From the Research
There is no established scientific evidence that beetroot specifically helps treat lichen planus, and patients should focus on established treatments prescribed by their healthcare provider. Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition affecting the skin and mucous membranes that typically requires medical management with corticosteroids, immunomodulators, or antihistamines depending on severity. While beetroot contains beneficial antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that support general health, it has not been proven as an effective treatment for lichen planus in clinical studies, as noted in various reviews and studies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Some patients report that certain foods, including acidic or spicy items, can trigger or worsen oral lichen planus symptoms, but beetroot is not commonly identified as a trigger food.
Key Considerations for Lichen Planus Treatment
- The most effective treatment modality to control the signs and symptoms of the disease is short courses of systemic steroids (prednisone) and topical high-potency corticosteroids, as suggested by studies 1, 3.
- Topical corticosteroids are the mainstay treatment for oral lichen planus (OLP), with a novel delivery method showing promise in managing symptoms 2.
- A comparative study found that topical corticosteroid therapy is the most suitable and cost-effective treatment for OLP, with systemic therapy having more side effects 3.
- A systematic review of corticosteroid therapies for OLP found low-certainty evidence that these drugs may be more effective than placebo for reducing pain, but results for clinical response were inconclusive, and adverse effects were uncertain 4.
Recommendations for Patients with Lichen Planus
- Maintain good oral hygiene if oral lesions are present.
- Avoid potential irritants like tobacco and alcohol.
- Follow a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods.
- While including beetroot in your diet is generally healthy, it should not replace conventional medical treatment for lichen planus, as emphasized by the lack of direct evidence linking beetroot to lichen planus treatment 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.