Root-Cause Medicine: A Naturopathic Approach to Psoriasis

August is Psoriasis Action or Awareness Month. So, how do we support someone with psoriasis with a naturopathic approach? 

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that commonly presents with scaly, red patches of skin that are often painful and/or itchy. Psoriasis can appear in many locations, including the scalp, knees, elbows, arms, legs, and neck. It’s considered an autoimmune condition because an overactive immune response triggers keratinocytes (skin cells) to overproduce. This results in the thick, scaly patches of skin characteristic of psoriasis. Given this immune picture, we must find ways to support and modulate the immune system. In addition, emerging research is evaluating the connections between the gut microbiome and psoriasis. 

Immune-modulation

It’s important to support and modulate the immune system as much as possible through diet, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation. 70-80% of immune cells are present in the gut. For this reason, it’s important not to overlook the digestive system when working with any autoimmune condition. You and your provider should discuss your digestive system and bathroom habits in depth during your visit so they can better understand which avenues of support you need. Avoiding foods you are reactive to may help reduce inflammation, which may improve your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. By supporting a robust microbiome and promoting regular elimination, we help maintain a healthy gut microbiome and, therefore, a healthy immune system. 

Topical support

Psoriasis patches/plaques appear as a scaly rash due to excessive proliferation of keratinocytes (skin cells). This leads to the skin producing excessive new skin cells without having sloughed off the most superficial layer of skin. This overproliferation occurs more often with a stressed, overly active immune system. While addressing issues internally is a great start, there are some topical products you can include in your skincare routine to help improve the appearance of flares. Topical actions to consider include anti-plaque, anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, and hydrating. Anti-plaque herbs such as Oregon grape root can often be found in topical salves, lotions, shampoos, and soaps that can be used to reduce the proliferation of skin cells.

Anti-inflammatory topicals are commonly found as oils, such as fish oil and vitamin E. Oil-based topicals can also be hydrating to the skin, particularly at the lipid level. However, some, such as vitamin E, can also have the added benefit of being vulnerary, or skin-healing.

Prevention

Managing and preventing stress (both physical and emotional) is an important way to reduce the risk of a psoriasis flare. Maintaining a specific, clean diet is helpful and important, but we often forget what else can be truly stressful for our bodies. The word stress applies to more than just having a difficult or overextended schedule; it applies to anything that you actively or passively experience that can push your body into an overly active state. Over-indulging in things such as alcohol, smoking, and tobacco products, and exposure to harsh chemicals can act as a physical stressor. Unhealthy relationships and high-pressure work environments can be additional sources of stress, so it is important to have coping strategies, like meditation, journaling, exercise, or grounding, to help manage daily stressors. 

Management 

Ultimately, management of psoriasis flares consists of dietary support, lifestyle modifications, skincare, microbiome support, and stress management implementation. While this may seem like a daunting list of things to support, naturopathic doctors are trained to determine which avenues of support should be prioritized in each individual situation. If you are looking for additional support to help manage your psoriasis, schedule an appointment with one of our providers for an in-depth discussion surrounding your lifestyle habits, your stress levels, and your digestive health to determine the best course of action for additional support.

References:

Wiertsema SP, van Bergenhenegouwen J, Garssen J, Knippels LMJ. The Interplay between the Gut Microbiome and the Immune System in the Context of Infectious Diseases throughout Life and the Role of Nutrition in Optimizing Treatment Strategies. Nutrients. 2021;13(3):886. Published 2021 Mar 9. doi:10.3390/nu13030886 

Chakith M R S, Pradeep S, Gangadhar M, Maheshwari N C, Pasha S, Kollur SP, S N, Shivamallu C, Allur Mallanna S. Advancements in understanding and treating psoriasis: a comprehensive review of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches. PeerJ. 2025 Apr 29;13:e19325. doi: 10.7717/peerj.19325. PMID: 40321825; PMCID: PMC12047224.