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Treatment of psoriasis with linseed oil
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Scaly lichen is a common dermatosis that no drug has yet been able to treat. Modern official medicine can only offer temporary remission. This multifactorial disease affects not only the skin, but also almost all body systems. Flaxseed oil for psoriasis is a noteworthy alternative to drug therapy. Judging by the reviews, this remedy helps even with severe and extensive lesions, and the side effects are not comparable to the undesirable consequences of using drugs.
The oil is pressed from flaxseed using the cold pressing method, it must be unrefined and used without heat treatment. Its main drawback is a short shelf life. Two forms of release can be found on sale: gelatin capsules or small bottles of oil.
Indications of flaxseed oil for psoriasis
It is used externally and orally for localized and widespread psoriatic rashes as an anti-inflammatory and disinfectant, softening and soothing irritation, regenerating and protective agent.
Oral use is permitted for persons aged 14 years and over.
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Pharmacodynamics
The pharmacological properties of flaxseed oil are due to its rich composition. It contains significant amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega-3,6, respectively 70%, 20% (their complex is also called vitamin F) and monounsaturated Omega-9 (20%). The body cannot synthesize polyunsaturated fats itself and must receive them with food. Essential fatty acids Omega-3,6 participate in almost all metabolic processes and support the work of all body systems. This complex is a powerful antioxidant that thins the blood and relieves inflammatory and allergic processes, improves the immune system, promotes the restoration and healing of the mucous membranes of internal organs and skin. They are able to cope with neuropsychiatric disorders, migraines, diabetes and excess weight.
Omega-9 is necessary for normal metabolism, which is important for a disease such as psoriasis, it ensures the health of blood vessels and the synthesis of essential hormones in the body.
Flaxseed oil contains a significant amount of tocopherol (vitamin E), which protects cells from oxidation products and has a beneficial effect on red blood cells and the vascular system as a whole.
Macroelements (phosphorus, calcium) are necessary for the normal functioning of bone and muscle tissue, mental activity, nerves and blood vessels. Fatty acids and phosphorus facilitate the absorption of calcium by the body.
Of the microelements in linseed oil, the presence of zinc is noticeable, which participates in reparative processes in the skin, promotes hair growth and normal hematopoiesis. Participates in strengthening the immune and nervous systems.
The use of flaxseed oil has a beneficial effect on the functioning of all systems and organs, normalizes it, which helps to reduce skin manifestations of the disease, and sometimes, according to people who have long suffered from this disease, leads to long-term remission.
Pharmacokinetics
Since flaxseed oil is not a medicinal product, its pharmacokinetics have not been studied. It is known that this product is absorbed by the body by 98%.
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Dosing and administration
The oil should not be refined, as refining deprives it of its medicinal properties. Treatment is recommended to be carried out under the supervision of a specialist.
External use
It is recommended to treat psoriatic rashes daily, you can make compresses, masks with it, add it to homemade creams. A course of monotherapy and complex, in combination with other drugs is possible. However, before including flaxseed oil in the treatment regimen, it is advisable to consult with the dermatologist who prescribed it. There are no specific recommendations on the duration of external use of flaxseed oil. If there are no side effects and deterioration of the condition, you can apply the oil to the plaques until remission occurs.
Oral administration
There are different schemes for oral administration of flaxseed oil. If there are no other recommendations, the following schemes can be used.
No. 1 (more gentle). Flaxseed oil should be introduced into the diet gradually. Start with ¼ teaspoon (1 g) in the morning and evening (during breakfast and dinner). Take this dosage for the entire first week and, if there are no side effects, increase the dose to ½ teaspoon (≈2 g) from the second week. In the third week, the oil is dosed by a whole teaspoon, then, subject to tolerance, gradually increase the dose to half a tablespoon (8 g).
The duration of treatment is from one to two months.
№2. According to this scheme, start taking one tablespoon in the morning on an empty stomach, then increase the morning intake to two tablespoons (subject to tolerance). Later, gradually increase the daily dosage to five tablespoons, the remaining three should be consumed with salads or porridges during the day. The duration of treatment is from one to two months. Then take a break for a month or two, after which it is recommended to take the oil daily and constantly in small doses in the morning on an empty stomach.
If treatment according to any of the selected schemes is successful, you can treat the surface of the plaques with linseed oil once a day.
Take three capsules in the morning and evening during meals. Duration of administration is one month.
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Use of flaxseed oil for psoriasis during pregnancy
It is not recommended for pregnant and nursing women to consume flaxseed oil internally; animal experiments have shown a certain effect on embryo development. The effect on the human embryo has not been studied.
However, external use of this product is acceptable. You can lubricate the rash areas with oil, make compresses to soften the inflamed skin and alleviate the condition. It is advisable to consult a doctor first.
Contraindications
Concerning oral intake of oil. When applied externally, you should take into account the listed contraindications and monitor your condition. The best solution would be a doctor's consultation before starting treatment.
Flaxseed oil is not indicated:
- persons under 14 years of age;
- pregnant and lactating women;
- persons sensitized to it;
- for gallstones;
- inflammatory diseases of the liver, pancreas and other digestive organs;
- disorders of hematopoiesis;
- neoplasms of the appendages and uterus;
- hormonal contraception;
- hormonal imbalances;
- therapy with antidepressants, anticoagulants, laxatives and hypoglycemic agents.
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Side effects of flaxseed oil for psoriasis
- allergic reactions (it is advisable to test on the elbow even when used externally);
- when taken orally: diarrhea, hemostatic disorders.
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Overdose
Some sources indicate that the maximum permissible dose of flaxseed oil for an adult is two tablespoons daily. This is somewhat inconsistent with scheme No. 2, but perhaps we are talking about individual tolerance. The dosage of flaxseed oil has not been studied, since it is not a drug, but a food product. However, the dose that a patient can tolerate without consequences is influenced by many factors - age, the presence of chronic diseases. Take precautions, monitor your condition and if undesirable effects appear, stop treatment.
The main effect of an overdose of oil is an upset stomach. Sensitization reactions may occur, and not only rash and swelling, but also respiratory disorders.
The drug should be discontinued and in severe cases, seek medical help.
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Interactions with other drugs
It is not recommended to combine with blood thinners, hormonal contraceptives, antidepressants, laxatives, hypoglycemics and cholesterol-lowering drugs.
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Storage conditions
In a dark glass bottle or original packaging (capsules). Do not leave in the light and unsealed in the air. If the color, taste or smell has changed - throw away and replace with a new one.
Reviews
Mostly positive reviews from those who used the oil externally, there are practically no negative ones in this case. People note improvement in health, moisturizing of the skin, elimination of cracks.
There are positive reviews about taking it internally. Negative ones are usually related to the unpleasant taste of the oil or smell, and in general – the inability to swallow a spoonful of oil in the morning.
There is a review of combined use - internally and externally. It helped the patient a lot, old (7-year-old) plaques that did not respond to laser therapy went away. According to reviews, the oil helps very well against scalp psoriasis.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Treatment of psoriasis with linseed oil" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.