How Effective is Alternative Medicine in Treating Psoriasis Symptoms?

A series of complementary and alternative medicines and therapies can help reduce psoriasis symptoms, according to a paper recently published in JAMA Dermatology.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to multiply at excessive rates. It can cause inflamed, itchy skin. Depending on the affected area, it can be difficult to successfully treat psoriasis.

Researchers from University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine wanted to find out if indigo naturalis, curcumin, dietary modification, fish oil, meditation, and acupuncture were effective treatments for psoriasis. They looked at 44 articles each with at least one randomized clinical trial (RCT) that documented the results of using one of these methods to help psoriasis symptoms.

The studies showed:

Indigo naturalis, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that’s also used to extract blue dye, was used in five RCTs with 215 participants. Overall, patients experienced significant improvement of their psoriasis with use.

Curcumin is an ingredient found in turmeric. Patients often turn to the yellow substance for its anti-inflammatory properties. In three RCTs with 118 participants, one nonrandomized controlled study, and one uncontrolled study, people observed “significant improvement in psoriasis plaques.”

Fish oil, a supplement containing omega-3 fatty acids, was used 12 RCTs, 1 open-label nonrandomized controlled trial, and seven uncontrolled studies. The majority of the RCTs demonstrated “no significant improvement in psoriasis,” however, the uncontrolled studies found that daily consumption helped symptoms.

Meditation and guided image therapies were practiced in three single-blind RCTs with 112 patients, and patients found that the techniques moderately improved their symptoms.

Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine involving super thin needles, was featured in 13 RCTs. The therapy proved to be more effective in benefiting patients than placebo.