Does Olive Oil For Psoriasis Work? | Smart Psoriasis Diet

Does Olive Oil For Psoriasis (Including Scalp Psoriasis) Work?

I have used Olive Oil for psoriasis in two ways and yes, it does help your skin.

I first started to take advantage of olive oil for my psoriasis in my original raw vegetable shake/smoothie back in 2009 when I would add two teaspoons of extra virgin (cold pressed) olive oil into the green smoothie for the anti-inflammatory benefits as well as for some extra calorie intake while on a strict psoriasis diet.

The second time I found a positive relationship between psoriasis and olive oil was when I decided to ditch the steroid creams and look for a natural alternative. Smart psoriasis diet community members already know the results so to make a long story short, I tested olive oil versus jojoba oil versus coconut oil to see which was the best natural moisturizer for psoriasis and while it turned out that coconut oil is the best, olive oil came a close second. Therefore if ever you run out of coconut oil, you can always rely on olive oil as a short-term remedy to keep your psoriasis moisturized and reduce any discomfort from large dry psoriasis patches, until you have time to refill on coconut oil.

The following article will look more in depth as to why olive oil is good for your psoriasis and also look at novel ways to mix olive oil with other essential oils for a better natural treatment option. First of all, we will discuss what psoriasis is, for any newly diagnosed psoriasis sufferers and readers to the blog. Regulars, feel free to skip over and head down to the main part of the article!

Before you continue with the article, I also want to mention that I am a big fan of olive oil soap and I have a recipe further down too, which you can try.

What Is Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune condition of the skin. It occurs as red, scaly patches on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back and sometimes even on the genitals. This non-contagious condition flares up from time to time, causing the patient a lot of physical pain.

Although it doesn’t have a cure yet, it can be managed with certain oils such as olive oil for psoriasis. In recent years, the use of olive oil has seen an upsurge, thanks to all the antioxidants and healthy fatty acids it contains. What’s more, this oil can be used for oral consumption and is also an excellent topical oil for skin conditions like psoriasis.

Is Using Olive Oil For Psoriasis Treatment Effective?

There has always been a lot of talk about how argan oil, coconut oil, emu oil, borage oil and many other oils are being used to treat psoriasis naturally. However, olive oil is often forgotten, mostly because it is quite common. Although olive oil is typically used in the kitchen, it is a highly effective treatment for psoriasis.

For the oil to work efficiently at treating your psoriasis, you need to be careful about the type of olive oil you use. For optimal results, opt for extra virgin olive oil.

You are advised to exercise care with the brand you choose. Other terms you need to be aware of other than “extra-virgin” are “cold pressed,” “organic,” “virgin,” “unrefined” etc. Most of these terms mean that the oil has been obtained from olives by pressing them. This method is highly recommended for using solvents or heat to obtain the oil destroys its beneficial compounds and nutrients. Avoid olive oil for psoriasis marked “light” or “extra light.”

The Study: The Effects Of Olive Oil On Psoriasis

The impact of olive oil on psoriasis was first discovered when Dr. Fujio Numano was conducting various trials to see the effect olive oil had on cardiovascular disease. It is during these trials that he realized the impact olive oil had on various skin problems of the group of patients who had reported having had skin ailments. For instance, he noted that a 71-year-old man had shown about 80% recovery from psoriasis lesions.

Benefits Of Olive Oil For Psoriasis

For many, virgin olive oil is considered as “liquid gold.” This is because it is rich in antioxidants which aid in preventing free radical damage to healthy cells, thereby reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases like breast cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. It is also highly effective in controlling inflammation.
Olive oil also contains healthy fats identified as Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). These fatty acids help to reduce the risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions.

How Does Olive Oil Benefit The Skin?

Although not much is known about psoriasis, it is said to be caused by high inflammation in the body. Typically, inflammation helps the body to commence the healing process after an injury. However, elevated inflammation levels may increase your risk of developing various skin conditions like psoriasis. Consuming olive oil for psoriasis helps to tame excessive inflammation. This is one of the best ways of treating your psoriasis from the inside out.

How To Administer Olive Oil For Psoriasis

For Oral Consumption

You are highly advised to use extra virgin olive oil for oral consumption. You can dress your salads with this oil, or you can drizzle it over various food preparations like whole grain bread, fish, rice pasta and cooked vegetables. For an extra punch of flavor, try mixing it with lemon juice for salad dressing. If you are in need of its mild laxative effect, take it directly with warm water.

For Cooking

You can effectively use extra virgin oil for low to medium heat cooking. If you are doing high heat cooking, use cheaper varieties of olive oil.

Using Olive Oil For Psoriasis Treatment Topically With Other Essential Oils

Olive Oil And Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil contains antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that help to reduce tenderness and itching caused by psoriasis. It also makes the affected areas softer and exfoliates the dry, flaky skin.

  • Mix tea tree oil and olive oil to the ration of 1:10
  • Slightly warm the blend and apply it to the affected areas and let it sit for 30 minutes
  • Rinse it off with warm water
  • For best results, repeat this procedure daily before bathing

Olive Oil, Calendula Oil, And Oregano Oil

Calendula is a great moisturizer and an ideal soothing agent in psoriasis. Oregon is known for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties that are effective in treating the symptoms of psoriasis.

  • Mix olive oil, calendula oil and oregano oil in equal parts
  • Stir it well and then apply it to the affected areas
  • Let it stay on for a few minutes before rinsing it off with water
  • For best results, repeat this process regularly

For Bathing

Olive oil is rich in Vitamin E, which aids in soothing the irritation caused by the lesions of psoriasis. Add two tablespoons of olive oil into a bucket of warm water, and use this mixture to bathe at least 3 to 4 times a week.

Does Olive Oil For Psoriasis (Including Scalp Psoriasis) Work?

How To Make Olive Oil Soap

The harsh chemicals found in most soaps can worsen your psoriasis condition. Here is how you can prepare olive oil soap:

  • Start by melting a few soap base cubes
  • Once it melts, remove it from the burning flame and add some olive oil to it
  • Stir the solution well and then pour it into the mold and leave it to harden
  • Once hard, remove it from the mold and use it for bathing

How To Recognize The Best Olive Oil

Just because we mentioned earlier that Extra Virgin oil is the best for treating psoriasis, it doesn’t mean that you should trust any brand that claims to sell it. Here are some tips for identifying the best extra virgin olive oil:

Expiry Date

Most of the healing components of the olive oil are found in polyphenols. However, it has been noted that the benefits of polyphenol reduce with time. Hence, it is highly recommended that you purchase olive oil that is not older than a year. If the product does not have a harvest date, then check for an expiry date that is at least a year away.

Color

The color of olive oil is not an indicator of quality. Olive oil can be in a golden, light green or medium green color.

Packaging

The olive oil should be packed in an opaque bottle to prevent oxidative damage.

Taste And Aroma

Fresh olive oil has a peppery, bitter taste. If your olive oil smells rancid like vinegar, wine, wax or a sweaty sock, discard it. Also, if it tastes musty or moldy, do not use it.

Where Can You Buy Olive Oil For Psoriasis?

You can buy a bottle of extra virgin olive oil online or from a store near you.

How To Store It

You should always keep your olive oil in a cool and dark place away from direct sunlight, heat and atmospheric air. Make sure its lid is tightly closed. Once you break the seal, make sure to use its content within two months and not linger.

Precautions And Tips

  • Perform a patch test to know if you are allergic to olive oil before applying it to a larger area
  • Do not use olive oil on infants as it may lead to eczema
  • Wipe your skin after using any of the mentioned procedures to prevent clogging
  • Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and flush out toxins
  • Do not heat extra virgin olive oil with more than mild heat
  • Avoid scratching psoriasis- affected areas
  • Replace your cooking oil with olive oil to strengthen your immunity
  • Avoid spicy, sugary and oily foods as they can worsen your condition

Olive Oil For Scalp Psoriasis

While olive oil can also be used as a topical treatment for scalp psoriasis, I would recommend using coconut oil as it absorbs better, has a better scent and better healing properties (based on my personal experience). If you do end up using olive oil on your head to treat the itchy flakes, then rest assured that it will stay moisturized and keep the dry skin at bay for approx 6 hours.

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John Redfern