If you need a break from medications and their side effects, then trying an eczema herbal remedy may be your best bet. It is always best to address eczema holistically, focusing on treating your condition from the inside out. Here are five natural eczema herbal remedies that may help to clear up your skin.
Aloe Vera
The Aloe Vera plant has been used for centuries for a variety of skin conditions including burns and dryness. In fact, you will most likely find it as an ingredient in your favorite skin care product. So why is aloe vera an effective eczema herbal treatment? For one, aloe vera contains complex sugars, called polysaccharides, that naturally moisturize and hydrate the skin. Aloe also helps to kill bacteria, as well as increase oxygen availability to the skin cells. Aloe vera is also great for soothing irritated skin and prevent future infections.
You can find many topical products that contain aloe vera, but the best source is from the plant itself. To use, simply cut a leaf from the plant, and directly apply the gel to the skin. With time, Aloe vera will help to reduce eczema symptoms and improve the skin’s overall quality.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a powerful Indian herb that is used for both cooking and medicine. Curcumin, The active ingredient in turmeric, is an anti-inflammatory agent that can help to lower histamine production in the body. Turmeric also contains anti-oxidant properties that will help the skin maintain a youthful appearance.
Turmeric as an herbal remedy for eczema can be used internally and externally. Turmeric spice is readily available at almost any grocery store, and adding it to your meals may prove to be beneficial. Alternatively, you can find turmeric as a supplement at natural food stores. Create a topical treatment by making a paste mixing turmeric powder. Apply the paste to the affected areas and rinse with warm water.
Chamomile
Chamomile is one of the most popular eczema herbal treatments. The German and Roman chamomile varieties are the most commonly known plants; Germain chamomile is the most commonly used plant used a an eczema herbal remedy. Chamomile contains a compound called alpha bisabolol, an anti-inflammatory and anti-itching ingredient.
Chamomile is a topical treatment and can be found in essential oil and herb form. Chamomile oil, diluted with a carrier oil such as almond, can be directly applied to the skin. Adding chamomile herbs or flowers can be added to a warm bath to soothe itching and inflammation.
Witch Hazel
Originating from North America, witch hazel is a potent herb that has been used for conditions such as hemorrhoids and cold sores. Witch hazel is also a good eczema natural remedy, due to its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.
Tea is a very popular way for administering witch hazel. To create a witch hazel tea, add 2 to 3 grams of witch hazel leaves to boiling water for about 15 minutes. Witch hazel tea can be taken two to three times a day. You can also find witch hazel in liquid form at any drug store. Bottled witch hazel can be applied to eczema problem areas as well.
Rosemary
Rosemary is one of the best eczema natural remedies because of its antiseptic and antioxidant properties. Rosemary is known for reducing skin inflammation and stimulating blood circulation. Rosemary also has a powerful aroma that helps to relieve stress.
Rosemary is available as an essential oil, oil capsules, and teas. The best way to use rosemary for eczema is by adding a few drops of oil to bathwater and soak. You can also opt to use topical creams and/or cleansers that has rosemary as an ingredient. Rosemary is also a uterine stimulant, so it should be avoided during pregnancy.
Before using any of the herbal remedies for eczema, perform a skin patch test to check for any allergic reactions. You should consult with your physician first before trying any eczema herbal remedy method.
January 31st, 2010 at 9:40 am
I like turmeric. I use it internally. It selectively kills harmful bacteria so it’s very good internally. I havn’t used it externally so can’t comment on that.
As for the Aloe, I would say I’ve heard that the results of treating burns are somewhat disappointing and there are other things that have worked better. I use it for acid reflux, upset stomach. It’s an anti-inflammatory. It has the curious ability to stop the stomach from self-destructing. I find it very quick and effective for acid reflux.
I’ve heard some people say that essential fatty acids, eg fish oil and cod liver oil, flaxseed oil help improve some skin problems. I don’t know if that is true of eczema, but it’s important you have adequate amounts in your diet.
Lycopene is also good for skin.
Rosemary etc are anti-bacterial and anti-fungals and there are others in the same vein like oregano, thyme, that have similar effects. I don’t know if they might work.
I’ve had itching on my skin and quite bad eczema. If it’s a fungal problem I’d also suggest the standard advice; keep your skin dry. Soap also causes problem.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:08 pm
We tried turmeric when our little boy had such severe Eczema and it stained everything yellow – including our carpet!! It was awful for us and did not work at all. In fact, nothing really worked to help him. Docs just shrugged and told us that he was a “gray area” and that they could only prescribe potent meds like oral steroids. It was awful until we found something natural that changed his/our life forever. We have him the kids chewable probiotics from Bellyboost and not only did he love the flavor (unlike many of the remedies we tried) but it began to clear his skin within just a few days and weeks. It was a miracle! I cannot say enough great things about this and I just hope that other parents can hear how well this worked for us and that maybe it would help them too.
February 10th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
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February 12th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
I’ve got or had acid reflux since I used to be a teenager. I’m now in my thirties and what has appeared to succeed best for me is apple cider vinegar in a. I ingest it as a hot tea.
April 16th, 2010 at 9:51 am
I’m a 48 year old woman, an actress and model, so having clear skin is very important to me. Started getting hard cystic acne, specifically on my chin, a few months ago. Tried the AcnEase medication, took it 3x a day at first, then 2x a day (four tabs each), and noticed an improvement within days. Within 3 weeks, my skin was totally cleared up. Experienced no side effects whatsoever. I’m very impressed and grateful.
May 9th, 2010 at 10:06 am
I have eczema problem time to time but mine is not one of those dry, flaky one. Mine often flairs up with tiny little blister like dots, and I used Aloe Vera to calm it down but my skin reacted badly. I use Aloe Vera for treating acne as such so I know it is good for skin. But I am not sure if it’s good for all type of eczema. Unless, I have some allergic reaction to it at the time…?!?
May 14th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Witch hazel? Are these people nuts? Think of how wonderful alcohol feels on open sores and you can pretty much get how ‘soothing’ astringent witch hazel is on eczema in full flareout. The *last* thing you need to be putting on hands which feel like Extra Crispy chicken is a *drying* agent!
I love chamomile tea, but I’ll tell you now, it’s never been a bit of use preventing or dealing with a flareup.
Like the previous poster, I’ve tried aloe. Never worked for me, either. Just irritated my hands. I’ve tried it in commercial preparations and straight out of the leaf. Nice for sunburns, for for eczema? Not so much.
I’m not trying turmeric because I don’t want my hands to be dyed bright orange, thanks. I can’t scrub my hands hard enough to get rid of the coloration, and if I did, I’d be undoing whatever ‘good’ work might be done otherwise.
So, I have to say…maybe these remedies work for some people, but overall, I can’t espouse any of them. And some are just downright not useful.
It is NOT best to ‘address eczema holistically’. My advice? Look to what causes your skin to break out and eliminate that. Everyone has things which trigger their eczema (and contrary to what some claim, it’s not a milk allergy, either – or at least, it isn’t for everyone.)
My triggers are:
extreme heat and cold (so, no extremely hot baths),
vegetable juices (onions and potatoes are the worst, so I wear vinyl gloves when preparing food),
harsh soaps (so I wear rubber gloves when doing any sort of housework and never leave them on long enough to make my hands sweat),
detergents with enzymes (so I use a baby free and clear detergent with no enzymes, dyes or perfumes)
anything extremely drying, like folding dry clothes or doing a lot of paperwork (so I apply lotion frequently)
anything topical with perfumes, even if it claims to be hypoallergenic. Perfumes use alcohol as a fixative, and alcohol is drying.
I use Cetaphil to wash my hands and to bathe, plus Neutrogena’s fragrance free Norwegian Formula hand cream (which is basically a glycerine gel and not much else) for my hands.
My dermatologist has recently prescribed a new barrier cream I’m trying which came out last year – Neosalus. It’s supposed to be an intermediary step between regular lotion and the last-ditch effort of steroid use. I haven’t used it enough to know whether or not that’s effective.
It’s taken me years to know how to manage my eczema, but I guarantee management is a better strategy than treatment, any day – particularly remedies which just don’t work.
August 5th, 2010 at 9:29 am
My husband uses aloe vera to treat his eczema: it works quite well, it helps ease the itchiness and the dryness. And when we don’t have aloe vera at home, he uses an infusion of peppermint to get some relief.
September 19th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
I love Turmeric I always use it when cooking. Even when I make rice, I add some and it turns yellow, really nice to look at! I’m not sure I would use it on my skin…it will stain!
October 5th, 2010 at 12:51 am
I have to agree with Elizabeth about Witch Hazel, I personally find alcohol based products often make my flare-up worse rather than better. I have been tinkering with licorice based treatments lately with some minor modicum of success, but a friend has been raving about seaweed and I am thinking about taking the plunge. Found a site called http://www.seaweedbathco.com/ and wonder if anyone has tried them or any other seaweed based products?
October 16th, 2010 at 4:18 am
What a wonderful natural approach. It’s quite another dimension to the treatment of eczema. In addition to this approach, recognizing the situations when scratching is most likely to occur may also help for quick intervention so as to make the herbs work efficaciously. As for many patients that find that they scratch more when they are idle. Structured activity that keeps their hands occupied may prevent further damage to the skin. Occupational counseling also may be helpful to identify or change career goals if a job involves contact with irritants or involves frequent hand washing, such as kitchen work or auto mechanics.
Furthermore, people with atopic eczema, as well as their families, can leave healthy, normal lives by:
• Avoiding soaps, bubble baths, etc, when bathing. These can dry out the skin and make it more prone to irritation. Instead, use a soap substitute plus a bath/shower emollient.
• Wearing cotton clothes next to the skin rather than irritating fabrics such as wool. However, it is probably the smoothness of the material rather than the type of the material, which helps. Some smooth man-made fabrics are probably just as good as cotton.
• Avoiding getting too hot or too cold as extremes of temperature can irritate the skin.
• Rinsing clothes well after washing them with detergent. Some ‘biological’ detergents are said by some people to be irritating. But there is little proof that commonly used detergents, which are used in the normal way make eczema worse.
• Reducing the number of dust mites in their homes by regularly cleaning and vacuuming with particular attention to bedrooms, mattress, and bedclothes.
January 27th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
bayo: cotton is not just good because it’s “smooth,” it’s good because it is breathable, unlike polyester which traps sweat next to the skin.
February 7th, 2011 at 11:47 pm
I agree with many here. The first thing that is needed is to find the cause of flare ups. My daughter has flare ups on the crook of both arms. We’ve tried reducing spicy food, changed detergents and am now trying to reduce dairy to see if that works. In the meantime, we’ve found a nice product called Skin Nourishing Balm from colimabay.com that has calendula, jojoba oil and other botanical ingredients that keep the flare ups down and under control. However, we have to keep applying morning and night or it reappears. So it doesn’t cure it, but keeps her happy and not itching.
February 25th, 2011 at 8:47 pm
In terms of using chemically based eczema ‘remedies’-such as cetaphil, which uses chemical degreasers (SLS), antifreeze (Propylene glycol), and parabens (known carcinogens and immunotoxins)-you will likely get little relief. in fact, it will get worse. there is a great deal of evidence linking eczema to environmental factors, immune response and genetic influence. ceramides, taken internally, and applied topically, are a group of phytolipids found in wheat germ extract and other plants which repair the damaged moisture barrier. omega oils nourish and repair the skin (sea buckthorn is the greatest natural supplier). you can find great organic, chemical free creams and supplements online that with a little bit of googling-will surely provide more relief than chemical based cleansers and creams. food allergens, chemical sensitivity, and airborne bacteria from mites and dander are all known stressors and can be controlled. it’s a complex problem, but it’s essential to give your skin the appropriate food or you will never get anywhere.
May 7th, 2011 at 4:38 am
I’ve had eczema all my life and it has moved to different spots on my body. When I was a kid I had it on my face, on top of my upper lip right under my nose. It would be red and scratchy and very irritating. A while later it left my face and moved to my arms so my skin was extremely itchy and red, I’ve visited over 10 dermatologists and all the medication never worked. I have naturally tan skin and the cortisone in the medication creams that I was prescribed caused my skin to change color, so I literally had HUGE white blotches on my skin. I then started noticing it on my legs, small scratchy areas. Then it moved to my back and that was the worst. It not only took over small portions on my back but literally engulfed the whole thing. Like I mentioned earlier I am a little bit tan, so the eczema on my back caused my back not to change color to white, but to black this time. The only thing that has ever helped with my back eczema was going to the beach and letting the sun and the water heal it. Honestly all the cremes, oils, pills, none of that worked, the only thing that did was going to the beach and letting the sun work it’s magic. So now that it’s gone from my back, I have it on my palms. It really is the weirdest spot I’ve ever gotten it in. It looks like a burn because it’s really red and it’s got little sacs filled with clear liquid and sometimes they look like tiny pimples. So I’m currently applying a cream just so it can ease down the itching. I’m looking for natural remedies because I’m so sick of applying these useless creams that I doubt ever help.
I’m only 17, and I’ve had eczema all over my body and I truly believe in non other than natural remedies.
December 4th, 2011 at 12:20 am
My wife has it real bad on her scalp it was so bad once she had to shave her hair to treat in. Now her hairs long and she is in fear of shaving it again. What other than can all can i use on her scalp with her hair. A another problem is its growing down her face and into her eyes, whats safe to use around the eyes?
December 26th, 2011 at 10:02 pm
Try gently rubbing sesame oil into the scalp, leave it for at least an hour and then wash off with a gentle unscented shampoo and conditioner. I’ve noticed people from India use this oil on their hari and scalps and never seem to be troubled with eczema or flaky scalps.
Chickweed ointment is great for relieving the itch.
Calendula oil/cream is also supposed to be good, but I haven’t tried this.
The most important thing is not to put anything scented on the skin.
January 7th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
i have had mild to severe eczema all my life and i recently started having aat treatments
i can definitely say it has made a difference. the doctor found allergies i never knewi hadranging from rice to sugar to chlorine. each were cleared within two. its to three treatments. give it a try. i have spent thousands on creams and herbs and only this treatment has made any real difference.
January 11th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
Witch hazel works wonders when I have oozing. Aloe makes me reallllyyy itchy. I think treatment is completely personal. Trial & error is the only option it seems.
January 11th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
Do you think ingesting aloe vera juice could have a positive effect on eczema?
. Thanks for the information!
Excellent article! I will likely try all of these out and post about them on my blog in the future and link your post
January 11th, 2012 at 9:21 pm
also, to jimmy, coconut oil is excellent for the scalp and will even moisture your wife’s hair really well. you rub it in, and if you want to put some on the hair too, leave it for 20min and then shower.
January 31st, 2012 at 12:49 pm
One of my friends who suffered from Eczema was using Aloe vera products which he says has helped himn alot!