There are so many people who suffer with eczema these days, I can’t help but wonder what is going on. We know that anything on the outside stems from something on the inside right? So, we are back to what is being taken into the body as our first order of business. But before we begin, let’s look at a definition.
Definition:
Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease–sometimes a rash with watery discharge or development of scales and crusts.
Symptoms:
The skin breaks out and itches with burning and stinging. Sometimes little pimples form which turn into water blisters. Usually the skin dries up into little scales and itches.
There are many causes for this condition to occur and the following are some common causes, take a look.
Causes:
1. Cleansing the Skin: The skin is a very important part of the body; it is an “extra kidney,” an extra set of lungs for breathing, and has many other functions. We should keep it in a good condition, important as it is, but we usually treat it shamefully. Cleanliness is very important for all areas of the body, and the skin should be bathed daily. This does not mean to use soap with each bathing, unless it is a natural type biodegradable liquid soap. Nearly all bar soaps do more damage to the skin than they aid it, by leaving residue of the soap to clog the pores. The pores are the doors and windows of the temple and must be kept open to let in oxygen (the breath of life) and to excrete toxins and waste.
2. Use of Natural Fibers: A person who uses lots of mucus foods has a gluey, sticky type perspiration. When this individual sweats, and the body is not cleaned regularly, the dried sweat clogs the pores. This is a beginning cause of dermatitis, or skin malfunction. In addition, as a nation we have fallen in love with easy to wash and iron synthetic clothes. These rob the body of the breath of life because manmade synthetic fibers do not “breathe.” Only natural fibers such as cotton, wool, linen, silk, etc., can allow the skin to breathe properly.
3. Diet: These are two of our big problems; the third one is a diet devoid of wholesome foods. We use man’s prepared materials, called food, that have been contaminated and processed, and in so many cases, should be classified as “junk food.” All aids to fighting dermatitis work better and faster if we consider the first three things mentioned–bathe regularly, return to natural fibers to wear, and eat wholesome foods. This may be why there are so many younger children afflicted with eczema. I see it every week. Babies, toddlers and young kids with horrible skin problems. This is definitely a good reason to pay closer attention to what you are allowing your children to eat.
Herbal Aids:
Poke Root: Use the liniment or the infusion as a wash, and drink internally. This can be made by creating a decoction and then using it as a wash. Burdock root, yellow dock and marshmallow would also be great added to the mixture.
Sun: Helios-therapy on the skin is very important, as the sun is the Great Doctor of all times. But this therapy must always be done with caution because the sun (though being a healer) is like fire, which can either provide gentle warmth or it can burn a city down. The sun will help assist the body where medicinal aids, herbs and other procedures are slower. In many cases, it will help bring skin cancer to the surface; and various other skin problems (such as acne, eczema, etc.) are beneficially aided by bathing in the sun. The internal use of tea or other herbal aids are often an herbal wash before the sunbathing are congenial and excellent. There are those who slather SPF 40 on every time they go out into the sun, which may be part of the reason they are experiencing so many skin problems. The sun is a healer, you just need to use wisdom when out in the sun. Choose cooler times of the day and don’t stay out in the sun for hours and hours without covering the skin.
Chickweed or Plantain: For eczema and other skin problems, use a fomentation over the irritated area made with chickweed tea and/or plantain, burdock root, Oregon grape root, and Echinacea–covered with plastic. Or bathe the area with the tea a number of times during the day. Chickweed or plantain ointment is a helpful aid for small outbreaks. Drink a cup of Chickweed Tea two or three times or more a day. To each cup of the tea you drink add three to six drops of tincture of lobelia. Chickweed is a key ingredient in our Soother. This ointment has worked wonders for many Eczema sufferers over the years and is also great for any kind of burn or bite. Another helpful tea for cleansing the blood stream and purifying the system is our Clean Blood Tea. Alternate this with Chickweed Tea for two or three weeks to clear up the insides.
Walnut: A wonderful aid to help relieve cases of dermatitis is found in the walnut family, using black walnut hulls or leaves or bark (Juglans nigra), English walnut (Juglans regia), or butternut (Juglans cinerea). Treat the skin malfunctions the same as with Poke root wash. A word of caution here, black walnut will stain, so I recommend taking it in tincture form internally. Unless of course you just like having dark purple stains on your skin.
Golden Seal: Take one ounce of powdered golden seal root and mix thoroughly with nine ounces of linseed oil. Use the medicinal linseed oil from the health food store or drug store; do not use linseed oil from the paint store or hardware store–apply freely, externally.
Restore: For severe cases that may have damaged the skin, I recommend using our Restore. This product is made with herbal ingredients that literally repair bone, flesh and cartilage. This product will go to work healing the skin and providing it with nourishment to repair and restore. This product is wonderful for torn ligaments, cartilage and broken bones as well.
Plantain: For skin diseases that result in scrofula or eczema, use Clean Blood Tea internally as a blood cleanser and use Plantain spray or Plantain Ointment externally. If the skin is not oily, you can use the Plantain Ointment topically to affected areas, otherwise I recommend using Plantain Spray.
Juices for Eczema: Carrot & cucumber.
Cabbage Leaves: Cabbage leaves applied to an infected wound, ulcer, or oozing eczema should be layered like roof shingles, allowing secretions to drain between the layers.
Tarragon: Soothing for eczema and scurvy
Let’s Recap:
We have now learned that eczema is a condition that is most likely caused by an internal imbalance, and likely due mainly to diet. Mucous forming foods are to be limited or eliminated and the blood stream needs to be cleansed. It is a good idea to clean the bowels as well. After cleansing the system, drinking Chickweed Tea, Clean Blood Tea and eliminating mucous forming foods such as dairy, meat, eggs etc., proceed with a topical application to clear up the external skin irritations. Drinking the recommended juices of carrot and cucumber will also help calm any irritation inside the body. Soother and Restore are tremendous healers and have been used by countless people to cure their eczema and other skin problems.
I hope this information has been helpful to you and that you now feel you have the knowledge and power to tackle your skin issues on your own. If you need further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us here at Crooked House Herbals. www.crookedhouseherbals.com
Looking forward to health and wellness remembering always that
Nature Heals You Best!