[toc]Pellagra is a skin disease caused by nutritional deficiency, especially lack of niacin (vitamin B 3). A person afflicted with this skin condition suffers from scaly red patches on the skin and dryness and bleeding of the skin. Pellagra can be observed in people suffering from various conditions including diarrhea and ulcerative colitis. Pellagra can be cured effectively through medical treatment, but herbal remedies also speed up the recovery process.
Some of the herbs which are commonly used as remedies for pellagra include Watercress, Alfalfa, Lavender, Asparagus, Aloe Vera, Gumweed, Coriander Leaf, Fenugreek, Blueberry and Burdock. Herbs soothe the inflammation and pain of the skin and help to restore niacin levels in persons who have this skin disorder.
8 Top Herbal Remedies For Pellagra
Asparagus
This herb is a good source of niacin which makes it a very effective remedy for pellagra. There are 2 milligrams of niacin in one cup of asparagus. You can use asparagus leaves to make salads and consume these for best results. Asparagus stalk also contains antioxidants which impact the energy levels of the person.
This herbal remedy also soothes the skin because it is anti-inflammatory in nature. Asparagus juice has been used for treating skin problems such as blemishes. Known by the botanical name Asparagus Officinalis, this herb is native to Europe and Asia. It has many beneficial properties that make it an ideal herbal cure for pellagra.
Watercress
Watercress is a herb which is rich in niacin. This perennial herb with oval shaped, succulent leaves is native to America and Europe. Nasturtium Officianale is the botanical name of this herb. It is also high in ascorbic acid and various vitamins. This makes Watercress an excellent herbal remedy for niacin deficiency induced pellagra. You can steam Watercress leaves in water and consume them for best results.
As Watercress is high in niacin, it will relieve the symptoms of pellagra by replenishing the levels of vitamin B 3 in the body. Watercress leaves are used to make salads and also added to vegetable dishes and soups. You can take this herbal remedy in any of these ways as well in order to obtain the beneficial healing powers of Watercress.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa contains a very high quantity of niacin, making it a very good herbal remedy for pellagra. Alfalfa leaves contain many other nutrients besides niacin such as proteins, amino acids and vitamin A, D, E and K which nourish the skin as well. You can add Alfalfa leaves to salads and dishes.
You can also eat them raw in salads. Regular intake of alfalfa leaves can help to restore depleted niacin levels in the body and diminish the severity of this skin condition as well as quicken the healing process. Alfalfa leaves are also used as a herbal remedy in traditional Chinese medicine.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a herb which has many healing properties and one of these is that it soothes the skin and heals ailments such as pellagra. This is because Aloe Vera is anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and antiseptic. It is also rich in antioxidants which refresh and revitalize the skin. Aloe Vera leaves are succulent and if you extract the inner mucilaginous part of these leaves and apply it to the scaly, painful and bleeding parts of your body caused due to pellagra, you will experience considerable relief from these symptoms.
Glycoproteins in the Aloe Vera leaves help to ease inflammations and swellings. Polysaccharides in this herb ensure that the skin repairs and heals itself. This is why Aloe Vera is used as an ingredient in skin creams, ointments and cosmetic products as well. This herbal remedy can be used safely for treating pellagra.
Burdock
Burdock root is very high in niacin. Also called Gobo root, Burdock root is also rich in antioxidants and healthy nutrients which the body urgently needs. This herb has been used as a remedy for countless skin conditions including psoriasis. Pellagra can also be treated by taking Burdock root tea.
Chop the herb’s roots into thin slices and add this to boiling tea. This herbal tea can be consumed for best benefits. It will help to combat niacin deficiency and lead to faster recovery from pellagra. Burdock root tea should be drunk regularly in order to avail of the medicinal benefits of this herbal remedy.
Blueberry
This herb is native to North America. Vaccinium Corymbosum is the Latin name of this herb. Blueberry has high content of flavanoids and tannins making it a very effective cure for skin conditions. Moreover, Blueberry leaves are rich in niacin and they can be used to create the perfect herbal remedy for pellagra.
Boil Blueberry leaves in water and let the concoction simmer for about 15 minutes. Then add honey or Stevia leaves to this mixture and consume it regularly to increase niacin levels in your body and recover from pellagra with ease and rapidity.
Gumweed
Gumweed contains many important ingredients such as zinc, selenium and anti-oxidants which are vital to heal skin diseases such as pellagra. The zinc found in this herb helps to heal the skin faster. Selenium restores the skin back to its supple and smooth state. Moreover, the antioxidants in this herb aid in giving the skin vitality and preventing the dryness of the skin.
Pellagra is characterized by red, painful patches on the skin. Gumweed extract can be applied directly on the skin to restore it back to the healthy state. This herbal remedy can also be had in the form of tincture or supplements. If you have a heart condition, do not use this herbal remedy.
Parsley
This culinary herb is also rich in niacin or vitamin B 3 which makes it an ideal herbal cure for pellagra. Parsley leaves are generally sprinkled on dishes and added to salads for their aromatic taste. You can also use this herb’s leaves for curing pellagra. Just boil the Parsley leaves in water and add salt and pepper for flavor.
You can drink this broth to ensure that you restore niacin to your body and combat diminished vitamin B 3 levels in your body. Parsley leaves can also be dried and crushed into a powder which you can have on a regular basis for getting relief from this skin disease.
