Many people are turning to natural and holistic solutions to deal with their psoriasis and to prevent flare-ups. Why? Because they work!
Psoriasis is not just a debilitating physical condition where circular red/white welts cover large areas of the skin – it is also a condition that poses tremendous mental burden, stress, anxiety and depression in the person, not to mention self-esteem issues and lack of confidence.
That’s why these psoriasis recipes contain essential oils that not only work on the skin, but also on the realm of the mind, helping to alleviate mental stress, induce calmness and fight depression.
20 Most Effective Essential Oils to Treat Psoriasis
1. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree oil (where to get it), also known as Melaleuca, is a potent essential oil that is highly anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antimicrobial and antiseptic. It is a powerful disinfectant that fights germs and keeps the environment on which it is applied sterile.
Many psoriasis patients swear by tea tree oil. Applied on psoriasis affected skin, tea tree oil can support the immune system by helping to prevent possible infections, reduces swelling thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, reduces itching and helps dislodge and remove dead skin cells.
2. Lavender Essential Oil
Perhaps the most popular oil in aromatherapy, lavender oil (where to get it) is a versatile, multifaceted essential oil that is used for a variety of functions such as promoting peaceful sleep and preventing insomnia, relaxing painful muscles and joints, relieving inflammation and reducing the appearance of scars and blemishes.
When used as part of your psoriasis treatment, lavender oil will help to greatly soothe inflamed and itchy skin, to reduce redness and it can also help keep flare-ups at bay.
3. Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense is an ancient biblical oil that was used as incense to fumigate religious places of worship such as churches, synagogues and mosque, due to its spiritual uplifting properties. It is known to ward off feelings of depression, anxiety and trauma. Frankincense oil (where to get it) is found to be helpful for all sorts of ailments including acne, eczema, premature aging, rosacea and psoriasis.
For psoriasis, frankincense works by reducing inflammation, calming down red itchy skin, and restoring the skin’s natural moisture levels to reduce dryness and flakiness that are common in psoriasis sufferers.
4. Cedarwood Essential Oil
Cedarwood has a warm, grounding and woody scent that is often used in men’s aromatherapy products for its masculine aroma. It is popularly used as a remedy for ailments concerning the nervous, reproductive and urinary systems. Cedarwood oil (where to get it) also works wonders for skin related ailments, making it a top essential oil used in the treatment of psoriasis.
When applied on psoriasis affected skin, cedarwood helps to encourage the faster healing of damaged skin cells and promotes clear, smooth and radiant skin.
5. Angelica Essential Oil
Angelica essential oil has a myriad of benefits including anti-spasmodic properties, diuretic properties, aids in digestion, reduces flatulence and bloating and protects against liver infections.
This oil (where to get it) is very helpful in wholesome psoriasis treatment for both the mental and physical aspects of psoriasis. Angelica oil targets and clears depression, anxiety and anger, all of which are mental effects experienced by those suffering from severe psoriasis. It also helps in the stimulation of blood to the top layer of skin, helping to heal psoriasis faster. Furthermore, it stimulates the proper production of hormones and strengthens the immune system in order to reduce psoriasis flare-ups.
6. Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium essential oil (where to get it) is obtained from the steam distillation of the plant’s leaves. Geranium oil has a wonderful calming scent and is known to of help for women’s issues and for the balancing of hormonal disparities.
Geranium is of great help for all skin related ailments and diseases including psoriasis, where it helps balance the skin, reduces inflammation and redness and helps in the recovery of damaged skin cells.
7. Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helychrysum is a medicinal plant that was used in Greek history for its healing properties. The oil is extracted through the steam distillation of the helichrysum flowers. Helichrysum oil is filled with many beneficial properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
Helichrysum oil (where to get it) helps the skin by fighting off free radicals and preventing rogue damage to the skin unstable molecules. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the swelling, itching and pain associated with psoriasis while helping in removing dry skin cells and promoting smoother healthier skin.
8. Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano is a commonly used Mediterranean herb that’s used in Italian soups, salads and more. Studies show that the oil of oregano (where to get it) is superior to conventional antibiotic prescriptions in treating bacterial infections such as colds, coughs, flu and more.
A powerful antibacterial, anti-fungal and antimicrobial agent, oregano oil helps soothe itchiness, inflammation and redness in psoriasis.
9. Myrrh Essential Oil
Myrrh is a resin that has been used in traditional healing for thousands of years. Myrrh has potent antioxidant qualities and has been studied as a powerful oil that has anti-cancer properties. Studies have also been carried on the potent anti-parasitic activities of myrrh essential oil. This oil (where to get it) has a lot to offer for skin ailments such as psoriasis, as well.
Myrrh oil can help soothe chapped and dry skin, which is a common characteristic of psoriasis. It helps maintain healthy skin function and prevents premature aging and damage of skin.
10. Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile is best known for its digestion soothing properties, and is a popular remedy for tummy aches and digestive upsets. The oil (where to get it), extracted from chamomile flowers, is actually very potent and medicinal for many health conditions including anxiety and depression, insomnia, arthritis, muscle spasms and more. It also has anti-histamine properties which help deal with food and seasonal allergies.
Chamomile oil’s high anti-inflammatory property helps greatly soothe and reduce psoriasis in the skin. It also helps boost and support the immune system, which directly helps reduce and manage psoriasis breakouts.
11. Bergamot Essential Oil
A wonderful citrus oil that combines well with lavender oil, bergamot is extracted from the rinds of the bergamot fruit. Its scent is jovial and uplifting and helps dispel depression and moodiness. It has natural antiseptic properties which help disinfect psoriasis wounds. Bergamot oil (where to get it) also helps reduce scarring by helping damaged skin cells heal faster.
Studies show that bergamot oil, in complement of light therapy, helped to greatly reduce the onset of psoriasis.
12. Patchouli Essential Oil
An essential oil with a deep earthy and musky fragrance, patchouli oil (where to get it) is favored in the perfume industry especially when composing men’s colognes. It is also a very good oil for relaxation and uplifting moods – I personally use a blend of a few drops of patchouli and cedarwood in some castor oil as a soothing bath blend.
Patchouli protects itchy psoriasis from developing wounds and infections while keeping it soothed. This is because of its powerful antiseptic qualities. Patchouli also has strong cicatrisant properties which means it assists in quick wound healing and scar fading as well.
13. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint oil (where to get it) is extracted from the leaves of the peppermint plant and is said to have many benefits for the skin, in addition to being of particular help to the respiratory system. It helps de-congest the lungs in respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis. Peppermint is also a powerful detoxing herb that helps drain out toxins from the body.
The tingly sensation that is produced when peppermint oil is used on the skin helps to numb the pain of psoriasis and make the condition more manageable.
14. Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary sage oil (where to get it) has an herbaceous, woody yet fruity scent and is rich in ant inflammatory properties. It has been particularly used for fighting anxiety but it also provides relaxation and soothing for inflamed, red and itchy psoriasis on the skin. It helps in the proper rejuvenation and regeneration of skin and helps to heal damaged skin cells.
15. Sandalwood Essential Oil
Sandalwood essential oil (where to get it), is rare and only limited supplies are produced in the world. It is extracted from the wood and bark of the sandalwood tree, native to India. It has been used in spiritual ceremonies for its mental healing properties.
Sandalwood oil is extremely beneficial for psoriasis where it helps calm the mind, reduce stress and therefore reduce psoriasis flare-ups which are often caused by mental tension. Applied topically sandalwood essential oil helps calm the skin, and helps the skin to maintain moisture levels for longer periods of time. This helps to reduce the flakiness and dryness of the psoriasis affected areas.
Other Essential Oils to Treat Psoriasis Include:
17. Rose Essential Oil (where to get it)
18. Juniper Essential Oil (where to get it)
19. Rosemary Essential Oil (where to get it)
20. Thyme Essential Oil (where to get it)
3 Healing Essential Oil Recipes for Psoriasis
The following essential oils recipes for psoriasis include easy do-it-yourself mixtures, which you can easily compose in the comfort of your own home.
» Soothing Psoriasis Soak – Fill up your bathtub with warm water and mix in 1 cup of Epsom salts and 7-10 drops of tea tree, sandalwood and frankincense oils each. Soak for at least 15 minutes to totally tranquilize your mind and body. You skin will feel calm, soothed and soft.
» Flare-up Buster Cream – In 1 cup of pure raw shea butter, mix in 10 drops of geranium oil, 10 drops of lavender oil, 10 drops of lavender and 10 drops of myrrh oil. Now use this cream all over your psoriasis areas to stop a flare-up in its track.
» Soothing Psoriasis Lotion – Make a soothing lotion for daily application by blending in a high speed blender: 1/2 a cup of aloe vera gel, 1/2 cup of coconut oil and 25 drops of your choice any of the above psoriasis-relieving essential oils.
How Long Will it Take to See Any Changes?
As soon as you apply these handmade essential oil preparations, you will immediately feel soothed and relieved because of the healing qualities and moisturizing effects of the recipes.
Many psoriasis sufferers using holistic alternatives to treat their ailment will notice an improvement in the appearance of psoriasis within 3 – 4 weeks of application.
Remember your skin takes up to 28 days to regenerate fully, so try to persevere with patience and stick to applying your remedies dutifully and regularly.
Caution
- Please handle essential oils with care and refrain from over using them to prevent further irritation of psoriasis patches.
- Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil or other base substance such as shea butter or aloe vera gel. Use the ratio of 2 drops of essential oil to 1 tsp carrier oil.
- Keep essential oils away from children and pets.
- Avoid essential oils if you suffer from any chronic/severe illnesses including asthma, hypertension and epilepsy.
- Refrain from using essential oils during pregnancy or first contact your medical practitioner before using them.