How to Heal Yourself from Eczema

Eczema is the common name for skin disorders characterized by red patches, weeping blisters and often, severe itching. There are several different kinds of eczema which is often associated with food allergy (usually milk or wheat) and a deficiency in essential fatty acids from nuts and oils.

Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin (a contact allergy often associated with food allergies to milk products and wheat). A deficiency in essential fatty acids can make the body predisposed to developing dermatitis. Prostaglandins are suppressed by saturated fats and fried foods and by deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, especially zinc deficiency.

Factors Affecting Eczema and Ways to Treat It

Following long term treatment with steroid creams, start with herbal creams.

Sodium Bicarbonate helps to reduce the body's level of acidity.

Add 1 - 5 tablespoons to your bathwater every other night. In acute cases, start with 1 tablespoon and gradually increase to 5 tablespoons over 2 months.

Aromatherapy Bath - Add 2 - 3 tablespoons eczema bath (see below) to your bath water every other night.

Wash with Wild Pansy Shampoo. It is especially good for Eczema.

Fasting is a good way to cleanse the body (this should only be undertaken under professional advice and support).

Avoid clothes made of synthetic fibers, steroid creams, creams with paraffin oil and Vaseline, perfumed washing powders and dairy products.

Drink plenty of lukewarm water (around 2 - 3 liters per day)

Eczema Bath

Once a week take the following bath:

Fill a cloth bag with 500-600gr fresh Ribwort leaf and 500-600gr fresh Ladys Mantle leaves or 50gr of each herb dried. Place in the bath tub and pour over 10 liters of boiling water. Allow to infuse for 10 minutes and then add the rest of your bathwater. Stay in the bath for 20 minutes adding more hot water to keep the bath warm if necessary. Do not rinse off but allow the body to air dry.

General Tips for Children with Eczema

It is important that a child's bowels work properly and, ideally, that they are emptied as many times per day as there are meals. If this doesn't occur naturally then this process should be assisted by the administration of laxative teas, fruit mousse or fig syrup. Be careful about giving a child anything sweet. Never give a child with eczema, tomatoes, rose-hips, bread or rice. A small quantity of buckwheat bread is permissible. Otherwise, a purely vegan diet is required.

When using onions and garlic in food, great care must be taken. Begin with chives and then go on to leeks. Having started carefully it is usually fine to use onions and even garlic.

After the age of 12 a child with chronic eczema can also be allowed to try a 7 day fast, under careful supervision. It is then important for the child to take more fluids than would be taken on the One Day Fast. Children need more fluids than adults.

General Advice for those Suffering with Skin Conditions such as Acne, Eczema and Psoriasis


Diet

If your body chemistry is too acid you must eat more alkaline foods.

Balancing your diet - acid / alkaline

When food is metabolized by the body the end products are either acidic or alkaline. Acids are compounds of elements which give away hydrogen ions, Alkalines are compounds of elements which attract hydrogen ions. The body needs both Acids and Alkalines for its metabolism but we have more difficulty getting rid of Acids than Alkalines. It is therefore easy for an accumulation of excess acids to occur which can cause us to become ill. To avoid this, aim for a diet which is 70% Alkaline and 30% Acid.


To achieve a more alkaline diet you can consider replacing the following items in your diet:

The following table of Alkaline/Acidity was developed by the Swedish man Ragnar Berg in the 1930's.

Vitamin A is a vitamin that is used for all types of skin infections. It is safe to use in the form of Retinal Palmitate. This vitamin plays an important role in the functioning of the eyes and the making of new skin and mucous membranes. It prevents infections in the mucous membranes (respiratory). This vitamin nourishes the skin, counteracts inflammations and protects cell membranes and other structures within the cells from the damage caused by free radicals and in this way helps to prevent skin disorders. Vitamin A occurs naturally in liver, fish oils and egg yolk (primarily as retinol). The daily recommended intake for adults is 2.500-5000 IE. Excess vitamin A is stored in the liver. With larger doses (50.000-100.000 IE pr. day) the liver is unable to store the excess and this is then spread around the body and can cause symptoms such as headache, hair loss, feeling unwell and fatigue.

Vitamin A is produced synthetically. Natural compounds can be used e.g. those found in betacarotene or essential oils. These result in a vitamin A acid (retinoic acid) which is very strong and active. This is stabilised by mixing with organic acids such as acetic acid to produce retinol acetate, or palmitic acid to produce retinyl palmitate. Retinyl palmitate is a yellowish, thick, liquid oil which becomes very thick at temperatures below 15°C. Dosage should be in the ratio of 0.1-2% (maximum), i.e. 0.1-2ml pr. 100ml finished product. Retinyl palmitate is absorbed by the skin. It is used in skin care products for dry, ageing, lifeless skin, also in the treatment of acne, excema and psoriasis. Vitamin A increases blood flow, stimulates the skin and protects against sunburn. Vitamin A is also used in anti- wrinkle creams where it is claimed to 'remove' wrinkles.

Clay Facemasks and compresses are also good for the use for all skin care conditions.

Method - Sprinkle the clay over the waters and allow to settle for 5 - 10 minutes then whisk it together. Then add Stage 2.

RECIPE: Clay Mask 1 / Compress

Stage 1 :

40ml Camomile Water
25ml Spring Water
10 drops Paraben
75gr Green Clay

Stage 2 :

10ml Apricot Kernel Oil
1 drop Roman Camomile (optional)

Spoon into a Jar or Tub and label

Method:

Paste the clay all over the affected area and keep it on for 1 hour or until it starts to get dry and crack. Wash off with warm water and rinse with cold. Place a cotton compress soaked with aloe vera on the area for around 20 minutes.
Rinse off with cold water.
Apply avocado oil on the face

Repeat this treatment 1 - 2 times per week

Clay's Properties and Effects

* Rich in minerals and active enzymes

* Stimulates lymph circulation and thereby more efficient waste handling and Improvement of cell nutrients

* Stimulates blood circulation

* Draws toxins and superfluous fat from the skin

* Contracts and tones the skin

* Strengthens the connective tissue


Therapeutic Indications and Uses


Poor blood circulation - Use in face masks and body packs.

Poor lymph circulation - Use in face masks and body packs.

Sunburn and general burn damage to skin - Use in creams lotions, baths and face masks. A blend of Clay, Aloe Vera, Tea tree and Lavender is outstanding for all kinds of burns.

Irritated and sensitive scalp - Use in shampoos and hair packs.

Personal hygiene - If you cannot use ordinary soap.

Refresh tired and "washed out" skin - Use in facemasks.

Slack or loose skin - Use in creams, lotions, baths, face masks
and cleansing products.

Acne and other skin problems where cleansing is called for - Use the clay in creams, cleansers, lotions, face masks and baths.

Eczema - Blend the clay with the juice or infusion of Lady's
mantle, Horsetail and Chamomile into a cream-like consistency.
Put this into a cotton cloth and place on affected area. Then
secure by wrapping the herbal compress with cling film, a sticky
compress or another cotton cloth. Leave for 3-4 hours or
overnight. You can repeat this treatment every second night with
the same or different types of herbs.

One Day Fast

Drink (in early morning) 0.5 - 1 litre tepid water

09.00 am: Drink 200ml Berry juice (Blueberry or Cranberry - not
blackcurrants). Drink 200ml Linseed drink

11.00am: Drink 200ml herb tea:
Infuse 2gr Dandelion leaf, 2gr Chamomile,
Boil 2gr Golden Rod for 20 minutes. Strain together.

13.00pm: Drink 200ml Carrot juice (Fresh is best)

15.00pm: Drink 200ml Carrot juice

17.00pm: Drink 200ml Vegetable stock and 200ml Green juice (such
as Wheatgrass or Nettle juice)

19.00pm: Berry Juice (Blueberry or Cranberry - not blackcurrants)

Soothing the Itch

Massage with Chickweed juice. Fill a food mixer with Chickweed
and 100ml still water. Mix for 2 minutes. Squeeze out the juice
and massage into the affected area. You can also add 5-10ml Aloe
vera concentrate.

RECIPES

As a bonus to this article, I have included below some common Skin care recipes which I use which when combined with the above diet can have significant benefits.

1) Eczema Oil (makes 100ml) 'Dry Eczema'

30ml Borage Oil (Starflower)
2ml A-Vit palmitate
20ml E-Vitamin Oil (100%)
40ml Thistle Oil (Safflower Oil)
8ml Jojoba Oil


2) Eczema Oil (makes 100ml) 'Wet Eczema'


30ml Borage Oil (Starflower)
10ml A-Vit palmitate
20ml E-Vitamin Oil (100%)
39ml Thistle Oil (Safflower Oil)
1gr Zinc

3) Face Oil (for mature / dry skin)

5ml Macadamia nut Oil
5ml Jojoba Oil
10 ml Borage Oil
5ml E-Vitamin Oil
3ml Rosehip Oil

4) Face Oil (to prevent wrinkles)

30ml E-Vitamin Oil
34ml Evening primrose Oil
34ml Thistle Oil,
2ml A-Vitamin Palmitate

Article reprinted with permission from http://www.aromantic.com
© Copyright Aromantic 2002-2004

About the Author:

Kolbjørn Borseth of Aromantic specialises in empowering people of
all levels in making their own highly effective natural skin care
products. Through his website customers are able to access many
free resources as well as being able to order all the raw
materials, equipment and know-how required to make aromatherapy
products, creams, shampoos, soaps and cosmetics.

Visit Kolbjørn's Natural Skin Care web site at:
http://www.aromantic.co.uk

Click Here! To discover how to create your own pampering bath and body products and transform your home into your own luxurious spa oasis!

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