Eczema: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, and scaly patches on the skin.

It's often caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including allergies, stress, and exposure to harsh chemicals. If left untreated, eczema can lead to skin infections, sleep disturbances, and mental health issues. Fortunately, herbal remedies such as aloe vera, calendula, and chamomile can provide relief from eczema symptoms.

To use these herbs safely, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional and follow proper preparation instructions, as excessive use or allergic reactions can occur.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of eczema, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of eczema?

The main causes of eczema are a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and immune system factors.

It is estimated that 80-90% of individuals with eczema have a family history of the condition, indicating a strong genetic predisposition. Allergies, particularly to food and environmental allergens, can trigger eczema symptoms in susceptible individuals. Additionally, skin barrier dysfunction, which allows moisture and allergens to penetrate the skin, is a common feature in eczema patients.

Research has also implicated an imbalance of the skin's natural microbiome, with decreased levels of beneficial bacteria such as Staphylococcus and increased levels of pathogenic bacteria.

• Genetics: Genetics play a significant role in the development of eczema, with individuals who have a family history of the condition being more likely to experience symptoms due to inherited genetic mutations affecting the skin's barrier function and immune response.
• Allergies: Allergies, particularly to food, dust mites, and environmental allergens, can trigger eczema symptoms by causing the immune system to react and leading to inflammation and skin barrier disruption.
• Dry Skin: Dry skin, often caused by environmental factors such as cold weather, low humidity, and harsh soaps, can lead to eczema symptoms by disrupting the skin's natural barrier function and allowing irritants to penetrate the skin.
• Soaps and Detergents: Exposure to harsh soaps, detergents, and other cleansers can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and eczema symptoms.
• Stress: Stress can trigger eczema symptoms by releasing stress hormones that increase inflammation and disrupt the skin's barrier function, making it more susceptible to irritation and dryness.
• Food Sensitivities: Food sensitivities, particularly to dairy, gluten, and soy, can trigger eczema symptoms by causing an immune reaction and leading to inflammation and skin barrier disruption.
• Environmental Toxins: Exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds, can trigger eczema symptoms by disrupting the skin's barrier function and causing inflammation.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause can lead to eczema symptoms by affecting the skin's barrier function and increasing inflammation.
• Vitamin Deficiencies: Vitamin deficiencies, particularly in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, can contribute to eczema symptoms by affecting the skin's barrier function and immune response.
• Infections: Infections, such as bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, can trigger eczema symptoms by causing inflammation and disrupting the skin's barrier function.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for eczema?

The main medicinal herbs used for eczema are Calendula officinalis, Urtica dioica, Aloe barbadensis, Symphytum officinale, Melaleuca alternifolia, Chamomilla recutita, Avena sativa, Hypericum perforatum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Plantago lanceolata.

Calendula officinalis has anti-inflammatory properties due to its triterpenoids, which reduce inflammation and promote wound healing. Urtica dioica's beta-sitosterol and ursolic acid exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, alleviating eczema symptoms. Aloe barbadensis contains aloin and aloe-emodin, which soothe and moisturize the skin, reducing inflammation and itching associated with eczema.

The combination of these herbs' anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties provides relief from eczema symptoms by reducing inflammation and promoting skin health, making them valuable natural remedies for the condition.

• Calendula officinalis: Calendula officinalis helps with eczema due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which reduce redness and swelling, and prevent infections in skin lesions.
• Urtica dioica: Urtica dioica helps with eczema by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress through the presence of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds such as ursolic acid.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis helps with eczema by providing soothing and moisturizing properties to the skin, which reduce inflammation, itching, and dryness associated with eczema.
• Symphytum officinale: Symphytum officinale helps with eczema by reducing inflammation and promoting skin regeneration through the presence of allantoin, a compound that accelerates wound healing and tissue repair.
• Melaleuca alternifolia: Melaleuca alternifolia helps with eczema due to its antimicrobial properties, which prevent infections in skin lesions and reduce inflammation through the presence of compounds such as cineole.
• Chamomilla recutita: Chamomilla recutita helps with eczema by reducing inflammation and itching through the presence of apigenin and luteolin, flavonoids with anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties.
• Avena sativa: Avena sativa helps with eczema by reducing inflammation and itching through the presence of avenanthramides, compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Hypericum perforatum: Hypericum perforatum helps with eczema by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress through the presence of hyperforin and hypericin, compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra helps with eczema by reducing inflammation and itching through the presence of glycyrrhizin, a compound with anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties.
• Plantago lanceolata: Plantago lanceolata helps with eczema by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress through the presence of flavonoids and phenolic acids with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

What are the main herbal preparations used for eczema?

The main herbal preparations used for eczema are Tincture, Cream, Salve, Decoction, Ointment, Capsule, Gel, Poultice, Balm, Suppository.

Tincture of calendula, chamomile, and aloe vera are used topically to reduce inflammation and soothe skin due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Creams and salves made from plant extracts such as tea tree oil, aloe vera, and shea butter are applied directly to the affected skin to provide moisture and protect against further irritation. Decoctions of herbs like licorice root and marshmallow root are used to create ointments that reduce inflammation and promote skin regeneration.

Capsules containing omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed and fish oil are also taken internally to reduce inflammation from the inside out, while gels and poultices made from cooling herbs like aloe vera and witch hazel are used to provide temporary relief from itching and discomfort, balms containing ingredients like beeswax and shea butter are used to lock in moisture, and suppositories made from aloe vera and other soothing herbs are inserted to provide targeted relief to affected areas.

• Tincture: A tincture of Calendula officinalis helps with eczema by its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, which reduce inflammation and promote wound healing, thereby alleviating eczema symptoms.
• Cream: A cream containing the extract of Aloe barbadensis helps with eczema by its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties, which soothe and calm irritated skin, reducing redness and itching associated with eczema.
• Salve: A salve made from the resin of Commiphora molmol helps with eczema by its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which reduce inflammation and prevent infection in skin lesions, promoting healing and reducing eczema symptoms.
• Decoction: A decoction of the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra helps with eczema by its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which calm and reduce inflammation of the skin, alleviating eczema symptoms such as itching and redness.
• Ointment: An ointment containing the extract of Plantago major helps with eczema by its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which reduce inflammation and prevent infection in skin lesions, promoting healing and reducing eczema symptoms.
• Capsule: A capsule containing the extract of Phytolacca dodecandra helps with eczema by its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which reduce inflammation and prevent infection in skin lesions, promoting healing and reducing eczema symptoms.
• Gel: A gel made from the extract of Equisetum arvense helps with eczema by its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which calm and reduce inflammation of the skin, alleviating eczema symptoms such as itching and redness.
• Poultice: A poultice made from the paste of Zingiber officinale helps with eczema by its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which reduce inflammation and prevent infection in skin lesions, promoting healing and reducing eczema symptoms.
• Balm: A balm containing the extract of St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) helps with eczema by its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which reduce inflammation and prevent infection in skin lesions, promoting healing and reducing eczema symptoms.
• Suppository: A suppository containing the extract of Cetraria islandica helps with eczema by its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which calm and reduce inflammation of the skin, alleviating eczema symptoms such as itching and redness.