 Tweet After careful review, the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has declared that Merck's psoriasis drug Raptiva (which actually sounds like a sports car or a dinosaur, not a drug) is too dangerous to use on humans. Sales of the drug will now be suspended in Europe following revelations that three patients suffered bizarre brain infections called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Two of the three patients died. In the United States, the FDA continues to allow its sale, possibly because a large number of mass-medicated American medical patients have no remaining brains to infect. Sources for this story: Drug Reduces Inflammatory Arthritis Symptoms, Lesions - US News & World Report FDA: Psoriasis drug may be linked to 3 deaths - LA Times UPI NewsTrack Health and Science News - United Press International Authors' Quotes on Psoriasis Below, you'll find selected quotes from noted authors on the subject of Psoriasis. Feel free to quote these in your own work provided you give proper credit to both the original author quoted here and this selfnews page. Clinical research has validated the traditional use of sarsaparilla for skin conditions such as psoriasis , eczema, acne, and leprosy. In 1942, it was reported in the New England Journal of Medicine to improve the condition of psoriasis dramatically. The results of a clinical study with ninety-two patients was detailed, which reported that it improved psoriasis lesions in 62 percent of cases and completely cleared lesions in 18 percent of cases. One of the possible mechanisms of action in psoriasis is sarsaparilla's blood cleansing properties. - The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs: A Guide to Understanding and Using Herbal Medicinals by Leslie Taylor, ND - Available on Amazon.com Essential fatty acid supplements may be beneficial in psoriasis sufferers. Analysis of blood and fat tissue has shown that the amount of anti-inflammatory alpha linolenic acid decreases, while the level of arachidonic acid, which has inflammatory effects, increases. These changes may be more pronounced in patients with severe psoriasis than in those with a milder form of the disease. The results of a 1993 study suggest that eating oily fish may help reduce the symptoms of psoriasis . Some small studies suggest that fish oil supplementation may be beneficial in psoriasis . - The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs by Nicola Reavley - Available on Amazon.com Correction of abnormal liver function is indicated in the treatment of psoriasis . Silymarin has been reported to be of value in the treatment of psoriasis , and this may be due to its ability to inhibit the synthesis of leukotrienes, and improve liver function. The connection between the liver and psoriasis relates to one of the liver's basic tasks -- filtering the blood. Psoriasis has been shown to be linked to high levels of circulating endotoxins, such as those found in the cell walls of gut bacteria. - The Healing Power of Herbs: The Enlightened Person's Guide to the Wonders of Medicinal Plants by Michael T. Murray, N.D. - Available on Amazon.com Ingestion of alcohol appears to be a risk factor for psoriasis in men but not women. It would therefore be prudent for men with psoriasis to drink moderately, if at all. Anecdotal evidence suggests that people with psoriasis may improve on a hypoallergenic diet. One study reported that eliminating gluten (found in wheat, oats, rye, and barley) improved psoriasis for some people. - The Natural Pharmacy: Complete Home Reference to Natural Medicine by Schuyler W. Lininger, Jr. DC - Available on Amazon.com Vitamin A derivative drugs are also used to treat psoriasis , particularly pustular psoriasis . These drugs help to normalize skin development by reducing the increased growth, turnover and keratinization of skin which occurs in the disorder. Similar cautions apply to the use of these drugs in the treatment of psoriasis . - The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs by Nicola Reavley - Available on Amazon.com Stronger forms of vitamin D are available by prescription for patients with severe psoriasis . Vitamin A -- The vitamin known as the skin vitamin has been used to treat skin problems such as psoriasis and acne. In fact, a potent synthetic form of vitamin A is available by prescription and may be used in severe cases of psoriasis . High doses of vitamin A can be dangerous, so if you are prone to psoriasis , or are experiencing an outbreak, I recommend increasing your intake of betacarotene, which is converted into vitamin A as the body needs it and is nontoxic. - Earl Mindell's Secret Remedies by Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D. - Available on Amazon.com According to one theory, psoriasis is caused by an excessive inflammatory reaction to certain microorganisms, particularly Candida albicans (the common yeast germ) or other fungi. There are a few case reports in the medical literature in which psoriasis responded well to orally administered antifungal drugs, such as nystatin or ketoconazole (Nizoral). The relationship between yeast infections and psoriasis may explain why eating sugar often makes psoriasis worse (sugar tends to promote the growth of yeast). - Natural Medicine, Optimal Wellness: The Patient's Guide to Health and Healing by Jonathan V. Wright, M.D. and Alan R. Gaby, M.D. - Available on Amazon.com 