Are you suffering from vitiligo, the skin condition that causes the
appearance of white patches on the skin? The white patches occur because of
depigmentation which, on the other hand, is caused by the death or ceasing to
function of melanocytes, the cells which are directly responsible for the
production of the pigment that gives a person his or her normal skin color,
called melanin. Vitiligo, which may affect people of any age, gender or race, is
believed to be an autoimmune disorder, but other research point to heredity,
nutritional deficiencies and even excessive stress as other causes of the
disease.
Vitiligo is a condition that causes the loss of melanin from your skin. Melanin is the pigment that is responsible for the color of your skin, eyes and hair. Vitiligo manifests when your melanin-producing cells die or no longer generate melanin, which causes white patches of skin to appear in the affected area. Natural herbal treatments may be helpful for your vitiligo. However, herbs should only be used under the care of a skilled health care professional.
Some people with vitiligo have also taken to using natural home remedies to manage their condition. For instance, instead of phototherapy where the skin is bombarded with ultraviolet or UV light, some vitiligo patients choose to eat foods that are rich in psoralen, a compound that aids in boosting the sensitivity of the skin to UV which in turn promotes tanning. Celery, carrots and parsnips are known to be loaded with psoralen. The herb St. John’s wort is also believed to serve the same purpose, although it should not be used by vitiligo patients who are either pregnant or nursing.
Natural herbal treatments for vitiligo include katuki, St. John's wort and ginkgo, notes nutrition researcher Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Katuki is an herbal remedy that is commonly prescribed for vitiligo by practitioners of ayurvedic medicine, which is the traditional healing system of India. St. John's wort is used to help reduce the negative health effects of stress, while ginkgo may help retard the vitiligo disease course. Many non-herbal supplements may also be helpful in treating this condition, including vitamin B complex, essential fatty acids and silica.
Several herbs have traditionally been used in treating vitiligo, not all natural herbal treatments may have been rigorously evaluated using conventional scientific testing methods. Some herbs may not be appropriate for this condition, especially if you have certain allergies or medical conditions. Herbal remedies may interact with your prescription medication, so it is always wise to discuss herb-related issues with a qualified health care provider before using herbs. A health care practitioner trained in herbal medicine can assist you in selecting herbal remedies that are best for you.
Vitiligo is a condition that causes the loss of melanin from your skin. Melanin is the pigment that is responsible for the color of your skin, eyes and hair. Vitiligo manifests when your melanin-producing cells die or no longer generate melanin, which causes white patches of skin to appear in the affected area. Natural herbal treatments may be helpful for your vitiligo. However, herbs should only be used under the care of a skilled health care professional.
Some people with vitiligo have also taken to using natural home remedies to manage their condition. For instance, instead of phototherapy where the skin is bombarded with ultraviolet or UV light, some vitiligo patients choose to eat foods that are rich in psoralen, a compound that aids in boosting the sensitivity of the skin to UV which in turn promotes tanning. Celery, carrots and parsnips are known to be loaded with psoralen. The herb St. John’s wort is also believed to serve the same purpose, although it should not be used by vitiligo patients who are either pregnant or nursing.
Natural herbal treatments for vitiligo include katuki, St. John's wort and ginkgo, notes nutrition researcher Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Katuki is an herbal remedy that is commonly prescribed for vitiligo by practitioners of ayurvedic medicine, which is the traditional healing system of India. St. John's wort is used to help reduce the negative health effects of stress, while ginkgo may help retard the vitiligo disease course. Many non-herbal supplements may also be helpful in treating this condition, including vitamin B complex, essential fatty acids and silica.
Several herbs have traditionally been used in treating vitiligo, not all natural herbal treatments may have been rigorously evaluated using conventional scientific testing methods. Some herbs may not be appropriate for this condition, especially if you have certain allergies or medical conditions. Herbal remedies may interact with your prescription medication, so it is always wise to discuss herb-related issues with a qualified health care provider before using herbs. A health care practitioner trained in herbal medicine can assist you in selecting herbal remedies that are best for you.
