Curcumin - moving forward

[nesielheum]

Here is a closing statement from the Sept 2005 article: Spice shows promise as powerful skin disease treatment.
"At this point, Dr. Heng says, there is plenty of preclinical anecdotal evidence showing curcumin's benefits and that it is safe; clinical data is now needed to make the spice a part of mainstream treatment." The full article can be found here >>>Spice shows promise as powerful skin disease treatment<<< (http://www.dermatologytimes.com/dermatologytimes/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=178388)
Another example of how traditional practitioners are exploring and testing alternative methods for the benefit of us all. This is a discussion topic that may be worth brining up during the next visit to your dermatologist.

[RichJ]

hi tim,
thank you for sharing that. it was very intersting. i need to do things better

have a good night my friend

richard

[Dulane]

Aren't herbs great?
:)

[Radbert]

My Dad and I have been taking curcumin capsules (with Bioperine) with great success over the past couple of months. Hasn't elimated the P, but alleviates it considerably for both of us (i.e. little or no flaking now).

I'm going to try and make my own Psoria-Gold (curcumin) cream tonight by mixing the powder with Glaxo-base. See if that can give a knock-out punch. Hope I don't turn too yellow! :D

[Radbert]

Found this and thought it was interesting.
They are currently recruiting patients.

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00235625

[Dulane]

This looks very interesting! People who are eligible should jump at this chance!

I don't qualify as my P isn't that bad anymore.

Good find, Radbert!

[ARL]

Radbert,,,thanks for the link,,,hopefully some people might be interested...I'm also clear,,,not from using any drugs or steriod ointments.

Dulane,,,,this was interesting.... so obviously as we all agree,,,this factor can complicate a study.

History of alcohol or drug abuse within 12 months of screening visit

[soloist]

When I first visited this site, I had just been discharged from a very troubling hospital stay because of psoriasis. I was determined to find alternative direction to my healing. The dermatologist emphatically advised that I take steroids "for the rest of my life". In my follow up visits, as I started to read more about other ways to combat psoriasis, I mentioned turmeric to her. She knew nothing about turmeric (curcumin), and consequently, the discussion returned to drugs. I suppose when the patent is on the turmeric-inspired drug, she will be educated by the drug salesman.

I didn't take the steroids. Instead, I tried herbs, supplements, good nutrition and regular exercise. It was when I started to take turmeric that the psoriasis abated, and has never really returned with its former intensity. I stuff the gelatin capsules myself with organically grown turmeric powder. (Sally tracked down a little gizmo to fill capsules.) Sometimes, when my skin gets itchy and red, I start taking the turmeric capsules again and after a few weeks, it calms down again. I have never had a recurrence as bad as before I started the herbs. In fact, the worst outbreaks were usually when I stopped using the steroids and got horrible rebounding of psoriasis, a predictable condition which occurs on stopping any drugs. Also, for topical application, I found that oatmeal gives instant relief, or any product containing oatmeal.

So as far as going to your dermatologist for advice on herbals, forget it. You would be far better served if you just see a Naturopathic Doctor or a Phytotherapist or Herbalist, or start reading on your own and trying these things out. Turmeric is the main ingredient in curry, and has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. I doubt if anyone could find ill effects from taking it.

[Dulane]

Marie,

How much do you take of the spice turmeric? I do 3 "00" capsules morning and evening.

It does help with my PA, too. If the PA is acting up, I take turmeric 3x per day.

I find the curcumin to be about 3x stronger than the turmeric. However, I bought the turmeric in bulk, and I am going to use it up.

I love it on fish, too.

[soloist]

Hi Dulane:

I take 4 "00" capsules daily, in two doses. But I have taken as much as 6 capsules daily when I was starting to flare. I tend to take more in the early stages of a flare-up, when the skin is still just red and itchy. This usually goes on for about a month, and then the skin, which may have erupted into minor plaques, starts to return to normal. I've never cooked with turmeric, because I am not an interested cook, so if you can give me a recipe with a lot of turmeric, sort of like "Cooking for Dummies" level, I would very much appreciate it.

[Dulane]

No Marie,

I don't have any great recipes. I love curries, but I only eat them when I eat out now, since I was told not to eat them (at all) on my elimination diet.

I have to say, I haven't reacted to the curries when I've eaten out. It is probably the spicy part of the curries that are the problem, and I always ask for 2 stars now. :eek:

Now I'm gonna have to experiment and figure this out. One of my favorite curries is just curried chicken on red beans and rice. (I'll switch to another bean, maybe even lentils, since my allergy test showed that I'm allergic to kidney beans!) I'll try that and see if my finger swells up. And I'll use coconut creme for the sauce. Ohhh now I can't wait for dinner!

[npf_reader]

Thank you Radbert. I called the University of Pensylvania for the clinical trial . But I am from out of state. However , study cordinator agreed to send me consent form and other material . She said that she is going to follow up with the study doctor. Looks like assessment could be a problem because of long distance. Hopefully I will get a chance to participate.

[Psoriasis Princess]

I've been taking curcumin for about 2 weeks in combination with the SE and american saffron teas. I have significantly less itching and no new spots. I only take one 500mg pill of curcumin but I think I'm going to up that to twice a day to see if I can boost results.

The good news is that I'm heading into winter with no new breakouts.