Vanilla extract can ease psoriasis

sTUDIes on mice have found that the artificial vanilla flavouring used in cakes could cut flare-ups of the skin condition psoriasis.

Mice with psoriasis given oral vanillan — a synthetic form of vanilla bean extract — for a week had less skin inflammation than those given no vanillan or vanillan at a very low dose, according to the study findings in the Journal Of agricultural and Food Chemistry.

It’s thought vanillan targets interleukin 17a, a chemical that encourages inflammation and is believed to play a key role in psoriasis, which causes scaly patches of skin.

researchers at China Medical University Hospital in Taiwan say as well as easing symptoms, vanillan could prevent flare-ups of the condition.