While there are many drug therapies that can work to control psoriasis flare ups, there are many psoriasis sufferers who try to find a natural remedy for psoriasis as an alternative or in combination with conventional treatment methods. Here are some natural remedies that have shown positive results in many sufferers.

It is important to remember that psoriasis affects many people differently and a remedy that works for one may not necessarily work for you. When a particular remedy fails, it is no reason to lose heart. Psoriasis is not easily understood even by doctors, so you will need to have the right attitude if you ever hope to overcome or at least control this chronic skin condition that affects up to 3 percent of the general population. In many cases, a positive attitude in the midst of this health struggle is the difference between whether you find the right treatment that will work for you or not.

Natural remedy for psoriasis options

1. Light

What could be more of a natural treatment for psoriasis than sunlight? It is true that doctors also use artificial light to treat psoriasis flare ups in their offices but when you cannot get to a doctor's office or decide not to, unless you live in Siberia or a similar place like this, sunlight will usually be available almost year round for you.

Ultraviolet light that is found in sunlight has been found to help get rid of psoriasis symptoms although why it is effective on psoriasis is still a mystery. UVB rays are the part of ultraviolet rays that have been shown to be most effective for psoriasis treatment. UVB rays are also responsible for sunburns.

If you would like to take advantage of sunlight as a natural remedy for psoriasis, do discuss this with your dermatologist so that he or she can examine your skin to determine how your skin reacts to the sun in terms of sunburns, tans and sun sensitivity and then he or she will create a schedule for you to follow if he or she determines that this therapy will be beneficial for you.

2. Psoriasis and diet

Most doctors do not recommend diet as a treatment for psoriasis as there isn't enough evidence to support this but if you think making dietary changes will help you, they will not stand in your way.

Dietary advice for patients suffering from psoriasis at a minimum include eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, limiting red meat, avoiding smoking and limiting or eliminating alcoholic beverages, avoiding sugar and high fat foods, eating more fiber, maintaining a healthy weight, etc.

3. Supplements

Many patients use supplements to manage psoriasis and prevent flare ups. Common supplements used include shark cartilage as well as fish oil supplements which are not only beneficial for the immune system but are great for heart and brain health.

4. Herbs

The use of herbs especially those commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine has become more and more popular as a natural remedy for psoriasis as well as many other conditions. Caution should be exercised as many herbs may have unknown contents and can actually be a powerful medicine however, herbs are still popular because they are usually cheaper and easily available.

5. Home remedies for psoriasis

There are many ingredients commonly available in the home that can be used to treat psoriasis such as coconut oil, turmeric, apple cider vinegar, etc that have been shown to be quite effective ways to manage psoriasis.