Info On Eczema

Amy - posted on 01/12/2009 ( 1 mom has responded )

Here is some information I have gathered over the last few years about Eczema. BUT use your head... CHECK WITH A DOCTOR BEFORE USING ANY HERBAL REMEDY.

Increase Omega-3 fatty acids of those with eczema. Supplement with flax-seed oil, pumpkin, chia seeds, walnuts, flax meal, flax powder, salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, bluefin, collards, chard and kale. Use the flax-seed oil, meal and powder to cook with. Use the oil in salad dressing. Add a few drops of oil to formula for bottle-fed babies. Teens and adults take 4tsp a day, children over age 2 take 1-2 tsp a day, take 3 tsp when eczema flares up.

Home care for eczema
Short, warm but not hot baths. Pat dry instead of rubbing. Afterward, apply almond oil to seal in the moisture. Oatmeal and barley baths are soothing. Simply mix 2 handsful of either grain into a pan of several quarts hot water. Simmer 10 minutes, turn off heat and allow to steep 15 minutes. Strain and add to bath. Avoid harsh soaps and bubble baths. Use a moisturizer immediately after bathing, and several times a day. Look for a product containing natural oils, not synthetic fragrances or preservatives, and No alcohol. Avoid all mineral oil products, Including Baby Oil. They deplete fat-soluable vitamins A,D,E, and K in the skin. Avacado oil or the mashed fruit itself applied directly to the skin helps relieve eczema and dry, irritated skin in general.

Herbal Treatments for Eczema
Licorice Root - Potent anti-inflammatory properties, acts in a fashion similar to the body's anti-inflammatory hormone cortisone, but without the side effects associated with long term cortisone use. CAUTION: long term ingestion of licorice can upset the balance of sodium and potassium and cause water retention. Pregnant people and people with high blood pressure or adrenal gland disease should not take it. Do not give for more than 6 weeks without a 1-week break, unless under the supervision of a health professional.

Gotu Kola
Recommended for almost all skin inflammations, relying on it's documented ability to stimulate the healing of connective tissue wounds, with both internal and external use. has strong anti-inflammatory and skin healing mechanisms. You can find gotu kola in herbal creams and in capsules or glycerites. Safe for children. Dosage is one capsule, one cup of tea, or 20 drops of extract per day for a 50 pound child.

Echinacea
it's lesser known benefit is that it promotes tissue regeneration and reduces inflammation. You can apply straight tea to an area of eczema, or give capsules or glycerites internally. To best utilize it's healing powers, use it for 10 days, then give a 2 day break. You can also purchase creams or salves of echinacea to apply directly.

Comfrey
EXTERNAL USE ONLY!! But still very powerful. The major chemical constituent in comfrey is allantoin. It soothes the skin and speeds healing by promoting the growth of skin cells. Helps heal torn tissue. Decocted comfrey root makes a gooey, soothing herbal wash to treat the itchiness of eczema.

Burdock
Should be in every herbal formula for eczema. This plant's foot-long taproot inhibits micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi. It's use in salve prevents irritation and secondary infection of sensitive skin. Taken internally, it acts to help keep the liver filtering internal toxins. It's also safe for children. Use 1 cup of tea (simmer the chopped root for 10 minutes) or one capsule per day for a child of 50 pounds. Continue for 2 weeks, take a 1 week break, and resume the 2 week regimen.

Adrenal support herbs.
Eczema's allergic origin suggests support for the adrenal glands. Adrenal support herbs to consider are licorice, schisandra and siberian ginseng.

Liver Support Herbs
Oregon graperoot, milk thistle, turmeric, yellow dock, and dandelion root or leaf. One or more of these herbs can be added to a homemade salve or to a tea or glycerite blend for eczema.

Herbal Salve

Salves are easy to make, portable, and extremely handy to have around. Basically, they are infused oils with a little beeswax added to make them solid. The more beeswax you add, the harder the salve becomes. Softer salves are easier to spread on a baby's skin (for diaper rash, for example). but if you live in a warm climate, you'll want to add more beeswax, otherwise your salve will be too soupy.

1 cup olive or almond oil.
1/6 to 1/4 cup grated beeswax
1/4 cup coarsely ground or crumbled herbs :
burdock root or leaves, willow bark, echinacea root or herbs, calendula flowers, comfrey leaf or root. Can use any singly or in any combination.

Mix oil and herbs together in a pot. (If you have more than 1/4 cup, add as many as the oil will cover). Warm on very low heat for 30-60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep a close eye on your salve, as it tends to burn. Remove from heat, pour through a fine straining cloth into a second pan. Squeeze your cloth to get as much oil as you can out of the herbs. Strain again if necessary to remove herbs. Return the oil to very low heat, and stir in the beeswax until melted. Pour into clean, small jars. Cool until hard in the middle, and label.
TO USE: Apply to any dry skin condition, such as scabs, scars, eczema, mosquito bites or diaper rash. Don't use on moist oozing skin such as wet psoriasis, oozing poison oak or ivy, or on rashes with secondary infections, such as candida diaper rash.

I hope this may help someone in easing their child's itchiness.
Amy