Turmeric is a yellow spice that is an important ingredient in curry powder. Curcumin, a component of turmeric, has anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant activity and shows promise against psoriasis and other conditions.
I have heard from many others that turmeric can help ease psoriasis. Some people are allergic to the spice, however, and those who take the anticoagulant warfarin should avoid it.
Researchers are looking into the potential health benefits of curcumin, a key component of turmeric. One group found that curcumin inhibits an enzyme called PhK associated with overactive cell growth in psoriasis (Dr. J. Dermatol. Nov. 2000).
I don’t know of any long-term studies on whether people develop intolerance to turmeric. Millions of people in South Asia consume it daily for much of their lives. Whether it would be safe and effective for ongoing psoriasis suppression, however, remains to be determined.
Based on this information, I’m currently applying a paste of turmeric mixed with my body lotion to my scalp. I’m also drinking a herbal infusion of spices based on Ayurvedic medicine which includes thinly sliced turmeric root. I find that the paste softens the plaques but it stains the fingers so that I look like a 5 pack a day smoker. I’ve been using the paste for a week as at June 2014 without any reduction in the psoriasis. I’ve been using the herbal infusion for 17 weeks as at 25/7/2014 and the psoriasis seems to be slightly improved. I’ve also been gluten free for around 5 weeks and suspect that this is helping. Turmeric can relieve many other ailments such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, alzheimer’s disease, cancer, Crohn’s disease, osteoporosis, digestive problems, weight loss and much more.
Fingers crossed that this is a solution for all those long effected sufferers.
2022 update – I’m still using my home grown turmeric in my herbal infusion tea several times a day together with ginger, galangal, coriander, fennel, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, cardamon, mustard seeds, celery seeds, etc.
I haven’t had scalp psoriasis since 2014. I also make my own kimchi and use a small amount daily for gut health. I avoid gluten but will have it from time to time, have 2 glasses of wine 4 nights a week, have cheese several times a week and mostly make healthy choices with my diet. I am convinced that all my auto immune problems stem from my gut health, so I feel that I’ve now made lifelong changes to keep me healthy.