The month of August is Psoriasis awareness month: Can CBD help?
I’ve been fortunate never to have suffered with Psoriasis but I have a few very close friends who have and I can attest to the discomfort they endure when this skin condition flares up. When the opportunity arose to create a Healing Alternatives CBD psoriasis cream to help sufferers I jumped at it. If you suffer from psoriasis, you know that managing the condition can be a challenge. While there are many traditional treatments available, some often come with unwanted side effects. Fortunately, there are also some natural remedies that can help provide relief from the symptoms of psoriasis - one of them being CBD creams. August is Psoriasis awareness month I hope this blog will help those unfamiliar with Psoriasis understand what Psoriasis is, what alternative natural treatments are available and why CBD creams may be one of the best natural treatments for managing psoriasis.
What is Psoriasis?
Firstly, it’s important to understand what psoriasis is and how it affects people. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells. This leads to an overproduction of skin cells that build up on top of each other in thick patches called plaques. These plaques can cause itchiness, irritation, redness and scaling on the skin surface, as well as a great deal of pain and fatigue.
Other forms of psoriasis include guttate psoriasis (characterised by small bumps on the skin), inverse psoriasis (involving smooth red patches in folds of skin near joints), pustular psoriasis (red bumps filled with pus), erythrodermic psoriasis (intense redness across large areas) and Psoriatic arthritis this is a type of arthritis linked with psoriasis that affects around 30% of people who have this condition - ( symptoms include swollen joints and stiffness which can lead to disability over time if left untreated) .
Can Psoriasis Be Cured?
Unfortunately, there currently isn't a cure for psoriasis but treatments are available to help manage symptoms. These include both allopathic treatments such as steroid injections, oral and topical medications as well as natural remedies. The exact cause of this condition is unknown but it’s believed it may involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors such as stress or infection. The goal with any treatment is to reduce inflammation and lessen the symptoms so that people can live more comfortably with their condition.
What are the best natural ways to manage Psoriasis symptoms?
- Diet and Nutrition – One of the most important ways to naturally treat psoriasis is through diet and nutrition. Eating foods high in healthy fats, such as fish, nuts and avocados, can help reduce inflammation associated with the condition. Additionally, it’s important to avoid processed foods that contain sugar and unhealthy fats, which can worsen inflammation. Eating a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables and lean proteins is essential in helping manage psoriasis symptoms. Check out this book by Claire Hamilton - Eating Habits for Healthy Skin £7.99 from Amazon.
- Herbal Supplements – There are several herbs and plant extracts that have been used over the years to treat psoriasis symptoms naturally. Some of these herbs include black cumin, turmeric, oregano oil, aloe vera, witch hazel extract and now CBD, an active compound extracted from the hemp plant. Each botanical has unique properties that can help reduce inflammation associated with psoriasis while also providing additional benefits such as improved digestion or increased energy levels. However, it’s important to speak with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements as they may interact with other medications or cause side effects in some individuals.
- Exercise – Exercise is another great way to naturally manage psoriasis symptoms. Regular physical activity helps reduce stress levels and increases circulation throughout the body which can help reduce itching and flaking associated with the condition. It’s important to choose activities that are low impact such as walking or swimming since high-impact activities like running or jumping may exacerbate symptoms in some individuals.
Will CBD help Psoriasis?
CBD is not a miracle cure for Psoriasis, however CBD is effective in helping reduce inflammation, redness and itching caused by the psoriatic plaques while also moisturising dry skin. The CBD works by interacting with receptors throughout our bodies which helps to reduce inflammation and everyday discomfort associated with this chronic skin disease .
At Healing Alternatives CBD is our cornerstone ingredient, as well as possessing it's own therapeutic qualities it also greatly enhances our ability to process other natural plant based ingredients. When we created our Psoriasis cream we blended CBD with Black Cumin. Black Cumin seed oil ( Nigella Sativa ) has antibacterial, antimicrobial as well as anti-inflammatory properties and has been used with great effect to ease symptoms of Psoriasis.
Here’s a link below to a clinical trial that studied 20 patients with dermatitis and psoriasis applying CBD with encouraging results over 3 months. All 20 saw improvements to their skin elasticity and hydration, fewer lesions from psoriasis and less scarring for acne patients. There were no allergic reactions to irritants.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30993303/
Psoriasis inflammation and itchiness is caused by an overactive immune system attacking its own system therefore it is classified as an autoimmune disease. The fact that CBD has an overall immunosuppressive effect means it could reduce the redness and itchiness associated with both conditions.
https://www.jci.org/articles/view/64628
This is what one of our customers has had to say about our H:A Psoriasis cream:
"Amazing I have tried for years to find something, anything to help my skin and this product works...its was a miracle within 3 - 4 weeks my very angry skin was calm and clear….unbelievable. Thank you Healing Alternatives” - Milena Stancomb.
Additional information & Support
It’s always important to consult with your doctor before using any new product or supplement for your health condition; they will be able to advise you on the best course of action for managing your specific situation. We would love to hear from any Psoriasis sufferers as we would like to collaborate with them to get more awareness out there. Just contact us via our WhatsApp, or email us at info@healingalternatives.co.uk
If this blog has in anyway been helpful and you think it might benefit someone else please feel free to forward it.
For more details about how CBD can help soothe Psoriasis, read more here.
