Eczema is a type of skin ailment, characterized by itchiness, inflammation and dryness on the affected areas. However, it is important to note that unlike many other skin-diseases, eczema is not contagious.
There are plenty of herbs that can be used in various forms (bath blends, herbal tea and herbal ointment) to treat this condition. Following are some of the best-known herbal remedies for eczema.
Herbal Remedies For Eczema
Madhuca
The Madhuca oil extracted from the Madhuca leaves contains anti-inflammatory properties. Place a few drops of this oil on a clean cotton wad and apply it directly on the areas affected with eczema.
Linseed
Medically termed as Linum usitatissimum, linseed oil is used to treat an array of skin-related ailments, including eczema. For optimum benefits, you are advised to mix a few drops of linseed oil in a cup of lime water first. Then, apply the resulting herbal ointment to the affected areas.
Butea
Crush the seeds of butea tree and mix it in a cup of lime water. Applying this mixture on eczema-infected areas 2-3 times daily can cure the problem to a great extent in less than a week.
Babul
Medically termed as acacia arabica, babul contains anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties that can be very effective in relieving eczema. Mix some bark of the babul tree in a bowl of water. Boil this mixture for half an hour. Place your eczema-affected areas over the bowl (while it is still hot) in a way that the fumes coming out of it should touch those areas. Do it at least two times daily.
Turmeric, Arca And Sesame Oil
You can prepare another herbal ointment for eczema by mixing one part of turmeric, 16 parts of arca and one part of sesame oil in the form of paste. Apply the resulting paste externally to the areas affected with eczema.
Thyme, Sage And Juniper Berry
Mix 1 tbsp. of thyme, 1 tbsp. of sage and 1 tbsp. of ground juniper berry in one cup of boiling water. Cover the cup and let the herbs steep in water for 10-15 minutes. Drinking the resulting syrup at least 2 times daily after your main meals can be very effective in reducing inflammation.
Lavender, Marigold And Calendula
Mix 5 drops of lavender oil in one cup of boiling water. Add a marigold and a calendula flower in it. Cover the bowl and wait for 10 minutes. Once the mixture cools down, you can apply it externally to the eczema-affected areas. Do it 2 times daily. It should relieve inflammation and irritation to a great extent within just 3-4 days.
Horsetail
Mix 50 g of ground horsetail in 3-4 glasses of water. Boil this mixture for half an hour. Once it cools down, filter the liquid. When you go for bath, mix this liquid into your bathwater. Just fifteen minutes of bathing in it (at least once daily) can bring you great relief from the inflammation and irritation caused by eczema.
Gentian
Gentian tincture has been found to be very effective in eliminating harmful toxins from the digestive system. Those toxins cause eczema. You can take 10 drops of this herbal tincture 3 times a day, preferably before your regular meals.
Aloe Vera
The gel extracted from freshly cut aloe vera leaves can be very useful in reducing irritation, inflammation and other symptoms of eczema. For better results, you are advised to mix vitamin E oil also with aloe vera gel.
Tamuna Oil
Tamuna oil contains powerful skin-healing properties, which can be very effective in promoting blemish-free, clear and healthy skin. Apply this oil sparingly to the affected areas. Besides treating eczema, tamuna oil is also used to heal severe sunburns and chronic acne.
Speedwell
Prepare a herbal tea by mixing the little blue flowering tops of speedwell in one cup of boiling water. You do not have to drink this tea. Instead, once it cools down, you can use it as a herbal fusion to wash the eczema-affected areas. Drinking this tea is used as a herbal remedy for cough.
Sarsaparilla Root Tea
You can prepare this herbal tea by mixing 1-2 tsp. of chopped, dried sarsaparilla roots in one cup of water. Boil this mixture at low temperature for 10-15 minutes. Then, leave it to cool down for another 15 minutes and let the herb steep in water. Drinking this tea can be very effective in cleansing your body system that eventually makes your skin healthy and free from infections.
Rosemary
Applying rosemary tea externally on the affected areas has also been found to be very beneficial not only in treating eczema but also in preventing secondary skin infections that often follow eczema. Brew one tbsp. of dried rosemary leaves in one cup of boiling water. Wait for half and hour, allowing the herb to steep thoroughly in water. Filter the liquid and let it cool down. You can use this herbal fusion to wash the affected areas. For optimum benefit, you are advised to do it three times daily – two times during the day and once right before you retire to bed at night.
Comfrey Leaves
Comfrey leaves can be used in two ways to treat eczema. First, you can fill fresh or dried comfrey leaves in a muslin bag and then put it in your bathwater, allowing the herbs to steep in water. Soak in this bathwater for 10-15 minutes. Second, you can prepare a herbal tea by mixing on tbsp. of chopped, dried comfrey leaves in one cup of boiling water. Allow it to cool down a little. Drink it while it is still a little warm. However, either of these remedies for eczema should not be used on a daily basis. For safer and more effective results, you can try it every alternate day.
Burdock
The fresh roots of burdock plant can also be used to prepare a herbal wound-wash for eczema. Mix one tbsp. of burdock roots in one glass of boiling water. Let the herb steep in water for half an hour. Filter the liquid. Once it cools down, soak a clean, soft cloth in it and apply it to the affected areas 3-4 times daily.
In general, the above herbal remedies for eczema are very commonly prescribed by herbal practitioners. But, considering the fact that some herbs may cause certain side effects (such as, when taken in excess dosage), you are strongly recommended to consult your doctor for proper dosage guidelines. They will guide you properly depending upon the severity of your condition.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.
