7 Best Ways To Use Coconut Oil For Psoriasis Treatment

Updated: 10/28/2019

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that affects about 2 to 3 % of the world’s population. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) shows that around 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis^[1]. There is currently no cure for psoriasis. Symptoms of psoriasis can cause both physical and mental pain to patients. If not treated properly, the disease will result in multiple diseases such as psoriatic arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, etc. Today’s article will give you some background information about psoriasis and the treatment with the help of herbs. One of the natural ingredients that may be effective in treating this condition is coconut oil. So, how to use coconut oil for psoriasis? Keep reading this article on Beauty Talk to understand more!

• 16 best ways to treat scalp psoriasis naturally 
• 28 uses & benefits of coconut oil on skin issues
• 24 best ways to use coconut oil for dry skin on face

7 Best Ways To Use Coconut Oil For Psoriasis Treatment

I. What Is Psoriasis? Is It Dangerous?

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Le Quyen – Head of Dermatology, Center for Research & Application on Traditional Medicine, psoriasis is formed from the mutant skin production process. The life cycle of skin in normal people takes about one month, but in people with psoriasis, this production process may happen in just a few days. Because of this, the skin cells do not have time to fall off. As a result, this rapid overproduction causes the buildup of skin cells. Psoriasis is a chronic disease that will recur and flare at any time.

II. What Are The Complications Of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is usually benign that does not affect the lives of patients. However, if not treated promptly, it can result in serious complications to the health, psychology, and life of patients, including:

• Metabolic Syndrome: People with psoriasis have a higher risk of developing some of the metabolic syndrome syndromes such as diabetes, fatty liver disease, heart problems, and obesity.
• Kidney Disease: In people with psoriasis, chronic kidney disease often appears to be common. Plus, the treatments that people use for psoriasis are prone to have a toxic impact on the kidneys.
• Emotional And Psychological Consequences: According to a study in 2013, psoriasis is a common, long-term skin condition related to considerable life impact and high levels of psychological distress^[2]. People with psoriasis may feel embarrassed. This can lead to depression, anxiety, and isolation. This can also affect areas of life, including employment, relationships, and leisure and social activities.

III. Does Psoriasis Spread?

Psoriasis isn’t contagious and can’t spread between people. This condition may run in families. As stated by the American Academy of Dermatology, an individual has a higher risk of developing psoriasis, if a sibling, parent, or grandparent has it^[3]. Thus, patients should be examined and treated as soon as possible when manifestations of psoriasis appear.

IV. Treatment Of Psoriasis With Western Medicine To Manage Symptoms

• Using topical moisturizers will help moisturize the skin, thus fighting inflammation and reducing flaking.
• Use immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory drugs. A doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication depending on the condition.
• Light therapy: Using sunlight or ultraviolet light may help improve psoriasis symptoms.

Pros: Oral and topical Western medicine products can help soothe the skin quickly and bring an immediate effect.

Cons: Overuse of Western medicine products that treat psoriasis often lead to serious side effects. A few topical medicines contain corticosteroids, which will cause skin abrasion if used for a long time. If you stop using the drug, the disease can recur faster and worse.

V. Oriental Medicine Treatment For Psoriasis

Using oriental medicine will help treat psoriasis from the root and prevent a recurrence. Besides, it usually uses natural ingredients that are safe for children and women. Traditional Chinese remedies also do not contain corticosteroids, so they do not erode the skin and have no side effects.

When looking for the best natural ingredients for psoriasis, you should not skip coconut oil. How does this oil help manage psoriasis symptoms?  How to use it? Continue reading to know more.

A. Why Use Coconut Oil For Psoriasis Treatment?

Nowadays, coconut oil is used commonly in skin care. The first benefit of coconut oil on treating psoriasis is acting as a moisturizer so that it can reduce the dry skin, especially in winter. One reason for making the skin becomes dry, flaky and cracked is the water loss through evaporation. In this case, using coconut oil will provide you with the water-soluble amino acids and lipids, which can prevent the enzymes and salt in the skin from easily disappearing and keep the water in the skin. Applying the coconut oil on the skin can prevent the itching and scales, and keep the skin hydrated longer as well. According to a study in the Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, coconut oil can remarkably decrease trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) without making skin colonization of bacteria become higher in very low birth weight neonates.^[4]

Secondly, coconut oil is beneficial for healing inflammation in psoriasis. If you have psoriasis, you will have to suffer from the uncomfortable feeling of inflammation, redness, swelling, and pain in the affected areas. Because of containing the fatty acids like palmitic acid, lauric acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid, coconut oil can work as an anti-inflammatory factor.  In case that inflammation hurts you, coconut oil can become an analgesic agent. According to many studies, virgin coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesic nature. Therefore, it prevents the migration of cells and the production of TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α), which lead to inflammation. In short, using coconut oil is one of the most effective ways to prevent inflammation caused by psoriasis.

As we know, infections cause psoriasis and make the condition worsen. As a result, the damaged skin can be affected by many bacteria, fungus, and viruses. Therefore, it is essential to fight off the infections in psoriasis affected areas. Because of containing fatty acids and monoglycerides, coconut oil can act as an antimicrobial agent. Moreover, the presence of lauric acid in coconut oil can fight against various bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus^[5] that is the reason for infections in people with psoriasis.

Also,  with a large amount of vitamin E, coconut oil can protect the skin from cracking and pore-smooth in psoriasis^[6], then protect also from entering harmful substances.

B. How To Use Coconut Oil For Psoriasis

Option 1:

Things you need:

The coconut oil

How to do:

• Put a small bowl of coconut oil over the stones in a pan full of water
• Let the coconut oil melt with the heat
• Use a sterile cotton ball to apply a little coconut oil to the affected areas
• It is optional to let the coconut oil remain on the affected area

How often:

3 to 4 times a day for a few months to get the improvement

Option 2:

Things you need:

• Organic cocoa butter (50 g)
• Organic coconut oil (25 g)
• Glycerine (5 mg)
• Pure Vaseline (50 g)
• Croissant and sesame oil (10 mg)

How to do:

• Mix all the ingredients to have a paste
• Apply this mixture on the affected area

How often:

2-3 times daily, especially during the night when sleeping

Option 3:

Things you need:

• Coconut oil (2 tablespoons)
• Beeswax (melted) (1 tablespoon)
• Honey (1 tablespoon)

How to do:

• Mix all the ingredients to have a paste
• Apply this mixture on the affected area
• Wash with water after few minutes

How often:

Do it daily

Option 4:

Things you need:

2 parts of coconut oil

1 part of apple cider vinegar

How to do:

• Mix coconut oil with apple cider vinegar
• Apply this mixture on the affected areas
• Wait for 20 to 30 minutes
• Wash with water

How often:

Do it twice daily

Option 5:

Things you need:

• Turmeric (1/2 teaspoon)
• Coconut oil (1 tablespoon)

How to do:

• Mix turmeric with coconut oil to have a paste
• Apply this mixture on the affected area
• Wait for 20 minutes
• Wash with water

How often:

Do it daily to have better condition

Option 6:

Things you need:

2 – 3 tablespoons of coconut oil

How to do:

• Add coconut oil into your bath water (not too hot)
• Soak the body in it for 10 – 15 minutes
• Take a bath normally
• Pat dry and then apply coconut oil to the affected areas

How often:

Do it daily to have improvement

Option 7:

Things you need:

• 1 teaspoon each of lukewarm coconut oil
• Freshly extracted aloe vera

How to do:

• Mix coconut oil with aloe vera
• Apply this mixture on affected areas
• Use a circular motion to massage for 20 minutes
• Leave it overnight or wash with water

How often:

Do it daily

C. Other Natural Treatments For Psoriasis

Apart from using coconut oil for psoriasis, there are also other natural remedies for this disease. You can find them at Top 16 Home Remedies For Scalp Psoriasis.

VI. Side Effects Of Coconut Oil

• Coconut oil is natural, so it is safe for most people. However, you have to test this oil before using because it can cause allergic problems for you or make your problems become more serious. For women are pregnant or the babies, you should ask the doctor first.
• If you are sensitive to coconut oil, it does cause allergies. Some of the allergic reactions are rashes, eczema, nausea, vomiting, hives, and anaphylaxis.
• Coconut oil has a type of fat, which can increase cholesterol levels. Daily eating meals having coconut oil may increase “bad” low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

When knowing that you have psoriasis, you should go to see the doctor immediately for advice. You have to ask the doctor whether you can use coconut oil or other ingredients for your problem.

We hope that this article gives you some interesting and useful information about the benefits of coconut oil for psoriasis. In general, using coconut oil can help you have strong hair and skin. It is certain that you will be surprised at its benefits. Please leave your questions or comments in the comment box. Your opinions and thoughts are always welcome. If you want to know more about the benefits of other foods, you can visit the Food For Beauty page.

All content provided is for informational & educational purposes. We recommend you consult a healthcare professional to determine that you can use coconut oil or not.

Read more: Top 25 Effective Ways To Remove Melasma At Home. This article was medically reviewed/fact checked by Bindiya Gandhi, MD.