Manuka Honey for Psoriasis
Psoriasis can be very uncomfortable, and it can result in both physical and emotional discomfort.
The fact that there isn’t a permanent cure for the disease has led to the introduction of various treatments that could help manage the condition. Honey is one of these treatment options.
Manuka honey has served as a form of medicinal treatment for many ailments for many years. Studies suggests that it might be great for treating psoriasis lesions.
What Makes Manuka Honey Special?
Manuka honey originates from Australia and New Zealand, where ‘Manuka’ gets its name from the Manuka tree.
Unlike raw honey that contains hydrogen peroxide in small quantities, Manuka honey has about two times the antibacterial potency of raw honey.
This is due to the chemical reactions that take place when Manuka’s nectar is being processed by bees to create methylglyoxal. Methylglyoxal has antibacterial effects. This makes Manuka highly effective in minimizing infection in wounds and improving healing time.
Over the years, Manuka honey has been shown to fight infection with MRSA, a form of staph antibacterial infection.
MRSA or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus has developed resistance against the antibiotics used in treating regular staph infections.
Can Manuka Honey Cure Psoriasis?
Although there are proofs that Manuka honey has medicinal uses for many years. There’s no evidence to support its effectiveness in curing psoriasis.
But, there are suggestions by dermatologists that Manuka honey’s natural anti-inflammatory properties might work in improving and managing the symptoms of psoriasis.
Therefore, you can manage psoriasis with anything that will help reduce the inflammation since it’s a disease of inflammation.
How to use
Many psoriasis patients have used the Manuka honey orally, and some have applied it to their skins. Many users says it helped them feel better, but there’s no scientific evidence that shows it is helpful.
To use Manuka honey, you can apply it on your skin like a lotion or cream every day. You can do this until the condition improves or you eat it. However, since the FDA does not approve this honey, you should use it with caution.
Other Home Remedies for Psoriasis
Aside from honey, you may also want to try out some other home remedies for psoriasis relief. Moreover, you may choose not to use the Manuka honey due to personal choices or any other reasons.
In that case, you may want to try out other options like natural remedies, creams and ointments and OTC. Some of these options are:
Hydrocortisone cream
This is an over-the-counter cream that contains a small amount of steroid. It helps minimize discomfort and itching associated with psoriasis.
Salicylic acid
Many OTC creams and lotions for treating psoriasis and other skin conditions contains salicylic acid. The function of this ingredient is to remove the scales that appear on the skin due to psoriasis and other skin conditions like eczema.
Capsaicin
This cream is made with an ingredient gotten from cayenne pepper. It helps to fight inflammation and irritation.
Coal tar
Charcoal is used to make coal tar. It helps reduce inflammation and the growth of skin cells. Many OTC products such as T-gel, a shampoo that helps treat scalp psoriasis, contains coal tar.