Q. I suffered from psoriasis on my hands and elbows for more than 22 years. I accidentally discovered a solution for this miserable malady.
I had an unusual craving for black licorice and asked the owner of our local nutrition center how to eliminate this craving. She suggested taking an herbal form of licorice. This immediately solved my craving.
To my surprise, I realized I had gotten an added bonus. My psoriasis disappeared. The licorice worked better than the steroid creams my doctor prescribed for so many years.
A. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is part of a traditional Chinese herbal mixture that is considered effective for psoriasis (American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, Aug., 2010). We don’t suggest taking it orally, though, since licorice can lead to low libido, fluid retention and high blood pressure. Herbal experts such as James Duke, PhD, have recommended applying licorice extract topically to psoriasis lesions for relief.
Find more information about licorice in our Herb Library.
