Volcanic Earth coming to (GCS) GotClearSkin.com!
It is through the use of real volcanic ash that Volcanic Earth seeks to harness and incorporate the earth’s energy into its flagship all natural "Elementals" skin care range and its unique "Ash Clothing" range.
Elementals
This exotic line of natural, organic skin products utilizes the sensuous scents of pure Frangipani, Vanilla and Sandalwood, along with our certified organic Cocoa Butter and the highly prized, anti-aging benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil and the Oil of Tamanu. Real volcanic ash is used as a gentle, purifying and cleansing exfoliant throughout this entire, macrobiotic range.
The “Elementals” Ranges
“Unpredictable” – A unique blend of sensuous Frangipani and Vanilla pure essential oils to invigorate your body, uplift your spirits and stimulate your sensual energies. “Eruptable” – Incorporating Sandalwood with Frangipani and Vanilla essential oils for beautiful, healthy skin - stimulates vitality & inner strength. A natural aphrodisiac.
“CocoVan” – A beautiful combination of Vanilla, Virgin Coconut Oil and Lime to soften and heal damaged skin, reduce the effects of aging and soothe emotional tension.
“Tropical First Aid” – Traditional Melanesian skin care treatments based on the healing qualities of the Sacred Oil of Tamanu, pure Virgin Coconut Oil and volcanic ash.
Healing With The Sacred Oil of Tamanu
Enjoy the esteemed ancient qualities of our pure Tamanu Oil which is renowned in the South Pacific for healing and as a natural sun block. Blended with our certified organic Cocoa Butter, Paw Paw and Virgin Coconut Oil.
FACT SHEET ON TAMANU OIL
The Endless Skin Care Benefits of Tamanu Oil Are Ancient, Traditional and Unbelievably Fabulous. The Leaf and fruit of the Tamanu Tree
The benefits of this fabulous oil seem to be endless. In fact, there appears to be a complete absence of any negative consequences. Tamanu Oil (or “Green Gold” as it is sometimes known) has been one of the best kept skin care secrets of all time.
Although indigenous Melanesian and Polynesian communities discovered this mind-blowing, natural skin care remedy many centuries ago, it is only in recent times that Tamanu Oil has begun to attract serious attention from the beauty industry. Volcanic Earth's efforts in promoting pure Vanuatu Tamanu Oil in the global marketplace, via our international resellers and Tropical First Aid range, may well have contributed to this development in some small way - at least our sales figures seem to reflect this.
One thing that is clear is that Tamanu Oil is at the cutting edge of a new wave of emerging skin care products. Below I will attempt to explain precisely why this is the case.
How Tamanu Oil Is Produced
The Tamanu tree only bears fruit once a year and the fruit itself is inedible. However, inside the fruit is a pale-coloured nut kernel. When this nut kernel is dried (which takes 1-2 months), it turns a deep, chocolate brown and releases a sticky, rich oil. These days, the oil is often extracted from the nut kernels using some form of mechanical cold press. The resulting Tamanu Oil is a rich, luxurious, greenish-amber colour. It is non-toxic and devoid of any chemical additives.
The Healing Benefits Of Tamanu Oil
Tamanu Oil is made from the nut kernels of the Tamanu Tree. While the tree itself does grow inland, it prefers salty, sandy soil, with the result that it tends to grow profusely near the sea. The native Ni
Vanuatu people claim that the best Tamanu Oil comes from the trees that grow near coastal areas, rather than from those that grow inland.
The ability of Tamanu Oil to heal the skin surpasses that of most, if not all, modern day skin care products. Scientific studies show that Tamanu Oil is a significant healing agent because of its ability to produce new skin tissue and because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-neuralgic, antibiotic and antioxidant properties.
While Tamanu Oil can be used effectively to treat a range of infections including ring worm, athlete’s foot, itching and dermaphytosis of the scalp or beard (due to the presence of Friedelin) and infected wounds and burns (due to the anti-bacterial presence of Canophyllol and the antibiotic presence of lactone), it is its cicatrizing capacity that sets it apart.
Dried Tamanu Nuts
Cicatrization is the process involved in the formation of new tissue. Consequently, Tamanu Oil is amazingly effective for the treatment of everything from acne and acne scars, scarring generally, stretch marks, diabetic sores, psoriasis, sunburn, blisters, abrasions, burns, cuts, eczema, herpes sores, insect bites and stings, fissures, dry or scaly skin and my personal favourite – the reduction or complete removal of unsightly age spots.
Tamanu Oil is also a natural deodorant and this is why it is used for the reduction of foot and/or body odour. The natural anti-inflammatory qualities of the oil also produce significant pain-relieving properties (due in part to the presence of Phenyl Coumarin Calophyllolide and various xanthones in the oil). It is this anti-inflammatory quality that is primarily responsible for the reduction of general swelling, rashes, sores, and abrasions.
Sometimes referred to as “Green Gold” or the Sacred Oil of Tamanu, this oil also possesses analgesic properties that help rid the body of pain extremely fast – this is especially so when it comes to conditions such as neuralgia, sciatica, shingles and rheumatism. The combination of the oil’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities can be particularly beneficial in the case of pulled muscles, ligament damage and sprains.
Tamanu Oil can be applied to the surface of the skin to promote healthy, blemish-free skin. Many Ni Vanuatu women apply use it on babies to prevent nappy rash. It may be applied to treat a variety of skin irritations, including those caused by warts, allergies or skin ulcers. Tamanu Oil has proved successful in the treatment of severe skin conditions, including a gangrenous leg ulcer.
Some of the other skin care benefits of this tropical first aid remedy include the treatment of dermatitis, chemical burns, skin grafts, post surgical wounds, vaginitis, chilblains – just to name a few.
One of the most important features of Tamanu Oil is its ability to penetrate all three layers of the skin – i.e. the Epidermis, Dermis and Hypodermis. Apart from all its other qualities, this fact goes a long way towards explaining why Tamanu Oil can do what it does.
Not surprisingly, this wonderful oil can even be used to treat animals such as dogs and cats.
How To Use Tamanu Oil
Tamanu Oil is non-greasy and readily absorbed into the skin. As the oil is so effective, a little goes a long way. Our handy Tamanu Oil 12ml Roll On is an ideal applicator. Better still, it’s refillable so once you have the roll-on, you can simply buy our 50ml bottle of Tamanu Oil and refill it.
Simply roll the oil onto the affected area. Initially, it’s a good idea to apply the oil 3-5 times a day and then cut back as the problem begins to heal. This is another reason why our little Roll-On is so handy, as it will easily fit into most purses/handbags or trouser/shirt pockets.
Although we are not aware of any documented reports of adverse effects due to application of Tamanu Oil, care may need to be taken if you are allergic to nuts. The Oil of Tamanu is an all-natural product that is clearly very versatile and effective. It can be applied directly to the skin and is suitable for treating a wide range of skin conditions.
Effect On Environment
It is only after the fruit of the Tamanu Tree have fallen to the ground naturally that the nuts are collected and dried. Consequently, there is no negative impact on the trees themselves. The harvesting of the nuts and the subsequent cold pressing into Tamanu Oil is a sustainable source of income for the native Ni Vanuatu in a largely non-cash economy. This income is much needed to pay for their children’s schooling and basic necessities such as rice.
Limitations
Bearing in mind that Tamanu Oil is made from nuts, it is strongly recommended that anyone with an allergy to nuts consult their doctor, as appropriate.
Apart from this precaution, there are no known adverse effects.
So, get yourself some Tamanu Oil TODAY - Just make sure it's pure Tamanu Oil and that it is not mixed with some lesser, inferior oil. Pure Tamanu Oil and Tamanu Oil-based skin products can be found in our Tropical First Aid range.
VIRGIN COCONUT OIL FACT SHEET
About Coconut Oils I bet you don’t know there is a difference!
Note: Volcanic Earth only uses virgin coconut oil in all its products. The coconuts are organically grown in Vanuatu and no artificial chemicals, additives or preservatives of any kind are used in its production. In fact it is made traditionally, the same way as the islanders have made it for centuries. This does make our coconut oil more expensive as other companies use coconut oil made by the copra method, which produces more oil (see below for a definition of copra method) but chemicals must be used in the purification process.
Virgin Coconut Oil can only be achieved by using fresh coconut meat and milk or what is called the non-copra method.
What is the difference between coconut oils?
Most commercial grade coconut oils are made from copra. Copra is basically the dried meat of the coconut. It can be made by smoke drying, sun drying, or kiln drying, or derivatives or a combination of these three. If standard copra is used as a starting material, the unrefined coconut oil extracted from copra is not suitable for consumption and must be purified - i.e. refined. This is because the way most copra is dried is very unsanitary. Most of the copra is dried under the sun in the open air, where it is exposed to insects and moulds. The standard end product made from copra is RBD coconut oil. RBD stands for refined, bleached, and deodorized. Both high heat and chemicals (e.g. solvent extractions) are used in this method.
RBD oil is also often hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated. Hydrogenated oils have been shown to increase serum cholesterol levels, which contribute to heart disease.
One of the main differences between Virgin Coconut oil and refined coconut oils is the scent and taste. All Virgin Coconut Oils retain a distinct fragrance and taste of coconuts, whereas the copra-based refined coconut oils have no taste or fragrance at all due to the refining process.
Why Virgin Coconut Oil is arguably the best type of oil to use on your skin?
The answer is free radicals
Most commercial creams and lotions are predominantly water. Their moisture is quickly absorbed into dry, wrinkled skin. As the water enters the skin, it expands the tissues, like filling a balloon with water, so that wrinkles fade away and the skin feels smoother. But this is only temporary. As soon as the water evaporates or is carried away by the blood stream, the dry, wrinkled skin returns.
As we age, connective tissue fibers are continually subjected to free-radical attack, which breaks them down. As a result, connective tissues become hardened and lose both elasticity and strength. The skin loses its ability to hold itself together and begins to sag and become wrinkled. Once young, soft and smooth the skin turns dry and leathery. Once a free-radical reaction is started it can cause a chain reaction that produces more free radicals, which ultimately damages thousands of molecules. The only way our body has to fight them is with antioxidants. When a free radical comes into contact with an antioxidant, the chain reaction is stopped. For this reason, it is good to have plenty of antioxidants in our cells and tissues to protect us.
Virgin Coconut Oil is especially useful in fighting free radicals, as it is unrefined and hasn't been stripped of any of its natural components through the refining process. Conventional body care products that are made with refined vegetable oils which have all the antioxidants stripped from them are highly prone to free-radical generation both in and outside the body. This is also the reason why you should be careful about the type of oils you use on your skin, and in your lotions, creams and lip balms. If you use a lotion, or cream with a refined oil in it you are in fact causing your skin to age faster. The lotion, though it may bring temporary improvement will actually accelerate the aging of the skin and even promote skin cancer through the free radicals that are readily formed from the refined vegetable oil. Conventional body care products that are made with refined vegetable oils which have all the antioxidants stripped from them are highly prone to free-radical generation both in and outside the body. That is why eating processed vegetable oils can cause a deficiency in vitamin E and other antioxidants. The antioxidants are used up fighting off free radicals causing permanent damage to connective tissues. This is also the reason why you should be careful about the type of oils you use on your skin, and in your lotions, creams and lip balms. If you use a lotion, or cream with a refined oil in it you are in fact causing your skin to age faster. The lotion, though it may bring temporary improvement, will actually accelerate the aging of the skin and even promote skin cancer through the free radicals that are readily formed from the refined vegetable oil.
One of the classic signs of old age is the appearance of brown, freckle-like spots or liver spots. It is a sign of free-radical deterioration of the lipids (fats) in our skin, thus the name lipofuscin. Oxidation of polyunsaturated fats and protein by free radical activity in the skin is recognized as the major cause of liver spots. Liver spots don't ordinarily hurt or show any signs of discomfort. If we couldn't see them we wouldn't even know they were there. But they do affect our health and our appearance. Because cells cannot dispose of the lipofuscin pigment, it gradually accumulates within many cells of the body as we age. Once lipofuscin pigment develops, it tends to stick around for life, but you can prevent further oscitation and perhaps even reduce the spots you already have by using the right kind of oils in your diet and on your skin.
The ideal lotion is one that is made from oil that softens the skin, but also protects it against damage, promoting healing and giving the skin a more youthful, healthy appearance. Coconut oil fits that description. Pure virgin coconut oil is the best natural ingredient for skin lotion available. It prevents destructive free-radical formation and provides protection against them. It can help to keep the skin from developing liver spots, and other blemishes caused by aging and over exposure to sunlight. It helps to keep connective tissues strong and supple so that the skin doesn't sag and wrinkle. In some cases it might even restore damaged or diseased skin. The oil is absorbed into the skin and into the cell structure of the connective tissues, limiting the damage excessive sun exposure can cause.
Coconut oil will not only bring temporary relief to the skin, but it will aid in healing and repairing. It will have lasting benefits, unlike most lotions. It can help bring back a youthful appearance. The coconut oil will aid in removing the outer layer of dead skin cells, making the skin smoother. The skin will become more evenly textured with a healthy "shine". While doing this, the coconut oil will penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and strengthen the underlying tissues.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF VOLCANIC ASH
Volcanic ash has been used for centuries by the native Melanesians and Polynesians for the treatment of a wide variety of infections due to its anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-yeast and overall disinfectant qualities. The ash is high in Sulphur, an active Mineral ingredient which not only helps the body to resist bacteria but actually destroy it. Sulphur exists in your haemoglobin and connective body tissue: -
to disinfect the blood;
stimulate bile secretion;
aid the oxidation reactions in the body
protect the protoplasm of cells; and
for the synthesis of Collagen (one of the main proteins needed for the structural integrity of your skin).
Sulphur slows down the aging process because of its ability to protect against the toxic effects of pollution and radiation. It is part of the chemical structure of the amino acids glutathione, taurine, cysteine, and methionine.
Volcanic ash particles are finely crushed and may be as small as 1/1,000th of an inch (or 0.025mm). The ash does not dissolve in water and so makes for a fantastic, mild exfoliant. We also use volcanic ash in our foot scrubs and body scrubs because of its purification and cleaning qualities.
Sulphur is also FDA-approved for the treatment of acne.
INGREDIENTS LIST
The COCOVAN Range - An alluring combination of anti-aging Virgin Coconut Oil, sensual Vanilla and Lime.
Coconut Lime Vanilla Body Gloss (Moisturizer/Massage Creme) - A delicious blend of Coconut milk, certified organic cocoa Butter and Vanuatu’s pure Virgin Coconut Oil, fragranced with pure Vanilla and Lime.
Exotic Island Mister (135ml) - Fragrance - Coconut and pure Vanuatu Vanilla, Lime essential oil and alcohol.
Exotic Island Mister (8 ml Spray On) – as above.
Coconut Ash Scrub (Body Scrub) - Pure water, Volcanic Ash, certified organic Cocoa Butter, Virgin Coconut Oil, Corn Starch, Palm Oil, Emulsifying Wax (from palm), Citrus Seed Extract, Fragrance -Coconut, Lime and Vanilla.
Coconut Ash Scrub (Sealed Plastic bag - 35ml) – as above.
Mineral Explosion (Bath Salt) - Bicarbonate Soda, Citric Acid, Mineral Clay, Coconut & Vanilla Extracts.
Coconut Ice Bomb (Moisturizing Bath Bomb) - Bicarbonate Soda, Citric Acid, Cocoa Butter, Desiccated Coconut, Coconut & Vanilla Extracts.
CocoVan Virgin Coconut Oil -135ml (Scented with Vanilla & Lime) -Vanuatu pure Virgin Coconut Oil and fragrance - Vanuatu Vanilla and Lime essential oil.
CocoVan Virgin Coconut Oil -50ml (Scented with Vanilla & Lime) – as above.
Virgin Coconut Oil (Sealed Plastic bag - 35ml) – Vanuatu pure, Virgin Coconut Oil.
CocoVan Moisturizer (Coconut and Vanilla) (135 ml) - Vanuatu’s pure, Virgin Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Emulsifying Wax (from palm), Citrus Seed Extract, Pure Water, Vanilla Extract & Fragrance.
CocoVan Moisturizer (Coconut and Vanilla) (Sealed Plastic bag - 35ml) – as above.
Volcanic Butt Buffer (Body Scrub) - Pure Water, Pure Soap, certified organic Cocoa Butter, Freshly Squeezed Limes, Volcanic Ash, Mineral Clay, Vanilla Extract and Fragrance.
Erupt Foot Scrub - Pure Soap, certified organic Cocoa Butter, Vanilla Stick, Pure Water, Freshly Squeezed Limes, Pumice Ash, Organic Coffee, Lime Essential Oil, Vanilla Extract.
The UNPREDICTABLE Range - An exotic combination of unique blends of sensuous Frangipani and Vanilla pure essential oils for women.
Explosive Cloud (Refreshing Mister - 135ml) - Pure Vanuatu water, alcohol and our Unpredictable blend of 100% pure essential oils - Frangipani, Vanilla, Neroli, Bergamot, Cedarwood & Jasmine.
Lava Flow ( Moisturizer - 135ml) - Pure Water, Palm Oil, Citrus Seed Extract, Emulsifying Wax (from palm), Virgin Coconut Oil and our Unpredictable blend of 100% pure essential oils - Frangipani, Vanilla, Neroli, Bergamot, Cedarwood & Jasmine.
Active Ash (Body Scrub) - Pure water, certified organic Cocoa Butter, Volcanic Ash, Corn Starch, Palm Oil, Citrus Seed Extract, Emulsifying Wax (from palm), Virgin Coconut Oil and Unpredictable’s blend 100% pure essential oils.- Frangipani, Vanilla, Neroli, Bergamot, Cedarwood and Jasmine.
Volcanic Woman Anti-aging Massage Crème – Unpredictable’s blend of 100% pure essential oils.- Frangipani, Vanilla, Neroli, Bergamot, Cedarwood,Jasmine; certified organic Cocoa Butter & Pure Virgin Coconut Oil.
Unpredictable Perfume - The Unpredictable blend of 100% pure essential oils of Frangipani, Vanilla, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Jasmine Neroli, alcohol & pure Vanuatu water. The ERUPTABLE Range - A blend of Vanuatu’s unique scents of Sandalwood, Frangipani and Vanilla essential oils, coupled with Vanuatu's purist Virgin Coconut Oil and our certified organic Cocoa Butter, for men.
Explosive Mist (Aftershave/ Body Spray) - Vegetable Glycerine, Pure Vanuatu water, Alcohol, and Eruptable’s blend of 100% pure essential oils of Sandalwood, Bergamot, Frangipani & Vanilla.
Lava Smooth Anti-aging Moisturizer for Men - Vanuatu’s pure, Virgin Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Emulsifying Wax (from palm), Citrus Seed Extract, Pure Water, and our Eruptable blend of 100% pure essential oils - Sandalwood, Frangipani, Vanilla & Bergamot.
Ash Power (Body Scrub) - Pure water, certified organic Cocoa Butter, Volcanic Ash, Palm Oil, Corn Starch, Citrus Seed Extract, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Emulsifying Wax (from palm), Virgin Coconut Oil and Fragrance – Eruptable’s blend 100% pure essential oils of Sandalwood, Bergamot, Vanilla and Frangipani.
Volcanic Man Anti-aging Massage Crème - certified organic Cocoa Butter, Pure Virgin Coconut Oil & Eruptable’s blend of 100% pure essential oils of Sandalwood, Bergamot, Vanilla and Frangipani.
Eruptable Eau de Cologne - The Eruptable blend of 100% pure essential oils of Sandalwood, Bergamot, Frangipani & Vanilla; alcohol and pure Vanuatu water.
FACE & HAIR CARE Bar - ALL NATURAL: CHEMICAL FREE - For all Skin Types.
Volcanic Earth Clay Mask - Pure Water, Green Clay, Virgin Coconut Oil, Gylcerine, Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamin E, Lavender and Rose Geranium Essential Oils.
Facial Cleanser - Pure Vanuatu water, Emulsifying Wax, Virgin Coconut Oil, White Volcanic Clay, Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamin E, Lavender and Rose Geranium Essential Oils.
Facial Toner (Lavender & Rose Geranium) - Vanuatu pure water, Apple Cider Vinegar, Citrus Seed Extract, Rose Geranium Oil, Vitamin E & lavender.
Honey & Pumice Exfoliant - Pure Vanuatu water, Kaolin Clay, Fine Pumice, Honey, Virgin Coconut Oil, Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamin E, Lavender and Rose Geranium Essential Oils.
Facial Moisturizer (with Tamanu Oil) - Pure Vanuatu water, Olive Oil, Citrus Seed Extract, Vegetable Glycerine, Virgin Coconut Oil, Tamanu Oil, Emulsifying Wax & Vitamin E.
Facial Cleansing Soap (Unscented) - Pure Vanuatu water, Palm Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil, Olive Oil & White Volcanic Clay.
Gardenia Hair Wax (moulding cream) - Virgin Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Coco Butter & Gardenia Essential Oil.
Coconut Oil Hair Treatment - Pure Vanuatu water & Virgin Coconut Oil.
Our SMOKERS Face Care - enriched with the healing powers of Fragonia, Lavender, Spearmint & Sandalwood.
Smokers Night Cream – Mango butter, Virgin Coconut Oil, Olive OIl, Emulsifying Wax, Glycerine, Vitamin E, Essential Oils - Fragonia, Lavender, Spearmint and Sandalwood.
Smokers Toner – Pure Vanuatu Water, Alcohol, Essential Oils - Fragonia, Lavender, Spearmint and Sandalwood.
Smokers Moisturizer – Pure Vanuatu water, Virgin Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Glycerine, Emulsifying Wax, Vitamin E, Olive Oil, Essential Oils - Fragonia, Lavender, Spearmint and Sandalwood.
TROPICAL FIRST AID - Traditional Melanesian skin care treatments based on the healing qualities of the Sacred Oil of Tamanu, pure Virgin Coconut Oil and volcanic ash.
Pure Tamanu Oil (12ml Roll-On; 50 ml bottle & 100 ml bottle) - Pure Tamanu Oil.
Nutritive Lip Balm – Beeswax, certified organic Cocoa Butter, Vanilla Extract, Vanuatu Honey, Paw Paw Essential Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil Sc- Glucan (natural UV protection), and pure Tamanu Oil.
Headache Stopper – Coconut Oil, Lavender, Peppermint and Marjoram essential oils.
After Sun Spray – Virgin Coconut Oil, Tamanu oil, Beta- Glucan and Papaya Essential Oil and alcohol.
Foot Reviver (The 2 Minute Pedicure) - Pure Virgin Coconut Oil, certified organic Cocoa Butter, Beeswax, Pure Water, Tamanu Oil, Vanilla and Lime essential oils.
Lemon Grass Mosquito Repellant – Virgin Coconut Oil, Lemongrass, Pure Water, Citric Acid, Emulsifying Wax, Vegetable Glycerin, Essential Oils - Cedar, Citronella, Geranium & Peppermint.
Insect Stopper – Virgin Coconut Oil, Cedarwood, Citronella, Lemongrass & Peppermint Essential Oils.
Web www.spirited-lady-boutique.com
Where and What is a Vanuatu?!
Located in the beautiful South West Pacific, Vanuatu (formerly known as the New Hebrides) is comprised of a line of volcanic islands and submarine volcanoes, giving rise to a roller-coaster ride of volcanic activity and tremors as well as occasional tsunamis (tidal waves). Straddling what is known as the “Pacific Ring Of Fire”, Vanuatu is situated between Fiji and New Caledonia (about 1,400 miles east of north-eastern Australia) and boasts the most accessible active volcano on our planet (Mt. Yasur on the outer island of Tanna).
Historically, volcanoes were believed to be the dwelling house of “spirits” and so these mighty sleeping giants were greatly respected and revered. This strong belief in the spirit of the volcano still forms part of the tradition, custom and mythology in some of the outer islands of Vanuatu. Volcanic earth is ancient earth. It comes from deep within the earth’s surface and even below the seabed of some of the world’s deepest oceans. This ancient earth houses the secrets of lost civilizations and reminds us that "to stay in touch with this ancient earth is to stay in touch with the universe and ourselves".
Vanuatu is also one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is known for its natural waterways, sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and spectacular sunsets. This magical country is an untouched paradise, virtually free of pollution, pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers or insecticides. Everything seems to grow and flourish here in the rich volcanic soils and high rainfalls. Crops are grown organically without the need for chemicals.
The name "Vanuatu" means 'Land Eternal' and it's people are predominantly Melanesian. The Ni Vanuatu have populated these volcanic islands for centuries with more than 115 distinctly different cultures and languages still thriving here. There are also small communities of French, British, Australian, New Zealand, Vietnamese, Chinese and other Pacific Island people living in harmony with the Ni Vanuatu. As such, Vanuatu is recognised as one of the most diverse countries in the world.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Psoriasis overview
Psoriasis overview
Readers unfamiliar with psoriasis may find this overview useful.
Psoriasis is a disorder of the skin and nails, characterized by inflammation and abnormal reproduction of skin cells. It can also affect joints and other tissues. The disease produces areas of thickened, scaly, silvery-white and reddened skin; discolored, crumbling, deformed, or uplifted nails; and arthritic symptoms in joints.
Approximately 2-3% of the population develop psoriasis. Two types of psoriasis are recognized: Type 1 strikes before age 40 and is generally found in other family members, type 2 strikes after age 40.
At present there is no cure for psoriasis, but patients typically experience periods of exacerbation and remission.
A common attitude among non-sufferers of psoriasis is that it is a ‘merely cosmetic’ condition and therefore not worth spending research funds on. The truth is that the cosmetic aspects alone are serious enough to drive some patients to suicide, and the arthritic aspects can be debilitating. Furthermore, research into psoriasis adds to our basic understanding of molecular and cell biology, which inevitably improves our understanding of other ailments.
The causes of psoriasis
Psoriasis is only partly understood. Recent research indicates that the disease is driven by activated immune cells called ‘T-cells’ (or ‘antigen-presenting cells’). These cells are involved in the recognition of foreign materials (such as viruses); when they find such a material, they communicate this information to other immune system cells by producing signalling molecules called ‘cytokines’. However, some of these cytokines can induce excessive reproduction of skin cells and cause them to develop abnormally. And some of the cytokines cause inflammation and its consequences: swelling, pain, redness, and heat.
This is the essence of the disease, but the process is extremely complex and not all of the signalling molecules and growth factors involved have been identified. Important questions remain unanswered: Do genetic factors account for why some people develop psoriasis while others don’t? Why do most people get psoriasis later in life and not earlier? Does something trigger the T-cells to release inappropriate combinations of signalling molecules? If so, what is this trigger?
Recent studies suggest that the microorganism Malassezia furfur may play a role in promoting psoriasis.
Inflammation — the non-explanation
Psoriasis and many other ailments are often attributed to ‘inflammation’. But what does this word actually mean, and is it a useful explanation for anything?
Traditionally, physicians used the word ‘inflammation’ for any condition in which four characteristics were present: redness, heat, swelling, and pain. The word gave no hint of the mechanisms responsible for these characteristics, because the medical world at that time had no knowledge of molecular biology.
In recent decades the molecular mechanisms involved in inflammation have been coming to light. They are extremely complicated, and involve cytokine signalling between different types of immune cells, the release of free radicals, dilation of blood vessels (which causes redness and heat), increase in permeability of capillaries (which causes swelling), and pressure on nerve endings (which causes pain).
The word ‘inflammation’ is still a convenient word for this collection of processes. But it is almost useless as an explanation for anything. For example, if someone says “Psoriasis is caused by chronic inflammation in the skin,” they are telling you nearly nothing, whereas if they say “Psoriasis is caused by abnormal releases of ‘Transforming Growth Factor-alpha’ in the skin,” then they are giving you at least a partial explanation of what is going on.
Treatments for psoriasis
In what follows, I will list both drugs and supplements that have anti-psoriatic properties or potential. The drugs will receive only brief mention — the main focus of this article is supplements, since they can be obtained without interference from government or medical professionals. I will give special attention to supplements that promote the body’s production of a cytokine called ‘interleukin-10’ (‘IL-10’), since IL-10 seems to hold special promise for suppressing psoriasis.
Some treatments for psoriasis date back 100 years or more. These include:
coal tar
anthralin (a cell-growth inhibitor, now called ‘dithranol’)
These topical treatments, although beneficial in many cases, are very messy to use, and harmful if applied carelessly. They have largely been abandoned in the industrialized world, where unstained clothes are highly valued. We won’t discuss them further here.
Corticosteroid drugs:
cortisone
hydrocortisone
clobetasol
halobetasol
betamethasone
diflorasone
Most of these are prescription drugs that are quite effective in suppressing proriatic lesions in some people in the earlier stages of the disease. But their side effects can be serious, and include thinning of the skin, dilated blood vessels, bruising, and skin color changes.
Anti-inflammatories:
Aspirin
NSAIDs (‘Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs’)
Monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins
Aspirin and NSAIDs are of more use in treating psoriatic arthritis than in treating psoriatic skin lesions. Antibodies and fusion proteins can prevent progression of joint destruction, but are very expensive. Since they are officially (and arbitrarily) classified as ‘drugs’ rather than ‘supplements’, we won’t deal further with these substances here.
Immune-suppressive drugs:
methotrexate
cyclosporine
These prescription drugs are used for severe and recalcitrant psoriasis. They require careful monitoring and can expose patients to increased risk of infections.
Retinoid drugs:
vitamin A
tretinoin
adapalene
tazarotene
Retinoids are substances that regulate the development of cells into specific cell-types, and that have anti-inflammatory activity. The doses of vitamin A required for anti-psoriatic effects are very high and cause unacceptable side effects. The other retinoids in the above list have been used with some success in treating psoriasis, but since these are prescription drugs, not supplements, they are outside of the scope of this article.
Estrogens:
Estrogens suppress inflammation, increase IL-10, enhance collagen synthesis, maintain skin moisture, and accelerate cutaneous wound healing by regulating the production of growth factors. It has therefore been suggested that estrogens might have value as psoriasis treatments. On the other hand, there is evidence that estrogens can exacerbate psoriasis. In the absence of clinical trials to determine the truth of the matter, the issue is unresolved.
Vitamin D compounds:
calcitriol (1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3, 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol)
calcipotriene
Vitamin D3 and its analogs are steroid hormones that have complex effects on the mix of cytokines produced by target cells. Some of these compounds, such as calcitriol, are stimulators of IL-10 production and suppressors of inflammatory cytokines; these are therefore potential treatments for psoriasis. They will be dealt with later in this article.
Calcipotriene is a ‘designer’ form of vitamin D — it is therefore a drug rather than a supplement. This substance has also been shown to increase IL-10 production. A clinical trial in 1998 showed its efficacy as a psoriasis treatment.
Antioxidants:
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
Alpha-lipoic acid
Curcumin
Pine bark extract
EGCG (epigallocatchin gallate, from green tea)
Unusually high levels of oxidants and insufficient antioxidant activity have been found in psoriatic lesions, suggesting that excessive free radical activity might play a role in causing and maintaining the lesions, and that antioxidants might ameliorate this condition.
The search for appropriate antioxidants, however, is complicated by the fact that antioxidants are cell-specific in their actions — a given antioxidant may cause the production of different sets of cytokines in different cell types, and these cytokines will then have differing effects on the production of growth factors and therefore on cell growth. For example, the green tea antioxidant ‘EGCG’ promotes the production of the cytokine IL-10 in white blood cells, but inhibits IL-10 production in certain skin cells. Whether the net effect of such an antioxidant would be beneficial or counterproductive can only be determined by clinical studies.
Unfortunately, only a handful of clinical studies have tested antioxidants as psoriasis treatments. The above list of antioxidants is therefore offered merely on general principles as potential psoriasis therapies.
Cell-growth inhibitors:
Curcumin
Green tea catechins, such as EGCG (epigallocatchin gallate)
Resveratrol
Wild bilberry extract
Blueberry extract
Baicalein (from Scutellaria baicalensis)
and many others
Since psoriasis is characterized by abnormally fast reproduction and growth of skin cells, cell growth inhibitors are naturally of interest as treatments. Furthermore, psoriatic tissue seems to require excessive growth of capillaries and small blood vessels; inhibitors of blood vessel growth (‘angiogenesis inhibitors’) are therefore also of interest. The above list includes only a few of the many plant-derived cell growth inhibitors that have been revealed by tissue culture experiments. A few of them have been tested in vivo.
The best studied of these cell-growth inhibitors are resveratrol, green tea catechins, and curcumin. All three of these substances have problems, however. Resveratrol is easily degraded by air, light, and temperature, and most of the resveratrol supplements on the market are of poor quality by the time they reach the end-user. Green tea catechins, although anti-inflammatory in some tissues, are pro-inflammatory in others. Curcumin at high concentrations is a cell growth inhibitor, but at low concentrations it is a cell growth promoter — in cell culture experiments, at least. Since curcumin is poorly absorbed from the digestive tract, large doses may be required if it were used orally to inhibit cell growth.
These problems suggest that one would more likely get good results for psoriasis if the substances were used topically rather than orally. A compounding pharmacy could make a cream or ointment containing curcumin and/or tea catechins. (If a good source of resveratrol can be identified, it could be included as well.) One should bear in mind, however, that some of these substances will stain clothes.
Studies funded by a manufacturer of blueberry and bilberry extracts have shown them to be angiogenesis inhibitors. These extracts are highly colored and will undoubtedly stain clothes when used topically. Unfortunately they are very poorly absorbed when used orally; therefore, large doses are required.
Omega-3 fatty acids:
Fish oil
Eicosapentaenoic acid
Docosahexaenoic acid
Evening primrose oil
Linolenic acid (not linoleic acid)
Omega-3 fatty acids have immune-modulating effects that can be exploited to prevent or suppress psoriasis. These effects are brought about by modulation of the type and amount of cytokines produced by immune cells, by altering gene expression, and by lowering the ability of certain enzymes to produce inflammatory substances. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils — eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexenoic acid (DHA) — appear to be much more effective than those in plants. Since these substances are sold as oils (i.e., as triglycerides) rather than as free acids, one must use them orally so that the free acids can be released by lipase enzymes in the digestive tract.
Probiotics:
Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium supplements
Probiotics contain ‘beneficial bacteria’ that have been shown to reduce inflammation for a variety of diseases. They seem to work by modifying the body’s production of certain T-cells.
Avoidance therapies:
Smoking avoidance
Gluten avoidance
Androgen avoidance
Smoking is a known promoter of psoriasis.
Gluten, a substance found in wheat, oats, rye, barley, and millet, promotes psoriasis in some people — namely, those who have IgA and/or IgG antibodies to gliadin (a component of gluten).
Androgens tend to promote inflammation and may exacerbate psoriatic symptoms.
Other psoriasis treatments:
Salicylic acid
zinc pyrithione cream or lotion (DermaZinc)
melatonin
Salicylic acid is a widely used non-prescription treatment for many skin disorders. It acts as a softener of dead, hardened skin cells — it probably does not have any activity against the causes of psoriasis.
Zinc pyrithione is an anti-fungal drug available without prescription. Microorganisms such as Malassezia furfur are known to be involved in other skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, and are likely to be involved in psoriasis, as well. Although this substance is not a nutritional supplement, it appears to be an important adjunct to other psoriasis treatments. I will therefore include it in the list of promising remedies given in the Amounts section below.
Melatonin levels in the blood of psoriasis patients lack the nocturnal peak that they have in non-psoriatics. Some patients therefore supplement with melatonin at bedtime. No formal clinical studies have evaluated this treatment.
Skin-Cap and the blundering bureaucracies
Skin-Cap was a topical psoriasis product from Spain that took the psoriasis world by storm in the mid-1990s because of its remarkable effectiveness. The product’s manufacturer, Cheminova International, claimed that the product’s active ingredient was zinc pyrithione, but the truth was that the product also contained a corticosteroid, clobetasol propionate. Government drug agencies all over the world therefore banned Skin-Cap, thereby making it unavailable to the entire psoriasis community and infuriating many users for whom it had been the only treatment that had ever worked.
It is interesting to note that several months before the disovery that Skin-Cap contained clobetasol, the distributors of Skin-Cap in the U.S. had been ordered by the Food and Drug Administration to stop selling it — not because the FDA deemed it dangerous or ineffective, but because it was being sold to treat psoriasis and other skin disorders. A psoriasis product that ostensibly contained only zinc pyrithione, a supplement, could be sold in the U.S. only if the seller abstains from telling the buyer what it is to be used for. The fact that Skin-Cap was the most effective psoriasis treatment ever seen did not matter a whit — the FDA’s regulations are designed to keep the bureaucrats in control, not to bring effective treatments to the public.
Once clobetasol was found in Skin-Cap, however, the product’s fate was sealed. It was soon banned; users were warned not to use it and were told to send their remaining Skin-Cap back to the seller at their own expense. Many refused, of course, and there is still a small amount of the product in circulation. Many newer products are being sold on the Internet claiming to be Skin-Cap. Most are zinc pyrithione without any corticosteroid, but some do contain other corticosteroids. The particular combination of ingredients in the original Skin-Cap were far more effective than any of the ingredients used separately.
New concept: the interleukin-10 connection
Interleukins are the signalling molecules (‘cytokines’) that are used by white blood cells for communication. The human immune system makes use of several dozen different interleukins, each conveying different information and causing different actions on target cells.
Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a cytokine that limits or terminates inflammatory responses and helps to regulate the formation and proliferation of several kinds of immune cells, including T-cells. (Reminder: Badly regulated T-cells are considered to be leading actors on the psoriatic stage.) One of the mechanisms involved is IL-10 suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8.
More than ten years ago researchers discovered that psoriatic skin contains significantly less IL-10 than does normal skin. This suggested that psoriasis might be treated by raising IL-10 levels in the skin. From 1998 to 2002 several clinical trials were carried out to test this concept. It was found that IL-10 therapy caused a marked regression of the lesions, decreased the incidence of relapse, and prolonged the disease-free interval. But it became apparent that this approach was impractical — Interleukin-10 is a polypeptide and is expensive to make. It would be ineffective if taken orally or used topically (i.e., as a cream or lotion) and would therefore have to be injected repeatedly into each affected area of skin.
The next step should have been obvious: search for substances that can be used topically or orally and that indirectly cause a rise in IL-10 production by the cells in psoriatic skin that are under-producing it. With today’s research tools it is possible to screen thousands of chemicals simultaneously for their effects on IL-10 production — chemicals from plants, from animals, and from existing chemical archives. So… with at least three years to develop a list of good IL-10 inducers, we should by now have many clinical trials in progress testing these inducers on psoriatic patients, right? Readers will probably not be surprised to learn that no such search has been reported in the medical literature, no list has been developed, and no such clinical trials are in progress. Such is the state of medical research in today’s government-regulated world.
Nevertheless, just by searching on the Internet you and I can identify a few such compounds that have turned up during research studies not necessarily directed at psoriasis. These are:
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), and its analogs (e.g., calcitriol, calcipotriene)
Baicalein (from Scutellaria baicalensis root, ‘Baikal Skullcap’)
Silibinin (from Silybum marianum, ‘Milk Thistle’)
EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate, from green tea)?
Whether green tea, and its principal active constituent EGCG, belong on this list of IL-10 promoters is debatable. In some studies, in certain cell types, EGCG promotes IL-10 production. In other studies, in other cell types, it inhibits IL-10 production. The lack of actual clinical data on the use of EGCG for treating psoriasis means that if psoriasis patients want to know what EGCG does to psoriatic lesions, they will have to try it themselves.
One supplement to avoid (with respect to its effects on IL-10, that is) is
Genistein
Genistein has been shown to inhibit IL-10 production.
Amounts required for anti-psoriatic effects
How much of each of the supplements discussed in this article would one have to use in order to achieve anti-psoriatic effects? Since the clinical trials that would answer this question have not been done for most of these substances, the answers I give here are just educated guesses. Furthermore, there is a significant possibility that some of these compounds, if used orally, could have harmful interactions with other substances already being used by patients. On the other hand, certain combinations of these and other substances are likely to be better treatments than the substances used by themselves; identifying these combinations, however, will require a lot of experimentation — far more than is currently being done by the medical research establishment.
Generally speaking, it makes more sense to treat psoriasis by using a substance topically rather than orally, since smaller amounts of the substance are needed, and they are less likely to affect the whole body. In some cases topical use may be impractical: for example, the omega-3 oils may be too messy to use this way — but these are beneficial for the whole body in any case.
Most of the substances listed below are available as oral supplements but usually not in forms that can be used topically. Topical formulations can be made by a compounding pharmacy, or even by non-professionals if they can get the active ingredients. It pays to ‘shop around’ for compounding pharmacies, since the prices charged for the same product can vary enormously.
Calcitriol (aka ‘1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3’, or ‘1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol’) — 3 microgram/gram ointment applied in the evening.
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) — topical: 10% cream applied twice daily
Alpha-lipoic acid — topical: 5% cream applied twice daily; oral: 250 mg twice per day
Curcumin — topical: 2% cream (likely to stain clothes); oral: 333 mg three times/day plus 10 mg piperine to improve absorption
Pine bark extract — oral: 100 mg proanthocyanins per day
EGCG (epigallocatchin gallate, from green tea) — oral: 800 mg/day?
Wild bilberry or blueberry extract (25% anthocyanidins) — oral: 120 mg twice per day with meals.
Fish oil, EPA, or DHA — oral: at least 4 g/day of combined EPA+DHA.
zinc pyrithione cream or lotion (DermaZinc) — as stated on the package.
melatonin — topical: 0.5% gel
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) — topical: 0.005% ointment
Baicalein — topical: 0.07% cream or gel (calculated from in vitro data from prostate cell study)
Silibinin — topical: 10% cream or gel (based on photoprotection study in mice)
In conclusion
Certain nutritional supplements have great potential as psoriasis treatments, but have received very little attention from medical researchers. These supplements fall into several categories, which suggests the possibility of synergistic action between the substances in different categories. Although some of these supplements seem fairly expensive, their costs are miniscule compared to the costs of many prescription drugs — and many of the latter are not even especially effective.
A psoriasis patient who wants to try out some of the substances mentioned in this article should realize that he or she will be operating in largely uncharted territory. While self-experimentation is the only way to get answers to questions that mainstream medicine does not want to address, it carries certain risks that should be weighed against the risks of not self-experimenting. Is it better to try an untested treatment or to leave matters as they are? One has to judge that for oneself. While government bureaucrats and physicians’ groups are all-too-willing to tell you not to do it, I’m not as arrogant as they are — I suggest that you decide for yourself.
Discussion group
I’ve set up a discussion group at Yahoo Groups for those who want to exchange information, and share experiences about self-experimentation with psoriasis remedies, especially those based on supplements. The group will be lightly moderated to remove spam and prevent verbal attacks on members (‘flaming’, in other words).
To join, go to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/psori/. If you are not already registered with Yahoo, you will be guided through the registration process (which is free).
— Dr. Alexis Zarkov, Ph.D.
You can contact Dr. Zarkov at AskDrZarkov@yahoo.com.
Last modified 2005.Sep.13
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Inflammation
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Tutorial on inflammation
Nutritional treatments
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Rainforest plant helps treat psoriasis [Dithranol]
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Estrogens
Regulatory roles of sex hormones in cutaneous biology and immunology. J Dermatol Sci. 2005 Apr;38(1):1-7. Epub 2004 Dec 9.
Tamoxifen-induced remission of psoriasis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999 Nov;41(5 Pt 2):887-9.
Vitamin D
Use of vitamin D in the treatment of psoriasis — a historical analysis
Calcipotriene-induced improvement in psoriasis is associated with reduced interleukin-8 and increased interleukin-10 levels within lesions. Br J Dermatol. 1998 Jan;138(1):77-83.
1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D3 and calcipotriol induce IL-10 receptor gene expression in human epidermal cells. Inflamm Res. 1997 Jan;46(1):32-4.
Immunoregulation by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3): Basic concepts. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2005 Jul 18
Calcitriol ointment and clobetasol propionate cream: a new regimen for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. Eur J Dermatol. 2003 May-Jun;13(3):261-5.
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Suppression of UV-induced erythema by topical treatment with melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine). A dose response study. Arch Dermatol Res. 1996 Aug;288(9):522-6.
The role of oxidants and antioxidants in psoriasis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2003 Jan;17(1):34-6.
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Pine bark extract pycnogenol downregulates IFN-gamma-induced adhesion of T cells to human keratinocytes by inhibiting inducible ICAM-1 expression. Free Radic Biol Med. 2000 Jan 15;28(2):219-27.
Flavonoids that mimic human ligands from the whole plants of Euphorbia lunulata. [Quercetin mimics IL-10.] Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2005 Mar;53(3):305-8.
Testing of lipoxygenase inhibitors, cyclooxygenase inhibitors, drugs with immunomodulating properties and some reference antipsoriatic drugs in the modified mouse tail test, an animal model of psoriasis. Skin Pharmacol. 1994;7(6):324-34.
[Selenium nutritional status and the course of psoriasis] Pol Merkuriusz Lek. 1999 May;6(35):263-5.
Antioxidant [N-acetyl cysteine] Useful For Dry Skin and Possibly Psoriasis
Topical N-acetylcysteine treatment in neonatal ichthyosis. Turk J Pediatr. 2003 Jul-Sep;45(3):245-7.
Alpha-Lipoic acid-based PPARgamma agonists for treating inflammatory skin diseases. Arch Dermatol Res. 2004 Aug;296(3):97-104. Epub 2004 Jun 24.
Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study on the clinical efficacy of a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid related to photoageing of facial skin. Br J Dermatol. 2003 Oct;149(4):841-9.
Pharmacological activities of curcuma longa extracts U.S. patent # 6,841,177 January 11, 2005
Green tea protects against psoralen plus ultraviolet A-induced photochemical damage to skin. J Invest Dermatol. 1999 Dec;113(6):1070-5.
A single ascending dose study of epigallocatechin gallate in healthy volunteers. J Int Med Res. 2003 Mar-Apr;31(2):88-101.
Cell growth inhibitors
Nutraceuticals as anti-angiogenic agents: hopes and reality. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2005 Mar;56 Suppl 1:51-69.
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Method and composition of anthocyanin-rich berry extracts that prevents or inhibits angiogenesis and helicobacter pylori and acts as a powerful antioxidant that provides various health benefits United States Patent Application # 20040109905
Baicalein and baicalin are potent inhibitors of angiogenesis: Inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. Int J Cancer. 2003 Sep 10;106(4):559-65.
Characterization of chemical constituents in Scutellaria baicalensis with antiandrogenic and growth-inhibitory activities toward prostate carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res. 2005 May 15;11(10):3905-14.
Bioavailability of anthocyanidin-3-glucosides following consumption of red wine and red grape juice. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2003 May;81(5):423-35.
The influence of chokeberry juice supplementation on the reduction of oxidative stress resulting from an incremental rowing ergometer exercise. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2005 Feb;15(1):48-58.
Fatty acids
Polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory diseases. Biomed Pharmacother. 2002 Oct;56(8):388-96.
Evening primrose oil and borage oil in rheumatologic conditions. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Jan;71(1 Suppl):352S-6S.
Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. J Am Coll Nutr. 2002 Dec;21(6):495-505.
Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, on UVR-related cancer risk in humans. An assessment of early genotoxic markers. Carcinogenesis. 2003 May;24(5):919-25.
Probiotics
Lactobacillus casei reduces CD8+ T cell-mediated skin inflammation. Eur J Immunol. 2004 Sep;34(9):2520-8.
Avoidance therapies
Psoriasis patients with antibodies to gliadin can be improved by a gluten-free diet Br J Dermatol. 2000 Jan;142(1):44-51.
Cutaneous Effects of Smoking. J Cutan Med Surg. 2005 Jul 7
Salicylic acid
Salicylic Acid (Topical) MedLine Plus
Skin-Cap and zinc pyrithione
The Skin-Cap story Dave's Psoriasis Info
The highly effective use of topical zinc pyrithione in the treatment of psoriasis: a case report. Dermatol Online J. 1997 Mar;3(1):3.
Malassezia furfur: a fungus belonging to the physiological skin flora and its relevance in skin disorders. [zinc pyrithione explanation?] Cutis. 1997 Jan;59(1):21-4.
Histopathology of psoriasis treated with zinc pyrithione. [Skincap study] Am J Dermatopathol. 2000 Jun;22(3):272-6.
FDA WARNS CONSUMERS NOT TO USE SKIN-CAP
Psoriasis patients talk about Skin-Cap
Dermatologists talk about Skin-Cap
Interleukin-10
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IL-10 Expression in Psoriasis
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IL-10 Is a Key Cytokine in Psoriasis — Proof of Principle by IL-10 Therapy: A New Therapeutic Approach J. Clin. Invest. Volume 101, Number 4, February 1998, 783-794
Interleukin 10 treatment of psoriasis: clinical results of a phase 2 trial. Arch Dermatol. 1999 Feb;135(2):187-92.
The treatment of psoriasis with IL-10: rationale and review of the first clinical trials. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2000 Jan;9(1):95-102.
Immunomodulation by interleukin-10 therapy decreases the incidence of relapse and prolongs the relapse-free interval in Psoriasis. J Invest Dermatol. 2002 Apr;118(4):672-7.
Interleukin-10: an important immunoregulatory cytokine with major impact on psoriasis. Curr Drug Targets Inflamm Allergy. 2004 Jun;3(2):185-92.
The antiinflammatory and analgesic effects of baicalin in carrageenan-evoked thermal hyperalgesia. Anesth Analg. 2003 Dec;97(6):1724-9.
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Silibinin protects against photocarcinogenesis via modulation of cell cycle regulators, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and Akt signaling. Cancer Res. 2004 Sep 1;64(17):6349-56.
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GotClearSkin.com
Readers unfamiliar with psoriasis may find this overview useful.
Psoriasis is a disorder of the skin and nails, characterized by inflammation and abnormal reproduction of skin cells. It can also affect joints and other tissues. The disease produces areas of thickened, scaly, silvery-white and reddened skin; discolored, crumbling, deformed, or uplifted nails; and arthritic symptoms in joints.
Approximately 2-3% of the population develop psoriasis. Two types of psoriasis are recognized: Type 1 strikes before age 40 and is generally found in other family members, type 2 strikes after age 40.
At present there is no cure for psoriasis, but patients typically experience periods of exacerbation and remission.
A common attitude among non-sufferers of psoriasis is that it is a ‘merely cosmetic’ condition and therefore not worth spending research funds on. The truth is that the cosmetic aspects alone are serious enough to drive some patients to suicide, and the arthritic aspects can be debilitating. Furthermore, research into psoriasis adds to our basic understanding of molecular and cell biology, which inevitably improves our understanding of other ailments.
The causes of psoriasis
Psoriasis is only partly understood. Recent research indicates that the disease is driven by activated immune cells called ‘T-cells’ (or ‘antigen-presenting cells’). These cells are involved in the recognition of foreign materials (such as viruses); when they find such a material, they communicate this information to other immune system cells by producing signalling molecules called ‘cytokines’. However, some of these cytokines can induce excessive reproduction of skin cells and cause them to develop abnormally. And some of the cytokines cause inflammation and its consequences: swelling, pain, redness, and heat.
This is the essence of the disease, but the process is extremely complex and not all of the signalling molecules and growth factors involved have been identified. Important questions remain unanswered: Do genetic factors account for why some people develop psoriasis while others don’t? Why do most people get psoriasis later in life and not earlier? Does something trigger the T-cells to release inappropriate combinations of signalling molecules? If so, what is this trigger?
Recent studies suggest that the microorganism Malassezia furfur may play a role in promoting psoriasis.
Inflammation — the non-explanation
Psoriasis and many other ailments are often attributed to ‘inflammation’. But what does this word actually mean, and is it a useful explanation for anything?
Traditionally, physicians used the word ‘inflammation’ for any condition in which four characteristics were present: redness, heat, swelling, and pain. The word gave no hint of the mechanisms responsible for these characteristics, because the medical world at that time had no knowledge of molecular biology.
In recent decades the molecular mechanisms involved in inflammation have been coming to light. They are extremely complicated, and involve cytokine signalling between different types of immune cells, the release of free radicals, dilation of blood vessels (which causes redness and heat), increase in permeability of capillaries (which causes swelling), and pressure on nerve endings (which causes pain).
The word ‘inflammation’ is still a convenient word for this collection of processes. But it is almost useless as an explanation for anything. For example, if someone says “Psoriasis is caused by chronic inflammation in the skin,” they are telling you nearly nothing, whereas if they say “Psoriasis is caused by abnormal releases of ‘Transforming Growth Factor-alpha’ in the skin,” then they are giving you at least a partial explanation of what is going on.
Treatments for psoriasis
In what follows, I will list both drugs and supplements that have anti-psoriatic properties or potential. The drugs will receive only brief mention — the main focus of this article is supplements, since they can be obtained without interference from government or medical professionals. I will give special attention to supplements that promote the body’s production of a cytokine called ‘interleukin-10’ (‘IL-10’), since IL-10 seems to hold special promise for suppressing psoriasis.
Some treatments for psoriasis date back 100 years or more. These include:
coal tar
anthralin (a cell-growth inhibitor, now called ‘dithranol’)
These topical treatments, although beneficial in many cases, are very messy to use, and harmful if applied carelessly. They have largely been abandoned in the industrialized world, where unstained clothes are highly valued. We won’t discuss them further here.
Corticosteroid drugs:
cortisone
hydrocortisone
clobetasol
halobetasol
betamethasone
diflorasone
Most of these are prescription drugs that are quite effective in suppressing proriatic lesions in some people in the earlier stages of the disease. But their side effects can be serious, and include thinning of the skin, dilated blood vessels, bruising, and skin color changes.
Anti-inflammatories:
Aspirin
NSAIDs (‘Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs’)
Monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins
Aspirin and NSAIDs are of more use in treating psoriatic arthritis than in treating psoriatic skin lesions. Antibodies and fusion proteins can prevent progression of joint destruction, but are very expensive. Since they are officially (and arbitrarily) classified as ‘drugs’ rather than ‘supplements’, we won’t deal further with these substances here.
Immune-suppressive drugs:
methotrexate
cyclosporine
These prescription drugs are used for severe and recalcitrant psoriasis. They require careful monitoring and can expose patients to increased risk of infections.
Retinoid drugs:
vitamin A
tretinoin
adapalene
tazarotene
Retinoids are substances that regulate the development of cells into specific cell-types, and that have anti-inflammatory activity. The doses of vitamin A required for anti-psoriatic effects are very high and cause unacceptable side effects. The other retinoids in the above list have been used with some success in treating psoriasis, but since these are prescription drugs, not supplements, they are outside of the scope of this article.
Estrogens:
Estrogens suppress inflammation, increase IL-10, enhance collagen synthesis, maintain skin moisture, and accelerate cutaneous wound healing by regulating the production of growth factors. It has therefore been suggested that estrogens might have value as psoriasis treatments. On the other hand, there is evidence that estrogens can exacerbate psoriasis. In the absence of clinical trials to determine the truth of the matter, the issue is unresolved.
Vitamin D compounds:
calcitriol (1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3, 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol)
calcipotriene
Vitamin D3 and its analogs are steroid hormones that have complex effects on the mix of cytokines produced by target cells. Some of these compounds, such as calcitriol, are stimulators of IL-10 production and suppressors of inflammatory cytokines; these are therefore potential treatments for psoriasis. They will be dealt with later in this article.
Calcipotriene is a ‘designer’ form of vitamin D — it is therefore a drug rather than a supplement. This substance has also been shown to increase IL-10 production. A clinical trial in 1998 showed its efficacy as a psoriasis treatment.
Antioxidants:
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
Alpha-lipoic acid
Curcumin
Pine bark extract
EGCG (epigallocatchin gallate, from green tea)
Unusually high levels of oxidants and insufficient antioxidant activity have been found in psoriatic lesions, suggesting that excessive free radical activity might play a role in causing and maintaining the lesions, and that antioxidants might ameliorate this condition.
The search for appropriate antioxidants, however, is complicated by the fact that antioxidants are cell-specific in their actions — a given antioxidant may cause the production of different sets of cytokines in different cell types, and these cytokines will then have differing effects on the production of growth factors and therefore on cell growth. For example, the green tea antioxidant ‘EGCG’ promotes the production of the cytokine IL-10 in white blood cells, but inhibits IL-10 production in certain skin cells. Whether the net effect of such an antioxidant would be beneficial or counterproductive can only be determined by clinical studies.
Unfortunately, only a handful of clinical studies have tested antioxidants as psoriasis treatments. The above list of antioxidants is therefore offered merely on general principles as potential psoriasis therapies.
Cell-growth inhibitors:
Curcumin
Green tea catechins, such as EGCG (epigallocatchin gallate)
Resveratrol
Wild bilberry extract
Blueberry extract
Baicalein (from Scutellaria baicalensis)
and many others
Since psoriasis is characterized by abnormally fast reproduction and growth of skin cells, cell growth inhibitors are naturally of interest as treatments. Furthermore, psoriatic tissue seems to require excessive growth of capillaries and small blood vessels; inhibitors of blood vessel growth (‘angiogenesis inhibitors’) are therefore also of interest. The above list includes only a few of the many plant-derived cell growth inhibitors that have been revealed by tissue culture experiments. A few of them have been tested in vivo.
The best studied of these cell-growth inhibitors are resveratrol, green tea catechins, and curcumin. All three of these substances have problems, however. Resveratrol is easily degraded by air, light, and temperature, and most of the resveratrol supplements on the market are of poor quality by the time they reach the end-user. Green tea catechins, although anti-inflammatory in some tissues, are pro-inflammatory in others. Curcumin at high concentrations is a cell growth inhibitor, but at low concentrations it is a cell growth promoter — in cell culture experiments, at least. Since curcumin is poorly absorbed from the digestive tract, large doses may be required if it were used orally to inhibit cell growth.
These problems suggest that one would more likely get good results for psoriasis if the substances were used topically rather than orally. A compounding pharmacy could make a cream or ointment containing curcumin and/or tea catechins. (If a good source of resveratrol can be identified, it could be included as well.) One should bear in mind, however, that some of these substances will stain clothes.
Studies funded by a manufacturer of blueberry and bilberry extracts have shown them to be angiogenesis inhibitors. These extracts are highly colored and will undoubtedly stain clothes when used topically. Unfortunately they are very poorly absorbed when used orally; therefore, large doses are required.
Omega-3 fatty acids:
Fish oil
Eicosapentaenoic acid
Docosahexaenoic acid
Evening primrose oil
Linolenic acid (not linoleic acid)
Omega-3 fatty acids have immune-modulating effects that can be exploited to prevent or suppress psoriasis. These effects are brought about by modulation of the type and amount of cytokines produced by immune cells, by altering gene expression, and by lowering the ability of certain enzymes to produce inflammatory substances. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils — eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexenoic acid (DHA) — appear to be much more effective than those in plants. Since these substances are sold as oils (i.e., as triglycerides) rather than as free acids, one must use them orally so that the free acids can be released by lipase enzymes in the digestive tract.
Probiotics:
Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium supplements
Probiotics contain ‘beneficial bacteria’ that have been shown to reduce inflammation for a variety of diseases. They seem to work by modifying the body’s production of certain T-cells.
Avoidance therapies:
Smoking avoidance
Gluten avoidance
Androgen avoidance
Smoking is a known promoter of psoriasis.
Gluten, a substance found in wheat, oats, rye, barley, and millet, promotes psoriasis in some people — namely, those who have IgA and/or IgG antibodies to gliadin (a component of gluten).
Androgens tend to promote inflammation and may exacerbate psoriatic symptoms.
Other psoriasis treatments:
Salicylic acid
zinc pyrithione cream or lotion (DermaZinc)
melatonin
Salicylic acid is a widely used non-prescription treatment for many skin disorders. It acts as a softener of dead, hardened skin cells — it probably does not have any activity against the causes of psoriasis.
Zinc pyrithione is an anti-fungal drug available without prescription. Microorganisms such as Malassezia furfur are known to be involved in other skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, and are likely to be involved in psoriasis, as well. Although this substance is not a nutritional supplement, it appears to be an important adjunct to other psoriasis treatments. I will therefore include it in the list of promising remedies given in the Amounts section below.
Melatonin levels in the blood of psoriasis patients lack the nocturnal peak that they have in non-psoriatics. Some patients therefore supplement with melatonin at bedtime. No formal clinical studies have evaluated this treatment.
Skin-Cap and the blundering bureaucracies
Skin-Cap was a topical psoriasis product from Spain that took the psoriasis world by storm in the mid-1990s because of its remarkable effectiveness. The product’s manufacturer, Cheminova International, claimed that the product’s active ingredient was zinc pyrithione, but the truth was that the product also contained a corticosteroid, clobetasol propionate. Government drug agencies all over the world therefore banned Skin-Cap, thereby making it unavailable to the entire psoriasis community and infuriating many users for whom it had been the only treatment that had ever worked.
It is interesting to note that several months before the disovery that Skin-Cap contained clobetasol, the distributors of Skin-Cap in the U.S. had been ordered by the Food and Drug Administration to stop selling it — not because the FDA deemed it dangerous or ineffective, but because it was being sold to treat psoriasis and other skin disorders. A psoriasis product that ostensibly contained only zinc pyrithione, a supplement, could be sold in the U.S. only if the seller abstains from telling the buyer what it is to be used for. The fact that Skin-Cap was the most effective psoriasis treatment ever seen did not matter a whit — the FDA’s regulations are designed to keep the bureaucrats in control, not to bring effective treatments to the public.
Once clobetasol was found in Skin-Cap, however, the product’s fate was sealed. It was soon banned; users were warned not to use it and were told to send their remaining Skin-Cap back to the seller at their own expense. Many refused, of course, and there is still a small amount of the product in circulation. Many newer products are being sold on the Internet claiming to be Skin-Cap. Most are zinc pyrithione without any corticosteroid, but some do contain other corticosteroids. The particular combination of ingredients in the original Skin-Cap were far more effective than any of the ingredients used separately.
New concept: the interleukin-10 connection
Interleukins are the signalling molecules (‘cytokines’) that are used by white blood cells for communication. The human immune system makes use of several dozen different interleukins, each conveying different information and causing different actions on target cells.
Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a cytokine that limits or terminates inflammatory responses and helps to regulate the formation and proliferation of several kinds of immune cells, including T-cells. (Reminder: Badly regulated T-cells are considered to be leading actors on the psoriatic stage.) One of the mechanisms involved is IL-10 suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8.
More than ten years ago researchers discovered that psoriatic skin contains significantly less IL-10 than does normal skin. This suggested that psoriasis might be treated by raising IL-10 levels in the skin. From 1998 to 2002 several clinical trials were carried out to test this concept. It was found that IL-10 therapy caused a marked regression of the lesions, decreased the incidence of relapse, and prolonged the disease-free interval. But it became apparent that this approach was impractical — Interleukin-10 is a polypeptide and is expensive to make. It would be ineffective if taken orally or used topically (i.e., as a cream or lotion) and would therefore have to be injected repeatedly into each affected area of skin.
The next step should have been obvious: search for substances that can be used topically or orally and that indirectly cause a rise in IL-10 production by the cells in psoriatic skin that are under-producing it. With today’s research tools it is possible to screen thousands of chemicals simultaneously for their effects on IL-10 production — chemicals from plants, from animals, and from existing chemical archives. So… with at least three years to develop a list of good IL-10 inducers, we should by now have many clinical trials in progress testing these inducers on psoriatic patients, right? Readers will probably not be surprised to learn that no such search has been reported in the medical literature, no list has been developed, and no such clinical trials are in progress. Such is the state of medical research in today’s government-regulated world.
Nevertheless, just by searching on the Internet you and I can identify a few such compounds that have turned up during research studies not necessarily directed at psoriasis. These are:
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), and its analogs (e.g., calcitriol, calcipotriene)
Baicalein (from Scutellaria baicalensis root, ‘Baikal Skullcap’)
Silibinin (from Silybum marianum, ‘Milk Thistle’)
EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate, from green tea)?
Whether green tea, and its principal active constituent EGCG, belong on this list of IL-10 promoters is debatable. In some studies, in certain cell types, EGCG promotes IL-10 production. In other studies, in other cell types, it inhibits IL-10 production. The lack of actual clinical data on the use of EGCG for treating psoriasis means that if psoriasis patients want to know what EGCG does to psoriatic lesions, they will have to try it themselves.
One supplement to avoid (with respect to its effects on IL-10, that is) is
Genistein
Genistein has been shown to inhibit IL-10 production.
Amounts required for anti-psoriatic effects
How much of each of the supplements discussed in this article would one have to use in order to achieve anti-psoriatic effects? Since the clinical trials that would answer this question have not been done for most of these substances, the answers I give here are just educated guesses. Furthermore, there is a significant possibility that some of these compounds, if used orally, could have harmful interactions with other substances already being used by patients. On the other hand, certain combinations of these and other substances are likely to be better treatments than the substances used by themselves; identifying these combinations, however, will require a lot of experimentation — far more than is currently being done by the medical research establishment.
Generally speaking, it makes more sense to treat psoriasis by using a substance topically rather than orally, since smaller amounts of the substance are needed, and they are less likely to affect the whole body. In some cases topical use may be impractical: for example, the omega-3 oils may be too messy to use this way — but these are beneficial for the whole body in any case.
Most of the substances listed below are available as oral supplements but usually not in forms that can be used topically. Topical formulations can be made by a compounding pharmacy, or even by non-professionals if they can get the active ingredients. It pays to ‘shop around’ for compounding pharmacies, since the prices charged for the same product can vary enormously.
Calcitriol (aka ‘1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3’, or ‘1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol’) — 3 microgram/gram ointment applied in the evening.
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) — topical: 10% cream applied twice daily
Alpha-lipoic acid — topical: 5% cream applied twice daily; oral: 250 mg twice per day
Curcumin — topical: 2% cream (likely to stain clothes); oral: 333 mg three times/day plus 10 mg piperine to improve absorption
Pine bark extract — oral: 100 mg proanthocyanins per day
EGCG (epigallocatchin gallate, from green tea) — oral: 800 mg/day?
Wild bilberry or blueberry extract (25% anthocyanidins) — oral: 120 mg twice per day with meals.
Fish oil, EPA, or DHA — oral: at least 4 g/day of combined EPA+DHA.
zinc pyrithione cream or lotion (DermaZinc) — as stated on the package.
melatonin — topical: 0.5% gel
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) — topical: 0.005% ointment
Baicalein — topical: 0.07% cream or gel (calculated from in vitro data from prostate cell study)
Silibinin — topical: 10% cream or gel (based on photoprotection study in mice)
In conclusion
Certain nutritional supplements have great potential as psoriasis treatments, but have received very little attention from medical researchers. These supplements fall into several categories, which suggests the possibility of synergistic action between the substances in different categories. Although some of these supplements seem fairly expensive, their costs are miniscule compared to the costs of many prescription drugs — and many of the latter are not even especially effective.
A psoriasis patient who wants to try out some of the substances mentioned in this article should realize that he or she will be operating in largely uncharted territory. While self-experimentation is the only way to get answers to questions that mainstream medicine does not want to address, it carries certain risks that should be weighed against the risks of not self-experimenting. Is it better to try an untested treatment or to leave matters as they are? One has to judge that for oneself. While government bureaucrats and physicians’ groups are all-too-willing to tell you not to do it, I’m not as arrogant as they are — I suggest that you decide for yourself.
Discussion group
I’ve set up a discussion group at Yahoo Groups for those who want to exchange information, and share experiences about self-experimentation with psoriasis remedies, especially those based on supplements. The group will be lightly moderated to remove spam and prevent verbal attacks on members (‘flaming’, in other words).
To join, go to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/psori/. If you are not already registered with Yahoo, you will be guided through the registration process (which is free).
— Dr. Alexis Zarkov, Ph.D.
You can contact Dr. Zarkov at AskDrZarkov@yahoo.com.
Last modified 2005.Sep.13
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Tutorial on inflammation
Nutritional treatments
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Vitamin D
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1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D3 and calcipotriol induce IL-10 receptor gene expression in human epidermal cells. Inflamm Res. 1997 Jan;46(1):32-4.
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Pine bark extract pycnogenol downregulates IFN-gamma-induced adhesion of T cells to human keratinocytes by inhibiting inducible ICAM-1 expression. Free Radic Biol Med. 2000 Jan 15;28(2):219-27.
Flavonoids that mimic human ligands from the whole plants of Euphorbia lunulata. [Quercetin mimics IL-10.] Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2005 Mar;53(3):305-8.
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[Selenium nutritional status and the course of psoriasis] Pol Merkuriusz Lek. 1999 May;6(35):263-5.
Antioxidant [N-acetyl cysteine] Useful For Dry Skin and Possibly Psoriasis
Topical N-acetylcysteine treatment in neonatal ichthyosis. Turk J Pediatr. 2003 Jul-Sep;45(3):245-7.
Alpha-Lipoic acid-based PPARgamma agonists for treating inflammatory skin diseases. Arch Dermatol Res. 2004 Aug;296(3):97-104. Epub 2004 Jun 24.
Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study on the clinical efficacy of a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid related to photoageing of facial skin. Br J Dermatol. 2003 Oct;149(4):841-9.
Pharmacological activities of curcuma longa extracts U.S. patent # 6,841,177 January 11, 2005
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A single ascending dose study of epigallocatechin gallate in healthy volunteers. J Int Med Res. 2003 Mar-Apr;31(2):88-101.
Cell growth inhibitors
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Characterization of chemical constituents in Scutellaria baicalensis with antiandrogenic and growth-inhibitory activities toward prostate carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res. 2005 May 15;11(10):3905-14.
Bioavailability of anthocyanidin-3-glucosides following consumption of red wine and red grape juice. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2003 May;81(5):423-35.
The influence of chokeberry juice supplementation on the reduction of oxidative stress resulting from an incremental rowing ergometer exercise. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2005 Feb;15(1):48-58.
Fatty acids
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Evening primrose oil and borage oil in rheumatologic conditions. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Jan;71(1 Suppl):352S-6S.
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Probiotics
Lactobacillus casei reduces CD8+ T cell-mediated skin inflammation. Eur J Immunol. 2004 Sep;34(9):2520-8.
Avoidance therapies
Psoriasis patients with antibodies to gliadin can be improved by a gluten-free diet Br J Dermatol. 2000 Jan;142(1):44-51.
Cutaneous Effects of Smoking. J Cutan Med Surg. 2005 Jul 7
Salicylic acid
Salicylic Acid (Topical) MedLine Plus
Skin-Cap and zinc pyrithione
The Skin-Cap story Dave's Psoriasis Info
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FDA WARNS CONSUMERS NOT TO USE SKIN-CAP
Psoriasis patients talk about Skin-Cap
Dermatologists talk about Skin-Cap
Interleukin-10
Interleukin-10 and Psoriasis
IL-10 Expression in Psoriasis
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