Originally published July 24 2005
Psoriasis cure may be in rainforest tree, scientists say
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
According to Daily News Central, researchers at Newcastle University have found that an ointment called dithranol (known in India as Goa powder), made from an Amazon rainforest araroba tree, actually kills off the cells that cause the skin condition psoriasis.
Scientists have made an important breakthrough in the treatment of the distressing skin condition psoriasis.
The genetic condition causes an over-production of skin cells which leads to a thickening of the skin and raised red, scaly patches, usually on the elbows, knees and scalps.
Sufferers find socializing difficult because of the appearance of their skin and some develop a specific form of arthritis linked to psoriasis.
But now researchers at Newcastle University have found an ointment used to treat symptoms actually kills off the cells that cause the condition.
Professor Nick Reynolds and Dr. Mark Birch-Machin, of the Skin and Environmental Interactions Research Group in the School of Clinical and Laboratory Sciences, believe this discovery is a major step to enabling the design of better treatments for psoriasis.
John Young, 47, who has suffered from the condition since he was nine, welcomed the research.
"It's excellent news and I hope they'll go onto to find a cure," he explained.
"Sharon does a lot of my treatments for me because of her training which is a big help," John explained.
"But I've also developed arthritis because of the psoriasis which gives me a lot of pain in my joints, I actually need a knee replacement."
The ointment is derived from the araroba tree, found in the rain forests of the Amazon.
In India, the same substance is known as Goa powder.
"Dithranol is a very effective treatment for episodes of psoriasis and it has been around for a long time, since the early 1900s," explained Prof. Reynolds.
"By studying the action of the drug, we wanted to gain a better understanding of how it works, to give us an insight into the mechanism of the condition."
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