Psoriasis and nightshades.
From: "Lynn Kelly, DC" drkelly.icdc.com
To: herb.lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [Herb] psoriasis and herbs
Date: Sun, 2 Feb 2003 12:47:58 -0500
http://www.psoriasis-healing.com/photos.htm
Pictures of people healed of psoriasis with herbs (mainly american saffron and slippery elm) and avoidance of nightshades from "Healing Psoriasis" by Dr. John Pagano. LK
From: "Thomas Mueller" tmueller.bluegrass.net
Are nightshades (Solanaceae) generally to be avoided by somebody who hopes to recover from psoriasis?
Is allergy or sensitivity/intolerance to Solanaceae generally lifelong once acquired?
From: "Laura Ridley" lauraridley.localdial.com
Dear Thomas,
I understand that some people can be intolerant to nightshades, as to wheat and dairy. The only way to be sure if this was a problem in psoriasis would be to exclude them from the diet for a while, note the effects on the skin, and then re-introduce, and again note the effects. I am not sure if the intolerance would be lifelong, but if it were shown to be provoking the psoriasis, it would be a good idea to permanently exclude the offending food-group!
From: "Aliceann Carlton" lifework.midrivers.com
Solanaceae cause arthritis in some people but are innocent in many other cases.
In my case, the manifestations are more like asthma. I had spasms of the esophagus and short-lived episodes of hives over a small area in my later potato-eating days.
*Solanaceae foods and herbs are best eliminated in pitta dosha excess conditions where the dosha has been aggravated to the overflow level and beyond, especially where there is overflow to the joints as in rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and skin as in reddened eczema, inflammatory type asthma, rashes, accompanied by anger/irritability.
Regarding ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, Solanaceae)....while this is a great herb for many vata aggravation conditions, it is heating and building in effects. It should not be used in high pitta conditions where there is widespread inflammation and heat. The underlying imbalance should first be corrected through avoidance of heating (digestive energy and post-digestive effect, not just by taste), and use of cooling foods and herbs/spices as well as by correction of the excesses through pancha karma. Once balance is restored, some solanaceae foods may be tried in small quantities at the correct times of the year. Ashwaganda may be tried to correct underlying vata excess if the duration of pitta aggravation/overflow has weakened tissue, but I'd not start off with it.
>> White pizza and pasta are good, too. LK
>What is white pizza?
Yum, white pizza is not tomato based. The crust is the usual, but instead of tomato sauce, an alfredo or white sauce with a lot of basil and garlic is used as the base over which are veggies of various sorts, and, if desired, sausage etc. Sigh.....not very well made in Eastern Montana even at Pizza Hut.
From: "Bill Jacobson" william.jnac.net
> Yum, white pizza is not tomato based. The crust is the usual, but instead
Here in Italian pizza places the white pizza is made also with lots of white cheeses: mozzarella, large lumps of goat cheese, along with greens and other non red additions. Thin slices of eggplant are good toppings also. (Eggplant is in the Solanaceae. -Henriette)
From: "Aliceann Carlton" lifework.midrivers.com
Hi Thomas,
> If I am ever to go back to eating Solanaceae, it has to be slow and cautious, beginning with tomatoes and/or peppers (Capsicum genus), followed by several days off.
If solanines and you don't get along, then I'd avoid them. Starting back on tomatoes seems pretty risky, but perhaps you can pull it off. I'd be more inclined to determine the underlying reason for the elevated histamine response first and trying to decrease that for several months. I like to use a combination of gugguls and aloe gel over a long period (6 months or a year) for this purpose, but I realize you have extreme sensitivity to many plants so food avoidance may be more important.
