Certain herbs may be helpful in treating your psoriatic arthritis. According to MayoClinic.com, psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that manifests in some people who have a serious skin condition called psoriasis. Along with patches of red, flaky and scaly skin, common signs and symptoms associated with psoriatic arthritis include joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Before taking herbs to help treat your psoriatic arthritis, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Turmeric
Turmeric, also known as Curcuma longa, is an herb that may be helpful in treating your psoriatic arthritis. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, turmeric, a member of the Ginger family, has been used to help treat many health problems, including arthritis-related pain or discomfort. Turmeric is an herbaceous perennial plant native to tropical South Asia, including India. Turmeric has a bitter and pungent taste, possesses cooling and stimulating tendencies and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine -- the traditional medical system of India -- for centuries. The rhizome, or underground stem, of the plant is used for medicinal purposes. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that turmeric may be helpful in treating a variety of inflammatory disorders, including arthritis and psoriasis. If you are pregnant, avoid taking turmeric.
Juniper
Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that juniper, also known as Juniperus communis, is an antiseptic and stimulating diuretic that has been used to help treat arthritis, gout and sciatica. Juniper's ability to relieve arthritis-related pain or discomfort, Tilgner says, may be due to its prostaglandin-inhibiting action. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that produce inflammation throughout the body. According to Smith, juniper is helpful in treating chronic arthritis and a variety of skin problems. Juniper is a woody plant that grows throughout the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Juniper belongs to the Pine family, has a sweet and pungent taste and possesses drying and stimulating tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the berries of the juniper plant medicinally.
Burdock
Burdock, a member of the Aster family, is a biennial thistle native to Europe and Asia and has large, waxy leaves and purple flowers. Burdock, also known as Arctium lappa, has a sweet and bitter taste, possesses cooling tendencies and helps distribute moisture throughout your body. The University of Michigan Health System states that the root of the burdock plant has been used for medicinal purposes, including eczema and psoriasis. According to Tilgner, burdock is an alterative, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory that may be helpful in treating psoriasis, arthritis, eczema, boils, carbuncles, sties, sciatica and gout. Smith states that burdock is a blood and lymph purifier that is helpful for psoriatic skin lesions and the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. If you are pregnant, Tilgner says, you should avoid taking burdock, due to its ability to stimulate your uterus.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Psoriatic Arthritis
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Turmeric
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- University of Michigan Health System: Burdock
