If you’ve been diagnosed with psoriasis, you’ve likely heard about alternative treatment approaches that may help ease your symptoms. One option is turmeric, a bright yellow spice. Like some MyPsoriasisTeam members, you may be asking yourself, “Can turmeric help psoriasis?”

“I have started taking turmeric, and the psoriasis on my feet has greatly improved,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member wrote. Another, however, said, “I took it about four years ago and never noticed a change.”

Although turmeric and its active compound curcumin have been studied as possible ways to help manage psoriasis symptoms, the research is still limited, and results have been mixed. To better understand the possible link between turmeric and reduced psoriasis symptoms, check out what the research says.

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Can Turmeric Help Psoriasis?

Any potential benefits of turmeric for psoriasis may be due to curcumin, the spice’s main active ingredient. Curcumin has antioxidant (cell-protecting) and anti-inflammatory properties, both of which may help ease psoriasis symptoms. Researchers have studied curcumin in skin products and supplements taken by mouth.

“I add turmeric to my tea, and you can add it to food as well,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member wrote. Another said, “I put it in my food for cooking.”

Does Turmeric Help When Applied to the Skin?

Several studies have looked at the effects of topical curcumin on psoriasis and found mixed but potentially promising results. Scientists have reported that a turmeric tonic, a topical application, improved scalp psoriasis for study participants.

Some research also suggests that turmeric tonic may decrease the severity of psoriasis. However, the evidence is limited and comes from small studies with specific formulations.

Researchers from Iran concluded that a turmeric gel improved skin lesions in people with mild to moderate psoriasis. In another study, a gel containing curcumin was linked to improvement in psoriasis, but the curcumin-treated group included only 10 participants who used a specific formula. More research is needed to determine whether topical turmeric or curcumin is beneficial for psoriasis.

Should You Take Turmeric Supplements?

There’s limited research on oral turmeric supplements for psoriasis.

In Italy, researchers conducted a study involving 63 people with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis to investigate the effects of oral curcumin. Among participants who used a topical corticosteroid, those who also took 2 grams of a curcumin-containing supplement per day saw more improvement in psoriasis symptoms than participants who used the steroid alone.

Because only a small number of studies have looked at turmeric for psoriasis, health experts still do not know whether it works well enough to recommend. More research is also needed to learn which form and dose, if any, may be helpful.

Can Turmeric Cause Side Effects?

Despite the potential benefits, using turmeric has some limitations. The body does not absorb standard curcumin supplements well. Oral turmeric or curcumin may cause side effects such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Acid reflux
• Stomach upset
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

Topical curcumin may also cause hives or itching and can temporarily stain the skin yellow. “It turned my fingers yellow,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member wrote. Another said, “Turmeric has given me a huge headache.”

With some curcumin supplements taken by mouth, liver injury has also been reported.

Researchers are working to improve curcumin absorption. For example, they are developing supplements and gel-based skin products that the body can absorb more easily.

Some turmeric dietary supplements contain piperine, the major active component of black pepper. Combining piperine with curcumin has been reported to increase the amount of curcumin that enters the bloodstream. However, increased absorption may also increase the risk of side effects.

Curcumin products designed to increase absorption have been linked to liver injury.

Speak to Your Dermatologist

Topical and supplemental curcumin or turmeric are widely available on the internet and from supplement and health food stores. However, turmeric and other vitamins and supplements for psoriasis are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are sold. Talk to your healthcare provider or dermatologist before using supplements or topical products containing turmeric.