JULY-AUGUST 2001

Psoriasis Description: Psoriasis is a common skin disease of an unknown etiology. The new deep dermis cells reproduce every 4 days instead of every 28 to 30 days. Since the cell’s life cycle remains the same, tissues accumulate fast, hence creating the characteristic thick crusts. It is a chronic, recurrent, evolutive and benign disease, equally affecting men and women. It may attack all body parts, and may disappear as mysteriously as it arose. Causes: It is a hereditary disease, triggered by numerous external and internal factors. Psychological, physical and surgical stress are all factors which may cause, trigger or aggravate a psoriatic condition. It can happen at all ages. However, it occurs most often in adults. Taking anti-hypertensive and certain anti-depressive medication may trigger a psoriatic attack. Exposing the affected skin region to the sun often improves psoriatic lesions. Symptoms: The elbows and the knees are the most affected body parts. The lesions may be round or oval, they are red in color and are covered by white squama (easily peeled off skin lesions). They may also affect the lower back area, the buttocks and the scalp. Psoriasis does not itch. The presence of itchiness indicates that another form of dermatitis such as eczema is present. The plaques are neither contagious nor infectious. Suggested plants: C.C.E.-W (#735) for blood and intestines; L.G.-W (#820) for liver and gallbladder; Burdock (#50) a blood purifier; Feverfew (#388) for toxins and nerves; K.I.D.-W (#809) for the kidneys; L.C.-W (#817) or All cells salts (#860) for the lymphatic system; Rice bran (#463) or B.-W (#716) B vitamin sources; Quack grass (#104) for chronic skin problem; Carpenter square (#163) for skin disease; Marshmallow (#225) absorbs poisons, and for inflammation; Chickweed (#315) for skin disease; Nettle (#332) an antiseptic and for blood problems; Yellow dock (#340) for liver congestion; Sarsaparilla (#430) for stress; Stillingia (#470) for a lymphatic system engorgement; Herbal teas: Black dogwood, cascara, barberry, marshmallow, mint, horsetail, quack grass, meadowsweet, licorice, vervain, hyssop, quinsy berries. Nutrition: Psoriasis, as many other skin ailments, is linked to excessive body acidity. It is possible to sensibly improve one's situation by selecting foods that balance the body's acid-base level. Thus, it is important to reduce the intake of acidifying foods such as nuts, meats, cold cuts, vinegar, tomatoes, ketchup, legumes, fats, cheese, coffee, tea, soft drinks, egg whites, alcohol and refined sugars. Increase the intake of foods that increase the body’s alkaline level such as bananas, dates, figs, dried fruits, apples, pears, peaches, cabbage, squash, avocado, beets, turnip, parsnip, artichoke, green peas, spinach, wax beans, celery, onion, whole grain cereals and cider vinegar. Cider vinegar helps to maintain the body's acid-base balance. Take one tablespoonful of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water daily. Vitamin A supplement: Sources: liver, fish liver oils, egg yolks, dairy products, carrots, squash, cabbage, broccoli, spinach, peaches and apricots. Vitamin B supplement: Sources: Rice, yeast, whole grain cereals, fish, liver, egg yolks, spinach, wheat germ, almonds, dates and legumes. Prescribed medication or treatment: Nowadays, topical treatments such as Calcipotriol and other vitamin D derivatives mainly contain dermocorticoids. Usual treatments use psoralenes in conjunction with UVA irradiation (ultra-violet rays), retinoids (vitamin A derivative) , Cyclosporine (used occasionally since it harms the kidneys), Methotrexate which must be closely monitored for its effect on the liver, the blood cells and the lungs. Those treatments are reserved for severe forms and widely spread stages of the disease Référence : Grand Dictionnaire Médical Encyclopédie Médicale de la Famille. Proteus de la santé Votre santé, dictionnaire www.medisite.fr