Alternatives to Prednisone for Lichen Planus

If you’re taking prednisone for lichen planus and wondering whether there’s a natural substitute worth trying, I completely understand. Prednisone causes more side effects than almost any other drug on the market. I went through the Natural Medicines Database, an evidence-based resource that ranks natural treatments from not effective all the way up to effective, to find out exactly what’s supported for lichen planus specifically.

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TL;DR: Quick Summary

Two natural substitutes show real evidence for lichen planus: aloe, which may reduce pain and speed lesion healing, and thunder god vine, which may improve symptoms and reduce recurrence, though it can be hard to find. A long list of other commonly discussed remedies, from black seed to turmeric, currently has insufficient reliable evidence to say whether they help or not. If prednisone remains necessary for your lichen planus, replenishing the nutrients it depletes can help minimize side effects while you continue treatment.

The Two Possibly Effective Options

These are the natural substitutes with genuine evidence behind them for lichen planus.

Aloe

Rinsing the mouth with an aloe-containing mouthwash, or applying aloe gel directly to the mouth or vulva, may reduce pain
May also improve lesion healing time in people with lichen planus

Thunder God Vine

A traditional Chinese medicine vine that grows in China
Can be difficult to source, you’ll specifically want the 20:1 extract
May improve both symptoms and recurrence rates of lichen planus when you’re able to find a quality source

The Long List With Insufficient Evidence

These options come up often in natural remedy discussions, but the Natural Medicines Database currently rates the evidence for each as insufficient to say definitively whether they help or not for lichen planus:

Black seed
Blue-green algae
Bovine colostrum
Coconut oil
CoQ10
Echinacea
Hyaluronic acid
Hypnotherapy
Licorice
Light therapy
Progesterone
Roman chamomile
Selenium
Turmeric

They might help. They might not. The honest answer right now is that the research simply hasn’t caught up yet.

If You Still Need Prednisone

For many people with lichen planus, these natural options aren’t enough on their own, and prednisone remains part of the treatment plan. When I personally had to take prednisone for eight months for my own autoimmune condition, I had an epiphany: the reason it causes so many side effects is because it’s stealing nutrients from the body. Giving those nutrients back is one of the most practical ways to feel less awful while you take it.

This is exactly why I created Nutranize Zone as educational and nutritional support, not as a treatment or cure for lichen planus or any other condition.

Nutranize Zone is a two-bottle morning and bedtime system built around 17 ingredients designed to replenish what prednisone depletes, including calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K2, magnesium, melatonin, chromium picolinate, B vitamins, vitamin C, and zinc, along with additional ingredients formulated to help counteract side effects directly. The morning capsules are taken alongside your prednisone dose, and the bedtime capsules are formulated to support restful sleep.

Learn more about Nutranize Zone here →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an effective natural substitute for prednisone in lichen planus?

Aloe and thunder god vine are the two options with genuine supporting evidence, rated possibly effective for reducing pain, improving healing time, and lowering recurrence.

How is aloe used for lichen planus?

Aloe-containing mouthwash for oral lesions, or aloe gel applied directly to affected areas of the mouth or vulva, has shown potential to reduce pain and speed healing.

What is thunder god vine and where can I find it?

It’s a traditional Chinese medicine vine extract, specifically the 20:1 concentration, that may improve lichen planus symptoms and reduce recurrence. It can be difficult to source and is worth discussing with your doctor before trying.

Does turmeric or CoQ10 help with lichen planus?

Currently there isn’t enough reliable evidence to say definitively either way. They fall into the “might help, might not” category based on current research.

Should I stop taking prednisone and rely on natural substitutes instead?

This should always be a decision made with your doctor or dermatologist. These natural options may offer supportive value, but they are not established replacements for prednisone in managing lichen planus.

Why does prednisone cause so many side effects for people with lichen planus?

Prednisone depletes nutrients including calcium, vitamin D, chromium, and magnesium, which contributes significantly to the side effects experienced during treatment.

Disclaimer: Nutranize Zone does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for medical care or your doctor’s guidance.