Eczema Herbal Remedies

Here you will find some great eczema herbal remidies that you can try to relieve the dry, itchy patches on your skin.

Herbs are often used to help boost the functioning of the immune system. The immune system is the body’s defense mechanism against a variety of diseases, infections, bacteria and viruses. Several herbs have been found to improve eczema. Many of these both serve to strengthen the immune system as well as help the liver in doing its work to its optimum best.

Studies have proven that individuals who suffer from eczema tend to have a lower immunity due to the disease and are more inclined to develop viral disease such as warts or herpes. Both burdock root and the Chinese herb bupleurum have been found to successfully improve cases of eczema. Milk thistle, which is a “liver herb” and the Indian plant gotu kola, are both very strong when it comes to fighting both skin as well as liver related problems. Gotu kola is often used topically as a salve to heal cracked and broken skin that often results from severe cases of eczema. For example, the Rudolf Stiftung Hospital in Vienna, Austria uses this plants both as an injection and as a salve to encourage wounds to heal at a more rapid rate.

Known as an “immunity-enhancing herb”, pau d’arco is derived from the bark of a tree in South America and is very useful in treating eczema. Licorice root has been known to improve eczema flare ups and it also brings down the swelling in skin, treats allergy symptoms and improves the action of the liver.

A number of studies have shown the effectiveness of GLA (or gamma linolenic acid) at fighting the symptoms of eczema. GLA is found in evening primrose oil, as well as in chamomile and licorice root. Gamma linolenic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid that the body requires to function properly. An average daily dose of evening primrose oil should be approximately two to four grams and it should always be taken with meals and not on an empty stomach. Be aware that taking evening primrose oil will not bring about instantaneous results. In fact it might take up to six months and beyond before you start noticing a difference in your skin. Eczema patients in Europe are particularly fond of using evening primrose oil for their skin conditions.   

Zinc is a mineral that can be taken as a nutritional supplement to help cases off eczema. However don’t overdo your consumption of zinc as too much could lead to a copper deficiency in the body. A daily dose of zinc that is thirty milligrams or less should be plenty to help your skin.

There are a few herbs that are considered to be “skin and lymph cleansing herbs” and these help clear rashes that have developed on the skin as well as “drain” the skin of impurities. These cleansing herbs include burdock, cleavers, nettle, red clover and yellow dock. Of these five, yellow dock is the most beneficial for those individuals suffering with eczema.

A very basis recipe for tea that can be cleansing to the system would require the combining of these dry herbs (that can all be purchased at a health food store or the alternative health food section of a grocery store)- one part burdock root, one part red clover and one part yellow dock. Mix all the ingredients together. Once that is done, add one teaspoon to one cup of warm or hot water and drink to your health!