Doctors performed tests on indigo naturalis, a plant based powder used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, to prove this natural supplement is effective and safe in treating common psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease which impacts around 2 to 3% of Western civilization. Currently no cure exits. The name comes from the Greek work psora which means to itch. In most cases, skin condition first appears on individuals between 15 to 25 years. Of the population impacted by psoriasis 67% of the cases are considered mild, 25% moderate, and 8% severe. In severe psoriasis cases over 10% of the body is impacted by the skin condition.  The most common form of psoriasis is Plaque psoriasis and impacts 80% to 90% of all sufferers. Plaque psoriasis appears as inflamed raised areas of inflamed skin which is covered with silvery white scaly skin.

Psoriasis affects most people by discomfort or embarrassment and in some cases various disabilities. This ailment is itchy and painful and can show up anywhere on the body. This includes hands or feet which can interrupt basis functions impacting the ability to work ceritan types of jobs, sports, or caring for ones self or others. Psoriasis can also show up on the face or scalp, which can impact social interaction due to embarrassment. This social aspect of psoriasis can lead to depression, poor self image, or fear of public rejection.

There is promise with new studies of indigo naturalis some of the psoriasis can be relieved. The study conducted by Dr. Yin-Ku Lin of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital consisted of 42 psoriasis patients for 12 weeks. This random trial had participants apply the indigo naturalis ointment to a psoriatic plaque on one side of the body and a placebo ointment on a psoriatic plaque on the opposite side of the body.

Tazarotene is another cream that is sometimes used. It is a vitamin A based drug. Irritation of the normal surrounding skin is a common side-effect. This can be minimized by applying tazarotene sparingly to the plaques and avoiding normal skin.

Coal tar preparations have been used to treat psoriasis for many years. It is not clear how they work. They may reduce the turnover of the skin cells. They also seem to reduce inflammation and have ‘antiscaling’ properties. Traditional tar preparations are messy to use, but modern formulas are more pleasant. This can be brought OTC.

Emollients are not ‘active’ treatments but help to soften hard skin and plaques. They may reduce scaling and itch. Vitamin D based creams such as calcipotriol, calcitriol and tacalcitrol; these are work well to clear plaque psoriasis. They can cause irritation in some people.

Steroid creams or ointments work by reducing inflammation. Steroid creams should only be use when you have a ‘flare up’ The problem with steroids is that in some cases, once you stop using the cream or ointment, the psoriasis may ‘rebound’ back worse then it was in the first place.

Dithranol is another option. In most cases a daily application of dithranol to a psoriasis plaque will eventually cause the plaque to go. However, dithranol irritates healthy skin. Therefore, you need to apply it carefully to the psoriasis plaques only.

Salicylic acid is often combined with other treatments such as coal tar or steroid creams. It tends to loosen and ‘lift’ the scales of psoriasis on the body or the scalp. Other treatments tend to work better if the scale is lifted off first by salicylic acid.