What Is Lichen Planus and How to Treat It

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

• Purslane, a common weed, appears to be the safest and most effective treatment for oral lichen planus when consumed, showing better results than steroids and immunosuppressants, though high consumption risks oxalate overload.  Copied to clipboard!
• While ingested oral aloe vera is linked to severe side effects like hepatitis and thyroid dysfunction, topical aloe vera gel is highly effective for treating oral lichen planus, proving superior to topical steroids in a clinical trial.  Copied to clipboard!
• Topical aloe vera gel is also a safe and effective treatment for lichen planus of the vulva, achieving positive responses in 9 out of 10 patients where conventional treatments often fail to achieve complete remission.  Copied to clipboard!

Segments Expand All Collapse All

Introduction to Oral Lichen Planus

Copied to clipboard!

(00:00:20)

• Key Takeaway: Oral lichen planus is an inflammatory autoimmune condition affecting up to 5% of the population, with a small percentage potentially progressing to cancer.
• Summary: Oral lichen planus presents as lacy white patches, sometimes with redness or sores, inside the mouth. This autoimmune condition involves the immune system attacking the mouth lining. Current treatments are symptomatic, including steroids and immunosuppressants, as there is no cure.

Purslane as Treatment Option

Copied to clipboard!

(00:01:08)

• Key Takeaway: Consuming purslane demonstrated superior efficacy and safety compared to conventional treatments for oral lichen planus in a clinical trial.
• Summary: A randomized trial showed 83% improvement in patients consuming purslane, making it clinically effective with no side effects. When compared to steroids and immunosuppressants, purslane was the safest and most effective treatment, also lowering triglycerides and decreasing inflammation. However, due to high oxalate content, consuming excessive amounts (over 1.5 to 2 pounds) can potentially cause kidney damage.

Topical Purslane Efficacy

Copied to clipboard!

(00:02:32)

• Key Takeaway: Topical purslane gel works as effectively as topical steroids for lichen planus, offering a safer alternative.
• Summary: A perslane gel was found to work as well as the gold standard topical steroids for lichen planus. Researchers concluded that purslane is a beneficial herb lacking side effects, making it a safer alternative drug for treatment.

Aloe Vera Ingestion Risks

Copied to clipboard!

(00:03:02)

• Key Takeaway: Ingesting oral aloe vera juice is strongly discouraged due to documented risks of acute hepatitis and electrolyte imbalances.
• Summary: Ingested aloe vera has been linked to acute hepatitis, liver inflammation, and thyroid dysfunction, as evidenced by case reports where symptoms resolved upon stopping consumption. Proving causality is difficult, but a positive re-exposure test confirmed aloe-induced toxic hepatitis in one documented case. Oral use is not recommended, despite aloe’s reputation as a detoxifying product.

Topical Aloe Vera for Oral Lesions

Copied to clipboard!

(00:05:45)

• Key Takeaway: Topical aloe vera gel is significantly more effective than placebo and superior to topical steroids for treating oral lichen planus without adverse effects.
• Summary: A randomized trial showed 81% improvement in patients using topical aloe vera gel compared to only 4% in the placebo group, with two patients achieving complete remission. Topical aloe vera gel was found to be more effective than corticosteroids, showing significant differences within two weeks. This topical application avoids the adverse side effects associated with corticosteroids.

Aloe Vera for Genital Lichen Planus

Copied to clipboard!

(00:06:49)

• Key Takeaway: Topical aloe vera gel provides a safe and effective treatment for lichen planus affecting the vulva, achieving high response rates.
• Summary: Lichen planus of the vulva is common and often difficult to treat, typically showing no tendency for complete remission. Applying aloe vera gel resulted in 9 out of 10 women responding positively, with one achieving complete clinical remission. Aloe vera gel is concluded to be a safe and effective treatment for this condition.