Herbal Treatments for Psoriasis: What the Evidence Shows for Each
Interest in herbal approaches to psoriasis management is consistent and understandable — many people want to complement medical treatment with approaches that feel more aligned with a holistic lifestyle. The honest landscape is more nuanced than either "herbal remedies are effective alternatives to treatment" or "there's no evidence for any of them." Several herbal compounds have genuinely interesting and specifically documented mechanisms for psoriasis; others have concerning interaction profiles; and the crucial point is that none replace appropriate medical care for moderate-to-severe disease.
This article provides an evidence overview for the most commonly discussed herbs in psoriasis management. Several have dedicated articles in this series — links are provided for more depth on each.
Herbal Treatments for Psoriasis: Can Natural Remedies Help?
Many people with psoriasis eventually start looking beyond traditional creams and skincare products in search of more natural ways to support their skin.
This is where herbal treatments often come in.
From aloe vera and turmeric to tea tree oil and Oregon grape, herbal remedies are widely discussed online as possible ways to soothe dryness, irritation and inflammation associated with psoriasis. But while some people report improvements, others find certain herbal products actually irritate sensitive skin further.
That’s because psoriasis-prone skin can react differently depending on the ingredients, concentration and overall condition of the skin barrier.
Herbal treatments may help some people manage symptoms, but gentle and consistent routines are usually most important.
Why People Use Herbal Treatments for Psoriasis
Psoriasis is linked to inflammation, rapid skin cell turnover and skin barrier disruption.
Because of this, many herbal remedies aim to support:
Skin hydration
Redness and irritation
Itching
Skin barrier comfort
Overall skin wellness
Some people also prefer herbal products because they want to avoid overly harsh skincare or simplify their routines.
Many people are drawn to herbal treatments because they feel gentler — although that isn’t always guaranteed.
Popular Herbal Treatments for Psoriasis
Aloe vera: soothing but not treating
Aloe vera's active compounds (acemannan, polyphenols) have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties that provide comfort on psoriasis plaques — reducing redness and dryness. As a topical comfort measure alongside emollient and prescribed treatment, it has a legitimate role.
It doesn't address the T-cell immune mechanisms driving psoriasis. Published comparative studies found aloe gel no more effective than placebo cream for psoriasis in some trials. Its appropriate positioning is as a soothing adjunct, not a primary treatment.
Turmeric (curcumin): promising mechanisms, bioavailability challenge
Turmeric's active compound curcumin inhibits NF-κB and reduces TNF-α and IL-17 production — anti-inflammatory pathways directly relevant to psoriasis. The mechanism is legitimate. The challenge is bioavailability: curcumin is poorly absorbed from standard turmeric preparations. Piperine (from black pepper) increases bioavailability by approximately 2,000% — which is why formulations combining curcumin and piperine are consistently more appropriate than plain turmeric supplements.
Several small clinical studies have found improvements in psoriasis severity scores with high-dose curcumin supplementation. A well-formulated curcumin supplement with BioPerine (standardised piperine) is one of the more coherently supported herbal additions to psoriasis management. Covered in depth in the turmeric and acne article in this series (mechanisms apply to psoriasis as well).
Oregon grape: the most psoriasis-specific herbal evidence
Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) contains berberine and related alkaloids with the most specifically documented evidence of any herb for psoriasis. Berberine inhibits NF-κB signalling — the master inflammatory switch driving psoriatic cytokine production — and has been shown in clinical studies to reduce keratinocyte proliferation directly.
A 10% mahonia aquifolium cream has been studied in several randomised controlled trials specifically for mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis, producing statistically significant PASI reductions. This is the herbal preparation with the strongest and most psoriasis-specific clinical trial data.
The important caveats: berberine is a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor and interacts with numerous medications — discuss with your GP before using it if you are on any systemic treatment. Applied topically, systemic absorption is low, but oral berberine carries significant drug interaction potential.
Tea tree oil: antimicrobial but contact allergen risk
Tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties through terpinen-4-ol that are relevant to scalp psoriasis with seborrhoeic elements — reducing Malassezia overgrowth. The essential oil psoriasis article in this series covers this with the important caveat that tea tree is one of the most documented contact allergens in skincare. Oxidised oil is significantly more allergenic.
Liquorice (glycyrrhizin): the safety concern
Liquorice root and its compound glycyrrhizin have documented anti-inflammatory properties — glycyrrhizin inhibits prostaglandin synthesis. However, glycyrrhizin raises blood pressure by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down cortisol, causing sodium and water retention. With regular supplemental doses, this effect is clinically significant — elevated blood pressure, hypokalaemia (low potassium), and oedema are documented adverse effects of glycyrrhizin supplementation.
For people with psoriasis who may also have cardiovascular risk factors, hypertension, or who are on other medications, recommending liquorice root supplements without this context is a safety gap. Topical low-concentration glycyrrhizin-based preparations have much lower systemic absorption and are generally safer than oral supplements. Oral liquorice supplementation should be discussed with a GP before use
Chamomile: gentle anti-inflammatory for topical comfort
Chamomile's bisabolol compound has documented anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant properties. Roman chamomile is well-tolerated and appropriate as a diluted topical oil for psoriasis-adjacent skin and aromatherapy use. Covered in the essential oils psoriasis article in this series.
Boswellia (frankincense): the oral anti-inflammatory case
Oral Boswellia serrata extract has one of the stronger evidence bases among herbal treatments for inflammatory conditions — 5-lipoxygenase inhibition reduces leukotriene production in the same pathway as fish oil. Several clinical studies have found benefit in joint inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease, with some evidence applicable to psoriasis through anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
The evidence for psoriasis specifically is less developed than for joint conditions, but Boswellia sits among the more coherently anti-inflammatory herbal supplements with a reasonable evidence base. Lower interaction risk than berberine.
Recommended Products
Dr Organic Aloe Vera Cream
an aloe-containing cream for sensitive skin. Check current ingredient list to confirm fragrance-free status before using on psoriasis-prone skin
Nutravita Turmeric with BioPerine 1400mg
a standardised curcumin preparation with BioPerine. The piperine combination is essential for the mechanism to be relevant
Hawaii Pharm Mahonia Aquifolium (Oregon Grape) Extract
a standardised Oregon grape extract providing berberine and related alkaloids. If considering oral berberine supplementation for psoriasis, discuss with your GP first given its CYP3A4 drug interaction potential — particularly important if on any systemic psoriasis medication
The honest framework
None of the above replace medical treatment for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. The herbs with the most evidence — Oregon grape (berberine, clinical trials), turmeric (curcumin with piperine), and Boswellia — address inflammatory mechanisms that are relevant and real, but at effect sizes considerably smaller than prescribed topical and systemic treatments.
The most appropriate framing: herbal approaches as supportive additions within a comprehensive management strategy — alongside appropriate skincare, anti-inflammatory diet, stress management, and medical treatment — rather than alternatives to any of these.
Why Herbal Products Can Sometimes Irritate Psoriasis
One of the biggest misconceptions is that “natural” automatically means safe for sensitive skin.
But herbal ingredients may still trigger:
Allergic reactions
Irritation
Burning sensations
Skin barrier disruption
This is especially true when products contain:
Essential oils
Fragrance
Alcohol-heavy formulas
Strong plant extracts
Psoriasis-prone skin often responds better to simple routines with fewer irritants.
Supplement Support for Dry, Psoriasis-Prone Skin
Drought's Skin Support Formula provides vitamin D, zinc, vitamin C, magnesium, and 10 other nutrients — addressing the nutritional foundations of psoriasis management alongside any herbal additions. Made in the UK, suitable for vegetarians, designed for consistent long-term daily use.
FAQ
Do herbal treatments work for psoriasis?
Some people find herbal products soothing, while others notice little difference or increased irritation.
What is the best herbal treatment for psoriasis?
Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) has the strongest clinical trial data specifically for psoriasis, through berberine's NF-κB inhibition and anti-proliferative effects.
Is turmeric good for psoriasis?
Curcumin in turmeric inhibits NF-κB and TNF-α, with small clinical studies showing PASI improvement. Must be combined with piperine (black pepper) for absorption.
Can herbal creams irritate psoriasis?
Yes. Even natural products may trigger irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive skin.
Is liquorice root safe for psoriasis?
At oral supplemental doses, glycyrrhizin raises blood pressure and can cause hypokalaemia. Discuss with a GP, particularly if you have cardiovascular risk factors or take other medications.
Can I use aloe vera for psoriasis?
As a topical comfort measure — yes. It provides soothing and mild anti-inflammatory benefit alongside emollient. It doesn't address the immune mechanisms driving psoriasis.
Are herbal treatments a substitute for prescribed psoriasis treatment?
No — for moderate-to-severe psoriasis, herbal treatments are complementary additions at best. Medical treatment remains the evidence-based standard for significant disease.
Should you patch test herbal products?
Yes. Patch testing may help identify irritation before applying products more widely.
Summary
The herbal treatments with the most specific evidence for psoriasis are Oregon grape (berberine, clinical trial data for mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis), turmeric/curcumin with piperine (NF-κB and TNF-α inhibition), and Boswellia (leukotriene reduction). Aloe vera provides topical comfort without direct psoriasis treatment. Liquorice root has real anti-inflammatory properties but carries blood pressure and hypokalaemia risks at oral supplemental doses. Tea tree oil has antimicrobial relevance for scalp psoriasis but is a documented contact allergen. None replace medical treatment; all benefit from safety discussion with a GP or pharmacist, particularly regarding drug interactions.
In Short
Herbal treatments are commonly used to support psoriasis-prone skin naturally
Some herbs can have soothing or anti-inflammatory properties
“Natural” ingredients can still irritate sensitive skin
Patch testing is important before trying new remedies
Herbal treatments modulate specific psoriasis inflammatory pathways — vitamin D, zinc, and omega-3 address the nutritional deficiencies that are documented across the psoriasis population regardless of which herbal approach is used alongside them. Drought's Skin Support Formula provides all three alongside 11 other nutrients, addressing the nutritional baseline that herbal treatments work within but cannot establish. Made in the UK, suitable for vegetarians, designed for consistent long-term daily use.
Start your skin support journey →
Written by the Drought Skin team — specialists in natural support for psoriasis, eczema and acne
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. We earn a very small commission from each purchase made through these links. There is no additional cost to you. All products featured have been specifically selected as products we personally use and love. For further information, please see our disclaimer page.
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Oregon Grape for Psoriasis: Evidence, How to Use It & What to Expect
Essential Oils for Psoriasis: What May Help, What to Be Cautious About
Vitamins & Supplements for Psoriasis: What the Evidence Shows
The Psoriasis Diet: Best Foods, Foods to Avoid & What the Evidence Shows
Aloe Vera for Eczema: The Evidence, How It Works & How to Use It Safely
