defined red patches of scaly, dead skin. It does not cause pain or itching, but comes and goes in bouts, affecting mainly the scalp and ears, the elbows, cuticles, and knees.

The average age of onset for psoriasis symptoms is about 25, with most sufferers aged between 16 and 22 - but it can appear at any stage in life. It affects men and women equally, but many either do not know they have it. or are indifferent to it, as psoriasis does not cause great inconvenience much of the time.

The first episode of psoriasis is often triggered by a particular incident or condition:
- a course of medical treatment: lithium, beta-blockers, or the end of a course of cortisone, are some examples
- an infectious illness, especially in children
- some sort of mechanical friction, such as a wound or area of skin dried out by sunburn
- physical or emotional stress (such as bereavement or the ending of a relationship)
- smoking or alcohol consumption
- the period after giving birth (although psoriasis tends to improve during pregnancy)
- a weight gain
- the change of seasons

Once psoriasis has made an appearance, it is likely to return, eventually becoming a chronic condition. Episodes are likely to be triggered by emotional stress or by infectious ill­nesses. While psoriasis is certainly not a life-threatening condition, many patients do not want to live with it, and it is difficult to treat. The various traditional medical treatments are not well tolerated by the body, and may pose a risk of toxicity in the long term. They can also only treat the symptoms, reducing the lesions until the patient feels they are not so noticeable.

Oligotherapy

Sulphur

This trace element is usually found in the diet, which should be varied and of high quality. In cases of deficiency, sulphur can be given as a medicinal supplement.

Dietary sources of sulphur

Sulphur is found primarily in sulphurated amino acids, and thus mostly in protein. It is plentiful in eggs (165mg of sulph or per 100g of egg yolk), meat, fish, and seafood, as well as in garlic, onions, broccoli, cabbage, and dried beans.

• Sulphur treatment: this is available in various brands and forms - such as Organic Minerals (Colloidals) which contains 70+ trace minerals:
  - Available in 946ml bottles
  - Take 1-3 caps just before breakfast and/or evening meal
  - Children 1 teaspoon daily for each 20lbs of body weight

Or Maximol (Ionized colloidals):
-Available in 500ml bottles
- Take 1/2 capful once or twice daily on an empty stomach

Homeopathy

Arsenicum album and Arsenicum iodatum

- Four 7c tablets of one or both of these remedies to be sucked slowly between meals, twice a day for several weeks

Arsenicum album

-Chemical origin: arsenic oxide or white arsenic
-The homeopathic remedy for dry skin covered with large patches of dead scales (squamae)
-Two characteristic indications: the alternate appearance and disappearance and the periodicity, of the symptoms

Arseniicum iodatum

-Chemical origin arsenic iodide
- The homeopathic remedy for dry skin with smaller scaly patches than in the case of the previous remedy

• You could also try Lehning@ Sulphur Complex 12 ,whose ingredients include Arsenicum album 4x and Sulfur 3x:
  -Available in boxes of 80 tablets
  - One tablet to be sucked twice a day
• It is also essential that you combine these treatments with a constitutional remedy, to be chosen after consultation with a professional homeopath, Some likely choices are Calcarea carbonica, Psorinum, or Sulfur

Vitamins

Primarily A, B, C, and E

- Vitamin A preserves the skin's elasticity, promotes healing, and helps the skin resist infections
- the B vitamins play an important role in the health of the skin, helping to combat seborrhea and blackheads
- Vitamin C contains anti-infective properties
- Vitamin E speeds up the healing process and helps prevent skin ageing

• You could also try 'Health from the Sun' EFA Derma-Skin Formula, which contains borage and flaxseed oils beneficial to the skin, as well as vitamins A, C, D, E, zinc and extracts of burdock root and yellowdock:
  - Available in containers of 60 capsules
  - Take 2 capsules once daily

Herbal remedies

Cadewood

Oil of cade

The oil comes from a process of dry distillation of the cadewood, which is a species related to juniper

Borage

- Borage oil capsules can be obtained from your herbalist Take one capsule twice a day for several weeks

Topical Application: One capsule, opened up and applied to the skin, may reinforce the oral treatment.

Borage

This pretty, herbaceous plant originally from southern Spain and Morocco is, like evening primrose, mostly grown for the oil extracted from its seeds. The oils from both these plants have been shown to be important in numerous chemical reactions essential to good health. Borage oil appears to be the more effective treatment for skin conditions.

• You could also try 'Nature's Plus' Borage oil:
  - Available in containers of 30 softgels
  - Take 1 softgel daily
• Alternatively you could take 'Health from the Sun' Borage oil; each capsule contains 300mg of borage oil:
  - Available in containers of 30 capsules
  - Take 1 capsule daily

Acupuncture

This treatment is worth trying - but patience will be the order of the day.

Treatment Schedule: Several sessions will be needed, spread out over the course of several months, in combination with other therapies.

Water cures

Several spa towns in France specialize in the treatment of psoriasis: Aix-Ies­Bains, Avene-Ies-Bains, La Bourboule, Castera-Verduzan, Les Fumades, Lons­Ie-Saunier, Molitg-Ies-Bains, Neyrac-Ies­Bains, Rochefort-sur-Mer, La Roche­Posay, Salins-les-Bains, Saint-Christau, Saint-Gervais-Ies-Bains, Salies-de­Beam, Salies-du-Salat, Salins-Ies-Bains, Tercis-Ies-Bains, and Uriage-les-Bains.

Puva phototherapy

This consists of treatment with ultra­violet light, and has been in use since 1974. Unlike the other therapies recommended in this book, this one cannot be qualified as gentle or risk-free, due to its contraindications and its numerous short-, medium-, and long-term side effects. What it does do is whiten psoriasis lesions in 80 per cent of cases - but it could be dangerous. It can only be performed by dermatologists who have specialized facilities.