Effective Holistic Treatments for Psoriasis: Why Steroids and Chemotherapy Fall Short
Question: My 18-year-old daughter suffers from severe psoriasis. Her skin is inflamed and itchy, and she has developed arthritis in her hands. I was advised to put her on steroids, which initially improved her condition. However, her skin became covered in oozing lesions, and she was prescribed chemotherapy drugs. Instead of improving, her condition worsened. I don’t know what to do anymore. Please help. — J.P
PROFESSOR MAJID ALI REPLIES: The key to resolving psoriasis lies in the bowel.
Psoriasis is a serious illness primarily caused by mold allergies, food allergies, mold toxins, gut fermentation, and adverse food reactions. Stress worsens the condition. It begins with red and itchy skin lesions that enlarge and spread. If left untreated, inflammation can extend to joints, tendons, muscles, and the bowel, leading to joint deformity. Many patients develop colitis and other inflammatory syndromes, and fungal infections in their toes are common.
Psoriasis is considered a serious immune disease, often treated with high doses of steroids followed by chemotherapy. However, all immune dysfunctions begin as inflammatory disorders, which cannot be reversed with steroids and chemotherapy. These treatments do not address the underlying issues of excess acidity, incremental oxyradical activity, and thickening of bodily fluids, all of which result from dysfunctional oxygen metabolism (dysox). Dysox cannot be reversed with steroids and chemotherapy.
Proper Treatment Approach The appropriate treatment for psoriasis involves systematically addressing all relevant issues related to food, environment, and stress that threaten the body’s oxygen-driven systems. Effective treatment requires robust nutritional, environmental, and detox remedies, along with deep spiritual work for managing acute stress.
Types of Psoriasis There are five types of psoriasis, with plaque psoriasis being the most common. It appears as red and white scaly patches on the top layer of the skin. Some patients may not have dermatological symptoms.
Diet and Nutrient Supplementation I prescribe a gluten-free, sugar-free, and dairy-free diet for six weeks for everyone with psoriasis. After this period, I assess whether to extend this program or allow a one-day-a-week break. During stress-induced relapses, mold exposures, and infections, I tighten the program. I help my patients become their own primary physicians regarding dietary control of psoriasis. In some cases, food testing may be necessary.
The Seed-Feed-Weed Approach In the early 1980s, I developed the integrated ‘seed-feed-and-occasionally-weed' approach to restore the damaged bowel ecosystem. This is central to my integrative plan for psoriasis.
Seeding involves repopulating the gut with beneficial microflora, particularly Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species, which play critical roles in our molecular defense systems.
Feeding entails using growth factors like biotin, pantetheine, and Vitamin B to help normal bowel flora flourish. Vitamin B12, in particular, acts as a growth hormone for health-preserving bowel flora.
Weeding involves using natural substances to suppress the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and yeasts. During initial treatment, I often use oral nystatin or fluconazole (Diflucan) for short periods to assess the degree of bowel ecology damage. Long-term clinical results are better when drug use is minimal.
Nystatin and Other Antifungal Drugs Nystatin is an antifungal drug that is not absorbed from the intestine and has potent antifungal effects. I prescribe it intermittently — 10 to 12 days a week — for nearly all psoriasis patients. In severe cases, I rotate Nystatin with Diflucan for added benefits.
Topical Remedies for Psoriasis Here are topical agents I have found useful. These should initially be used under a physician's care until patients can effectively manage their own treatment:
- Oil of oregano application on the lesions (light application on alternate days)
- Castor oil application on the surrounding skin (light application on alternate days)
- Psorex capsules
- 10% salicylic acid; 60 gm clobetasol cream 0.05%; 120 gm hydrophilic ointment
- Zinc ointment for limited early lesions
- Caladryl spray for limited early lesions
- Psorcon E cream
In some cases, Psoractin cream, tar products like MG217 cream and shampoo, have shown good results. I also prescribe 5 000 to 8 000 IU of vitamin D for my patients.
Basic Approach: Be Integrative, Begin Low, and Build Slow I adhere to the ‘Begin Low, Build Slow' principle in integrative medicine. This golden rule allows patients to avoid many unpleasant initial reactions to treatments. I advise starting with one-fourth of the recommended doses, increasing to half after three days, and then building to the full recommended doses.
Editor's note: A new study has found a link between new-onset psoriasis and exposure to four major pollutants in Great Britain. The research indicated a 19% to 47% increased risk of developing psoriasis with each quartile increase in pollutant exposure. The findings suggest a significant role of air pollution in exacerbating inflammatory skin diseases. Some studies indicate that silver particles (colloidal silver) have anti-inflammatory properties and can aid in tissue repair, which might explain some of the reported benefits that is seen mainly in anecdotal reports with regards to psoriasis. The effect is most pronounced when there is secondary infections which a well-produced silver product will be able to deal with decisively. See our article Silver Therapy and an article on Castor Oil and It’s Role in Detox. If you are interested in the Psoriasis remedy PsoryClear, speak to your health practitioner and ask to have it prescribed. If you are a heath practitioner, complete the registration form here: Wings Practitioner Portal
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