Fatima Lazim Kaplan University

Herbal Approach to Psoriasis

Plants and their seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers had been used for medicinal purposes longer than history can record, yet conventional medicine/Western medicine excluded them for a long while.

In recent years the improvement in analysis, quality control, and the advanced clinical researches done on herbs spiked their value around the world in general and in the US in particular.

Introduction and facts

. “The WHO estimates that 80% of the world’s population relies on herbal medicine.

From 1990 to 1997, as the use of CAM rose from 34% to 42%, herbal use quadrupled from 3% to 12%” (Micozzi, 2006, p. 174).

Psoriasis which is an autoimmune disease that affect four million American and characterized by skin lesions and joint pain (Encyclopedia, 2009).

Intro. & facts cont.

The supplement I will create will be used as part of a regiment of what to take, what to avoid, and general measures to control the condition of Psoriasis.

The supplement will promote skin health as well as lowering joints pain and decreasing stress level that is considered a main contributor to Psoriasis flare-ups.

What supplement I am creating?

The 10 ingredients will be mixed dry and stuffed inside capsules except the Primrose and Flax Seed which are in the form of oil that will be mixed with the water that we will use to take the capsules with.

Ingredients are; vitamin A, E, D, & C, zinc, selenium, evening primrose, milk thistle, flax seeds, and echinacea.

The ten vitamins, minerals, and herbs of the supplement

Dosage Cause of use

4000 IU or 800 Retinol Equivalents (for young adults & adults)

*Skin improvement effect: In the form of synthetic derivatives of retinoic acid which is considered more potent than Isotretinoin in the treatment of Psoriasis (Murray, 1996, p. 20).*Immune system affect: vitamin A plays an essential role in maintaining the epithelial and mucosal surfaces and their secretions which contain immunoglobulin A (Ig A) that is important for the mucosal immunity (body surfaces immunity) (Murray, 1996, p. 27).*Antioxidant affect: In the form of alpha-carotene which is 38% stronger as an antioxidant than beta-carotene (Murray, 1996, p. 27).

Vitamin A

Dosage Cause of use

200-400 IU daily (for those exposed to the sun).400-800IU daily (for those not exposed to the sun)

*Effect on the skin: The skin cells have receptors for what is called activated vitamin D, essentially the hormone that prevents skin cells from growing and shedding too rapidly, therefore the use of vitamin D could help slow down the shedding process in Psoriasis patients which is the process responsible for the flaky skin appearance and itching (Holick, 2009).

Vitamin D

Dosage Cause of use

400-800 IU daily *Antioxidant function: “Many claims have been made about vitamin E’s potential to promote health and prevent and treat disease. The mechanisms by which vitamin E might provide this protection include its function as an antioxidant and its roles in anti-inflammatory processes, inhibition of platelet aggregation, and immune enhancement.” (Office of Dietary Supplement, 2009).

Vitamin E

Dosage Cause of use

500-1000 mg/3times a day

*Skin function: vitamin C is important factor in the synthesis of collagen which is a protein that hold our body together (connective tissue, cartilage, etc.), therefore, it is crucial for wound repair, healthy gums, and prevention of easy bruising (Murray, 1996, p. 61).*Immune function: vitamin C plays a role in many immune mechanisms by enhancing white blood cells function and activity, antibody response and level. Therefore, in chemical, emotional, psychological, or physiological stress we need to increase our vitamin C intake because our bodies tend to excrete more of vitamin C through the urine in times of stress (Murray, 1996, p. 62).*Antioxidants function: it is one of the body aqueous antioxidant and it make partner with vitamin E and carotenes that are fat-soluble antioxidant (Murray, 1996, p. 62).

Vitamin C

Dosage Cause of use

30-45 mg daily

*Immune function: Zinc synergizes with vitamin C as immune-enhancer and it is actually involved in every aspect of immunity. When Zinc levels are low, the number of T cells ↓, thymic hormone levels ↓, and many white blood cell functions critical to immune response cease. (Murray, 1996, pp. 185-186).*Arthritis and inflammatory function: using a form of high absorption Zinc like Zinc picolinate, acetate, monomethionine, or citrate is beneficial for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) which is a potent anti-inflammatory and one of the most powerful naturally-occurring antioxidants in our body (Superoxide Dismutase: The Remarkable New Formula That Helps Your Body Fight Serious Conditions Like Rheumatoid Arthritis, 2002).

Zinc/mineral

Dosage Cause of use

55 µg daily (in adults 19 years and up)

*Antioxidant affect: Selenium partner with vitamin E to protect cells and lipid membranes from oxidative damage (Schlenker & Long, 1996, p. 172).

Selenium/mineral

Dosage Cause of use

2 gm seed oil daily (fixed seed oil contains gamma linolenic acid and linoleic acid)

The presence of linolenic acid and linoleic acid plays a role in metabolism of the essential fatty acids; therefore it is believed to be useful in the management of autoimmune conditions and inflammatory diseases like Psoriasis (Boon & Smith, 2004, pp. 105-113).

Evening primrose/herb

Dosage Cause of use

200-400 mg daily (Skidmore-Roth, p. 432)

*General health-improving effect: because it is believed that” Milk thistle is believed to have protective effects on the liver and improve its function.” (Herbs at a glance: Milk Thistle, 2009).* management of Psoriasis due to its ability to ↓ leukotriene synthesis by inhibiting lipoxygenase (Boon & Smith, 2004, p. 217)

Milk thistle/herb

Dosage Cause of use

1 table spoon daily

Flax seed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid which is a type of omega-3 fatty acid found in plants. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation and may help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease and arthritis. Furthermore, People who do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids in their diet may be at an increased risk for depression. In addition to arthritis and depression, it is believed that omega-3 fatty acids may also help protect against some infections and treat a variety of conditions, including ulcers, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), preterm labor, emphysema, psoriasis, and glaucoma. (Alpha-linolenic acid, 2009).

Flax seed oil/herb

Dosage Cause of use

500 mg in capsule form twice a day (Skidmore-Roth, p. 239)

*Used as immune stimulant by stimulating the nonspecific immune response via phagocytosis and also by stimulating T lymphocytes (Skidmore-Roth, p. 238).

Echinacea/herb

The supplement and its components had not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The supplement does not intend to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Those seeking to use the supplement should consult a qualified physician prior to using my products if possible.

FDA Disclaimer

Patients with Psoriasis should avoid stress by all means possible.

As per diet, The following foods are popular triggers that worsen psoriasis; Coke-a-Cola, red wine, red meat, MSG, chilli, hot spices, junk foods, oily foods, berries (such as strawberries), tomato, most acidic foods .

People with poor diets will likely have much worse psoriasis.

Furthermore, diet that have lots of vegetables and water will act as natural antitoxification and toxin dilution in the body (BeatPsoriasis, 2009).

What to avoid?

“Consume a diet that focuses on whole, unprocessed foods (whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds).

Avoid animal products with the exception of cold-water fish (salmon, mackerel, herring, halibut, and etcetera).

Identify and control food allergies. Eliminate alcohol, caffeine, and sugar. Get regular exercise. Perform a relaxation exercise (deep breathing,

meditation, prayer, visualization, etcetera) 10 to 15 minutes each day.

Drink at least 48 ounces of water daily.” (Murray, 1996, p. 482).

Recommendations for the patients

Alpha-linolenic acid. (2009). Retrieved November 11, 2009, from University of Maryland Medical Center Web site: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/alpha-linolenic-000284.htm

BeatPsoriasis. (2009). Psoriasis. Retrieved November 11, 2009, from Psoriasiscafe.org Web site: http://www.psoriasiscafe.org/psoriasis.htm

Boon, H., & Smith, M. (2004). Evening Primrose. In The complete Natural Medicine Guide To The 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs (pp. 105-113).

Boon, H., & Smith, M. (2004). Milk Thistle. In The complete Natural Medicine Guide To The 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs (p. 217).

Encyclopedia, M. (2009). Psoriasis. Retrieved November 11, 2009, from Answers.com Web site: http://www.answers.com/psoriasis

references

Frey, R. J. (2009). Evening primrose oil. Retrieved November 15, 2009, from Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders Web site: http://www.minddisorders.com/Del-Fi/Evening-primrose-oil.html

herbs at a glance: Milk Thistle. (2009). Retrieved November 11, 2009, from National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/milkthistle/ataglance.htm

Holick, M. F. (2009). Prescription Vitamin D Delivers Hope. Retrieved November 11, 2009, from Mothernature.com Web site: http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/10/98.cfm

Micozzi, M. S. (2006). Herbal Medicine. In The Fundamentals of Complementary and Integrative Medicine (3rd ed., p. 174). Murray, M. T. (1996). Vitamin A and Carotenes. In Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements (p. 20).

References cont.

Murray, M. T. (1996). Selenium. In Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplement (p. 227).

Murray, M. T. (1996). Zinc. In Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplement (pp. 188-189).

Murray, M. T. (1996). Viatamin C. In Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplement (p. 78).

Murray, M. T. (1996). Viatamin E. In Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplement (p. 53).

Murray, M. T. (1996). Viatamin D. In Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplement (pp. 42-43).

Murray, M. T. (1996). Viatamin A. In Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplement (p. 37).

Murray, M. T. (1996). Quick Reference Guide For Specific Health Conditions. In Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements (p. 482).

Murray, M. T. (1996). Zinc. In Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements (pp. 185-186).

References cont.

Murray, M. T. (1996). Vitamin C. In Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements (p. 62).

Murray, M. T. (1996). Vitamin C. In Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements (p. 61).

Murray, M. T. (1996). Vitamin A and Carotenes. In Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements (p. 27).

Office of Dietary Supplement. (2009). Vitamin E Fact Sheet. Retrieved November 11, 2009, from National Institute of Health Web site: http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamine.asp

Schlenker, E. D., & Long, S. (1996). Minerals. In William's Essentials of Nutrition & Diet Therapy (9th ed., p. 172).

Skidmore-Roth, L. Echinacea. In Mosby's Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements (4th ed., p. 238).

References cont.

Skidmore-Roth, L. Echinacea. In Mosby's Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements (4th ed., p. 239).

Skidmore-Roth, L. Milk Thistle. In Mosby's Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements (4th ed., p. 432).

Skinmore-Roth, L. (2010). Mosby's Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements (4th ed., p. 239).

Skinmore-Roth, L. (2010). Mosby's Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements (4th ed., p. 270).

Skinmore-Roth, L. (2010). Mosby's Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements (4th ed., p. 433).

Superoxide Dismutase: The Remarkable New Formula That Helps Your Body Fight Serious Conditions Like Rheumatoid Arthritis. (2002, January 9). Retrieved November 11, 2009, from The Healthier Life Web site: http://www.thehealthierlife.co.uk/natural-health-articles/arthritis/superoxide-dismutase-ease-rheumatoid-arthritis-00519.html

References cont.