Herbal Remedy for Eczema

The best herbal remedy for eczema is the one that helps you the most and there are many remedies that use herbs, natural oils and fruits to help soothe the discomfort and heal the skin damaged by this condition.

Types of Eczema

Before choosing an herbal remedy for eczema knowing which type of eczema you have will help you make the right choice as contact dermatitis sometimes called eczema is caused by an allergic reaction.

• Allergic skin reactions respond well to soothing lukewarm baths that have peppermint, spearmint, oatmeal water or lavender oil added.


• Atopic eczema is usually only a problem for infants and small children and child safe herbs including chamomile, lavender and almond oil will help soothe sensitive skin tissues and reduce itching.


• Seasonal eczema including dyshidrotic that occurs in warm weather and nummular that only bothers people in the winter are easily treated using homemade creams, salves and herbal baths.

Vitamins

Vitamins C and E are commonly used to help skin regenerate and heal itself.

• Vitamin E can be purchased in gel capsules that can be opened and applied directly to the skin. Almond oil is especially helpful for eczema and it contains high quantities of Vitamin E. Other sources of Vitamin E that can be ground into a paste and added to yogurt creating a soothing moisturizing skin cream include:
  
  • Sunflower oil
  
  
  • Kiwi fruit
  
  
  • Tomatoes
  
  
  • Oregon grape
  
  
  • Carrots
  
  
  • Papaya

• Vitamin C and zinc are also beneficial providing antioxidant and cellular support which is very important for skin that is damaged by eczema. Citrus fruits can be juiced fresh and combined with a natural oil to provide a soap free cleanser for eczema.

Additional zinc, Vitamins E and C to the diet is also helpful when dealing with eczema.

Herbal Remedy for Eczema Support

The body is a complex machine and providing herbal support while relieving the itchy, painful, irritating rash caused by eczema include a healthy diet full of fruits, fresh vegetables and limited processed foods. Herbal teas and beverages made from the same fruits and vegetables recommended to help soothe the discomfort of eczema may provide long lasting relief. Herbal support for eczema inside and out provide skin tissues with the building blocks required to grow new skin cells, repair the underlying damage and prevent eczema from re-occurring.

• An infusion of blueberry leaves for the skin plus adding blueberries to plain yogurt or oatmeal provides the body with the healing properties of this fruit externally as well as internally.


• Burdock, marshmallow root and chickweed can all be taken internally to help boost the body's ability to regenerate skin tissues, while adding an infusion of burdock leaves, marshmallow root or chickweed to the bath helps soothe irritated skin tissues.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are potent and when choosing an herbal remedy for eczema be sure to dilute these oils with water or natural oils especially those that contain high concentrations of Vitamin E including almond, sunflower and walnut oil. Camphor can help prevent infection and fungal growth that can occur during a severe eczema outbreak, sandalwood, peppermint and lavender oils can be added to unscented, natural creams or added to bath water.

For the Skin

• Dandelion, turmeric, nutmeg, rosemary and kelp all contain vitamins and nutrients for the skin and adding them to mudpacks, creams and moisturizers helps to heal and soothe irritated skin tissues.


• Calendula is commonly used for all types of skin ailments and when combined with witch hazel may provide antibacterial and anti-fungal benefits.


• Bentonite clay is a very good choice for making mudpacks and can be used alone or in combination with skin soothing herbs and plants.


• Shea butter may also benefit eczema suffers as it is a natural emollient and when combined with rose oil may provide long lasting relief from cracking and dried skin.

Choosing an herbal remedy for eczema that will help relieve the discomfort and itching while providing the skin healing nutrients will not be difficult and many of the herbs, fruits and vegetables that are beneficial can be grown in the garden.

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