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Dermatology

Tamanu Oil: Can It Really Heal Psoriasis?

by Estella January 17, 2019

written by Estella

Despite the lack of scientific and clinical evidence pertaining to tamanu oil’s treatment of psoriasis, many people are still trying it. But can tamanu oil really treat psoriasis?

What is Tamanu Oil

Tamanu oil is a greenish oil extract that comes from Calophyllum inophyllum nuts, which grows in Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Polynesia. It can be bought from health food stores. The notion about its potential healing on people with psoriasis started years ago since those who practice traditional medicine used extracts from Calophyllum inophyllum tree to treat skin disorders and aid wound healing.

This oil has natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Apart from psoriasis, it is also used to treat sunburn, insomnia, herpes and hair loss.

With that, many believe that it can provide benefits for the skin. In fact, it is an ingredient in some cosmetic skin care products.

Can tamanu oil improve psoriasis?

Psoriasis, which is an inflammatory skin condition, has no cure. However, certain treatments can reduce inflammation and make the symptoms more manageable.

Although there are no scientific studies that tamanu oil can reduce psoriasis symptoms, there is some evidence that extracts from the Calophyllum inophyllum tree have anti-inflammatory properties.

What Research Say

Since tamanu oil is not well-known in areas outside of Southeast Asia, there are only a few research studies about it and its effects on psoriasis.

It has been traditionally used topically in Fiji to treat symptoms of arthritis. This manifest that it may be beneficial for people who live with psoriatic arthritis.

In 2017, a study was conducted which suggest that a compound called calophyllolide, found in extracts of this tree, have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects in mice. Meanwhile, a study conducted in 2012 showed that extracts from the leaves of this tree could reduce inflammation in cells.

Although these findings are interesting, the research is only small-scale and more research is needed to prove that tamanu oil can reduce inflammation in humans.

Tamanu oil has properties as a flare-up reducer and it can also be effective at treating the symptoms of other common skin conditions. It is high in fatty acids, particularly linoleic and oleic acid. According to Health Line, diets that are high in linoleic acid like those consumed in most parts of Africa, are also associated with lower rates of psoriasis.

The oil does have many natural healing properties. It’s thick and rich texture can help hold in moisture in the skin. But still, there is no concrete proof that it can cure or reduce the symptoms of psoriasis. It is important that you talk to your doctor or dermatologist before using tamanu oil to treat psoriasis symptoms.

Who Should Avoid It

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, herbal remedies may cause harmful side effects. There is also a possibility that it could interact with other medications. It is advised to avoid herbal remedies in the following cases:

pregnant women
nursing moms
those with preexisting medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure
infants and children

Others may think that it is okay to use it since its a natural oil. But it may not be right for everyone. People who are allergic to tree nuts may have an allergic reaction to it since it comes from Calophyllum inophyllum tree. It may cause skin irritation to some users. Those who find that using tamanu oil causes their inflammation to worsen or spread should avoid using it.

Other Uses of Tamanu Oil

Aside from several different types of fatty acid, tamanu oil also contain antibacterial compounds that can contribute to one’s skin health. These compounds are used in several cosmetic skin products like creams for skin regeneration, after-sun protection, soothing irritation, and anti-aging.

Tamanu oil can also be manufactured into biofuel. It has low emissions when burned similar to other plant-based oils.

January 17, 2019 0 comment

Dermatology Health & Wellness

Tips for Using Coconut Oil for Eczema

by Gerhard January 14, 2019

written by Gerhard

Most of us know coconut oil as an ingredient used in cooking, but did you know that it can be used to treat eczema as well? People who have used coconut oil have found that it has the ability to soothe their skin and can relieve symptoms of eczema such as dryness and itchiness.

Coconut oil can be used as a natural remedy for eczema.

Eczema is a skin condition that is characterized by redness of the skin and itchiness. It is common in children but can also affect adults as well. The condition is sometimes accompanied by bouts of asthma and hay fever. There is currently no cure for eczema, but there are options available that can help alleviate its symptoms.

In this article we are going to discuss how coconut oil works in providing relief for eczema. We will also discuss how one can use it.

Knowing More About Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is rich in a substance known as lauric acid, a fatty acid that can also be found in breast milk. It is also used as an ingredient for all kinds of natural remedies for a variety of skin conditions, including eczema. While it cannot cure this condition, it can smoothen your skin, relieve some of the itching and dryness, and lower the risk of infection.

Does Research Back It Up?

Eczema greatly reduces the skin’s ability to remain hydrated. A 2014 clinic trial found that applying virgin coconut oil on the skin of kids suffering from eczema may help improve skin hydration. The findings of a study done in 2018 revealed that coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help protect the skin.

Research conducted in 2013 also showed that coconut oil’s antioxidant properties can help in the treatment of skin conditions such as eczema. Lastly, a study in 2014 revealed that coconut oil has properties that can effectively reduce the presence of fungi, bacteria and viruses on the skin. This is a significant find because those with eczema tend to become more prone to skin infections.

Eczema can sometimes cause one’s skin to become cracked and bleed. Just even touching the broken skin can lead to a possible infection.

How to Use Coconut Oil for Treating Eczema

When stored in room temperature, coconut oil remains in a solid state, but it turns into liquid once it gets exposed to heat. It can be used either in its solid or liquid forms for treating eczema. If you want to use it as a solid, get a small scoop of coconut oil and rub it between your fingertips until it becomes soft.

Apply the now-softened coconut oil on the affected areas of your skin. Do this twice a day to get the best results. However, you can use the oil more often if your symptoms start to flare up. Continuing the use of coconut oil can prevent the symptoms from coming back or getting worse.

You can also apply some of the oil on your skin before going to bed if you feel that it starts to get dry during the morning. For those with eczema affecting their scalp, replace your conditioner with coconut oil instead. Apply it directly on the scalp and gently massage it while taking a bath. Leave the oil on your scalp for a few minutes before washing it away with some warm water.

January 14, 2019 0 comment

Dermatology Health & Wellness

The Benefits of the Keto Diet

by Gerhard January 12, 2019

written by Gerhard

There are many kinds of diets but in this article, we are going to discuss the keto diet. A keto diet is a ketogenic diet that is high on fat, low on carbs and has an adequate amount of proteins. The main goal of this diet is to get more calories from fat and proteins rather than from carbs. This diet works by reducing the stored sugar in your body which will begin to break down fat and protein for energy, and cause ketosis.

The Keto diet is high in protein and fats, and low on carbs.

One popular version of this diet is known as the Atkins Diet. This diet’s main goal is to help one lose weight by controlling insulin levels and avoid carbohydrates. In this diet you can eat as much protein and fats as you want.

Read on to know more about the benefits of the keto diet.

Helps You Lose Weight

Here’s one fact that you might not be aware of: it takes more effort to convert fat to energy than it takes for carbs to get turned to energy. It is for this reason that a keto diet can aid in weight loss. The diet also doesn’t leave you feeling hungry like other diets do because it is high in protein. In a study involving 13 different and random controlled trials, there were 5 outcomes that showed significant weight loss in the dieters.

Can Reduce Acne

Acne has many different causes, and one of them could be connected to your blood sugar and diet. Eating a diet with plenty of refined and processed carbs may alter the bacteria in your stomach and can cause significant fluctuations in your blood sugar, and both of these can have an effect on your skin. There, decreasing your intake of carbs via a keto diet may reduce your chances of getting acne in some cases.

May Reduce Risk of Cancer

The keto diet has been studied extensively recently for how it might be able to help people avoid the risk of certain cancers. One study found that the keto diet may actually be a good complementary treatment to radiation treatment and chemo. This is because the keto diet can cause cancer cells to have more oxidative stress than normal stress.

Other theories also suggest that since this diet can reduce blood sugar, it might also be able to reduce complications related to insulin which are associated with some forms of cancer.

Can Improve Heart Health

When you follow this diet in a healthy manner, there is some evidence which suggests that it can improve your heart health by lowering down cholesterol. Research has found that those following the keto diet had their “good” cholesterol levels (HDL) increase significantly while their “bad” cholesterol levels (LDL) went down significantly.

Can Potentially Reduce Seizures

Experts believe that a combination of fat, carbs and protein can alter the way our body utilizes energy which results in ketosis. Ketosis is defined as an increase in ketone bodies in our blood. This can also lead to a reduction of cases in people suffering from seizures. While the evidence on this is still inconclusive, it seems to have a great effect on kids with focal seizures.

January 12, 2019 0 comment

Canker sores heal themselves within a week.

Dermatology Health & Wellness

The Best Home Remedies for Canker Sores

by Gerhard January 11, 2019

written by Gerhard

Canker sores are very painful and quite irritating because of how sensitive they are. While they usually heal on their own within a week, there are some remedies that can speed up this process and lower down the discomfort that the sores are causing.

Canker sores are painful ulcers that form inside the mouth.

In addition to over-the-counter medications, people can also use home remedies to deal with canker sores and heal them up quickly. Continue reading to find out which remedies are the best when it comes to dealing with canker sores.

What Are Canker Sores?

Canker sores are small ulcers that form inside the mouth. They usually appear grey or white with reddish edges. They will usually appear around the soft parts of your mouth, such as the inside of your cheeks, the tongue, and inside the lips. The medical term for this condition is RAS or recurrent aphthous stomatitis, and they will appear in your mouth again and again as time goes on.

They aren’t contagious and gradually heal themselves in a week at most. They can either appear alone or in clusters, and measure no more than 1 cm in diameter. However, there are rarer and much severe forms of canker sores that are bigger, last for up to two weeks, and can cause scarring around the affected area as well.

Home Remedies for Canker Sores

Like we mentioned earlier, canker sores will heal on their own within a week or so, but if you want to get rid of them sooner, you can use any of the following remedies:

OTC (Over-the-Counter) Patch or Gel

You can find plenty of OTC gels or patches that can be applied directly to the ulcer. The gels help prevent the canker sore from getting irritated by any acidic or spicy foods, and also prevents them from being accidently touched.
Special bandages or patches are also applied on canker sores and protect them from becoming irritated or infected. They are made to stick inside the mouth and will help speed up the healing process.

Mouth Rinse

One can also use an OTC mouth rinse to clean the affected area and get relief from the pain and discomfort brought about by the ulcer. Make sure to only use a mouth rinse that has anti-sceptic properties to numb the inside of your mouth and prevent infections.

Salt Rinse

This one serves as a more natural alternative to the mouth rinse. The salt solution can also be effective in providing relief from the pain and discomfort brought about by canker sores. However, the salt rinse should not be used in place of medicated mouthwash when needed.

Vitamin B12 Supplements

This might seem like a very unusual option, but research has shown that vitamin B12 can reduce the pain caused by canker sores. In addition to this, taking vitamin B12 supplements can also lower down the number of outbreaks as well as the number of ulcers experienced by a person per month.

Chamomile Tea with Honey

Honey and chamomile have both been used for medical reasons for centuries. They have also been noted to help heal up canker sores by reducing pain and inflammation. However, the scientific evidence to back up this claim is still limited, so they should not be used as replacements for traditional medicine when dealing with canker sores.

Honey may contain anti-septic properties and it can be applied directly on your canker sores. It can be mixed with chamomile tea, which needs to be cooled off a bit before drinking. Chamomile on the other hand contains anti-inflammatory properties.

One can use chamomile tea as a remedy for canker sores by rinsing the mouth with it after it has been cooled off. You can also soak a chamomile tea bag in warm water and have it applied directly on the canker sore.

Yes, canker sores are a real pain – figuratively and literally – but they can be dealt with thanks to these simple, but effective home remedies.

January 11, 2019 0 comment

Dermatology

The Best Home Remedies for Itchy Scalps

by Gerhard January 10, 2019

written by Gerhard

An itchy scalp is not a fun thing to deal with because it can really put a damper on your day. Eczema, dandruff, psoriasis, and head lice are some of the most common causes of having an itchy scalp. Regardless of what is causing your scalp to itch, there are plenty of home remedies that provide you with relief from this condition.

There are various reasons for people getting itchy scalps.

People can simply use colloidal oatmeal, essential oils, and some over-the-counter (OTC) medication to relieve the itch. Those who have persistent itchy scalps that aren’t responding well to natural medications can benefit from using medicated shampoos.

In this article we are going to discuss some of the best OTC and natural home remedies that you can use to get some relief from itchy scalps.

Colloidal Oatmeal

Some of the anti-dandruff shampoos you see being sold in your local grocery stores contain colloidal oatmeal. This is finely ground oatmeal that has been dissolved in water. This solution is great because it can form an effective over your skin’s surface that prevents dryness and flaking and can also lock in moisture.

Colloidal oatmeal also has exceptional anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can both alleviate various skin problems, including itchy scalps.

Here’s how you can make your own colloidal oatmeal right at home:

Get a handful of oats and wrap them in a muslin cloth;
After wrapping the oats, hold the cloth beneath a faucet of running lukewarm water and collect the run-offs in a jar or jug;
Gently pour the oatmeal water evenly all over your scalp.

Colloidal oatmeal can also be bought from your local health stores and online shops.

Warm Olive Oil

Warm olive oil does wonders for itchy scalps as it can help loosen and soften itchy scales and crusts on your skin’s surface. To use this remedy, you will first need to warm up some olive oil in your hands and then massage it gently across your scalp.

Leave the oil on your scalp for several hours and then wash it out using a medicated shampoo such as salcylic acid or tar.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil has anti-inflammatory properties that make it effective in providing you with some relief from an itchy scalp. This is because menthol has a natural cooling effect on the skin which can be quite helpful in dealing with the itching caused by skin allergies.

A study from 2012 also revealed that peppermint oil revealed that peppermint oil suspended in sesame oil was effective in reducing itchiness after being used for 2 weeks straight. The effects were found to be more effective than that of placebo.

Like with other essential oils, peppermint oil must not be applied directly onto the skin. Instead, people should apply a couple of drops of oil to their shampoo and rinse it thoroughly using lukewarm water.

This oil can be purchased online or through various retailers.

Itchy scalps can be quite a pain, but using these home remedies should help give you some relief.

January 10, 2019 0 comment