Rosemary originated in the Mediterranean region, but is now used all over the world as a culinary spice and as a medicinal herb. Medicinal Herb Info says that the flowers and leaves of the plant are used for aromatherapy and as an additive to lotions, soaps and creams. Before beginning to use rosemary or any other medicinal herb, consult your health care provider for instructions.
Psoriasis Description
According to the website for the U.S. National Library of Medicine, or NLM, psoriasis is caused by a problem with the immune system. The condition causes the skin cells that grow deep in the skin to rise to the surface far too quickly. In normal skin, these cells take about a month to rise to the surface and be shed. In psoriasis, they rise to the surface in just days.
This creates thick patches of skin that are red and scaly. Psoriasis can come and go over a lifetime and occurrences are often triggered by things like stress, dry skin, skin irritants, infections and even some medicines, says the NLM site. The Mayo Clinic website adds that psoriasis can also be triggered by strep throat, alcoholism, sunburn, psoriatic arthritis and even nicotine dependence.
Rosemary & Psoriasis
Rosemary is commonly used to treat indigestion, muscle & joint pain, alopecia and to improve memory says the website for the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. Drugs.com says that the herb is also useful for aromatherapy, as additives to cosmetics and lotions, as well as anticancer therapy. The website Rosemary-oil.com reports that rosemary is helpful in the treatment and relief of psoriasis on the scalp. The site recommends adding several drops of the oil to your shampoo. As an aromatherapy agent it may also help reduce stress, which could help psoriasis symptoms.
Possible Side Effects
The UMMC website warns that rosemary oil, not the herb itself, is quite toxic and should never be ingested. Rosemary oil is considered fairly safe to use topically however. The site also says that the herb is safe to use as a spice in cooking.
Forms Used
Rosemary oil is only one of the available forms of rosemary. The UMMC website reports that it's also easily found as a dried, whole herb as well as extract form. Many skin creams, cosmetics and lotions contain rosemary. Psoriasis sufferers should become adept at reading product labels in order to avoid substances for the skin that may adversely affect their condition.
Considerations
Some people may report allergic reactions to rosemary, says the UMMC site. Taking any medicinal herb can cause an allergic reaction, even if it's been taken before with no reaction occurring. Watch for new rashes, hives and signs of swelling of the tongue, lips, face or throat when using rosemary. If these occur, stop using it and contact your health care provider.
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