SEE HOW WHEATGRASS CAN WORK WELL FOR PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that can affect people of all ages. It is characterised by a scaly rash that may or may not be itchy. It is not contagious nor is it due to an allergy.

There is a genetic predisposition to psoriasis (it can run in families) but there is also an autoimmune element involved. i.e. the body's immune system attacks normal skin that can cause damage. The condition affects men and women equally and is often very mild, however it can become quite severe in some patients About 5% of psoriasis sufferers will develop joint pains (psoriatic arthritis) which can affect one or more joints.

Psoriasis often responds well to wheatgrass extract resulting in reduced scale, thinning of plaque (the lesions can become very thick and unsightly) and reduced inflammation and itch. Apply a  small amount of wheatgrass over the worst affected areas once on alternate days, and persevere. Less is usually best when using wheatgrass for skin and other conditions.

Typically, itch tends to diminish early followed by thinning and flattening of plaque. Following continued daily application, lesions begin to fade and can eventually disappear or reduce in number or size.

This patient, with a four year history of psoriasis did very well using the wheatgrass Skin Recovery Spray just on alternate days.

CASE HISTORY: PSORIASIS 20 YEARS

Back & buttock lesions*

Psoriasis in a 63 yo male present for 20 years. Numerous topical applications used plus UV light and cortisone injections with little, if any improvement over the years. Some relief in summer months.

The photograph on the left (after one month's treatment with wheatgrass Skin Recovery Spray) shows thick plaque, heavy scale formation and rough, thickened edges around lesions. By this stage, the patient's itch had significantly improved, and only required occasional topical steroid application.

Centre (6 months treatment), plaque visibly thinner, lesions flattening and spreading, pinkish skin colour returning to lesion surface and edges more clearly defined. Most noticeable are the numerous "skin lines" forming, a sign that I believe shows that skin "normalisation" has begun. More "pseudolesions" have appeared, but these tend to become pale and disappear in time. At this stage, the patient's genital psoriasis, present for many years, had largely resolved.

Right (9 months treatment) Lesions flatter and fading, approaching normal skin colour. Significant improvement in appearance of lesions over treatment period.

        Drwheatgrass.hk

ECZEMA, AUTOIMMUNITY AND WHEATGRASS

"Atopic eczema (dermatitis) is essentially an auto-immune condition."

This statement may raise a few eyebrows in the medical fraternity. After all, the classic teaching is that eczema, like asthma, is predominantly hereditary or genetically predetermined. Well, immunologically speaking, that is a well-known fact. But does the hypersensitivity associated with eczema explain the relapsing and remitting nature of eczema? Does it explain the nebulous variety of presentations that can occur, even in the same patient? What about the predilection for the face, neck, hands and the back of the elbows and knees? Or the fact that eczema can disappear for years then suddenly reappear for no apparent reason? Why does it respond to systemic and topical steroids and other strong immune-suppressants, then frequently rebound with greater vigour when they are ceased? Many of these questions remain unanswered.

Having successfully weaned thousands of eczema patients off topical steroids using wheatgrass extract, I believe I have something useful to add to the discussion. Because wheatgrass appears to be a topical immune modulator it ollows that there is most likely a significant autoimmune component to eczema.

An example of this is a patient of mine who, like her mother and sister, has suffered severe atopic eczema since birth. Nothing has ever given lasting relief or control of symptoms. However, all three family members have had complete, sustained remission of symptoms after applying wheatgrass spray once or twice a day for several months. They remain symptom and steroid-free.

If eczema is genetic in origin, then why have these individuals recovered from their lifelong disorder? Why do some patients with severe, lifelong eczema recover often after several weeks' treatment with wheatgrass? I've never known this to happen with steroids or other pharmaceuticals. In fact, what we usually see in atopic eczema is a chronic relapsing and remitting course, regardless of the treatment used. To my mind, the answer is clear. Eczema is predominantly an autoimmune condition. Genetic predisposition is important, but secondary.

So the burning question is, "How does wheatgrass achieve such positive results?" In my view, the answer to this question lies in isolating and elucidating the nature of the Grass Juice Factor. This I believe would unravel many of the hidden secrets of the power of wheatgrass.

In fact, a group of medical researchers in Australia have decided to investigate the possibility that the use of antibiotics in infancy and early childhood may, by suppressing immunity, have contributed to the global epidemic of eczema that we see today. Well, I have little doubt they are on the right track.

Dr. Chris Reynolds. M.B.,B.S.

A WORD ABOUT ORAL STEROIDS FOR TSW

Probably the most efficient and rapid way to overcome TSW and avoiding severe withdrawal symptoms is by using the oral corticosteroid, prednisolone. In fact, in a number of cases, so severe was the suffering, I had no choice but to use this method. Also, I can often wean patients off TS more rapidly this way using wheatgrass extract and the medication together. This method generally works well. However, in my experience, the standard approach of high starting doses (e.g.50 mg) which are then reduced by large increments over a few weeks is excessive. Instead, I start with 20/25 mg. then reduce the dose gradually by 2.5mg. or 5mg. increments depending on the patient's response. Close medical supervision is however, essential, as is wheatgrass application on alternate days.

MANAGING ECZEMA AND TSW WITH WHEATGRASS

INFANTILE ECZEMA

My advice for parents of eczema-affected children is to avoid the use of topical steroids if at all possible. If the rash isn't too bad and the child is not bothered by it, don't use anything. Often the skin may look bad, but if it is not bothering your child, leave it alone. Avoid soap, baths (use a damp flannel for washing), and any other skin applications that might irritate the skin. And if you must "treat" your child, try to find an alternative, non-steroidal, natural remedy instead. Wheatgrass (preferably the skin spray) can work well for infantile eczema but only use it once on alternate days. You can also use wheatgrass juice or grow your own wheatgrass and juice it in a blender. Numerous websites will show you how to do this.

ADULT "ECZEMA"/TOPICAL STEROID WITHDRAWAL

As with infantile eczema, the aim is to stimulate skin cell growth and repair and subsequent recovery. Apply wheatgrass Skin Recovery Spray once on alternate days to the TSW-affected areas. It is important not to over-treat. The whole point of using wheatgrass is to ensure that when you have overcome withdrawal, that your skin's reconstruction is complete. This can take 12 months or more, so try to be patient.

Alternatively, you could try to locate a doctor to help you gradually reduce the amount of TS you're applying to your skin. I have used this method successfully many times. However, this is not easy due to rebound flares, which may require support from oral steroids from time to time, but if you reduce the dose gradually, it can work well. You should also keep a record of your treatment so you can follow your progress of TS reduction and show it to your doctor each time you visit the surgery. In the early stages it can be difficult to reduce even one application of TS, but if you persevere, you will eventually only need wheatgrass to keep your skin stable. Eventually, when your skin has "normalized" you will be able to dispense with the wheatgrass altogether. Also, only use very small amounts of TS and apply only to the very worst areas. We're only looking at "controlling" your symptoms as much as possible, not stopping them altogether. They will stop in due course. 

Remember, it is your courage that will pull you through. You may go to hell and back, but your skin will gradually begin to show signs of healing. Try to look forward to the day when you are TS-FREE! Mark your calendar for 12 months and tick off the days. You may not be fully recovered by then, but you will be well on the way. You'll know it and will feel proud of yourself for having persevered.

Remember, the aim may be to rid yourself of TS, but you want to have normal skin at the end of the ordeal. So try to see this 12 months as a transitional phase. It's okay to use TS sparingly from time to time if you're desperate, but do your utmost not to. Think how long you've suffered already. Every day without TS is another day towards an improved quality of life.

If possible, combine the topical with daily oral antioxidant-rich wheatgrass extract (e.g. Supershots, or wheatgrass juice). This can help repair and maintain a damaged immune system caused by topical and/or oral steroids. 

Finally, try not to use any applications on your TS-affected skin other than wheatgrass and water, at least on the days you apply it. Because your skin's immune status has been highly compromised your skin is most likely sensitized to ANY kind of application. e.g. soap, coconut, and other oils, cosmetics, shampoo - almost anything. The fewer substances you apply, the more likely your skin will recover sooner. (View this excellent example) I have learned this over the years from my patients who have experimented with wheatgrass and found that when they stopped using all topicals other than wheatgrass, improvement in their skin recovery accelerated. 

Please watch this video on how to get maximum benefit from taking wheatgrass. 

Finally, try to avoid soap. It denies your skin the natural oils that help keep it moist. Also, reduce hot water exposure, it dries your skin by removing sebum, the oily natural moisturizer essential for normal skin function. Take 5 minutes (warm if necessary) showers and NO BATHS.

HOW WHEATGRASS CAN HELP YOU THROUGH TOPICAL STEROID WITHDRAWAL

Wheatgrass and other cereal grasses have been the subject of extensive clinical and laboratory research since the 1930's in the US and elsewhere. It has been proven highly successful for the treatment of burns, injuries, skin pathology, including TSW, and many other conditions.

The wheatgrass extract I recommend and use in clinical practice has worked well for numerous TSW patients since I began using it in 1995. It is derived from young wheatgrass sprouts at the stage of maximum therapeutical activity.

How does the extract help with TSW? It appears bioactive in wheatgrass, which is known to be potent healing agents e.g. for wounds, burns, psoriasis etc. are able to "notify" the brain of the TS damaged skin. The brain then does what it can to effect the repair. However, in TSW this is often severe, so it takes some time for the repair to occur. 

Here are some examples demonstrating how quickly wheatgrass can heal damaged skin most likely by the process I've just described: 

Healing of diabetic foot ulcers 

Rapid skin graft healing

Second-degree burn healing

However, it is important to know that although wheatgrass can help you through TSW by reducing pain, burning, and itching to some extent, its most important function is to stimulate new growth of skin cells and repair the skin's structure and functionality. But, with perseverance and applying a little wheatgrass extract once on alternate days your damaged skin will eventually recover, and considerably quicker than going 'cold turkey'. In most of my cases, it has taken about 12 to 14 months. 

The pictures below will give you some idea as to how effectively wheatgrass can heal TS-damaged skin. The patient, who had been using TS for 30 years had developed severe 'elephant skin' - a common "side effect" of TSW. In this case, her skin returned almost to normal in two months. You can see that the skin has become lax, with large, flaccid "folds" developing. 

So, if wheatgrass can achieve this level of skin repair, there is no reason why it can't repair ALL TSW damage. So do your best to persevere. But this is not a 'quick fix'. It takes time - around 6 to 12 months - sometimes longer - for new skin to appear and immunological "flares" can take even longer. But that's a lot better than the 4 to 5 years recovery time it takes if you go 'cold turkey'. Even so-called "irreversible damage" can be repaired. By comparison, because the skin structure and function has not been restored, 'cold turkey' patients may be left with permanent atrophy and associated skin dysfunction.