Psoriasis has been around for a long while - the earliest recorded case of it was in 35AD! Before that, caveman scratched at their psoriasis too, they just didn't write about it.
They had to rely on natural, herbal remedies made from plants; the same plants growing in your garden or backyard.
Some of these didn't work, but others did.
Many people are against herbal treatments for psoriasis, or any alternative treatments for that matter, but why? They have significantly fewer side-effects, cost less, and hundreds of thousands swear by them.
Aren't they at least worth a try? 1.
Chamomile Chamomile has been used for centuries in Europe to treat psoriasis and other forms of dry, flaky skin.
It has plenty of compounds called flavonoids which are great at reducing inflammation.
The only thing to note is that it is part of the ragweed family, so should be used carefully if you have hay fever.
This natural remedy for psoriasis works best as a compress.
To make one, add 1 handful of chamomile flowers to 1 cup of boiled water.
Allow the flowers to steep for around 10 minutes and release all that chamomile oily goodness into the water.
Then separate the flowers from the water, soak a clean cloth in the liquid, apply it to the skin and give out a contented sigh of relief.
Like...
Aaaaaaaahh.
One little point - don't run into your garden grabbing a handful of daisies! The only thing they're good for is daisy chains.
2.
Oat Oatmeal is another timeless remedy for psoriasis, and it's especially useful for itches! If you're wondering about how to use it...
let's just say you can forget the bubble bath next time you're going for a soak.
That's right, all you have to do is mix a few handfuls of oatmeal into the water and relax in your tub for half an hour.
If you want to make it easier to tidy up afterwards, just tie the oatmeal up into a cheesecloth to avoid any mess.
This is a great remedy that's perfect for when you want to scratch that itch but know you shouldn't.
3.
Licorice Those that hate the taste of licorice need not worry - it works through external application to the skin.
A few naturopaths have even made the remarkable discovery that it can work just as well as hydrocortisone cream in some cases.
All due to a little compound called glycyrrhetenic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
If you would like to try it, buy a small bottle of concentrated licorice tincture or extract and rub a few drops onto the affected areas using a cotton ball.
4.
Avocado Avocados, or "Alligator Pears", are not just tasty fruit, they're also great at relieving some symptoms of psoriasis! Folk healers in areas of the world such as Peru, Chile and South Africa, have told people to rub mashed avocado on their psoriasis patches for centuries.
To try it, it might be easier to just get some peel with a bit of pulp attached on the inside, and rub it on your patches.
You can also try bananas, which are another natural remedy for psoriasis, and are used in a similar fashion.
5.
Oregon Grapes Not to be confused with normal red or green grapes, Oregon Grapes are actually not grapes at all, but whatever they are, they're a great natural remedy for psoriasis.
Oregon Grape is a type of evergreen bush which has berries that look like grapes but taste more like cranberries.
The plant contains a high concentration of Berberine within its roots and bark, which has been found to have many anti-psoriatic properties.
Try searching for creams made from Oregon Grape.