When you hear "psoriasis," you generally envision red, inflamed skin. While this is somewhat correct, psoriasis is considerably more complicated. Psoriasis is a chronic disorder that causes various physical and mental symptoms that are not limited to a person's skin.
If you are among the millions of people with psoriasis, you may be looking for new and novel treatments. For ages, medicinal mushrooms have been employed in traditional Chinese medicine. Humans have long been fascinated with mushrooms, from ancient healers to modern culinary maestros.
But how are mushrooms good for psoriasis? Mushrooms have been shown to boost skin health, support the immune system, and combat stress, fatigue, inflammation, and oxidative stress. All of these may be beneficial in the treatment of psoriasis.
Here’s some background on the best mushrooms for psoriasis and how they may fit into your lifestyle.
Understanding Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes skin irritation. Psoriasis symptoms include patches of discolored skin coated in scales. These thick, scaly regions are the plaques.
A psoriasis rash can appear anywhere on your body. Psoriasis commonly occurs on the scalp, elbows and knees, genitals, face, and inside of the mouth, palms and feet, and genitals, lower back, fingernails, and toes.
The condition usually affects only a tiny area of the skin. Plaques can join and cover a massive portion of your body in severe circumstances. Psoriasis can flare up at any time.
Psoriasis is classified into numerous categories, including:
- Plaque psoriasis: This is the most common type of psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis affects around 80% to 90% of persons with psoriasis.
- Guttate psoriasis: This type can develop after a streptococcal infection causes a sore throat.
- Inverse psoriasis: This manifests itself in the skin folds and results in thin plaques with no scales.
There is no cure for inflammatory psoriasis. While symptoms may not be present 100% of the time, they will flare up and subside frequently throughout a person's life. As a result, psoriasis therapies treat symptoms and enhance the quality of life of those who suffer from it.
Anti-inflammatory drugs, topical creams, corticosteroid injections, pain medication, and light therapy are common psoriasis treatments.
Overview Of Medicinal Mushrooms
Medical mushrooms have a long and illustrious history. They have been utilized for millennia as immune boosters, antimicrobial agents, and treatments for inflammation, fatigue, and chronic metabolic diseases. However, medicinal mushrooms were primarily used by ancient medical practitioners until recently. However, supplementing with these beneficial mushrooms is quickly gaining favor in the Western world.
Some have also been found to protect the liver, brain, skeletal, and cardiovascular systems and glucose and fat metabolism. This is due to bioactive chemicals such as polysaccharide-glucan or polysaccharide-protein complexes such as lactones, lectins, alkaloids, terpenoids, antibiotics, and metal-chelating agents in medicinal mushrooms.
Whether it's simply improving skin appearance and health or supporting the management of a condition with less reliance on prescriptions, researchers are beginning to investigate how mushroom-based remedies—some of which have been historically used for skin health for centuries—could play an essential role in our skincare routines.
Mushrooms For Psoriasis Management
Several medicinal mushrooms are known to help psoriasis. The mushrooms psoriasis benefits are mainly attributed to their anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory, and stress-relieving properties.
Here are the top mushrooms for psoriasis.
Chaga
Chaga mushrooms have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-stress effects. The anti-inflammatory qualities of Chaga can also help with psoriasis.
The mushroom produces proteins that modulate inflammatory processes. Cytokines are proteins that stimulate the formation of white blood cells, which can actively combat inflammation and infection.
Mice with intestinal inflammation were administered extracts of Chaga mushrooms in an animal study(1). Chaga extracts were given to the mice at 50 and 100mg per kg body weight. The study found that chaga decreased TNF-alpha, a protein the immune system employs for cell communication and a crucial participant in psoriasis flare-ups.
Reishi
Stress and anxiety can harm an individual's physical health, even exacerbating the severity of pre-existing health disorders such as inflammatory psoriasis. Reducing stress and anxiety symptoms can help to improve general health and well-being.
Reishi is a potent adaptogen that aids in regulating stress hormones that influence mood and emotion. It moderates the body's response to stress through the adrenal glands, balancing cortisol and adrenaline levels, which are elevated when stressed.
Turkey Tail
Turkey tail has immune-modulating qualities(2), one of its most essential benefits for psoriasis. This means that it can alter immune response or system functioning by speeding it up or slowing it down when necessary.
Given that psoriasis is an autoimmune illness in which the body's immune system assaults its cells, this is a massive help to them in terms of disease resistance.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps mushroom modulates the inflammatory system. It is a potent anti-inflammatory agent that can be used to treat inflammatory psoriasis.
Several studies have been conducted to assess Cordyceps' anti-inflammatory effects. According to one study(3), the superfood was essential in the control of inflammatory pathways.
Lion’s mane
While there isn't much study on Lion's mane and psoriasis specifically, we do know that it can have an anti-inflammatory effect. Since psoriasis is an autoimmune illness, and autoimmune disorders include out-of-control inflammation in the body, it's not a stretch to believe that Lion's mane could help reduce the progression of psoriasis and alleviate its symptoms.
Furthermore, Lion's mane stimulates nerve growth and provides pain relief; these properties may improve the quality of life for people with psoriasis.
Using Mushrooms As Part Of a Holistic Approach
Functional mushrooms can be used in many different ways and products. While functional mushrooms can be cooked and eaten, this may not be the most effective form.
Instead, combining mushroom supplements with lifestyle modifications can be highly effective when dealing with inflammatory psoriasis. Stress reduction, a balanced diet, and lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and exercising can help manage psoriasis symptoms.
Precautions And Considerations
Medicinal mushrooms are usually safe, but some people may experience allergies. The mushrooms may also interact with blood pressure and anti-diabetic medications, so consulting a healthcare professional before use is recommended.
FAQs About Mushrooms For Psoriasis
Can Mushrooms Replace Conventional Treatments For Psoriasis?
Mushrooms are not intended to replace conventional treatment for psoriasis. These should be used in addition to the medications prescribed by your doctor.
How Long Does It Take To See Results When Using Mushrooms For Psoriasis?
It takes about two weeks to see the results of mushrooms for psoriasis. Like herbal supplements, they must build up in your body to produce effects.
How Should I Incorporate Mushrooms Into My Psoriasis Routine?
Mushrooms are available as tablets, tinctures, and capsules. However, the best way to incorporate them into your psoriasis routine is by mixing mushroom powders into teas, coffees, soups, and smoothies.
Key Takeaway
There's undoubtedly a newfound interest in everyone's beloved medicinal mushroom — and its nutritional value — as a "trending food" these days. And recent studies have shown that mushrooms for psoriasis can be an effective treatment option. Thanks to their ability to combat inflammation, modulate the immune system and manage stress, it's not long before these mushrooms gain popularity as a must-have skincare ingredient.
References
- Orally administered aqueous extract of Inonotus obliquus ameliorates acute inflammation in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice, (1)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22819687/
- Immunomodulatory Properties ofCoriolus versicolor: The Role of Polysaccharopeptide, (2)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5592279/
- Anti-inflammatory effects of Cordyceps mycelium (Paecilomyces hepiali, CBG-CS-2) in Raw264.7 murine macrophages, (3)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371127/
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