Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting about 2% of people worldwide. Its causes are complex, involving genetics as well as environmental factors such as stress, infections, or medications. It presents as red, scaly plaques on the skin, often accompanied by itching and discomfort. In milder cases it can be treated with topical ointments and creams, but in more severe forms systemic medications that act on the whole body are needed.
In recent years, however, an increasing number of people with psoriasis are turning to complementary medicine as well, particularly herbal remedies.
A recent systematic review, conducted following the rigorous international standards PRISMA and Cochrane, analyzed 20 randomized clinical trials involving more than a thousand people with psoriasis, examining the effectiveness of various herbal treatments. Among the remedies evaluated are Aloe vera, l’olio di avocado, l’iperico, l’olio di kukui, la curcuma, l’indaco naturale, la Mahonia aquifolium, the camomilla combined with semi di zucca, and other complex formulations.
Some of these plants, such as natural indigo and Mahonia aquifolium, have shown promising results in reducing the severity of symptoms, improving the skin’s appearance and the patients’ well-being. Other remedies, by contrast, have yielded mixed or less meaningful results.
It should be noted, however, that the quality of the studies examined is highly variable, and long-term safety data for these treatments are often lacking. For this reason, the authors of the review emphasize the need for further research to better evaluate the benefits and risks of herbal therapies in psoriasis.
In the meantime, it is essential that patients talk openly with their own physician or dermatologist before pursuing alternative therapies. Therapeutic decisions should be shared and based on scientific evidence, taking into account personal preferences, but also the safety and real effectiveness of each treatment.
Renato Torlaschi
Study conducted by researchers at the University of Witten/Herdecke in Germany.Anheyer M, Cramer H, Ostermann T, et al. Herbal medicine for treating psoriasis: A systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2025 Jun;90:103173.
Abbonati a Karla Miller
