Coconut oil for psoriasis?
Has anyone tried coconut oil for psoriasis?
Did it help at all, in what way, and were there any side affects?
I have been searching around and websites selling pure coconut oil
state that it helps reduce, and in some cases has cleared psoriasis,
amongst other skin conditions and many other health related problems.
I must say, the positive information is most promising.
Nathan
February 16th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Hi Everyone,
This is long but worth the read. It is from Donia at
www.eczema-natural-healing.com
Maggie
Eczema, Coconut Oil and the Immune System
All of us who suffer from eczema know how easy our skin can be
infected. When we itch and the skin becomes broken, there is
usually a mix of blood, lymph fluid and protein on the surface of the
skin. When this mixture of fluids gets exposed to light and air,
there is a high chance of infection. This infection is usually
bacterial and will continue to add to the negative symptoms of
eczema.
Allopathic treatment involves antibiotic drugs and ointments.
However, antibiotics weakens the immune system. A weak immune will
cause the skin to react more vigorously than usual to a wider range
of allergens. When the immune system reacts to different types of
allergens, it continues to release a mixture of its own irritant
substances such as histamine into the skin. Itching will increase,
and skin’s condition will deteriorate. It becomes an ongoing
vicious cycle.
Drugs are not the answer to healing from infection associated with
eczema. If germs were the problem, then antibiotics will be quite
effective. But germs are not the problem. The problem is a
dysfunctional immune system. In the case of eczema we have what
is called a hyper immune system. This means our bodies create too
much heat because of the over production of histamine which is the
body’s attempt to fight allergens.
Addressing infection naturally?
I found several foods and whole food supplements to be helpful in
protecting the ongoing infection my skin suffered from so I
personally never took antibiotics.  Eventually these foods and
supplements healed my skin. I used fresh organic ginger and fennel
to make a daily tea, raw coconut oil (coco de creme), acidophilus,
bifidus and other strains of friendly bacteria, whole food
supplements, and food based antioxidants. Of all these foods and
supplements, the most important if you have ongoing infection in your
eczema breakouts is the use of probiotic supplements and eating 3
tablespoons of raw coconut oil every day.
Coconut oil and its anti microbial properties:
It is important to understand the significant anti microbial
properties of coconut oil so you can use it as a natural protective
food against eczema skin infection. The following is from an
article called “Therapeutic Nutrition†by Dr. Gina Nick. This
article was published in the Townsend Letter for Doctors, June 2006,
pgs 52-54.
Coconuts as a Functional Food in the Prevention and Treatment of AIDS
Excerpted from "Coconut: In Support of Good Health in the 21st
Century," by Mary Enig, PhD, a talk given at the 36th Symposium
on Coconut Research, APCC, 1999.
Abstract
Coconuts play a unique role in the diets of mankind because they are
the source of important physiologically functional components. These
physiologically functional components are found in the fat part of
whole coconut, in the fat part of desiccated coconut, and in the
extracted coconut oil. Lauric acid, the major fatty acid from the fat
of the coconut, has long been recognized for the unique properties
that it lends to nonfood uses in the soaps and cosmetics industry.
More recently, laurie acid has been recognized for its unique
properties in food use, which are related to its anti viral,
antibacterial, and antiprotozoal functions. Now, capric acid, another
of coconut’s fatty acids has been added to the list of coconut’s anti
microbial components. These fatty acids are found in the largest
amounts only in traditional lauric fats, especially from coconut.
Also, recently published research has shown that natural coconut fat
in the diet leads to a normalization of body lipids, protects against
alcohol damage to the liver, and improves the immune system’s anti-
inflammatory response….
Introduction
…In …my talk, I suggested that there were some new positive
health benefits from coconut that should be recognized. These
benefits stemmed from coconut’s use as a food with major functional
properties for anti microbial and anticancer effects.
…Components of coconut oil are increasingly being shown to be
beneficial. Increasingly, lauric acid, and even capric acid, have
been the subject of favorable scientific reports on health parameters.
Functional Properties of Lauric Fats as Antimicrobials:
Earlier this year, at a special conference entitled, Functional Foods
For Health Promotion: Physiologic Considerations (Renaissance
Washington Hotel, Washington, DC; Saturday, April 17, 1999), which
was sponsored by the International Life Sciences Institute, Technical
Committee on Food Components for Health Promotion, the
term "functional foods" was defined as "a functional food provides a
health benefit over and beyond the basic nutrients."
This is exactly what coconut and its edible products, such as
desiccated coconut and coconut oil, do. As a functional food, coconut
has fatty acids that provide both energy (nutrients) and raw material
for anti microbial fatty acids and monoglycerides (functional
components) when eaten. Desiccated coconut is about 69% coconut fat,
as is creamed coconut. Full coconut milk is approximately 24% fat.
Approximately 50% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid.
Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which has the additional
beneficial function of being formed into monolaurin in the human or
animal body. Monolaurin is the anti viral, antibacterial, and
antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal to destroy
lipid-coated viruses such as HIV herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza,
various pathogenic bacteria, including listeria monocytogenes and
helicobacter pylon, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia. Some
studies have also shown some anti microbial effects of the free
laurie acid.
Also, approximately six to seven percent of the fatty acids in
coconut fat are capric acid. Capric acid is another medium-chain
fatty acid that has a similar beneficial function when it is formed
into monocaprin in the human or animal body. Monocapnn has also been
shown to have anti viral effects against HIV and is being tested for
anti viral effects against herpes simplex and antibacterial effects
against chiamydia and other sexually transmitted bacteria…..
The anti viral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal properties of laurie
acid and monolaurin have been recognized by a small number of
researchers for nearly four decades: this knowledge has resulted in
more than 20 research papers and several US patents, and this past
year it resulted in a comprehensive book chapter which reviewed the
important aspects of laurie oils as anti microbial agents. In the
past, the larger group of clinicians and food and nutrition
scientists have been unaware of the potential benefits of consuming
foods containing coconut and coconut oil, but this is now starting to
change.
….certain fatty acids (FAs) (e.g., medium-chain saturates) and
their derivatives (e.g., monoglycerides (MGs)) can have adverse
effects on various microorganisms: those microorganisms that are
inactivated include bacteria, yeast, fungi, and enveloped viruses.
Additionally, it is reported that the anti microbial effects of the
FAs and MGs are additive, and total concentration is critical for
inactivating viruses…. The properties that determine the anti-
infective action of lipids are related to their structure: e.g.,
monoglycenides, free fatty acids. The monoglycerides are active;
diglycerides and triglycerides are inactive. Of the saturated fatty
acids, laurie acid has greater anti viral activity than either
eaprylic acid (C-8), capric acid (C-b), or myristic acid (C-14). In
general, it is reported that the fatty acids and monoglycerides
produce their killing/inactivating effect by lysing the plasma
membrane lipid bilayer. The anti viral action attributed to
monolaurin is that of solubilizing the lipids and phospholipids in
the envelope of the virus, causing the disintegration of the virus
envelope. However, there is evidence from recent studies that one
anti microbial effect in bacteria is related to monolaurin’s
interference with signal transduction,… and another anti microbial
effect in viruses is due to laurie acid’s interference with virus
assembly and viral maturation….
Recognition of the anti viral aspects of the anti microbial activity
of the monoglyceride of laurie acid (monolaurin) has been reported
since 1966. Some of the early work …. that showed virucidal effects
of monolaurin on enveloped RNA and DNA viruses was done in
conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of the US
Public Health Service. These studies were done with selected virus
prototypes or recognized representative strains of enveloped human
viruses. The envelope of these viruses is a lipid membrane, and the
presence of a lipid membrane on viruses makes them especially
vulnerable to lauric acid and its derivative monolaurin.
The medium-chain saturated fatty acids and their derivatives act by
disrupting the lipid membranes of the viruses ….Research has shown
that enveloped viruses are inactivated in both human and bovine milk
by added fatty acids and monoglycerides,…. and also by endogenous
fatty acids and monoglycerides of the appropriate length … Some of
the viruses inactivated by these lipids, in addition to HIV are the
measles virus, herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), vesicular stomatitis
virus (VSV), visna virus, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Many of the
pathogenic organisms reported to be inactivated by these anti
microbial lipids are those known to be responsible for opportunistic
infections in HIV- positive individuals. For example, concurrent
infection with cytomegalovirus is recognized as a serious
complication for HW+ individuals…. Thus, it would appear to be
important to investigate the practical aspects and the potential
benefit of an adjunct nutritional support regimen for HIV-infected
individuals that will utilize those dietary fats that are sources of
known anti viral, anti microbial, and antiprotozoal monoglycerides,
and fatty acids such as monolaurin and its precursor lauric acid.
Until now, no one in the mainstream nutrition community seems to have
recognized the added potential of anti microbial lipids in the
treatment of HIV-infected or AIDS patients. These anti microbial
fatty acids and their derivatives are essentially nontoxic to man;
they are produced in vivo by humans when they ingest those commonly
available foods that contain adequate levels of medium-chain fatty
acids such as lauric acid. According to the published research,
lauric acid is one of the best "inactivating" fatty acids, and its
monoglyceride is even more effective than the fatty acid alone ….
The lipid-coated (envelope) viruses are dependent on host lipids for
their lipid constituents. The variability of fatty acids in the foods
of individuals as well as the variability from de novo synthesis
accounts for the variability of fatty acids in the virus envelope and
also explains the variability of glycoprotein expression, a
variability that makes vaccine development more difficult. Monolaurin
does not appear to have an adverse effect on desirable gut bacteria,
but rather on only potentially pathogenic microorganisms. For
example,… no inactivation of the common Escherichia coli or
Salmonella by monolaurin, but major inactivation of  Hemophilus
influenzae, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Group B gram-positive
streptococcus.
The potentially pathogenic bacteria inactivated by monolaurin include
Listeria mono-cytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus
agalactiae, Groups A,F, & G streptococci, gram-positive organisms,
and some gram-negative organisms if pretreated with a chelator…..
…A number of fungi, yeast, and protozoa are inactivated or killed
by lauric acid or monolaunn. The fungi include several species of
ringworm…. The yeast reported is Candida albicans…. The protozoan
parasite Giardia lamblia is killed by free fatty acids and
monoglycerides from hydrolyzed human milk….
Research continues in measuring the effect of the monoglyceride
derivative of capric acid monocaprin as well as the effects of lauric
acid. Chiamydia trachomatis is inactivated by lauric acid, capric
acid, and monocaprin,… and hydrogels containing monocaprin are
potent in vitro inactivators of sexually transmitted viruses such as
HSV-2 and HIV-1 and bacteria such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae…..
This oil is safe for infants and children. For infants up to one
year of age, I recommend 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon a day. For children
age 1 to 4, 1 teaspoon a day. For children 4 to 7, 2 teaspoons a
day. For children 7 to 16, 3 teaspoons a day. Adults 3 tablespoons
a day.
Donia
Organics USA, Inc.
800-927-2527 Ext. 00132#
"Food is Your Best Medicine"
February 17th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
I have(had) eczema not psoriasis, but I did find using coconut oil
directly on my skin was very helpful. I could use it even when my
skin was over-sensitive and reacting to every type of commercial
preparation.
I’ve also tried consuming coconut oil, I finally worked up to 3 tbs a
day, but that didn’t make much difference that I can tell.
Taking a few grams of flaxseed oil everyday has been helpful though.
I can see some improvements within hours of taking it. And worsening
if I forget to take it somedays.
February 19th, 2007 at 12:19 am
i mix it along with jojoba and olive sometimes and use it…i don’t use creams
anymore. i just fill it in a little bottle and keep it at work and in my purse,
etc…
I have(had) eczema not psoriasis, but I did find using coconut oil
directly on my skin was very helpful. I could use it even when my
skin was over-sensitive and reacting to every type of commercial
preparation.
I’ve also tried consuming coconut oil, I finally worked up to 3 tbs a
day, but that didn’t make much difference that I can tell.
Taking a few grams of flaxseed oil everyday has been helpful though.
I can see some improvements within hours of taking it. And worsening
if I forget to take it somedays.
SPONSORED LINKS
Health and wellness
Alternative medicine Health wellness
product
Health and wellness program Diet
fitness health nutrition wellness
Health promotion and wellness
Visit your group "eczemapsoriasis" on the web.
———————————
February 19th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Hi,
How long have you been using the mixture? What were the results? I
just started using coconut oil and I’m also waiting on some jojoba
oil. So I too will try mixing them together.
Nathan
Health and wellness program
Diet fitness health nutrition wellness
Health promotion and wellness
February 20th, 2007 at 12:12 am
I find the Jojoba Oil to be less greasy than the coconut oil. I add coconut
oil to my conditioner in the shower though. It’s great for dry damaged hair
and dry scalp! Just be careful if you use oil in the shower as it is very
slippery! (I almost slipped and fell once, lol) Also, I wouldn’t actually
put it in the conditioner bottle; just mix it with the conditioner in your
hands. You may want to warm the coconut oil first because it has clumps and
hardens if it gets under a certain temperature.
The coconut/jojoba oil hasn’t cured my eczema but it has kept it from
spreading and it doesn’t hurt from being tight and dry.
Hope this helps!
Good Luck!
Alison, Chicago
Hi,
How long have you been using the mixture? What were the results? I
just started using coconut oil and I’m also waiting on some jojoba
oil. So I too will try mixing them together.
Nathan
February 21st, 2007 at 3:45 am
I used coconut oil on my 12 year old daughters scalp every night for
approximately 3 months. Her scalp was very inflamed with about 90% coverage.
She had actually lost about 40% of her hair from the inflammation! I would part
the hair in inch sections and apply the virgin coconut oil using a sponge "craft
paint" brush, every night. She would then just got to bed and we would wash it
out in the morning. It was a nightly ritual and in 3 months she was
considerablly improved to about 10% coverage. Our dermatologist actually took
down the information and web site from me to tell others about her recovery. We
haven’t used the oil in over a year now and she still stays mostly clear. We
did also use a shampoo called Pentrax, daily, which I purchase at CVS drugstore,
or it can be gotten on line too I think. It is a pricy shampoo around $16-$19 a
bottle but it works. She still washes every day with it. I can’t really say
that it was the coconut oil or the combination of the oil and shampoo that she
can attribute her clearing too. I love the oil, it sooths the tight feeling, and
makes the flakes seem to "dissapear". The oil itself is reasonably priced and I
think well worth a try. I too have psoriasis and use the oil to take away the
flakeyness, I however am not as dilligent with myself as I was with my
daughter, but I really think that as an addition to your topical treatments or
alone it is GREAT Stuff and you can’t go wrong with it, I HIGHLY RECOMMED giving
it a try.
Lisa
Has anyone tried coconut oil for psoriasis?
Did it help at all, in what way, and were there any side affects?
I have been searching around and websites selling pure coconut oil
state that it helps reduce, and in some cases has cleared psoriasis,
amongst other skin conditions and many other health related problems.
I must say, the positive information is most promising.
Nathan
February 21st, 2007 at 6:58 pm
well my eczema came back around february of this year i think…i started the
it
mixture about 2 months ago and my eczema is i’d like to say 99% gone
still itches once in awhile..but no more bumps oozing or anything like it…
give it a try! it can’t hurt…it does make you a little warm so i just rinse
myself in cold water at the end of the shower before i put it on. i put an ice
pack on at night too so i don’t overheat…
best
shefy
Nathan
Health and wellness program
Diet fitness health nutrition wellness
Health promotion and wellness
SPONSORED LINKS
Health and wellness
Alternative medicine Health wellness
product
Health and wellness program Diet
fitness health nutrition wellness
Health promotion and wellness
Visit your group "eczemapsoriasis" on the web.
———————————