Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that features scaling and itchy, reddened patches; in severe cases, skin may crack and bleed. Psoriasis can range in severity from mildly annoying to debilitating; symptoms may come and go unpredictably, with flare-ups alternating with periods of remission. Your doctor may prescribe topical medications such as corticosteroids and retinoids; light therapy may also be used. Some people turn to herbal remedies -- such as curcumin -- to alleviate psoriasis. Clinical studies supporting curcumin's effectiveness against psoriasis have been inconclusive. Consult your doctor before using curcumin.
Features
Curcumin is derived from the root of the turmeric plant, a relative of ginger botanically known as Curcuma longa. Indigenous to Asia, turmeric features large, dull green, oblong-shaped leaves and yellow flowers. The yellowish root -- deep orange on the inside -- is powdered, dried and used as a cooking spice, food coloring and dye. Turmeric -- also known as haldi -- has been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine since roughly 2000 B.C. to treat wounds, infections, indigestion, ringworm and jaundice.
Constituents and Effects
Curcumin -- the major active constituent of turmeric -- is the plant pigment responsible for the root's vivid interior coloring, and has potent antioxidant effects. Drugs.com -- which provides medically-reviewed information to consumers -- reports that curcumin has anti-inflammatory effects in animal studies, reducing inflammatory markers and interfering with the pathway for cyclooxygenase, an inflammation-causing enzyme. Drugs.com also credits curcumin with the ability to speed wound healing by improving the synthesis and deposition of collagen in mice exposed to radiation. Curcumin may also be able to increase the amounts of natural cortisone released by the adrenal gland.
Research
Although curcumin showed promise as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in laboratory and animal studies, human research has not supported its use for psoriasis. In a very small clinical trial published in 2008 in "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology," the rate of response to curcumin was low. Although two patients realized excellent results, researchers could rule out neither placebo effect nor natural remission of the disease. They concluded that larger placebo-controlled trials were necessary to assess turmeric's effectiveness.
Dosages and Precautions
Curcumin has been used in clinical trials at dosages of 3,600 mg a day. Drugs.com notes that some trials utilized dosages as high as 8,000 mg a day, but cautioned that adverse gastrointestinal effects could occur at higher doses. You can also ingest curcumin in the form of dried, powdered turmeric root at dosages of 1 to 3 g a day. Anaphylactic reactions to turmeric have been reported; make sure you're not allergic to turmeric before using turmeric or curcumin. While turmeric is safe for pregnant women when used in food, you should avoid curcumin supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Curcumin can interact with prescription drugs. Consult your doctor before taking curcumin, especially if you have diabetes or gallstones.
References
- Drugs.com: Complete Curcumin Information
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Turmeric
- Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Turmeric
- "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology"; Oral Curcumin in the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis Vulgaris; S.K. Kurd, et al.; April 2008
- MayoClinic.com: Psoriasis
