Psoriasis is a medical condition that occurs when faulty signals in the immune system cause new skin cells to grow too quickly. The whole process takes place in days instead of weeks. The body can’t keep up and it isn’t shedding these extra skin cells. These cells pile up on the surface of the skin to form sores and thickened, red, inflamed areas of the skin.
So how do aloe and psoriasis come together?
How Can Aloe Help You Manage Psoriasis?
The aloe vera plant has long been used for its myriad medicinal and cosmetic uses. It originally came from East and South Africa but due to its popularity, it is now widely cultivated around the world. Many people choose to grow plants in their backyard. The leaves of the plant contain a clear gel that can either be applied directly to the skin or blended to make juices or smoothies. Drinking aloe regularly can help strengthen the immune system.
Psoriasis is primarily caused by a problem in the immune system that causes skin cells to behave abnormally. It affects approximately 7.5 million people in the United States alone and although it is considered a chronic condition, psoriasis is not contagious. This medical condition cannot be cured but there are some ways by which you can manage it and get some relief from the symptoms. One way is to use aloe topically and orally.
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Aloe vera is commonly used to treat skin conditions such as dry, flaky skin, cold sores, burns, and inflammation. NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) adds psoriasis as one of the conditions that aloe can treat. There is clinical evidence that the plant contains enzymes effective in treating the above medical conditions. Aloe can penetrate deeply into the skin (as deep as 7 layers) and helps restore the skin’s vitality. It speeds up the healing process and the production of new healthy skin cells. It is one of the best moisturizers for dry, itchy skin. It can lock in moisture for hours and the best part is that you can use it around the year. You don’t even need to change moisturizer.
To help your symptoms, you may need to apply aloe vera gel regularly (2 to 4 times a day) and drink aloe vera juice daily. You can also boost healing by supplementing the program with vitamins and antioxidants. The first thing you need to do is eliminate all possible irritants (harsh shampoo, soap, body wash, etc.). Stick to all-natural products and choose something free of strong fragrances, if possible. There are many brands of Aloe Vera soap on the market today and they are generally inexpensive. If you can’t find them in your local store, you can always order from Amazon. Read customer reviews and find out who has the most favorable response. After cleansing your skin with aloe soap, spray the affected area with aloe liquid spray.
Apply aloe gel at least twice a day. I would recommend buying a gel that says 100% Aloe Vera Gel on the label. Drink at least 4 oz. of Aloe every day. Do not drink more than the recommended dose because if you do, you are going to get stomach cramps and diarrhea. Read the package instructions carefully. Aloe drinks come in powder, ready to drink, and concentrate. If you want to make your own juice or smoothie at home, try the recipe below:
Pineapple Aloe Smoothie
1 to 2 tbsp. Natural Aloe Vera Gel
1 cup of water
¼ cup of Lemon Juice
2 cups Fresh Pineapple
5 Ice Cubes
-Put everything in a blender and mix until smooth. Drink away! You won’t taste the Aloe, I promise!
If you want to try the Aloe and Psoriasis Program, make sure you follow everything accordingly and be mindful of the things that can worsen your condition such as:
- -Processed Foods (stick to fresh produce)
- -Stress
- -Skin Injuries
- -Extreme Dry and Cold Weather Conditions
- -Some medications (lithium, malaria drugs, beta-blockers)
- -Infections such as strep throat or tonsillitis
- -Smoking
- -Alcohol
