Herbal Healing for Eczema
Sensitivity can be a many splendored thing: Who would want to miss the velvety feel of a rose petal or the cool excitement of slipping into a clear mountain lake? But when skin is exquisitely sensitive – to everything from scratchy clothing and temperature extremes to emotional stress and allergens or irritants – tactile experiences aren’t always pleasant. The results can be dermatitis, a rash that can be red, itchy, and in extreme cases, come with hives and blisters.
If your skin overreacts on a regular basis with a pink, scaly rash that itches intensely, you may have a form of dermatitis, also known as eczema, especially if your skin becomes thick and painfully cracked in areas. Eczema is often a hereditary condition. Allergies, stress, and even temperature changes can trigger outbreaks. Conventional medical treatments for eczema include a wide array of drugs – cortisone and tar treatments, antihistamines to stop the itch, and sedatives for scratch-free sleep. Herbal healers recommend a different course.
Most cases of eczema that have been seen turn out to be a reaction to common foods like dairy products and wheat. So the first suggestion is to change your diet. Then try soothing herbal creams to help the skin heal. Some herbal healers also suggest adding botanical remedies that help the body process toxins that may be provoking eczema flare ups.
Herbal Skin Soothers
Herbal healers recommend these calming creams, pastes, and baths for eczema.
Chamomile in creams or salves can work as well as cortisone creams for relieving itching and inflammation. Research shows that chamomile contains anti inflammatory substances, including azurlene and bisabolol, that reduce the allergic reaction that prompts the development of eczema. If you don’t have chamomile cream you could make a strong chamomile tea. You would let the dried herbs steep in a cup of boiling water for 15 minutes or more, then strain and let cool. Dip a clean piece of gauze in the tea and apply it to the rashy area. Leave the gauze in place for 20 minutes to an hour, changing it when it gets dry and war,. You can use this remedy three times a day until the lesion dries and the inflammation decreases.
Slippery elm is another herbal skin soother that contains mucilage, which moisturizes and calms the skin. Which in turn helps the healing.
Combine slippery elm powder with enough water to make a thin paste, then apply it to the itchy, inflamed rashes. Use whatever water temperature feels soothing to you and leave the paste on for up to an hour , or until it dries. Then rinse it off gently with water and pat your skin dry. You can repeat the process up to three times a day.
Controlling infection with Goldenseal.
Native Americans relieved eczema with goldenseal. Researchers have found that in laboratory studies, berberine, a substance that gives goldenseal its bitter taste and yellow color, kills many forms on contact. It may be able to kill bacteria on your skin, when applied to wounds. If your dermatitis becomes infected, make an anti microbial wash by combining 1 part goldenseal extract with 3 parts warm water. Soak a clean cloth in the liquid and apply it to the rash for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, changing the cloth as needed when it cools off. Reapplying the wash four or five times a day.
Signs of infection include redness, heat in the skin around the dermatitis, and sores that have pus around them. If your skin looks infected, see a doctor before attempting to treat the infection.
Ease itching with oatmeal.
Colloidal oatmeal – sold commercially as Aveeno – can sooth an itchy rash. Add it to a tub of comfortably warm water and soak. After you dry off, immediately apply a moisturizer or herbal cream.
Herbs for the inside to fight eczema.
For itchy, rash eczema, herbal experts also recommend the following that work inside your body.
Gingko: to decrease hypersensitivity.
Evening Primrose Oil: rich in essential fatty acids to help the body produce anti inflammation compounds.
Burdock: A herb that helps the digestive system and the liver.
