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Psoriasis treatment using Indigo Naturalis




Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by thick, raised, bright red and pink plaques with a silvery scale. The most common form is plaque psoriasis, which typically involves the scalp, elbows, knees, and back. It is estimated to affect between 1% and 8.5% of adults worldwide.



Indigo Naturalis

Indigo naturalis, also known as Qing dai, is an amazing herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Although indigo naturalis has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, Western medicine has only recently focused on using the herb for medical conditions. Research on the uses of indigo naturalis has exploded over the last few decades and continues to develop.

Psoriasis is one of the conditions indigo naturalis has been shown to treat.


Does it work?

Indigo naturalis extract has been shown to decrease markers of cell proliferation and

inflammation seen in psoriasis. An 8-week, side-by-side trial where 14 people with chronic

plaque psoriasis applied either 5% indigo or vehicle placebo to contralateral sides of the body

were evaluated with both objective measures of psoriasis severity as well as with biopsies. Ki67 (a marker for skin cell proliferation) and CD3 (an inflammatory marker seen in psoriasis)

were both decrease



A Natural Way to Combat Inflammation

Psoriasis occurs with inflammation of the skin, which triggers a cascade of different events leading to plaques on the skin. Indigo naturalis combats several events in the development of psoriasis plaques What makes indigo naturalis so effective? There are 3 major components of indigo naturalis: indigo, indirubin, and tryptanthrin.



A skin loving powerhouse! Natural, non-greasy, plant based balm - psoriasis, eczema, itchy, irritated, red, flaky, and scaly skin.


The Base: Oregon Grape, Indigo Naturalis, Comfrey, Burdock, Plantain Leaf, Calendula infused for six weeks in a blend of Hazelnut Oil, Prickly Pear Oil, MCT Oil, Argan Oil


Butters: Mango Butter, Kokum Butter


Herbs: Oregon Grape, Indigo Naturalis, Barley and Calendula


Vitamins: Vitamin E and K


Essential Oils: A skin loving powerhouse blend of Helichrysum, Plai, Tea Tree, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, and German Chamomile




Indigo Naturalis for Nail Psoriasis

The early research suggests that indigo naturalis may work for skin psoriasis, but additional studies have also shown that it works with difficult-to-treat nail psoriasis. Over 24 weeks in 2 separate studies, Lindioil was shown to be safe and effective in treating nail psoriasis. A case of a pediatric patient with nail psoriasis that had responded for only short periods of time to topical steroids and urea was treated successfully with topical indigo naturalis. Additional cases of successful nail psoriasis treatment with indigo naturalis oil extract have been documented. Nail psoriasis often has few effective therapeutic alternatives so giving patients another topical option for their nail psoriasis would help many patients find nail resolution.



Psoriasis Prevention

• Maintain a balanced lifestyle including regular exercise and adequate sleep.

• Eat a high-quality anti-inflammatory or Mediterranean-style diet.

• Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, nuts, flax) or take a supplement.

• Consider a trial of a gluten-free diet—especially if you have GI symptoms.

• Maintain a healthy body weight.

• Find ways to better manage stress.

• Avoid alcohol overuse.

• Avoid tobacco.

• Avoid or minimize medications known to exacerbate psoriasis: lithium, beta-blockers,

antimalarials, interferon, and rapid tapers of systemic corticosteroids

• Practice good skin hygiene and use emollients liberally to minimize itch.

• Consider topical aloe and indigo


Stay well my friends!

Andrea

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