Are you looking for a natural remedy for psoriasis? Living with psoriasis sometimes means exploring a wide range of treatment options, from aloe vera to hydrogen peroxide and beyond, to evaluate what may work for your symptoms. Chinese herbs have been used for centuries to treat many health conditions, including psoriasis.

Some members of MyPsoriasisTeam have wondered if Chinese herbs — particularly when combined with treatments rooted in traditional Western medicine — might help ease the itching and plaques associated with psoriasis.

“Has anyone tried Chinese herbs?” one member asked. Another said, “I was just looking into maybe seeing a Chinese herbalist to see what they can offer.”

If you’re thinking of adding Chinese herbal medicine to your psoriasis treatment plan, talk with your health care provider to make sure these products won’t make your symptoms worse or interact negatively with your other treatments.

Chinese Herbs and Psoriasis: What the Studies Say

Let’s take a look at three traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments, namely curcumin, capsaicin, and Indigo naturalis, that may be used to ease symptoms as part of your treatment of psoriasis.

Curcumin

Curcumin is the main active ingredient found in turmeric, a spice originating from the Curcuma longa plant. It has been used as an herbal remedy in TCM for more than 4,000 years to treat various health conditions.

Over the past several years, Western researchers have increasingly explored curcumin’s use in managing psoriasis symptoms likely due to some of its anti-inflammatory properties.

Although more studies are needed to definitively confirm curcumin’s benefits for those with psoriatic disease, in a 2022 meta-analysis (a review of multiple studies), scientists noted that the herb was safe and had “broad potential” to treat psoriasis in a variety of ways.

“I am exploring curcumin and finding some relief with it,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member wrote.

Another said, “Curcumin definitely has made a difference … worth every penny!”

Some people use curcumin as a topical agent (applied directly to skin) and others take it orally (by mouth) as a supplement. Keep in mind, however, that curcumin supplements are known to degrade quickly, so the body may not absorb them as well.

Used topically, curcumin may give the skin a yellowish appearance, which could be unappealing to some people. It’s a good idea to test curcumin on a small area of your skin rather than start out by slathering it on.

Capsaicin

A chemical compound derived directly from cayenne peppers, capsaicin has been part of traditional Eastern and Native American medicine regimens for thousands of years. Capsaicin is believed to work by disrupting nerve endings, which lessens pain. It is also thought to reduce inflammation associated with various conditions and is being studied as a solution specifically to ease psoriasis symptoms.

Although the effectiveness of capsaicin for treating psoriasis is not well established, it has been shown to help with arthritis pain as well as pain experienced after shingles. In one recent clinical study, researchers found that capsaicin “significantly” reduced itching in participants who had psoriasis. Capsaicin also eased participants’ pain.

Members of MyPsoriasisTeam have reported success using the herb. “I found capsaicin cream to be very good,” one member wrote. “Apply with care. I use gloves.”

Some people choose to use gloves when applying capsaicin because of its roots in cayenne pepper — the substance can produce a burning sensation on the skin. For that reason, it’s important to avoid using capsaicin on sensitive areas (like the face or genital area), and always talk to a doctor before using it on your skin.

Indigo Naturalis

Known as Qing Dai among TCM practitioners, Indigo naturalis is used by some people to topically treat psoriasis. It is believed to be an anti-inflammatory agent, which means it may suppress reactions in the skin and ease psoriasis symptoms. Indigo naturalis helps reduce scaly patches on the skin by slowing down the growth of psoriasis plaques.

“I’ve been using Indigo naturalis for a few weeks now, as I find medical treatment doesn’t really work for me,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member wrote. “It’s going well so far.”

A small study from the journal Dermatology evaluated the effectiveness of Indigo naturalis in 14 people with psoriasis. The researchers found that applying an ointment containing the herb improved symptoms, which biopsies (examinations of tissue samples) confirmed. More research needs to be done to assess its safety and efficacy.

Some clinicians warn that ingesting Indigo naturalis can lead to liver damage and stomach irritation, potentially triggering gastrointestinal symptoms. Researchers believe that applying Indigo naturalis topically allows people with psoriasis to avoid those side effects.

How Practitioners Believe Chinese Herbs Help With Psoriasis Symptoms

Many Chinese herbal remedies are evaluated based on their ability to reduce some of the stages of psoriasis that Eastern practitioners have identified. These stages include:

• Blood heat syndrome — An inflammatory reaction occurs.
• Blood stasis syndrome —Skin cells reproduce (which leads to plaques).
• Blood dryness syndrome — The skin barrier malfunctions.
• Blazing heat toxin syndrome — Erythroderma (severe reddening or darkening of the skin) occurs or pustules form.
• Damp heat accumulation syndrome — Localized pustules show up.
• Rheumatic obstruction syndrome — Rheumatic (affecting joints and muscles) symptoms appear, such as in psoriatic arthritis.

Although dermatologists aren’t likely to use these terms, you may hear them if you consult a TCM practitioner about using traditional Chinese herbal remedies.

Considerations for Using Chinese Herbs

Keep in mind that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate most herbs and supplements for psoriasis. The agency has no authority to approve the safety and effectiveness of supplements or to OK their labeling. Talk to your health care provider or dermatologist before using any Chinese medicine for psoriasis.

In addition, it’s smart to consider Chinese medicine as being complementary to your traditional psoriasis treatments. This means using TCM approaches along with the plan recommended by your doctor, rather than replacing your prescribed medications or other therapies with herbs. Talk with your health care provider about potential interactions that may occur.

It’s also important to be aware that, although Chinese herbs may help relieve symptoms, they won’t eliminate psoriasis skin lesions or the itching associated with this skin disease. You and your dermatology provider will need to figure out the best combination of therapies for your specific circumstances before you can achieve optimal symptom control.

Be ready to tell your dermatologist how you plan to use Chinese herbs (or any other home remedies you’re considering). For instance, let them know whether you’ll be taking the herbs orally, applying them to your skin, or using them following decoction — a process of boiling down herbs and other ingredients into a concentrated liquid form.

Clinical trials (studies of how well a treatment works in people) continue to evaluate whether any additional Chinese herbs — or other TCM approaches, such as acupuncture — may help ease the symptoms of plaque psoriasis and improve quality of life.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyPsoriasisTeam is the social network for people with psoriasis and their loved ones. On MyPsoriasisTeam, more than 116,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with psoriasis.

Have you tried using Chinese herbs as a psoriasis remedy? Did this have an effect on your symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.