Treatment for eczema

I believe that something from nature is always better for us. The biggest problem with eczema is that our skin is itchy and red. Itching probably is the most annoying factor. There are a couple of naturally occurring plants which can provide relief. One of them is Yarrow (achillea Millefolium) used by native Americans and also by the ancient Greeks to calm irritated skin and for it's healing powers. Achilles was supposed to have used Yarrow for it's healing properties. You may know Yarrow by other names such as Old Man's Pepper, Soldier's Woundwort, Milfoil, knight's Milfoil, Herbe Militaris, Thousand weed, Bloodwort, Staunchweed or Carpenter's weed. Form the names you get the sense that this botanical has been used for wounds for many years.

The second is Jewelweed (impatiens capensis). This was also used by native Americans to sooth and calm the skin. Jewelweed often grows nears poison ivy. It is nature's cure for poison ivy and lives in the same area. It gets it's name because the leaves are water-repellent and when it rains the water beads on the leaves and looks like sparkling jewels. It is also one of the main ingredients in Preparation H - hmmm soothes and calms itching and irritated skin! I wouldn't recommend Preparation H for eczema though because of the petroleum base. Remember skin needs to breathe.

If you would like more information about where to find these particular botanicals in usable form for eczema, send me an email and I will give you the information.

Eczema

Just a word about eczema today. This is a condition that many people suffer from and usually get a prescription for steroids or triamcinolone which on a short term basis helps, but long term makes the condition worse.

In case you're not clear about what eczema is or what it looks like, it is a red scaly appearing rash, usually near a joint or over a joint area. I have seen some of the worse cases cover the entire lower leg. These cases are usually ones in which the patient was given triamcinolone as a prescription and while this takes the red and rash away initially, if used for more than a week to 10 days, makes the rash worse and it spreads.

The most important thing to do for eczema is to keep it moist with a good moisturizer. This in and of itself may not be enough. Oh, and when I say keep it moist, I mean apply the moisturizer at least 4 times a day. This is not an easy feat for most of us.

There are some other things that will help eczema which are naturally occuring in nature. I will write more about this tomorrow.