Itchy Skin: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Itchy skin, medically known as pruritus, is a common and uncomfortable sensation characterized by intense skin itching, often accompanied by redness and inflammation.

The causes of itchy skin can vary, ranging from skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis to allergies, infections, and even internal diseases such as kidney or liver problems. Chronic itchy skin can lead to sleep disturbances, anxiety, and skin infections, negatively impacting overall health and quality of life. Fortunately, herbal remedies like aloe vera, chamomile, and oatmeal can provide relief, often through topical creams, ointments, or baths.

However, when using medicinal herbs, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional and follow proper preparation and dosage guidelines to avoid potential allergic reactions or interactions with other medications.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of itchy skin, 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 itchy skin?

The main causes of itchy skin are multifactorial, and research has identified several key factors, including allergic reactions to substances like pollen, dust mites, and insect bites, which can lead to the release of histamine and other chemical mediators that cause itching.

Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis can also cause intense itching due to inflammation and dryness of the skin. Infections like scabies, ringworm, and impetigo can cause itching due to the presence of parasites, fungi, or bacteria on the skin. Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause can lead to itching due to increased levels of progesterone, which can cause blood vessels to dilate and increase skin sensitivity.

Additionally, genetic conditions such as atopic dermatitis and ichthyosis can also cause itchy skin due to abnormalities in the skin's barrier function.

• Atopic Dermatitis: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition characterized by inflammation and itchiness due to an overactive immune response, leading to the release of histamine and other chemical mediators that cause itchiness and skin damage.
• Psoriasis: Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that causes rapid skin cell growth, leading to the formation of thick, scaly patches that can become itchy and inflamed due to the buildup of skin cells and the immune system's response to them.
• Eczema: Eczema is a general term for a group of skin conditions characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including allergies, skin barrier dysfunction, and immune system dysregulation.
• Allergies: Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to specific substances, such as pollen, dust mites, or certain foods, leading to the release of histamine and other chemical mediators that cause itchiness, hives, and skin inflammation.
• Flea Bites: Flea bites are a common cause of itchy skin in pets and humans, caused by the saliva of fleas, which contains histamine and other chemical mediators that cause itchiness, redness, and skin inflammation.
• Insect Stings: Insect stings are a common cause of itchy skin, caused by the venom of insects such as bees, wasps, and hornets, which contains histamine and other chemical mediators that cause itchiness, redness, and skin inflammation.
• Dry Skin: Dry skin, also known as xerosis, is a common cause of itchy skin due to a lack of moisture in the skin, leading to the formation of cracks and fissures that can become itchy and painful.
• Contact Dermatitis: Contact dermatitis is a skin condition characterized by inflammation and itchiness caused by exposure to certain substances, such as soaps, detergents, or metals, which can cause an allergic reaction or irritation of the skin.
• Anemia: Anemia is a blood disorder that can cause itchy skin due to a lack of iron or other essential nutrients, leading to the formation of abnormal red blood cells that can cause itchiness and skin inflammation.
• Kidney Disease: Kidney disease can cause itchy skin due to the buildup of waste products in the blood, such as urea and other toxins, which can cause itchiness, hives, and skin inflammation.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for itchy skin?

The main medicinal herbs used for itchy skin are Calendula officinalis, Urtica dioica, Saponaria officinalis, Aloe barbadensis, Aloe vera, Avena sativa, Hypericum perforatum, Plantago major, Chamomilla recutita, Plantago lanceolata.

Calendula officinalis contains flavonoids and triterpenoids, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, reducing itching and inflammation. Urtica dioica contains histamine-releasing inhibitors, reducing itching caused by histamine release, while Saponaria officinalis has saponins that create a protective barrier on the skin, preventing further irritation. Aloe barbadensis and Aloe vera are rich in aloin, which soothes itchy skin and reduces inflammation, while Avena sativa contains avenanthramides, which have anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties.

Hypericum perforatum, Plantago major, Chamomilla recutita, and Plantago lanceolata exhibit anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, making them effective in soothing and calming itchy skin.

• Calendula officinalis: Calendula officinalis helps with itchy skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce redness and swelling caused by skin irritation.
• Urtica dioica: Urtica dioica helps with itchy skin due to its antihistamine properties, which reduce the release of histamine responsible for itching and inflammation.
• Saponaria officinalis: Saponaria officinalis helps with itchy skin due to its sudorific properties, which help to soothe and calm irritated skin.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis helps with itchy skin due to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties, which soothe and calm irritated skin.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera helps with itchy skin due to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties, which soothe and calm irritated skin.
• Avena sativa: Avena sativa helps with itchy skin due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which reduce redness and swelling caused by skin irritation.
• Hypericum perforatum: Hypericum perforatum helps with itchy skin due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which reduce the risk of infection and soothe irritated skin.
• Plantago major: Plantago major helps with itchy skin due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which reduce redness and swelling caused by skin irritation.
• Chamomilla recutita: Chamomilla recutita helps with itchy skin due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which reduce the risk of infection and soothe irritated skin.
• Plantago lanceolata: Plantago lanceolata helps with itchy skin due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which reduce redness and swelling caused by skin irritation.

What are the main herbal preparations used for itchy skin?

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

Cream and Ointment preparations, often containing aloe vera, calendula, or tea tree oil, help soothe and moisturize itchy skin. Salve and Balm preparations, typically made with herbs like plantain, goldenseal, or myrrh, provide a protective barrier and anti-inflammatory effects. Tincture and Decoction preparations, often used internally, may be administered as Capsules to address underlying itchy skin conditions, such as eczema or allergies, through systemic anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effects.

Poultice and Suppository preparations, made with herbs like comfrey, slippery elm, or st john's wort, are applied topically to reduce inflammation and promote skin healing.

• Cream: A topical cream containing the anti-itch compound apigenin from the plant Pasque flower (Pulsatilla occidentalis) helps with itchy skin by reducing inflammation and modulating histamine release.
• Salve: A salve made from the leaves of Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) helps with itchy skin by providing a protective barrier that soothes and calms irritated skin, while also reducing inflammation.
• Tincture: A tincture of the plant Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) helps with itchy skin by reducing inflammation and soothing irritated skin, thanks to the presence of the anti-inflammatory compound gallic acid.
• Decoction: A decoction of the root of the plant Burdock (Arctium lappa) helps with itchy skin by reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of irritated skin, due to the presence of the anti-inflammatory compound inulin.
• Ointment: An ointment made from the leaves of the plant Calendula (Calendula officinalis) helps with itchy skin by reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of irritated skin, thanks to the presence of the anti-inflammatory compound triterpenoids.
• Capsule: A capsule containing the dried root of the plant Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) helps with itchy skin by reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of irritated skin, due to the presence of the anti-inflammatory compound taraxasterol.
• Gel: A gel made from the leaves of the plant Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) helps with itchy skin by reducing inflammation and soothing irritated skin, thanks to the presence of the anti-inflammatory compound aloin.
• Poultice: A poultice made from the leaves of the plant Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) helps with itchy skin by reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of irritated skin, while also drawing out impurities and toxins.
• Balm: A balm made from the leaves of the plant Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) helps with itchy skin by reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of irritated skin, thanks to the presence of the anti-inflammatory compound cineole.
• Suppository: A suppository made from the dried root of the plant Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) helps with itchy skin in the anal and genital areas by forming a protective barrier that soothes and calms irritated skin, while also reducing inflammation.