Through Analysis to Design

Prolonged study of the mechanisms of inflammation, immunity, wound healing and the pathology of dermatosis led to five summary conclusions. The development of an effective topical formulation that would control eczema and psoriasis would be based on these conclusions. The formulation would deliver:

Effective anti-inflammatory action. Plants contain some of the most effective anti-inflammatory compounds yet discovered. They are almost all safe. They belong to many classes of compounds. Berberine alkaloids are noted for this action, they are also strongly antibacterial.  Complex polysaccharides are also noted for their anti-inflammatory and wound healing qualities.

Powerful antioxidation. Flavonoids and their subgroups demonstrate anti-oxidant action. Flavonoids are able to absorb and neutralize single radical species of electrons produced by oxygen metabolism and  other natural processes.

Nature spectacularly demonstrates flavonoid antioxidants in the fall colours of the northern trees. The colours pigments themselves are anthocyanadin antioxidants. Their colour hidden behind the photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll during the spring and summer. It is these anthocyanadins which protect the leaf from the oxidation damage of sunlight and photosynthesis during the season. The tree will make new antioxidant resources for the next year as these are lost with the falling leaves.

Without antioxidants inflammation would be uncontrolled in the body. Singlet radical damage is accumulative and is a source of disease in itself. The heightened metabolism in inflammatory skin disorders increases the oxidation levels even further. Lipid oxidation occurs damaging  prostaglandins, hormones and cell membranes amongst other components. A range of antioxidants is therefore required to meet the breadth of oxidation processes and compounds that are oxidized.

Cellular regulation. The cytokines and numerous immune and inflammatory modulators mentioned above are just some of the molecules involved in cellular and intercellular regulation. The entire hormonal system and its local elements are also involved. Psoriasis is associated with abnormally low levels of the molecule cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and abnormally high and related levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cAMP is important in many biological processes including inhibition of mast cell degranulation and histamine release. As a second messenger it facilitates intercellular signal transduction transferring the effects of hormones like glucagon or adrenaline which cannot get through the cell membrane alone. Without functional levels of cAMP intercellular messages and signals do not travel.

Also important in cell regulation are the essential fatty acids (EFA). In the body, EFAs are primarily used to produce the prostaglandins that regulate a wide range of functions, including blood pressure, blood clotting, blood lipid levels, the immune response, and the inflammation response to injury infection. Prostaglandins are the basic control mechanism that facilitates a multi-cellular organism. EFAs play an important role in cell signalling systems within the body. 

Local micro nutrition and mineral matrix. All activity in the body requires resources. The foundation of these resources are gases, minerals and organic compounds. In healing and repair attention to resources is vital. Minerals are required for all function in the body. In particular charged or ionized minerals. All enzymes require minerals to function. All function requires enzymes. Healing or diseased skin needs  minerals all the more. Key vitamins are also needed for healthy connective tissue and skin function.

Antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral action. Microbial infestation of diseased skin is common. Even those conditions which do not appear to the eye to have an infection may have a compromised immune response and high levels of microbes. Tineas, while being classified as fungal conditions may have a bacterial component as well as the skin is broken. Viral conditions of the skin are also common.

These essentials are important elements of a range of skin disorders. They address fundamental control and regulation systems. Biological systems are never linear. Single action drugs may control one mechanism but, and the side effects attest to this, there are also systems that they cannot control. A broad, all natural,  approach will  support the body’s own healing at many levels. For disease damage to the skin involves many processes simultaneously, never only one.