A Retrospective Descriptive Study on the Use of Herbal Formulations for Psoriasis Treatment in Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine Centers
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that profoundly affects patients’ quality of life across physical, psychological, and social dimensions. This study was a retrospective descriptive study aimed to examine individualized herbal prescriptions and the frequency of their use in the treatment of psoriasis at the Center of Thai Traditional and
Alternative Medicine between January 2020 and June 2025. A total of 223 patients were included. Descriptive statistics, including frequency distribution and percentage. The results showed that identified six individualized herbal prescriptions used in the treatment of psoriasis, namely Bupphopikan Formula 1, Bupphopikan Formula 2, Bupphopikan Formula 3, Kae-Tajo-Pikan Formula 1, Phromphak Formula 1, and Triphala Formula. Patients commonly presented with red, itchy lesions accompanied by exudates, predominantly located on the scalp, neck, arms, trunk, and legs. Most patients were diagnosed with psoriasis without specification of subtype or severity. In terms of prescription frequency, Kae-Tajo-Pikan Formula 1 was the most frequently prescribed (40.51%), followed by Bupphopikan Formula 1 (29.11%). Regarding treatment outcomes, 43.40% of patients who received Bupphopikan Formula 1 showed improvement. Among those prescribed Bupphopikan Formula 2, 73.33% were lost to follow-up. For Bupphopikan Formula 3, 83.33% of patients demonstrated improvement. In contrast, 70.80% of patients receiving Kae-Tajo-Pikan Formula 1 (for bathing) were lost to follow-up. Additionally, 57.14% of patients treated with Phromphak Formula 1 and 63.63% of those prescribed Triphala Formula showed improvement. These findings highlight the potential role of individualized herbal prescriptions in psoriasis management. However, further clinical studies are warranted to confirm their efficacy and safety as alternative therapeutic options for patients with psoriasis.
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