A UK trial  found that a skin care range containing a plant extract called Oregon Grape Root, is  effective in helping to manage the symptoms of  psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a recurrent skin condition that affects around 10% of the UK population. It is caused by an acceleration of skin cell production. Normally a skin cell matures in 21-28 days. Psoriatic cells, however, turn over in 2-3 days and in such profusion that the live cells reach the surface and accumulate with the dead cells still in visible layers (hence the plaques).

The condition manifests itself as raised red patches of skin covered with silvery scales. It can occur on any part of the body although elbows, knees and the scalp are usual sites.

What is Oregon Grape Root?

Oregon Grape Root is a native plant of North America and has been examined as a treatment for psoriasis in several published studies.

What’ s the evidence that Oregon Grape Root works? 

Published studies have found that compounds isolated from extracts of Oregon Grape Root can slow down the production of  Lipoxygenase (an enzyme involved in psoriatic skin cell production).

At the cellular level, Oregon Grape Root  has been shown to guard against accelerated activity during the process of keratinocytes (skin cell production).

A two-month trial, carried out by a UK doctor on 50 people, found that our skincare range containing an extract of Oregon Grape Root improved symptoms of psoriasis for 86% of the patients, with 75% of these experiencing a marked improvement after just four weeks.

Oregon Grape Root also appeared to be more helpful than standard treatments for almost half the sufferers. Overall, 50% of participants had previously been treated with other treatments, of those, 95% said that after eight weeks the Oregon Grape Root skincare range had improved all symptoms (including itching, scaling, plaque thickness and redness) beyond the level of improvement already experienced on their existing treatments.

 

The doctor who carried out the UK trial, concluded  [quote]“I found that Oregon Grape Root is an effective, well-tolerated and very acceptable treatment for psoriasis, with a very low incidence of side-effects. OGR compares favourably with a basket of other treatments and the trial results indicate this is a well-liked treatment that people would use again.”[/quote]

How quickly did  Oregon Grape Root work?

Our Skin Shop customer and psoriasis tester found that after four weeks of use daily of the entire Oregon Grape Root hair and skin care range, his patches of body psoriasis had reduced by approximately 40% and his scalp psoriasis by 50%. After eight weeks his body psoriasis had decreased by 60% and his scalp psoriasis by 80%.

How nice was  Oregon Grape Root to use?

Our tester said the Oregon Grape Root  skincare products were pleasant to apply and, most importantly, smelt odourless. They went on easily and  were absorbed quickly and did not leave the skin sticky not did it stick to clothing. Our tester found the Oregon Grape Roo scalp spray was light and non greasy although hair did need to be washed daily to prevent greasiness.

Skin Shop's Oregon Total Care Range includes a daily maintenance body & face cream, an intensive skin rescue serum,  a body & hand wash, a non-greasy scalp spray, a shampoo & conditioner. Click here for more details.