Cilantro effective in treating psoriasis

Some of our most important drugs were discovered partly by accident. Penicillin was developed after Alexander Fleming found a mold devouring the bacteria he was growing in a petri dish.

A class of valuable blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, ramipril, etc.) was developed when scientists investigated why victims of the deadly jararaca snake of Brazil died after experiencing very low blood pressure.

Sometimes ordinary people also put unexpected discoveries to good use. Such was the case when Donald Agar found that eating two coconut macaroon cookies daily could control the devastating diarrhea brought on by his lifelong inflammatory bowel disease (Crohns). He shared this surprising outcome, and many other people have benefited during the past decade.

Several weeks ago, we heard from a reader that a common herb, cilantro (coriander leaf), might offer unexpected help:

I have a home remedy that is amazing. I used to have severe psoriasis on my knees, elbows, eyes, forehead, wrists, feet and scalp. It would crack and bleed, itch and flake.

One day, a man commented on my raw patches and asked about the treatments Id tried. I explained about the numerous prescription treatments that had next to no success. Steroids gave short-term relief, but the problem usually came back worse than before the treatment.

This man said that to cure my skin problem, all I needed to do was eat raw cilantro. He said I should eat enough to turn my stool green.

I found that it takes a bundle each day for 10 to 15 days. I mix it in a green salad with my favorite dressing and find it an interesting flavor. My skin has been completely clear for six years. If I notice a small patch starting to get rough once or twice a year, I eat a bundle of cilantro for two or three meals and have no more skin problems!

We could find no research to support his claims, but since then we have heard from others who have also reported benefit.

One person offered this follow-up: I have been testing this out, as I have bouts of psoriasis. This winter, I woke up sporting quite a few spots on my thighs. I know how quickly this stuff can multiply, so I thought I would test out the cilantro. I can say that it is having an effect.

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Cilantro effective in treating psoriasis