Box News

There is one basic thing I insist my patients always keep in mind, especially since this regimen is not a get-well-quick procedure. If I sound redundant, it is my intention to be so. Psoriasis will not disappear until the basic cause has been removed. Since the basic cause is a buildup of internal toxins that has accumulated over an extended period of time, the removal of these toxins is not an overnight process.

In following this regimen, it is absolutely essential to give time a chance. Without it, the effort is worthless. Discipline is an absolute must if results are to be expected, and this regimen may not be as rigorous as one might imagine.

One of my patients summed up the attitude needed to apply the psoriasis regimen with complete success in these simple, wise words: “It is a discipline only until it becomes a habit— then it takes over!”

Pagano, John O. A.. Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative (p. 144). Turner Publishing Company. 

Herbal Teas :

The teas involved in helping to heal psoriasis and eczema are natural herbal teas that affect the internal cleansing process and aid in the restoration of the intestinal walls. Most herbal teas do not contain caffeine, theobromide, or tannin, which are potentially harmful ingredients that can lead to nervousness, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, and disruption of blood-sugar levels. Popular commercial teas, however, do contain these unhealthy elements and should, therefore, be avoided by the psoriatic.

The most beneficial herbal teas are American yellow (not Spanish) saffron tea and slippery elm bark powder tea. Discussion of these teas and their preparation appears in chapter 7. 

Supplemental Herbal Teas :

Other herbal teas may include watermelon seed tea, chamomile, mullein, and decaffeinated green or black tea. Oolong tea has been cited as being very helpful in cases of eczema.

Pagano, John O. A.. Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative (pp. 97-98). Turner Publishing Company.

► Read More : Oolong Tea " What the Science Says About Its Health Benefits "

The debate over the effects coffee has on the human organism has been going on for more than fifty years. In 1986, scientific data was released to the public that indicated that people who consumed more than three cups of coffee per day were at risk of impairing their calcium absorption as well as developing heart disease. According to a study by the Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore, anyone who drinks five or more cups of coffee a day has more than twice the risk of having heart problems than someone who drinks no coffee at all. This survey was conducted on one thousand men over a twenty-five-year period.

In October 1990, however, new findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine completely refuted the previous findings, revealing that a study of more than forty-five thousand men found no evidence that coffee boosts the risk of heart disease or stroke. What is one to do? Follow the experts, and you find yourself in a state of confusion. Do whatever you please, and you may jeopardize your health.

Consequently, I feel that using common sense is the answer. I suggest that those of my patients who feel a need to drink coffee consume no more than three cups of black decaffeinated coffee per day, in other words, without milk, cream, or sugar. Those who have little desire for coffee should eliminate it altogether. It seems to me that the question here is not whether coffee in itself is harmful, but rather how much is consumed. An unreasonable amount can lead not only to physical reactions but to mental reactions as well. A Case in Point Mr. A.G. came into my office suffering from a rather severe degree of psoriasis, which he had had for twenty years. The primary areas involved were across his upper back, his shoulders, and down each arm. What disturbed him most, however, was the severity of the disease throughout his hands.

His profession involved being in close contact with the public. Because of his embarrassment, he would take whatever measures were necessary to avoid exposing his hands. Rarely have I had such a cooperative patient. Without question or complaint, A.G. did everything that was required. Although the progress was slow, it was steady. In a few months, his back, his shoulders, and most of his upper arms cleared up nicely— however, the tops of his hands showed no change. He noticed that during the week, the lesions of his hands would not be so inflamed; yet on weekends, they would flare up to an intolerable degree.

This pattern repeated itself every week. We sat down and tried to figure out the reason for this recurrence. Was there something that A.G. was doing, or perhaps not doing, that caused this adverse reaction to occur only on weekends? There was: he drank too much coffee. During the week when he was busy working as a traveling salesman, he would drink seven to ten cups of coffee a day.

On weekends, when he was an auctioneer, which placed him under a great deal of stress, he would drink as many as sixteen or seventeen cups a day. There was no need to look any further. I reminded A.G. that although black coffee was permitted on the diet, drinking sixteen cups a day was utterly ridiculous.

The maximum that I allowed was three cups per day. A.G. decided not only to cut down on his coffee intake on weekends but to refrain from drinking it altogether. He proved to me that when he made up his mind to do something, he did it. Results were not immediate. Three weeks passed without any apparent change in his condition. I was ready to give up the idea that coffee was the culprit, when a change began to take place.

The remaining lesions on his lower arms began to dry up. He began to feel better in general, with his energy level greatly improving. Most important of all were the changes that occurred in his hands. The irritation on the tops of his hands was hardly visible. He and I were now convinced that the excessive amount of coffee that he had been drinking on weekends was the primary reason for the flare-ups. Although three cups of coffee per day are allowed on the diet, after eliminating coffee altogether, several of my patients reported a marked improvement in the condition of their skin.

As a substitute for coffee, some patients drink a cup of hot water with the juice of a lemon or lime wich seems to satisfy them.

Pagano, John O. A.. Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative (pp. 95-97). Turner Publishing Company. 

Liquid intake, especially pure water, should be of primary interest to the psoriatic. The bathing of the cells, the flushing of the kidneys, the movements throughout the small and large intestines, and the chemical processes of the body are, to a great extent, if not completely, dependent on a healthy, fluid environment. It goes without saying that the type of liquid intake chosen should be relatively free of toxins, pollutants, destructive artificial additives, preservatives, colorings, or any other potentially harmful product.

The optimum is to select those liquids that are cleansing and healthful and that enhance, rather than hinder, these vital body processes.

Water :

During the preliminary consultation with many of my new psoriasis patients, I am often amazed to find that they rarely, if ever, drink pure water daily. In fact, it is unusual to meet anyone who drinks more than one or two glasses a day. Most people feel that their daily water intake is adequately supplied through the foods they eat or by other liquids such as diet soda, alcohol, beer, coffee, or tea. Obviously, there are many individuals, without chronic skin conditions, whose bodies can apparently handle such an accumulation of toxins. In cases of psoriasis or eczema, however, such a violation can only aggravate an already overpolluted system. I am not one to harp on rules, but if ever there was a rule that I insist be followed, especially for a psoriatic, it is this one: drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of pure water a day, in addition to all other beverages consumed.

As a matter of fact, I have found that patients suffering from psoriasis respond more readily when they make water their only drink (except for the teas), especially in the first few months of the regimen. Water is not only convenient, inexpensive, and calorie-free, but it can also effectively curb your appetite. Whenever you are hungry, or before a meal, I suggest you drink a glass of water. Because water is tasteless, it can also help curb the desire for sweets and other beverages. As an alternative to plain water, you may add the juice of four or five fresh lemons or limes to a gallon of spring, filtered, or bottled water. The water should then be refrigerated and consumed whenever desired. This will help the body processes in cleansing, lubrication, and alkalinity. (Refer to “The Importance of Water” in chapter 5.)

Fruit and Vegetable Juices :

Unsweetened fruit juices and vegetable juices are to be consumed as often as possible. If a rash occurs or the skin becomes sensitive due to drinking too much orange or grapefruit juice, drink less or eliminate it.

All juices should be either freshly made or, if store-bought, purchased in a glass container or waxed carton. Avoid all canned juices. A few drops to a quarter cup of lemon or lime juice should be added to a six- to eight-ounce glass of orange juice or grapefruit juice. Pure grape juice and other nutritious juices such as pineapple, pear, papaya, mango, and apricot are also recommended. Combinations of these juices are also suggested. Vegetable juices as well as fruit juices are best freshly made in a home juicer.

There is one major restriction regarding vegetable juices: avoid tomato juice and all juices that contain tomato.

Occasionally adding a packet of Knox unflavored gelatin to a glass of fruit or vegetable juice will help to ensure maximum nutritional absorption. Always keep in mind that consuming too much of any one food item, even if it is on the permitted list, can produce toxicity in the body. For instance, consuming too many carrots or drinking too much carrot juice can produce hypercarotenemia, bringing about pseudojaundice.

An overabundance of fruit can raise the triglyceride level of the blood, which can cause a skin reaction.

In other words, avoid extremes.

Pagano, John O. A.. Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative (p. 95). Turner Publishing Company.

The importance of high-fiber foods in today’s diet cannot be overemphasized. These foods are highly advisable, for they help to stimulate peristaltic action throughout the intestinal tract and cleanse the colon by virtue of their coarse action on the walls. Recent years have brought about increased awareness of the value of high-fiber foods in the prevention of colon cancer. The New England Journal of Medicine published a report stating that researchers at the University of Modena in Italy believe high-fiber foods possibly prevent colon cancer, as well as heart disease, by lowering blood levels of cholesterol. The researchers believe that one reason for this is that high-fiber diets speed up the movement of food through the small intestine, thereby preventing certain disease processes from taking hold. The Associated Press released an article in June 1982 reporting findings by a panel of scientists, based on a two-year study for the National Academy of Sciences, indicating that a diet high in fiber supplied by whole-grain cereals, fruits, and vegetables may inhibit certain cancers. Although these scientists claim that their findings are inconclusive, the fact remains that fiber-rich foods have a cleansing effect throughout the colon because of their inability to be digested. Fibrous-type foods (roughage) speed up the process of waste elimination, and the destructive, possibly even cancerous, elements do not have time to gain a foothold in the large intestine before they are scraped off the walls of the colon and passed out of the body. These conclusions parallel those of the researchers from the University of Modena. The most common high-fiber foods are whole- or cracked-wheat breads, whole-grain breakfast cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables, and almonds. The almond is of particular benefit because it is high in fiber and alkaline in nature. Almonds may be eaten raw (preferably two to four each day for at least three days a week), in baked goods, or in other food preparations. It is most important that fiber-rich foods be included, whenever possible, in the daily diet. These food items help reduce the transit time of fecal material in the bowel, helping the toxic elements (waste) to be excreted in the normal twenty-four to thirty-six hours. If the transit time of impurities is allowed to go beyond thirty-six hours before exiting the body, backup pressure occurs, which can lead to irritability of the intestinal tract, which, in turn, may lead to anything from an annoyance to a life-threatening illness. Examples of fiber-rich breakfast foods include Millers Bran, All-Bran, oat bran, Wheat Chex, Wheaties, Grape-Nuts, and unsweetened shredded wheat. Some fiber-rich vegetables are green beans, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce, sweet potatoes, celery, and cabbage (green and red). Other foods that help gastrointestinal function and detoxification are pectin (in apples), agar, psyllium, guar, malt extract, and olive oil. Of these, psyllium husk fiber is considered to be the most beneficial.

(Note: Fiber-rich foods bind water; therefore, adequate liquid intake is essential.)

Pagano, John O. A.. Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative (pp. 60-62). Turner Publishing Company.

A cathartic is a purgative used to produce an evacuation of the bowel.

Some are medicinal, others are natural. It is the latter type that I deal with and, when necessary, strongly advise my patients to use. The colonic or enema cleans out the large intestine or the colon; the natural cathartic cleans out the upper intestinal tract as well. Combined, these two methods are the most effective procedures to cleanse the entire alimentary canal, from stomach to bowel. Nature’s best cathartics are raw fruits and vegetables. Stewed fruits are also quite effective and should be eaten as often as possible.

The most beneficial fruits for stewing are figs, apples, raisins, apricots, pears, peaches, and prunes. They may be mixed together, if desired, and a one-half-to one-cup serving should be eaten twice a day until a complete evacuation takes place. Thereafter, making stewed fruits part of one’s daily diet will help to keep the system cleansed while supplying the body with natural sugars. In the case of fruits with a seedy nature— figs, raisins, and so forth— the intestinal movements are mechanically stimulated by the action of the indigestible portion of the fruit residue (seeds). These seeds stimulate local reflexes in the nerves of the intestinal walls. The skins from fresh fruit and the cellulose from raw vegetables, whole wheat, and bran all serve to stimulate the intestines by increasing bulk and, consequently, the degree of stretch of the walls of the bowel. Foods rich in vitamin B are especially advised, not only because of the nutritional value they provide, but because of the little-known fact that vitamin B aids in cleansing the bowel.

From The Living Body by Charles Best and Norman Taylor, we learn, “Vitamin B, and other factors of the B Complex, tend to increase the tone of the intestinal musculature, and thus favor natural movements of evacuation.” According to modern nutritionists, foods rich in vitamins B and B complex include wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, whole raw barley, soybean flour, whole wheat flour, buckwheat, raw peas, egg yolks, rye bread, almonds, fish, poultry, honey, turnips, beets, dandelions, leafy green vegetables, and broccoli.

Effective Combinations :

Senokot, a natural vegetable laxative derived from the senna leaf, in granular or pill form, is a natural, non-habit-forming cathartic. A teaspoon of Senokot mixed in a glass of warm prune juice is an exceptionally effective laxative. I advise some of my patients to drink this combination at least once a day until they have a complete evacuation. Prune juice is not recommended, however, for those who are diabetic. If this is the case, Senokot should be mixed in a glass of warm water. Fletcher’s Castoria, combined with syrup made from California figs, is another excellent eliminant. One teaspoon of Castoria should be removed from a six-ounce bottle and replaced with one teaspoon of syrup of figs. (From a twelve-ounce bottle, two teaspoons should be removed and replaced with two teaspoons of the syrup.) Before being taken, the bottle is well shaken. My patients then take a half teaspoon of this mixture every half hour until they have a complete evacuation. Alternating Castoria and syrup of figs by taking them separately is also an effective method. In other words, a patient takes a half teaspoon of Castoria, then one half to one hour later a half teaspoon of syrup of figs. This cycle should be continued until a complete evacuation occurs. Note: Syrup of figs is prepared by soaking five or six California figs in a pot of cold water for a few hours. The water should completely cover the figs by four or five inches. Bring this to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Allow the figs to simmer, covered, for approximately fifty minutes. If too much evaporation takes place after fifteen minutes, add more water. The figs are eaten stewed and the liquid (syrup) is placed in a jar and refrigerated after cooling. Another effective combination is an orange juice “sandwich.”

For centuries, castor oil has been a well-known, effective means of purging toxins from the body. For those who find it difficult to take by itself, the way to make it not only effective but also palatable is to combine it with orange juice. Two ounces of orange juice are poured into a six-ounce glass, then the glass is tilted and one ounce of castor oil is slowly added to the orange juice. This is then topped off by slowly adding another two ounces of orange juice. The castor oil will remain suspended between the two layers of orange juice, thus making an orange juice sandwich. Taking castor oil in this manner makes it easier to swallow. Apple juice may be substituted for orange juice, and olive oil or cod liver oil may take the place of castor oil. Zilatone, Innerclean, and psyllium husks are additional eliminants that are recommended. These products are sometimes available in health food stores and can be purchased through the Cayce product suppliers, listed in appendix D. Eno Salts, a fruit-based product, is another recommended natural laxative, as is milk of magnesia, both of which are alkaline in nature. There are many other safe, non-habit-forming eliminants on the market today. For the best results, it is advisable to alternate them by using a vegetable-based eliminant

Olive Oil Olive :

oil, taken by itself, is a very practical and effective cathartic. I advise my patients to take a half-teaspoon of olive oil approximately three or four times a day until it produces a good bowel movement. If you have a gallbladder condition, smaller doses are suggested. Olive oil, taken internally, has recently been recognized by the scientific community as being effective in preventing cholesterol buildup on the arterial walls. This oil has also been credited with supplying nutrients to the digestive tract, aiding in elimination, and acting as an intestinal food.

Pagano, John O. A.. Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative (p. 60). Turner Publishing Company.

When one realizes that the body is primarily made up of water, it is not hard to fully recognize how vital this element is to all of the body’s chemical processes. This is a biological fact from birth to death.

In the embryo, water constitutes 90 percent of the body’s weight. In the adult, water makes up 73 percent, discounting fat. As a person gets older, the percentage diminishes even more. In general, it is safe to say that water constitutes anywhere from two-thirds to three-quarters of the human body. Without this universal medium in which all living biological transactions occur, life is not possible. Among other things, it is the most important cleansing element of the body. The tissues are bathed, the intestines are purified, the body temperature is regulated, and the body humors are maintained. Other functions, too numerous to mention, are dependent on bodily water. Obviously, water intake is of the utmost importance in internal cleansing.

Our water intake is derived primarily from food, secondarily from beverages, and lastly from oxidation processes such as fat burning, which produce a lesser amount of water but are nonetheless a major source. To repeat: The recommended daily intake of water is six to eight glasses, in addition to all other liquids consumed. Water should be drunk before and after meals, which will not only ensure proper digestion, but will also help flush the kidneys, thereby draining accumulations of uric acid.

Needless to say, the purer the water, the better it is. Because of all the various chemical additives in city water today, plus the continued pollution of our natural water sources, I recommend a home water-filtering system or any mountain-spring water that is considered to be pure. Distilled water may be used in this regimen primarily as the purest form of water, but it should be taken in limited quantities.

Of the six to eight glasses of water recommended daily, distilled water should constitute no more than one or two glasses. I am still of the belief that distilled water may drain needed vitamins and minerals from the body.

Pagano, John O. A.. Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative (pp. 56-57). Turner Publishing Company. 

 The liver is so remarkable an organ that some cultures regard it as the site of life. One cannot begin to understand how the body filters out toxic elements, without an appreciation of the incredible task carried out by the liver. When the liver is not functioning properly, not only do toxins build up in the body, but changes in mood, behavior, and general health can occur. It has been determined that the liver is responsible for over five hundred separate activities. Of these various functions, the ones we are most concerned with are the breakdown and excretion of poisonous materials. The liver is one of the major filtering glands of the body. Its many functions are primarily carried out by a single, remarkable structural unit called the hepatic cell. There are approximately 300 billion of these unique cells in one liver, which, among other things, filter two and one-half pints of blood per minute when the body is at rest. In one year, it amounts to filtering out enough blood to fill twenty-three milk trucks! The liver has remarkable regenerative powers as well. If 90 percent of the liver were removed, the remaining piece could still function. In fact, it might even grow back to its original size. As miraculous as the liver is in its makeup and functions, it can nevertheless reach a breaking point as a result of constant abuse and overtaxation. Barring direct injury to this organ and/ or pathological processes, the most common reason for liver depletion is improper diet or liquid intake. When the liver becomes too seriously overtaxed with the resulting toxins, a breakdown of hepatic cells occurs, thereby opening the door to malfunction, infection, and congestion. Fortunately, the liver has incredible regenerative powers when given the right fuel to work with. It behooves us, therefore, to do all in our power to keep this vital organ pliable and free of accumulated toxins. One of the most obvious ways of accomplishing this is to prevent destructive food items from entering the system at all, hence the importance of proper nutrition. We do well to eat or drink items that have a known internal cleansing effect, such as those recommended in chapter 6 and appendix A, which deal with diet and nutrition.

Pagano, John O. A.. Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative (pp. 44-45). Turner Publishing Company. 

Most people fail to appreciate the role the lungs play in the removal of internal toxins.

The specific function of the lungs is to take air from the external environment, oxygenate the blood to be distributed throughout every body cell, and remove gaseous poisons, particularly carbon dioxide, from the body. Deep-breathing exercises such as those taught in yoga have proven how pure air, properly inhaled, retained for a short time, and exhaled slowly, greatly improves the physical and mental health of an individual. In a normal state of health, one is hardly cognizant of the lungs. Indeed, it has been said that when you are aware of your lungs, you are already in trouble! In a stationary person, the lungs normally pump in and out about seventeen times a minute. Walking requires more oxygen, so the pumping increases to approximately twenty-four breaths per minute. Running doubles that amount to about fifty breaths.

When exercise is conducted in the open air, the bloods used gases are expelled and replaced by oxygen more freely; hence, exposing the lungs to impurities such as chemical fumes and automotive exhaust should be avoided as much as possible. The psoriatic should be aware of these facts and act accordingly, for by purifying the lung fields, a major step is taken to rid the body of psoriasis.

Take care of your lungs. Nurture them by supplying them with the fresh air they need to function properly. They will, in turn, take care of every cell, organ, and muscle in your body, supplying you with oxygen for every activity, from sleeping to running to thinking. Guard these sentinels of vital energy well, for your lungs truly provide you with the breath of life.

Pagano, John O. A.. Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative (pp. 43-44). Turner Publishing Company. 

What better place to begin our healing process than at the very beginning?

Common sense tells us to “clean house” before redecorating. In the case of psoriasis, the first condition to correct is the accumulated pollution that has infected the entire bloodstream and, subsequently, all the organs and cells of the body.

This is accomplished by opening up the normal channels of elimination, primarily the bowels and the kidneys and, secondarily, the skin and the lungs.

Obviously, the most effective cleansing is obtained by clearing out the bowels and the kidneys. This releases the backup pressure on the liver and gall ducts as well as the intestines, allowing free passage of their waste accumulations.

In this way, the hepatic (liver) cells are free to perform one of their most important tasks: filtering out and purifying the blood and lymph. Chronic constipation and poor eliminative habits are the major causes of colon impaction, which, in itself, is one of the main reasons for the breakdown of the intestinal walls.

In his classic medical textbook, Symptoms of Visceral Disease, Francis M. Pottenger, MD, a world-renowned authority on neurology, clearly explains the effect a sluggish bowel has on the intestinal wall:

“When the contents of the intestinal tract are delayed in their movement through the intestine, they undergo certain changes, which are more or less irritating and injurious to the intestinal wall.

Stasis from this cause is usually accompanied by the absorption of toxins.”

Pagano, John O. A.. Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative (pp. 36-39). Turner Publishing Company.