Is It True That Drinking Apple Cuka Can Help Heal Psoriasis? According To This Research

Illustration (Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels)

JAKARTA - Apple cuts for psoriasis are touted as a safe and effective natural medicine. However, not much research has supported it.

"I told the patient that apple juice vinegar is a good home medicine, but it cannot replace the chemicals," said Deeptaj Singh, MD, founder of Sandia Dermatology in levy, NM, and assistant professor of dermatology at the University of New Mexico.

Apple essence itself is touted as a magic drug for everything, ranging from weight loss to diabetes control, increased immune system, to heart health. Apple essence is an acidic form of acetate, Singh said. Apple juice cuts come from fermented apples. Most consist of water, with little iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium, sugar, and potassium. Apple essence has been used for thousands of years to disinfect wounds and treat infections. You may have seen recipes for apple juice vinegar on social media sites like TikTok.

The following is a further discussion of apple juice vinegar for psoriasis: how it works, whether apple juice vinegar helps relieve symptoms, and how to apply it.

The National Psoriasis Foundation, cited from WebMD, Tuesday, December 17, recommends apple juice vinegar as a way of "naturally" easing itching on the scalp due to psoriasis. However, not many studies support these claims. It appears that no research has been published on apple juice vinegar and psoriasis. One small study of 22 patients with atopic dermatitis, another inflammatory skin condition, asked the patient to soak one arm in apple juice vinegar and the other arm in water for 10 minutes a day for 2 weeks. At the end of the trial, there was no improving symptoms, and the group using apple juice vinegar actually experienced skin irritation. Another investigation in 2021 against people with atopic dermatitis found that bathing of apple vinegar every day also did not change the bacterial composition on the skin.

"When the patient asked about apple juice vinegar, I always said 'why not,' but I told them that no research showed that apple juice vinegar was effective," Singh explained.

"But it doesn't matter for them to try it. They just need to continue taking whatever medicine I might prescription to treat their psoriasis," Singh continued.

Even so, apple juice vinegar, like other acetum acids, is thought to help normalize the balance of your skin's pH, Singh said. This in turn can increase the layer of the skin, which can help treat psoriasis symptoms such as redness and itching.

There is also a practical purpose: apple juice vinegar acts as a natural exfoliator, Singh said. Apple essence removes the upper layer of dead skin cells on the body and makes psoriasis look less scaly.

The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends using apple vinegar vinegar to help relieve itching scalp if you suffer from psoriasis. Use organic apple vinegar, which you can buy in most supermarkets. Here's how to use it:

You can use it several times a week. Don't use it if you have open wounds on the skin of the head or if the skin breaks or bloods. But be careful avoiding contact with your eyes, Singh warns. Apple cuka can cause redness and irritation, and can damage the dinea. If something goes into your eyes, rinse immediately and call the doctor.

Apple essence is often recommended as a "natural" drug for psoriasis. Apple essence is safe, but no research has shown its benefits yet. You can try it, but you can't replace the chemical medicine prescribed by the doctor.

Two good ways to use it are by bathing in warm water and as wet clothes overnight. Always dilute with water. You can also drink a tablespoon of apple juice vinegar mixed with 8 to 10 ounces of water. Always consult a dermatologist before using apple juice vinegar for psoriasis. Don't use it on open wounds or boils.