Herbs and herbal teas have been used for healing since the dawn of human history, and most of our modern drugs are still derived from plants, Our medicines today typically come in capsule form, carefully measured and attractively packaged, but they still have their origins in nature.
Commercial teas often contain caffeine, theobromine, and tannin, all of which are potentially harmful to the body. Taken at high potencies or in large quantities, they can lead to nervousness, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, and disruption of blood-sugar levels, In contrast, most herbal teas do not contain these potentially harmful ingredients, and some of these teas are very helpful in clearing psoriasis. Five specific herbs are recommended for this purpose. These herbs are
(1) American yellow saffron,
(2) slippery elm (in the form of ground bark powder or as capsules or lozenges),
(3) chamomile,
(4) mullein, and
(5) watermelon seed tea.
Oolong tea has been recommended by some dermatologists for relief in cases of eczema. A study of more than a hundred patients reported in the Archives of Dermatology (Ianuary 2001) showed that drinking a liter of oolong tea daily could markedly decrease inflammation and itching.
You should show persistance in taking the herbal teas as directed, and to have confidence that by doing so, they will be taking a major step in the alleviation of psoriasis.
Saffron Tea
The saffron called for in cases of psoriasis is the American yellow saffron (Carthamus tinctoriur), not the “true” or Spanish saffron (Crocus sativus), which is grown not only in Spain but also in western Asia, France, Austria, and Iran. Because of its expense, it is seldom used except for certain medicinal purposes and (primarily) as a flavoring in certain dishes.
American yellow saffron, often substituted for the Spanish variety, is produced mostly in the United States, England, and the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. For the psoriatic, it is better than the Spanish saffron and only one-tenth of the price. Saffron tea is the kind most frequently prescribed for a variety of ailments, not just psoriasis. The major ailments for which saffron tea is considered beneficial include psoriasis, lacerations, eliminations, incoordination of assimilations and eliminations, toxemia, and ulcers. From this list we can safely assume that saffron acts on the stomach and intestines and helps alleviate skin ailments caused by a malfunction in the alimentary canal.
Note that slippery elm and American yellow saffron herbal teas are not recommended for women who are pregnant or who expect to become pregnant, as they have been implicated in causing miscarriage, but only in rare cases.
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Place about a quarter teaspoon of saffron tea in a cup, then pour boiling water over it and stir. Cool, strain, and drink. This should be made fresh each time it is taken. Note that saffron tea is best taken at night, just before retiring. Some patients report that they enjoy having a few cups during the day as well. The most beneficial effects of the tea are that it flushes out the liver and kidneys, increases perspiration, and promotes healing of intestinal lesions. Saffron tea has also been called an intestinal antiseptic. It should be regarded as a valuable part of the therapeutic regimen. This tea is to be taken consistently until the skin is clear, or at least five days a week, and then periodically to keep the “passageways” cleansed for proper elimination.
Saffron water is a variant of saffron tea that can be helpful in severe cases of psoriasis. The idea is to have some saffron in all of the patient’s drinking water. Although saffron water is not as concentrated as the tea, its cleansing effect is without equal.
To make saffron water, boil one gallon of pure water and add one teaspoon of American yellow saffron tea; allow the mixture to steep for twenty minutes. This will be just enough to give the water a yellowish tinge. When the water cools, strain it and pour it into a glass or porcelain container or the original gallon jug the water came in, and refrigerate. This is to be used as drinking water whenever desired. At least two to four glasses of saffron water a day is recommended. This may be considered part of the suggested daily intake of six to eight glasses of drinking water. In time, the cleansing effect of the saffron water will bring about beneficial results, provided all other rules of the regimen are followed.
In the event that swelling occurs in the ankles and lower legs, cut water consumption (including saffron water) in half, as this condition indicates water retention from consuming too much liquid. If this happens, consult a medical doctor about the use of a diuretic to relieve the swelling.
Occasionally, you may develop the sensation of needing to urinate even when the bladder has recently been emptied. This can be attributed to the cleansing effect of the saffron tea. After a period of time, in flushing out the kidneys, the tea causes a constant flow of urine into the bladder. The person begins urinating more often than he or she is used to, causing the inner lining of the bladder to wear down somewhat, especially in the area of the sphincter trigone at the bottom of the bladder. This, in turn, causes stimulation of the stretch fibers, giving the sensation that you have to urinate even when it is not necessary. If this occurs, stop drinking the tea until the sensation passes. Saffron vapor can be useful in dealing with psoriasis on the face.
Although the condition appears less frequently on the face and the hands, there are many cases in which psoriasis breaks out in these areas. This can cause considerable anxiety in the patient because these areas are highly visible. Exposure of the head and hands to the rays of the sun undoubtedly helps keep these areas relatively clear of the lesions, but when this is not enough, some of my patients have succeeded in clearing facial psoriasis by steeping some saffron or chamomile tea in a basin of hot water, then placing a towel over the head and leaning over the basin, allowing the steam to gently stimulate the skin.
Slippery Elm Bark Tea
The Chinese have long enjoyed the many benefits of slippery elm. They consider it one of nature’s most excellent demulcents and nurritives and employ it for its ability to absorb foul gases in the body; for its gentle, soothing action in cases of enteritis (inflammation of the intestinal tract) and colitis (inflammation of the large bowel); and because its soothing, mucilaginous nature makes bowel evacuation easier and more effective.
From these accounts, as well as the Chinese influence, we can conclude that the slippery elm acts as a protective coating along the inner lining of the upper and lower intestinal tract. Not only can this prevent seepage of toxins, it also helps in healing the thin, porous intestinal walls and aids in evacuation.
Preparation of Slippery Elm Bark Tea
Place about a quarter to one-half of a teaspoon of slippery elm bark powder in a cup of warm water. Stir and let stand about fifteen minutes before drinking. Do not let it stand beyond thirty minutes, as it may become rancid. This mixture is taken in the early morning, at least one-half hour before breakfast. if possible, fat the first ten days of the regimen. It is then reduced to every other day, except in severe cases, until the skin condition clears. Most people have no problem swallowing the slippery elm drink, but if it is difficult to get down, adding ice to the mixture may help.
Slippery elm bark is also available and may be chewed. For some people this is no problem; most find it not only difficult to do, but unsightly as well. A more palatable and convenient alternative is to purchase Thayer’s Slippery Elm Lozenges in a health food store or a well-supplied drugstore. Taking a few of these a day usually serves the same purpose. The importance of taking saffron and slippery elm, especially in severe or stubborn cases of psoriasis, cannot be overemphasized. These herbal teas affect the gastric flow throughout the stomach and stimulate the walls of the intestinal tract to bring about healing of the distressed areas.
Remember, our approach to alleviating psoriasis is primarily based on diet, healing the intestinal walls, and ensuring adequate evacuation. Slippery elm bark powder, as a tea or a chewable lozenge, taken regularly, is a vital part of this healing process, and I consider it mandatory, with one important exception: as noted previously, women who are pregnant or who expect to become pregnant should avoid both slippery elm and American yellow saffron teas, as they may cause miscarriage.
A most important factor about these herbal teas is that they are not to be taken too close to each other; that is, there should bea lapse of eight to ten hours between taking the slippery elm and the saffron tea.
Note: If desired, reverse the order in which saffron tea and slippery elm are taken. In other words, the saffron may be taken in the morning and the slippery elm at night. This may be done to accommodate the work schedule. Remember, they are nor to be taken too close to each other, as this would nullify their effects. The slippery elm coats the compromised intestinal wall, helping it to heal, whereas the saffron tea flushes out the liver, the kidneys, and the alimentary canal.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile (Anthernis nobilis) tea, one of the oldest and best-known home remedies, grows abundantly almost everywhere. Most health food stores are well supplied with this tea, Chamomile tea may be used as an occasionalalternate to saffron, because it is believed that the two herbs work similarly on the body.
Numerous benefits have been attributed to chamomile, including the alleviation of kidney, bronchial, and bladder problems and, when chamomile and bittersweet are combined as an ointment, even bruises and sprains, The most widely recognized use of chamomile by herbalists, however, is as a tonic for the body. It is also one of the most aromatic and pleasant-tasting teas available.
As mentioned earlier, some of my patients with psoriatic lesions on their faces were pleasantly surprised with good results when they steeped saffron and allowed the gentle fumes to rise up, engulfing the face. Using chamomile in the same fashion has also been met with a measure of success. Although chamomile tea is often recommended, saffron tea should be taken more frequently. Chamomile tea should be prepared in the same way as saffron tea. Caution: Drinking chamomile tea is not. advised if the patient has a ragweed allergy.
Mullein Tea
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is the fourth herbal tea specifically suggested for psoriasis. Fresh leaves for the making of tea are preferred, if available. If they are not available, dried leaves will do. The drinking of mullein tea should begin after slippery elm tea has been taken for about ten days.
Preparation of Mullein Tea
Crumble or crush a teaspoon of mullein leaves and place in a cup. Pour a pint of boiling water over it, and allow it to steep for thirty minutes.
Strain, cool, and drink, not necessarily 3,11 at once, but over the course of three or four hours. Note that in the case of mullein tea, a full teaspoon should be used and the brew should stand for thirty minutes before drinking. It should also be noted that mullein and, in fact, all the dried herbs for making the teas discussed in this chapter should always be stored in the refrigerator. If they aren’t, they may become buggy, especially in the summer, even if packaged properly.
Watermelon Seed Tea
Watermelon (Citrtdlus vulgaris) seed tea has been known for its effectiveness as a diuretic and has been credited with helping remedy bladder infections for centuries, I suggest this tea to my patients as a substitute for saffron, to aid in flushing out the urinary system. Watermelon seed tea is available commercially in the form of loose tea or in tea bags,
Preparation of Watermelon Seed Tea
Two tablespoons of the tea are boiled for five minutes in a pint of water. This mixture is then covered and allowed to stand until cool before drinking. One cup taken three or four times a day is suggested.
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