Turmeric takes a hit in the treatment of psoriasis

Philadelphia

- Anecdotal evidence supporting the Indian spice turmeric as a healing agent for psoriasis is being questioned by a recent study stating the low response rate of patients who ingested the active ingredient of the spice was likely a placebo effect, ScienceDaily reports.

Researchers found that despite evidence demonstrating the ability of curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, to inhibit a critical pathway of psoriasis, the low positive response in patients suggest the placebo effect or natural disease remission, according to the study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

However, researchers do not entirely discount the potential of curcumin in the treatment of psoriasis, and recognize the need to develop alternative therapies.