Curcumin, the primary anti-inflammatory compound in the golden orange–colored spice  turmeric, can be applied topically to soothe and calm psoriasis skin plaques. Turmeric can also be taken orally to decrease systemic inflammation in psoriasis patients.

Native to India and Indonesia, where it was used as a spice and a perfume in ancient times, curcumin decreases the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 in human keratinocytes.

Keratinocytes play an active role in the initiation and maintenance of psoriatic skin inflammation by secreting chemokines and cytokines, which leads to further activation of immune cells in the skin. This, in turn, amplifies the inflammatory process.

In addition, psoriatic keratinocytes have an increased proliferation rate, meaning they multiply more quickly than they should. Curcumin can help reduce these inflammatory processes within the keratinocytes, the primary cell type in the epidermis, or the uppermost layer of skin. In psoriasis, immune cells enter the skin through blood vessels and cause the epidermis to grow very quickly, inhibiting the natural skin shedding process.

The result is a thickening of the skin and the scaly buildup composed of dead skin cells that manifest as psoriasis plaques. Turmeric’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties make it an excellent anti-aging herb because most chronic illnesses are caused by chronic inflammation. Incorporate turmeric creams and supplements for good health and longevity