Written based on 25 research studies on PubMed, searched on 2026. nov. 11..
The claim
Posts online say that curcumin (turmeric) helps with psoriasis.
Where research stands
We found 65 published papers on curcumin (turmeric) and psoriasis. They were published between 2007 and 2026. 5 of them are studies in people. 5 of them compared people who got it with a group that did not. 37 were studies in animals, and 5 were only in cells in the lab. 12 papers are reviews that sum up other studies.
- 5In people5 with a comparison group
- 37In animals
- 5Only in the lab
What the studies found
We have not summed up these studies in words yet. The most important papers are listed under Sources.
Verdict
Curcumin (turmeric) has been tested in randomised trials in people with psoriasis.
What this means for you: A study in people is not proof that it helps you. Do not stop or change your medicines because of it. Ask your doctor before you start taking it.
Sources
- Turmeric tonic as a treatment in scalp psoriasis: A randomized placebo-control clinical trial.2018 · J Cosmet Dermatol · Randomised trial
- Curcumin nanoparticles potentiate therapeutic effectiveness of acitrein in moderate-to-severe psoriasis patients and control serum cholesterol levels.2018 · J Pharm Pharmacol · Randomised trial
- Topical Turmeric Microemulgel in the Management of Plaque Psoriasis; A Clinical Evaluation.2015 · Iran J Pharm Res · Randomised trial
- Oral Curcumin (Meriva) Is Effective as an Adjuvant Treatment and Is Able to Reduce IL-22 Serum Levels in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris.2015 · Biomed Res Int · Randomised trial
- Oral curcumin in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris: A prospective clinical trial.2008 · J Am Acad Dermatol · Randomised trial
- Curcumin in Inflammatory Complications: Therapeutic Applications and Clinical Evidence.2025 · Int J Mol Sci · Review
- Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin and Novel Formulations in Psoriasis Treatment: Evidence and Future Prospects.2025 · Drug Des Devel Ther · Review
- Curcumin Nanogel Preparations: A Promising Alternative for Psoriasis Treatment.2024 · Curr Drug Metab · Review
- Potential of Curcumin in the Management of Skin Diseases.2024 · Int J Mol Sci · Review
- Evaluation of curcumin for dermatologic conditions: a systematic review.2023 · Arch Dermatol Res · Review
- Efficacy and safety of curcumin in psoriasis: preclinical and clinical evidence and possible mechanisms.2022 · Front Pharmacol · Review
- Standardized Curcuma longa-Cannabis sativa extract derived from a traditional Thai formulation for psoriasis: anti-inflammatory activity, keratinocyte modulation, and skin-targeted delivery.2026 · J Ethnopharmacol · In animals
- Improved topical delivery of curcumin by mussel adhesive protein functionalized ethosomes for effective psoriasis treatment.2026 · Int J Pharm X · In animals
- Curcumin alleviates depression-aggravated psoriasis by targeting MMP9-regulated apoptotic pathways.2026 · iScience · In animals
- Enhanced Anti-Psoriasis Efficacy of Curcumin via Optimized Nanostructured Lipid Carrier-Embedded Nanogel System.2026 · Chem Biodivers · In animals
- Long-term management of psoriasis recurrence via modulation of cutaneous microbiome: synergistic topical therapy with blue light and aptamer-functionalized curcumin formulation.2026 · Drug Deliv · In animals
- Enhanced Skin Delivery of Mussel Adhesive Protein Modified Pluronic F127 Micelles Loaded with Curcumin for Effective Topical Treatment of Psoriasis.2025 · Int J Nanomedicine · In animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Curcumin-Based Nanoparticles Containing α-Linolenic Acid in a Model of Psoriasis In Vitro.2025 · Nutrients · In the lab
- Preparation, Characterization and Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Epichlorohydrin-β-Cyclodextrin/Curcumin Binary Systems Embedded in a Pluronic®/Hyaluronate Hydrogel.2021 · Int J Mol Sci · In the lab
- Synergistic Effects of Photo-Irradiation and Curcumin-Chitosan/Alginate Nanoparticles on Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha-Induced Psoriasis-Like Proliferation of Keratinocytes.2019 · Molecules · In the lab
- Imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in differentiated Human keratinocytes: Its evaluation using curcumin.2017 · Eur J Pharmacol · In the lab
- Network pharmacology guided development and optimization of curcumin and sesame oil nanostructured lipid carriers for psoriasis.2025 · Sci Rep · Other paper
- Enhancing Transdermal Delivery of Curcumin-Based Ionic Liquid Liposomes for Application in Psoriasis.2023 · ACS Appl Bio Mater · Other paper
- Transcutaneous amorphous preparation co-delivering curcumin and modified aptamer as a synergistic approach for the amelioration of psoriasis-like skin inflammation.2023 · Eur J Pharm Sci · Other paper
- The Efficacy and Tolerability of Turmeric and Salicylic Acid in Psoriasis Treatment.2022 · Psoriasis (Auckl) · Other paper
