Psoriasis
I've heard that Bilberry Cream is good for Psoriasis. Can you comment and indicate where it may be bought?The herbalist writes ...
The causes of psoriasis are still not well understood, although it is commonly thought to be essentially an auto-immune problem.Traditional herbal medicine has focused on cleansing liver rememdies for many skin problems, but this does not always work for psoriasis. Some people notice that their skin is worse at times of stress and these people may benefit from relaxing nervines such as valerian and skullcap.
Fish oil has been shown in research to benefit those suffering from psoriasis - it should come from deep sea fish, not farmed salmon.
The main herb of note is oregon grape taken internally, but again, results can vary very much from individual to individual, and it does need to be taken for a few months before results may start to show.
We have not heard about the use of bilberry. It's often hard to know whether these things are reliable or simply flavours of the month. However it may certainly help with the circulation to the skin, but it is usually taken internally. We will certainly keep an eye out for any information on research that may support this use of bilberry.
Externally, herbalists have traditionally used creams or preparations that are soothing and anti-inflammatory, using herbs that have a reputation for slowing cell reproduction. The lavender, rose and chamomile cream may help to soothe and reduce redness and flaking, and sometime St John's wort oil is helpful.
In general however, this is a condition that can benefit from treatment under a qualified practioner who can really tailor the treatment to individual needs, as by experience it is a condition that really does not respond in a predictable way to a standard sort of approach.
You can find a list of qualified medical herbalists in your area at the National Institute of Medical Herbalist website at http://www.nimh.org.uk.
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