Psoriasis can get uncomfortable when it flares up. A lot of people have come up with different home remedies for this skin condition ranging from the use of lotions and essential oils to soaking in warm water.
Sometimes these home remedies can help to calm mild to moderate symptoms of Psoriasis while you reach out to your doctor. The use of oil as a complementary therapy for treating Psoriasis has not been fully explored by scientific research; however, some essential and non-essential oils have been found to offer relief from itching, inflammation, and other discomfort caused by Psoriasis.
Even though essential oils are effective in managing skin conditions like Psoriasis, you should consult with your doctor to find out what would be best suited for your condition. Here are some oils that have been used as a complementary treatment for Psoriasis.
Coconut Oil For Psoriasis
Coconut oil is useful in managing Psoriasis because of its anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s not an essential oil like most people think. You can use it as a carrier oil to dilute essential oils before rubbing them on your skin.
Coconut oil in itself may not have side effects when ingested or used externally. However, one must be careful when mixing it with other essential oils.
Tea Tree Oil For Psoriasis
Tea tree oil is admired for its anti-bacterial, ant-viral, and anti-fungal properties. It can also support the immune system and therefore, work quite effectively in managing skin conditions like Psoriasis. Tea tree oil can help to reduce or eliminate the chances of getting a wounded psoriasis patch infected and also manage inflammation.
Excessive use of this oil may dry out your skin, cause irritation, or trigger an allergic reaction. Do a patch test before applying the oil. However, there are many tea tree oil-based skin products you can buy at the supermarket to be safe. You can get shampoos, lotions and even soaps that can soothe Psoriasis.
Castor Oil For Psoriasis
Castor oil is an effective carrier oil for essential oils. If you are worried about the adverse effects of essential oils on your skin, you can use castor oil to dilute the oil.
It works well in moisturizing dry and flaky skin if used regularly. It also helps in removing toxins and improving body immune function by increasing disease-fighting cells. However, it’s not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Other effective oils you should consider using for Psoriasis include lavender oil, Geranium oil, Peppermint oil, Argan oil, and black seed oil, popularly known as black cumin seed oil.
Always remember to consult your doctor before using any essential oil as a treatment for Psoriasis.