Natural Help for Psoriasis

A relatively uncommon disease, this chronic skin condition is characterized by thick white and red patches of scaly skin. One factor in the development of psoriasis is the over-production of an inflammatory hormone that causes skin cells to rapidly divide—not giving them a chance to mature and slough off.⁽¹⁴⁾

How Astragalus Works on Psoriasis

Psoriasis responds well to drugs that suppress the immune system. Astragalus may offer some relief and work in similar ways. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help regulate and support a healthy, balanced immune system. Interestingly, astragalus combined with herbs in TCM herbal oral supplements proved more effective in patients who had not taken conventional immune-suppressing drugs.^(14, 218)

Evidence of Benefit

Lab and animal studies show that extracts from astragalus reduce inflammatory factors in skin cells. Topical astragalus (by itself and in TCM herbal ointments) also block the progression of psoriasis-like skin rash.^{(13, 219, 220)}

Astragalus injections have also been tested in patients with psoriasis. In a small clinical study, 2 groups of patients were assigned to either a comprehensive conventional treatment alone or the same treatment combined with astragalus injections. Results showed that patients given astragalus had:⁽²²¹⁾

• A significantly higher cure rate
• Lesions faded much faster.