Shampoo and Scalp Treatment for Psoriasis Scalps

Psoriasis can be really painful, especially when in sensitive areas like your scalp. When my sister was telling me about her itchy scalp and the discomfort and pain it caused her, I started to investigate what is psoriasis and if there were any herbal/natural treatments. I found out psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder, where the body begins over producing skin cells in an attempt to fight off infection. These cells begin building up, producing white scaly patches (called plaques) that can be embarrassing and painful, especially if they crack. Depending on the severity, a person's psoriasis can be managed with natural/herbal remedies, but there are cases where a medical physician needs to prescribe some heavier treatment to improve quality of life. It turns out, my sister's scalp psoriasis could be managed using natural/herbal remedies.

Understanding that the body is in overactive state, I tried to find some plant oils that would help fight off any infection that body detects, then help the body relax and heal. So, a scalp treatment would help with the initial cleaning/soothing, followed by a regular shampoo to maintain the scalp. For both the scalp treatment and shampoo, I gathered my tea tree oil and lavender oil, both have anti-bacterial agents. While tea tree oil will help dry out the scalp and let the dead skin just fall off, the lavender oil will begin soothing the exposed sensitive skin. When it came to the shampoo I needed something that would clean the hair and scalp, but not over dry it, leaving it exposed to potential infections. I found a great suggestion by Wellness Mama to use coconut oil to help maintain moisture in your hair along with mild Castille soap as the cleaning agent.

I presented the scalp treatment and shampoo to my sister and saw dramatic results! Just in the first use, my sister's scalp stopped hurting and cleared up within a week. She now uses regular shampoo once a week and the nature shampoo twice a week. She claims her hair feels softer and healthier than before!

Scalp Treatment

Ingredients 

• 1 8-oz bottle (I used these one here)
• 15 drops Tea tree oil
• 15 drops Lavender oil
• 1 cup jojoba oil (highly recommended) or olive oil (recommended) 
• Funnel (optional - just makes it easier to pour ingredients into the bottle)

Directions

1. Place your carrier oil in a double boiler or in a bowl over boiling water and heat until the oil is warm to the touch (be careful not to overheat) 
2. Add 15 drops of tea tree oil 
3. Add 15 drops of lavender oil 
4. Top the bottle with the funnel and pour your oil mixture into the bottle and close with lid
5. Test the treatment on a small part of your scalp and allow the treatment to 5 minutes to work. Tingling in normal, but if you experience any itching or burning, discontinue use immediately. 
6. If all is well, apply your mixture to your scalp, especially in trouble areas
7. Massage gently with your fingertips
8. Cover head with a shower cap, plastic wrap, or a plastic bag (this is to build up heat and allow the treatment to penetrate the skin) 
9. Remove wrapping after an hour and wash hair  

Shampoo

Ingredients

• 1  shampoo bottle (used or new) 
• 1/2 cup coconut oil 
• 1/2 Castille soap
• 15 drops tea tree oil
• 15 lavender oil
• 15 peppermint oil
• 1 teaspoon jojoba oil (highly recommended) or olive oil (recommended)
• Funnel (optional - just makes it easier to pour ingredients into the bottle) 

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients into an old shampoo bottle or pump bottle
2. Shake well before each use
3. Use within a month

A Day with My Anxiety (and a Glimpse of Depression)

"You don't deserve this life."

These are the days I feel unlovable, unnoticed, unwanted, un-being. I spend these days in my head, just lying in bed trying to convince myself to get up to use the bathroom, but the demons have me pinned down. They whisper stories of unworthiness and traumas. They convince me the safest place I have is my bed, where no one, no thing, can hurt me. But my body drives me to the bathroom and the shame begins yelling at me. "Where you really not going to go? What is wrong with you? You're driving Matt away and that will be the last straw. He'll leave you in your own filth. No one wants to be with someone so pathetic."

Filth => dirty. (How pathetic.)

Dirty => unclean. (You should shower.)

Unclean => dark heart. (Remember the last time in the shower with the razor?!?! Maybe not.)

Dark heart => fear. (I can't trust you or the world today.)

Fear => run. (Let's go back to bed.)

I crawl back into bed, put on a cartoon I've seen before, and wait for sleep to come. Just going to the bathroom is exhausting. At least in my dreams nothing can hurt me, but the whispers start and sleep is impossible. "What if there's a fire? What if someone breaks into the house and kills you in your sleep?" The world is untrustworthy today. So, I stay awake and watch my cartoons, quietly and with as little movement as possible. I can't let anyone know where I am! "You are such a coward!"

Coward => fear (How pathetic.)

Fear => control (How can we make sure you're safe?)

Control => doubt (You can't control everything.)

Doubt => bravery (But you can control your response.)

Bravery => awake (Let's take a shower.)

I jump in the shower and my inner voice starts whispering to you. "Wow! You mustered up the bravery (Ha! Not the band!) to face your world. You soothed those demons. Even if you didn't get out of bed, you deserve today. You deserve life!"

It's that splinter of hope that gets me through the day. Even if it means I just crawled back into bed, at least I know I'm clean.