A herbal 'cure' for eczema

I read an interesting Article in the Daily Mail today about treating eczema with a combination of Chinese herbs.Read on below:

A herbal 'cure' for eczema

A cocktail of Chinese herbs used by the Chinese for thousands of years could combat the painful skin condition of eczema, scientists claim. They say the potion containing five raw herbs reduced suffers need for conventional medicines and improved the quality of life for those being treated for atopic eczema.

It is the most common form of skin condition, affecting 10 per cent of children and around 3 per cent of adults. Dermatologists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong found the mixture- which contained Japanese honeysuckle, peppermint, root bark of tree peony, underground stem of the atractylodes herb and bark from an Amur cork tree - had a dramatic improvement on eczema sufferers aged 5 to 21

During the study, 85 patients were given either a tablet containing the herbs or a placebo.

Those who took the traditional Chinese medicine said their quality of life improved by a third, while those taking the placebo reported no improvement, the British Journal of Dermatology reports.

Researchers also revealed the herbal remedy reduced patients need of conventional treatments such as steroids, by an average of four days a month.

It is thought the herbs reduced the effects of four proteins and cytokines believed to cause eczema, they added.

Nina Goad, of the British Association of Dermatologists welcomed the findings but warned against using the herbs without first consulting a doctor. 'Some retailers may not be reputable and the product maybe of low standard' she added.

Stressed and itchy

Had a stressful day at work today nothing is going right on the new job Parky and I have just started and the price is rapidly going out of the window. I have been very itchy today and I think it is the stress that has caused it!!!!.

No Eczema when I am abroad!!!

Finally sorted out my photos from my holiday to Natal in the North East of Brazil in January. I always try and go on Holiday in January as by then my skin has usually deteriorated through the winter and a good blast of sun seems to work like nothing else does. I never have problems with my eczema once I have left the country!!

Dust Mites

Our new Leather furniture has just arrived. This is great news as it means the old ones can go and we will no longer need throws to cover them. The throws are bad for me because of the dust mites they contain. Eczema is often triggered by Dust mites in your home. The Dust mite is the number one eczema trigger. About ten percent of the general population develops an allergy due to dust mites. An allergic reaction to dust mites is characterized by eyes that are itchy and watery, sneezing, a runny nose, nasal congestion, ears that are blocked, chronic respiratory problems such as head colds and post nasal drip and asthma. The most common form of eczema, atopic dermatitis, develops next.
Dust mites are not visible to the human naked eye. When viewed under a microscope, they are extremely small. Dust mites are shaped like an oval, have eight legs and are cream in colour. Dust mites have sticky pads on their feet that enable them to burrow into almost any kind of fiber in your home. They are most often found living and breathing in your furniture and carpeting. It is only the particles of dead dust mites that can efficiently be cleaned up with a vacuum cleaner.
Dust mites thrive on consuming the shed skin ( there is lots of that in my house ) of people as well as human fingernails and hair. They also eat animal fur, bacteria, fungi and pollen. Dust mites thrive in environments where the humidity is anywhere in the area of seventy to eighty percent. They also require temperatures anywhere between seventy-five and eighty degrees. A humidity level of below forty will not allow dust mites to live or thrive for very long. Thus, if you stay in fairly humid environments, you should keep dust mites out of your home as much as possible to avoid eczema flare-ups. As such, it is best to avoid having carpets in your home. I have laminate flooring in the majority of my home and I am now looking to start replacing all curtains with blinds

Eczema Super Foods

As an eczema sufferer in order to help your skin you should avoid all foods that can have a negative effect on your skin such as junk foods, foods containing white flour and all foods containing red meat ( I love red meat and eat way too much of it for someone with eczema )

Superfoods are foods which contain high quality nutrients and they are usually uncooked and unprocessed.You can purchase these superfoods locally in your health food stores and or local supermarkets.
Three Foods to Change Your Eczema -

• Avocados are very useful for eczema skin because they contain useful omega 3 and omega 6. These can be eaten on a regular basis and will ensure good skin hydration.Avocados create stable energy and produce exceptional health.

• flax seed oil. Take one teaspoon three times per day. The best way to get your flaxseed oil is to buy flax seed and grind them yourself. This is the freshesh method of consuming your flax seed oil. Flax seed oil can change the way you feel and look almost instantly

• coconut oil. Coconut has the power to inhibit germs that are harmful and impede healing by weakening your immune system.It is great at boosting your immune system and eliminates skin problems like eczema because it converts your body into a powerful anti-microbial agent.

Herbal Treatments For Eczema: Do They Really Work?

Most of us are aware of the fact that the consumption of herbs is very beneficial in boosting our immune system thus helping your body to fight of the many diseases that we come into contact with on a daily basis, eczema is one of these diseases.

Herbal treatment for eczema concentrates on improving the functioning of the liver because a malfunctioning liver can result in disorders of the skin. For those who are suffering from eczema it is found that they will generally have immune systems that can best be described as weak which will also make them susceptible to contracting herpes, developing warts as well as being at risk of viral infections.

Herbal Treatment for eczema are available from various Sources From All Around The World

One of the fascinating things about herbal treatment for eczema is that they can come from all parts of the world be it from China or India or any other far off place on this planet.

For example a herbal treatment for eczema is found in the form of Milk Thistle which is very helpful in treating eczema as well as curing problems related to the liver, and the Indian plant known as Gotu Kola is simply a great salve that can be used to treat cracked and even broken skin thanks to its great healing powers.

Another example of herbal treatment for eczema is Pau D’arco which is often referred to as the herb that has immunity enhancing properties. This is derived from the bark of trees emanating from South America and only grown in that part of the world.

Some people like to get treatment for eczema from a form of licorice roots that can be obtained from many southern European countries as well as from China and India. Licorice roots are very effective in reducing swelling, in curing allergies as well as improving the functioning of the liver.

Another useful herbal treatment for eczema is Gamma Liolenic Acid (GLA) and some of the herbs in which GLA is found. These herbs include primrose oil, licorice root and also chamomile. However, when using primrose oil, you must be prepared to wait several months (ie. Six months or more) before the desired results become noticeable.

Primrose oil has become very popular in Europe, most Europeans use it to help them combat eczema and any other problems that they may be experiencing with their skin. There are a number of other herbs that are very effective in dealing with eczema including burdock, nettle, cleaver and red clover as also yellow dock that are ideal for use as a herbal treatment for eczema.

Obviously the existence of herbal treatments for eczema should be locatable from around the region in which you live, however, it is highly recommended that you contact a reputable herbalist or naturopath who can direct you as to which herbal treatment for eczema is best suited for your skin type and overall composition.

As with taking any form of medicine, it is necessary to keep an eye on any adverse reactions that may occur due to unforseen allergies etc. If these reactions occur immediately stop the herbal treatment and consult with your herbalist or naturopath. If you are under the guidance of your medical physician and taking prescription drugs it is wise to consult with this doctor before embarking on a course of herbal treatment for eczema.

Scratched my eczema to bits today

Had a nightmare of a day at work today and got myself really stressed out with things not going to plan. I have scratched myself to bits on the way home in the van. I started gently itching around the edge of the dry skin on my neck and gradually got more in to it before going full throttle and turning myself in to a bloody mess. It was lovely at the time!!!!, but it is really sore now and I am even more stressed!! Time for a piriton!!!!.