Favorite Herbs For Topical Use
Herbs and natural substances, such as aloe vera gel, coconut oil and the following listed herbs can moisturize dry, inflamed, and broken skin. Using herbs to soothe inflammation and combat harmful bacteria can aid in reducing the itchiness, swelling, as well as help prevent infection.
Calendula or the marigold flower is an herb useful for healing, soothing, and relieving. Calendula is one of my favorite herbs to use in skin care, as it has so many benefits to the skin. The bright orange color of the marigold flower is attributed to its vitamin A carotenoids. Carotenoids can decrease inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and stimulate epithelial cell growth to promote cell turnover. It contains high levels of flavonoids, such as triterpene saponins and carotenoids, which provide anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects to help skin heal. Calendulas properties make it useful in soothing eczema and relieving psoriasis.
St. Johns Wort is used in topical creams, this herb appears to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. St. Johns Wort was shown in one study to improve the severity of eczema. Although the mechanism by which St. Johns wort relieves eczema is not yet known, it may be the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects of hyperforin, one of its constituents. Are you looking for a cream to soothe your eczema? Try the DIY Healing Balm recipe included below.
Herbal Remedies For Skin Eczema By Planet Ayurveda
As ayurvedic concept the pitta dosha along with other two doshas kapha and vata gets aggravated which results to skin problems.
Planet Ayurveda offers best combination of effective herbal remedies such as Skin Care Pack for ayurvedic treatment of skin eczema. These herbal remedies are prepared from using best quality herbs and strictly follow the principles of Ayurveda.
Best Herbs For Eczema
CARROT: Carrots are a skin emollient. Therefore, application, in the form of poultices, is used to heal eczema, acne, infected wounds, abscesses, and also as a cosmetic potion to make the skin more beautiful. This vegetable should be a staple in every eczema diet plan.
OAK TREE: Oak tree applied in compresses by soaking a cotton cloth reduces inflammation and heals the skin.
EVENING PRIMROSE: Evening primrose is an excellent treatment for dermatological problems, such as acne, wrinkles, and dry skin. In North America, the Algonquin Indians rubbed their skin with mashed evening primrose seeds to fight skin problems more than 500 years ago.
BILBERRY: Bilberry is very useful for people suffering from skin afflictions, such as eczema, varicose ulceration, and folliculitis. The juice of bilberries is locally applied in lotion, either fresh or concentrated through a decoction.
WATERCRESS: This plant is an excellent addition to the list of the best herbs for eczema because it possesses the ability to regenerate the skin. It also regenerates the skin in the case of acne and dermatosis.
NETTLE: Nettle is an emollient. Thanks to its soothing effect, it is recommended in chronic issues of the skin, especially eczema, skin eruptions, and acne. Nettles clean, regenerate and makes skin more beautiful.
SOAPWORT: Soapwort in external applications can treat skin eczema and rashes.
FUMITORY: This plant contains bitter principles and mucilage, which helps in skin eczema and rashes.
REFERENCES
You May Like: Dove Body Wash For Eczema
Commonly Available Herbs For Eczema
Boswellia
Boswellia resin has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
The active constituents, boswellic acids, reduce the formation of inflammatory leukotrienes.
This resin is often indicated in the natural treatment of many inflammatory conditions including eczema.
Licorice Root
By supporting adrenal function, licorice may help in improving energy levels and general well-being during times of stress.
In addition, licorice is also a mild laxative that supports digestion.
Licorice root is also an effective anti-inflammatory herb that will sooth eczema from within.
Sage
Topically, sage is an effective antipruritic , and often combined with soothing herbs, such as marshmallow that helps to relieve irritated and itchy skin.
A good topical herbal preparation will also have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory herbs as part of a total skin preparation to ease the symptoms of eczema.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal is an effective topical antibacterial agent, mainly due to its berberine content.
When used in combination with marshmallow to soothe inflamed skin it will reduce inflammation.
Internally, goldenseal has historically been called the King of Tonics, and is used as an antibiotic and liver tonic.
This herb will increase bile production which acts to detoxify the body by increasing elimination.
Evening Primrose
Evening primrose oil is high in essential fatty acid, called gamma linoleic acid .
Burdock, Yellow Dock, and Dandelion
Calendula
Witch Hazel
How To Use This Guide
Ive compiled a list of herbs that are helpful to eczema, but different herbs are for different aspects e.g. one could protect you against sun damage and another one will reduce inflammation.
This guide will give you all of the essential herbs for eczema, and at the end with more information as well as 3 suggested combinations of skin pastes and herbal juice, here goes the list:
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is commonly used via its juice, as you can see the gel-like substance inside the leaves.
Helps with: acne, skin beauty, burns, cuts, insect bites, sunburns, wrinkles as well as constipation if ingested.
Aloe vera is highly used for its soothing properties, theres even a research that proves it is better than 1% silver sulphadiazine cream for treating second degree burns.
2. Basil
Basil is commonly used for air freshening and its taste but it isnt just used for its aroma from the leaves and oil, there are other uses.
Helps with: aromatherapy , facial care, repelling insects, insect bites, memory/focus and warts.
In ayurvedic medicine, basil is used for: colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning, and malaria.
3. Burdock
Burdock has been an important ancient herb used for cleaning the liver and building the blood. If taken internally, it could get you sweaty and urinating. Think of burdock as a toxic elimination herb.
Helps with: acne, diabetes, eczema, pregnancy, psoriasis and it has anti-cancer properties.
4. Calendula
Also Check: Best Skin Moisturizer For Eczema
Natural Remedies For Skin Eczema
Natural Treatments For Eczema
Last reviewed: Medically reviewed
All of Healthily’s articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our safety page, or read our editorial policy.
Although natural or complementary treatments cant cure eczema, they may help you to control the condition when used alongside conventional treatments such as steroid creams and moisturising lotions.
Evidence for the effectiveness of natural remedies in treating eczema is often limited. However you may find it worthwhile trying different treatments to see if any of them help to prevent flare-ups or improve the condition of your skin if you do experience an outbreak.
Here are 7 natural treatments that may help you to manage your eczema.
Recommended Reading: My Eczema Is So Bad
Get Real About Relaxation
Unchecked tension causes your body to produce too much of the stress hormone cortisol, which can suppress your immune system and cause your skin to become inflamed.
Prioritizing stress management can help make you more comfortable. One study of eczema-prone subjects found that regular meditation helped reduce inflammatory markers as well as chronic itching.
Various Types Of Eczema
Read Also: What Helps Eczema On Legs
Caveats Concerning Herbal Therapy And Dermatologic Surgery
Herbs may affect blood coagulation. A number of medicinal herbs contain coumarin, salicylate, or other platelet-inhibiting substances that can increase the risk of interoperative and postoperative bleeding. Some coumarin-containing herbs include danshen , dong quai , horse chestnut bark , sweet clover , sweet vernal , sweet-scented bedstraw , tonka beans , vanilla leaf , and woodruff . Salicylate-containing herbs include black cohosh , meadowsweet , poplar bark , sweet birch bark , willow bark , and wintergreen . Other platelet function inhibitors include bromelain , cayenne , Chinese skullcap , feverfew , garlic , ginger , ginkgo , ginseng , onion , papain , reishi fruit , and turmeric .
Herbs may also affect blood pressure. Potentially hypertensive plants include black cohosh, ephedra or ma huang , licorice , and yohimbe . Potentially hypotensive plants include garlic .
Massage And Physical Therapy
One clinical study looking at essential oils for treating children with eczema found that massage with and without essential oils helped improve dry, scaly skin lesions. Children with this scaly, itchy skin problem seem to have less redness, scaling, and other symptoms if they had massage between flares. DO NOT use massage when skin is actively inflamed. The essential oils most often chosen by the mothers in the study included sweet marjoram, frankincense, German chamomile, myrrh, thyme, benzoin, spike lavender, and Litsea cubeba.
Exercise
In one clinical study, participating in regular group sporting activities for 3 weeks improved eczema symptoms. Exercise may improve symptoms because of the positive impact it has on emotions. Sports should be avoided during the worst stages of an outbreak.
Climatotherapy
Climatotherapy uses sunlight and water as therapy. The Dead Sea in Israel is known for its healing properties, and many people with eczema go there to sit in the sun and swim in the water. Scientific studies support the benefits. One clinical study looked at the experience of more than 1,500 people with eczema and found that 95% of skin was cleared in people who had stayed at the Dead Sea longer than 4 weeks.
Don’t Miss: Can You Get Eczema On Your Dick
Topical Lotions Creams And Oil
In a research review published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2017, researchers found that moisturizers showed some benefits in people with eczema. Specifically, moisturizers prolonged the time to flareups, reduced the number of flareups, and decreased the amount of topical corticosteroid medication needed for a similar reduction in severity.
The researchers also found that a cream containing the licorice-compound glycyrrhetinic acid was more effective at reducing eczema severity than a cream without the substance. Four studies in the review evaluated a urea cream, and participants reported more improvement with the urea cream than a cream without urea.
Consult your healthcare provider before using any topical applications. Some herbs, such as chamomile and tea tree oil, are known to cause allergic contact dermatitis. According to a study in Contact Dermatitis, tea tree oil produces ascaridole when the oil is oxidized, which may cause allergic contact dermatitis.
In a German study, 72 people with moderately severe eczema used either a cream containing witch hazel extract, 0.5 percent hydrocortisone cream, or a placebo cream for 14 days. The hydrocortisone was found to be more effective than witch hazel. Witch hazel was not significantly more effective than the placebo cream.
According to a report published in Pediatric Dermatology, olive oil may exacerbate dry skin and eczema.
Join To Get Early Access To New Products Exclusive Offers And Receive A Discount On Your First Order
All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.
FDA Acknowledges Qualified Health Claim Linking Early Peanut Introduction and Reduced Risk of Developing Peanut Allergy in 2017:
For most infants with severe eczema and/or egg allergy who are already eating solid foods, introducing foods containing ground peanuts between 4 and 10 months of age and continuing consumption may reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy by 5 years of age. FDA has determined, however, that the evidence supporting this claim is limited to one study.
If your infant has severe eczema and/or egg allergy, check with your infants healthcare provider before feeding foods containing ground peanuts.
Don’t Miss: Can A Blood Test Detect Eczema
Q: Whats The Status Of Current Research Related To Ad And Chinese Herbal Therapy
A: The research, per se, is part of the big picture work we are doing on food allergies and asthma, which also play a big role in AD, as with other allergies. The same bad guys such as allergen-specific IgE and elevated levels of IL-4 and IL-13 that are associated with allergic reactions are associated with AD. IL-5 helps attract eosinophils, a potent defense against intestinal parasites, which congregate wherever there is persistent inflammation, including the skin. We are lowering those. Likewise, they help elevate production of IgG4 blocking antibodies and interferon gamma, which are associated with protection from allergies.
This research allows us to understand the mechanisms by which all the medicines work, and discover ways to make them more effective.
How To Use It
People can buy aloe vera gel in health stores or online, or they can purchase an aloe vera plant and use the gel directly from its leaves.
Individuals should aim to use aloe gel products with few ingredients others can contain preservatives, alcohol, fragrances, and colors, which can irritate sensitive skin. Additionally, alcohol and other drying ingredients could make eczema worse.
However, start with a small amount of gel to check for skin sensitivity, as sometimes, aloe vera can cause burning or stinging. However, it is generally safe and effective for adults and children.
Don’t Miss: How To Clear Eczema On Arms
Here Are Natural Treatments And Home Remedies That May Help Soothe Psoriasis And Eczema Symptoms Including Dry Tight And Itchy Skin
Psoriasis and eczema are two separate skin conditions, yet, they share symptoms of dry, tight and itchy skin. Many people use products that go beyond their doctor-prescribed medications as a complementary method to manage the skin conditions. However, before considering any kind of treatment, its important to discuss it with your dermatologist and to try to learn more about the triggers of your psoriasis or eczema symptoms.
That said, here are 10 natural or home remedies that may help alleviate symptoms of these two skin conditions.
Can Chinese Herbs Relieve Eczema
Chinese Herbal Medicine May Offer Relief for Dry, Itchy Skin of Eczema, Studies Say
March 17, 2009 — Traditional Chinese herbal medicine may help to relieve the dry, itchy, scaly skin of eczema in children and adults, two new studies suggest.
Other research shows that toddlers who have egg, elm, or cat allergies are at increased risk of developing eczema by age 4. Children whose parents have eczema are also at risk.
All three studies were presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma& Immunology.
Read Also: Is Cetaphil Lotion Good For Eczema
Diluted Bleach In The Bath
If your baby’s eczema regularly flares up, a dilute bleach bath— a bath where a small, gentle amount of bleach is mixed in—may help.
A bleach bath helps clean off harmful bacteria that may cause your baby’s eczema to flare up, including the bacteria responsible for staph infections. Research shows that bleach baths may not only clean off this bacteria and reduce infections, but also directly stop eczema flares.
As the American Academy of Dermatology recommends, use ¼ cup of regular strength bleach for a standard tub that will be half full of water, and one teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water for a baby tub.
Measure out the bleach with the measuring spoon or cup, and pour it into the bath as the tub is filling up with water, to make sure the bleach is fully diluted.
Then, bathe your baby for the length of time that your dermatologist recommends. Make sure plenty of bleach water gets on all areas of your baby’s body. Use a washcloth to gently apply the bleach water to baby’s head, neck, hands and feet.
Like with all natural eczema treatments, always ask your dermatologist before starting a dilute bleach bath treatment. For more details on how to give your baby a bleach bath, check out our article on bathing eczema babies.