Eczema Herbal Remedies
While there is no direct cure for eczema, there are a number of herbal remedies that can soothe the skin, take away the itching and settle the inflammation seen in the condition. Medical doctors often resort to steroid creams but, since there are good eczema herbal remedies out there, you can easily use one of those without the risk of side effects or thinning of the skin.
Witch hazel is an excellent remedy for eczema. It is put in a cream base or in an animal fat or Crisco base and applied to the affected area. The inflammation is settled down and the redness is reduced. Other over-the-counter creams are urea-based lotions, which work well for inflammation. They include Eucerin cream and Nutraderm cream or lotion.
In herbal medicine, diet is very important. You need to avoid things you are allergic to such as shellfish, soy products, milk products or peanuts. Eat a healthy, well balanced diet devoid of those things that you find yourself allergic to.
Nutritional deficiencies, including deficiencies in omega-3 fatty acids, can contribute to the problem of eczema. You can get omega-3 fatty acids in your diet by eating salmon, albacore tuna, flaxseed, and other healthy oil-containing foods. You can also take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement. Cod liver oil is an excellent supplement to take. Evening primrose oil is another one you might want to consider.
Eczema is improved by many of the following herbs: dandelion, kelp, chaparral, yellow dock, and red clover. Sulfur-containing herbs are good because they contain a substance that strengthens the collagen in the skin.
Oolong tea is an excellent choice for those wanting to get rid of toxins in the skin. It contains antioxidants which are found to be good for the healing of damaged tissue. Green tea and kombucha tea are also good forms of tea to drink when you have eczema.
Don’t forget to enhance your immune system with probiotics in supplement form, vitamin supplements and minerals. Zinc and biotin are good choices for healthy skin and do a good job of enhancing your immune system.
There are several types of topical preparations for eczema that are herbal remedies. They include burdock root, German chamomile in a cream-base, golden rods and other things that attack the inflammation. Vitamin E is soothing to irritated skin, especially when applied with jojoba oil. You can use it on your face if you are particularly careful around your eyes. Don’t moisturize the eyelid area.
Always wear cotton clothing and avoid synthetic clothing and wool, which doesn’t breathe well. Cotton should breathe easily and keep you from sweating. When sweat builds up, it contributes to eczema and you break out in dry scaly and red skin.
You can use deodorant but not an antiperspirant, which contains metallic compounds that can make eczema of the armpit much worse. Deodorants won’t stop the flow of perspiration but will keep it from smelling so bad. Don’t wear polyester clothing as this can sensitize a person to the polyester and can keep the sweat from breathing.
