About 2 percent of people around the world are affected with psoriasis [1].
This chronic autoimmune disease is characterized by red scaly patches that appear on the skin all over the body [2].
Most of the time, it starts on the scalp or ears and then spreads to other parts.
According to doctors, psoriasis occurs when the skin cells multiply 10 times faster than normal. The result is thickening and the appearance of patches.
While there’s no cure for this skin disease, it can be managed and alleviated with the use of some essential oils.
Here are some essential oils for relieving psoriasis symptoms, all supported by evidence. The article also contains some natural oils remedies for psoriasis.
11 Best Essential Oils for Psoriasis Relief
1. Tea Tree Oil
Did you know that the first use of tea tree oil was recorded about a hundred years ago in Australia [3]?
Yes, it has been that long since its medicinal value has been discovered.
Ancient healers at that time made use of tea tree oil primarily for its anti-inflammatory actions [3].
Over time, its other pharmacological effects have become known to traditional healers, and have also become the subject of many scientific investigations.
In a 2012 study that can be found in the Skin Pharmacology and Physiology Journal, it was reported that tea tree oil is a potential treatment for psoriasis [4].
Thanks to its terpinen-4-ol, tea tree oil can efficiently tone down inflammation of the skin and alleviate the condition [4].
It’s also important to note that the use of this oil rarely causes unpleasant side effects.
This indicates that it’s safe for topical use, and is well tolerated among psoriasis patients. Just the same, you need to dilute it first in a carrier oil before using it.
How to use tea tree oil for psoriasis:
- Combine 100 ml of aloe vera gel, 4 ml of tea tree oil, and 10 ml of avocado oil.
- Mix well.
- Pour the mixture into an airtight glass jar.
- Apply the mixture all over the body every day after taking a bath.
- Do this once a day or every other day during episodes of psoriasis attacks.
RELATED: 12 Incredible Health Benefits of Tea Tree Oil (Backed by Evidence)
2. Lavender Oil
For centuries, lavender oil has been utilized in cosmetics and traditional medicine [5].
It is added to skin care products for its fragrance.
Folk healers meanwhile take advantage of its soothing, relaxation, carminative and antimicrobial effects that work well in a wide variety of health problems.
For cases of psoriasis, lavender oil can also help.
The topical application of lavender has been said to be effective in treating moderate to severe cases of psoriasis [6, 7].
That’s because lavender soothes the skin, tones down inflammation, and lessens stress.
Although stress does not directly cause psoriasis, it is one of the factors that have been observed to trigger or worsen this condition.
Apart from psoriasis, this oil also works well on other types of inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis, and alopecia [8, 9].
How to prepare lavender oil bath for psoriasis relief:
- Mix 10 drops of lavender oil, 1 cup of oats, and ½ cup of sea salt.
- Add this mixture to your bathwater.
- Soak in the bath for 30 minutes every day.
RELATED: 11 Health Benefits of Lavender Oil That You Should Know
3. Frankincense Oil
You’ve heard about frankincense since you were a child, and how this oil can miraculously treat many types of ailments.
As it turns out, there’s more to these stories than just being fairy tales.
Frankincense oil, which is derived from the oleo-gum-resin of a tree commonly found in the dry hills of India, has been proven in scientific literature to be a potent healer [10].
It has become known as a strong anti-inflammatory agent.
One of the many inflammatory ailments that can be treated with this oil is psoriasis [10].
In an animal trial conducted by Indian researchers, acute and sub-acute inflammation models were utilized to analyze the anti-inflammatory effects of this oil [10].
Cotton pellets and carrageenan were induced in mice to trigger paw inflammation [10].
After this, the mice were administered with frankincense oil, which immediately reduced the swelling [10].
The anti-inflammatory actions of frankincense are mostly due to the presence of Boswellia acids, which are also known to boost the immune system [11, 12].
Recommended directions:
- Add 12 drops of frankincense oil to 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil.
- Mix well.
- Apply the mixture all over the body every day after a shower.
4. Bergamot Oil
Cope better with psoriasis with the help of bergamot oil.
A highly medicinal oil that has become famous all over the world for its ability to ward off numerous ailments including inflammatory skin conditions, bergamot is another must-try natural remedy for psoriasis.
In 2009, it was noted in a study published in the Pharmaceutical Biology Journal that bergamot oil can prevent the proliferation of skin cells, and in turn, reduce the formation of psoriasis plaque [13].
The active chemicals in bergamot namely limonene, citral, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and geranial contribute to these beneficial effects [13].
Results of another study, also conducted in 2009, show that bergamot oil has strong anti-inflammatory effects [14].
Researchers observed that bergamot oil had the strongest anti-inflammatory action at a concentration of 0.10 mL/kg [14].
Bergamot oil bath for psoriasis:
- Add 1 cup of Himalayan salt and 1 cup of magnesium flakes to bathwater.
- Pour 20 drops of bergamot oil.
- Sit in the bath for 30 minutes once a day.
5. Helichrysum Oil
Up to now, helichrysum oil still plays a crucial role in traditional and alternative medicine in the Mediterranean regions [15].
It may not be as popular as lavender oil or tea tree oil when it comes to treating inflammatory skin conditions, but it certainly has a lot of medicinal benefits that can be of practical use.
Its anti-inflammatory properties have been demonstrated in many scientific studies [16, 17, 18].
Scientists from Spain explain that the anti-inflammatory actions of helichrysum oil are multiple and varied [16].
It works by inhibiting inflammatory enzymes, disrupting the scavenging activity of free radicals, and toning down swelling with its “corticoid-like effects” [16].
There’s sufficient scientific proof to support the use of this oil as a treatment for psoriasis.
How to use helichrysum oil for psoriasis relief:
- Combine 5 drops of helichrysum oil with 2 tablespoons of organic lotion.
- After taking a bath, apply lotion to the affected areas of the skin.
- Do this remedy once or twice a day for several months.
6. Sandalwood Oil
American scientists describe sandalwood as “nature’s gift to mankind” [19].
And that’s because it can heal various health problems including infections, fever, headache, urinary tract infection, and inflammation [20].
Containing over 200 active compounds, this oil has become one of the top sources of phytochemicals [19].
For cases of psoriasis, it can help manage this condition with its emollient effects [19].
This means that it can soothe, cool, and moisturize dry skin which worsens the condition [19].
On top of these, sandalwood oil has also been verified to have significant analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties [20].
How to use sandalwood oil for reducing psoriasis attack:
- Dilute 7 drops of sandalwood oil in 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Apply the oil mixture to your skin.
- Do this every day after bathing.
RELATED: Apple Cider Vinegar for UTI Treatment: 10 Practical Ways
7. Chamomile Oil
How many times have you used chamomile oil to treat irritated and inflamed skin?
Once, twice, or many times?
And each time that you do, you experience great relief, don’t you?
So of course, the list won’t be complete without chamomile oil.
Chamomile has in fact been dubbed the “star among medicinal species” because of its wide array of pharmacological benefits [21].
Traditionally, it has been used as an anti-inflammatory agent, healing chronic skin diseases such as psoriasis [21].
Its ability to ameliorate inflammation has been established in scientific research [21].
As long as you follow the directions for the preparation and application of this oil, you won’t experience any unpleasant side effects.
Chamomile oil home remedy for psoriasis:
- Melt 2 teaspoons of petroleum jelly in a pot.
- Once melted, remove from heat.
- Mix 10 drops of chamomile oil
- Wait for it to cool.
- Apply the mixture to the skin after bathing.
RELATED: 14 Best Essential Oils For Eczema Cure
8. Thyme Oil
An aromatic herb that’s used widely for spicing up dishes, thyme is also known for its medicinal properties [22].
Thyme oil works as an antiseptic, antimicrobial, carminative, and antioxidant agent [22].
It has been a top choice among traditional healers for treating all sorts of infectious diseases.
Because of this, researchers have investigated its pharmacological effects, and have obtained positive results.
One of the discoveries is that thyme oil works well for people with psoriasis as its active compounds carvacrol and thymol are potent anti-inflammatory agents [23, 24].
Thyme oil bath for psoriasis symptoms:
- Pour 1 cup of magnesium flakes and 20 drops of thyme oil into your bathwater.
- Soak in the bath for 30 minutes.
- Use this remedy for bathing each day to get rid of psoriasis naturally.
9. Rosemary Oil
In folk medicine, rosemary oil is highly valued as a natural diuretic, expectorant, analgesic, and antispasmodic [25].
It plays an important role in fighting respiratory ailments, kidney infections, and painful conditions.
Various studies also show that it’s an effective solution for inflammation [26, 27, 28, 29].
It’s for this reason that psoriasis sufferers turn to this oil for comfort and relief.
Most of these trials are based on animal subjects, but to further establish rosemary oil as an effective and safe adjunct treatment for psoriasis, further studies on humans should be conducted.
What You’ll Need:
- 6 drops of rosemary oil
- 5 drops of lavender oil
- 2 drops of chamomile oil
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
Recommended Directions:
- Mix all the oils in a bowl.
- Pour the oil mixture into a glass jar with an airtight lid.
- Apply a thin layer on your skin after showering each day.
10. Jujube Oil
Jujube oil may not be as famous as the other essential oils mentioned previously, but it works just as well in managing psoriasis.
Findings of a 2010 study conducted in Korea showed that it successfully inhibited the “inflammatory responses of skin inflammation” [30].
Another study published in the South African Journal of Botany reported that the saponins and flavonoids in jujube oil successfully reduced paw edema in rats and pain in mice [31].
Researchers noted that the oil extracted from the root bark was more potent than the oil derived from the leaves [31].
So if you’re going to use jujube oil to alleviate psoriasis, see to it that you choose one that’s extracted from the root bark to enjoy more immediate results.
This oil can also be used for treating other skin infections that cause swelling and redness.
Recommended directions for using jujube oil for psoriasis:
- Combine 5 drops of jujube oil with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
- Mix well.
- Transfer the oil blend to an airtight glass jar.
- Pour a few drops on a cotton pad.
- Apply oil mixture on inflamed skin.
- Repeat every day after bathing.
11. Ginger Oil
How often do you use ginger oil in your cooking?
If you say all the time, then good for you, as this rhizome is replete with numerous benefits for the health.
Its oil extract, meanwhile, can be applied to the skin to treat skin irritation and inflammation.
This is why it’s also recommended for people who have psoriasis.
Many studies have been done to shed light on ginger’s effectiveness as a treatment for this condition [32, 33, 34, 35].
The phenolic compounds in ginger have been found to inhibit the direct binding of cells, which in turn, stops the body’s inflammatory process [35].
It’s also safe to use on inflamed skin as long as you dilute it first with a carrier oil.
All of these make ginger oil a must-try remedy for psoriasis, and also for other inflammation-related skin conditions.
How to use ginger oil for relieving psoriasis:
- Pour 5 drops of ginger oil and 1 teaspoon of olive oil into a bowl.
- Blend well.
- Use a cotton pad to apply the oil blend on inflamed skin.
- Do this every day after taking a bath.
RELATED: How To Use Ginger For Acne: 19 Effective Ways With Directions
Other Natural Oils for Psoriasis
1. Coconut Oil
coconut oil is a natural moisturizer. The popular oil contains essential fatty acids such as capric, lauric, and caprylic acids. Evidence suggests that coconut oil has potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects that may soothe skin inflammations and infections.
The oil can hold moisture in the skin and may soothe the irritation and itchiness of dry skin. The topical application of coconut oil may relieve the scalp’s psoriasis scaly patches and other symptoms. [37]
2. Argan Oil
Argan oil comes from the seeds of the Argania Spinosa tree. Since ancient times oil has been used for culinary and cosmetic purposes in the region of western North Africa.
The oil is a rich source of vitamin E and essential fatty acids that are beneficial for healthy skin. Clinical experiments on argan oil reveal that the oil has anti-aging and skin-hydrating effects.
A topical application of castor oil may reduce the symptoms of psoriasis. [38, 39, 40]
3. Castor Oil
scientific research claims that the major component of castor oil, ricinoleic acid has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Experts believe that these positive therapeutic effects of castor oil may be beneficial in alleviating psoriasis symptoms. [41]
The antibacterial qualities of the oil may help prevent the risk of a secondary bacterial skin infection. You may apply castor oil directly on the skin or dilute it with coconut oil as a home remedy for psoriasis.
4. Olive Oil
extra virgin olive oil is a good source of anti-inflammatory properties, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids. Olive oil can moisturize dry and dehydrated skin and help you loosen the psoriasis plaques on the elbow, scalp, or any other place of the skin. [36]
When to Talk to a Doctor
Remember, there isn’t a medical cure for psoriasis. If you experience the signs and symptoms of the skin disorder, you may consult a medical professional to deal with the condition better.
Sometimes doctors may prescribe some biological medications to relieve the symptoms.
However, these medications often cause serious side effects and it’s better to resort to some natural treatment options.
Bottom Line
Psoriasis is a persistent inflammatory skin disorder that you simply can’t ignore.
Since it’s a condition that you’ll have to live with forever, you have to make efforts in managing this condition.
You may use the above discussed essential and natural oils to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis and help you cope better.
READ NEXT: 10 Home Remedies for Psoriasis
