There are a number of effective home remedies for eczema, which include the use of various herbs like birch leaves, chamomile tea, dried bilberries, watercress, and cabbage in different forms. Eczema is a skin condition that causes inflammation of the skin and it is also commonly known as dermatitis. This is not a contagious skin disease; the most predominant cause is usually genetics, but not always. Eczema is frequently accompanied by hay fever and asthma. The skin in the eczema-affected area becomes reddish and itchy. Nutmeg pastes, the consumption of zinc and a paste of camphor and sandalwood powder can also provide relief from eczema. Home remedies involving carrot pastes, virgin coconut oil, aloe vera gel, cucumber slices, and oatmeal baths have also been connected to reducing eczema symptoms. [1]
There are also a number of behavioral changes that can be made which can improve the symptoms of eczema. Eliminating fruits and vegetables that have been sprayed with pesticides and herbicides can help eliminate those toxins from the body, which exacerbate skin conditions. Also, increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids with foods like salmon, eggs, organic nuts, tuna, or flax seeds can improve this skin condition. Also, avoid wearing itchy clothing that maintain the inflammation, don’t scratch the affected area, use mild soaps without perfumes, use a humidifier, and drink plenty of water. If you are struggling with eczema there is clearly plenty that you can do from the comfort of your own home! [2]
There are certain factors that worsen the outbreak of eczema. If a person with eczema is using detergents or chemicals, the severity can increase.
Smoke can also aggravate the eczema condition. Sometimes, excessive mental and physical stress can increase the intensity of eczema as well, along with intense heat and other extreme weather conditions. A deficiency or lack of good blood circulation and a lack of Vitamin B are two of the common causes of eczema that are not associated with heredity.
There are quite a lot of medications available in stores that can treat eczema, but the home remedies, as always, tend to provide better and more permanent solutions. They also don’t involve harsh chemicals that can result in side effects that may be more serious than the original condition!
Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a condition that makes your skin red and itchy. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Table of Contents
Home Remedies for Eczema
Home remedies for eczema include:
Herbs for Eczema
There are numerous herbs that can be very effective in the treatment of eczema. Sage, marigold and chamomile are the three most popular herbs for this treatment. You can add them to water and then use that water to clean the affected area. You can also drink the herbs after mixing them with water. Chamomile essential oil can be diluted with almond oil, and the subsequent mixture can be applied on the affected area to get quick and permanent relief from itching and redness. Also, brewing a strong mixture of chamomile tea and then applying the tea to gauze that you wrap around the affected area has been shown to be very effective. [20]
Birch Leaves
You will need 2oz of birch leaves, and then simmer it with approximately 1 litrer of water for at least three minutes. Once it is hot, you need to add some sodium bicarbonate to the mix. Then, it should be left to cool for an hour. The filtered mixture can be drunk regularly for quick relief. You can also use it as a disinfectant or to wash the skin with it. [21]
Bilberries
This is one of the most effective remedies for eczema. About 50 grams of bilberries should be put in a steel container and 1 liter of water should then be added to the pan. The water should be lukewarm and the mixture must be allowed to stand for at least an hour. It should then be boiled for 20 minutes. This mixture makes a great cleanser that prevents infections and keeps the skin healthy and protected. [22]
Drink Water
Eczema is a form of dry skin, and the itching is a type of inflammation, sometimes due to toxins or allergens. One of the best ways to keep the skin moisturized and free from foreign bodies and toxins is to drink water and stay hydrated! Be sure to use moisturizing creams on the surface of the skin and drink plenty of water to keep the skin moisturized from both sides, thereby reducing the chance of eczema flaring up! [23]
Mild Soaps
Avoid using harsh soaps or cleansers, especially those with strong perfumed scents, as these are usually made through chemical additives, which can inflame the condition of eczema on your body. [24]
Juniper Berry, Sage and Thyme
Another effective way to eliminate eczema is to mix a tablespoon of juniper berry, sage, and thyme in a cup of boiling water and allow it to sit for five minutes while covered. After you finish eating a main meal of the day, drink the entire mixture. The combination of nutrients in those three natural products will help spur the healing process in your skin and reduce signs of eczema. [25]
Carrots
Carrots can be used in a few different ways to treat eczema. You can grate carrots and make a pack with it, then apply that pack on the affected area to get quick relief. Including raw carrots in your diet will also prevent eczema. Some home remedies involve boiling carrots until they are very soft. Then, mash the carrots into a paste and apply it to the affected area. Allow it to sit for fifteen minutes, then rinse it off with cold water. [26]
Cabbage
Eating fresh cabbage leaves on a regular basis will help combat eczema symptom and flare ups.
Coconut Oil
Although there are many varieties of coconut oil, organic cold pressed virgin coconut oil is ideal for clearing up flare-ups of eczema. Apply the coconut oil to the spot of the eczema and rub it in thoroughly to absorb. You should see improvement within a week or two if you regularly apply this powerful oil. [27]
Aloe Vera
If you have access to Aloe Vera leaves and can extract some of the gel from those freshly cut leaves, you should mix the gel with vitamin E oil and apply it to your eczema. This is one of the most powerful and effective remedies for eczema, as Aloe Vera is a versatile and efficient nutrient for all types of skin conditions.
Cucumber Slices
Slice a cucumber and allow the pieces to soak for at least two hours. The water that the cucumbers soaked in can now be used to either wash the eczema-affected area, or it can be applied to gauze and wrapped around the area for longer treatment and contact time. [28]
Watercress
Watercress is another effective home remedy for eczema. Consuming it will help prevent eczema from returning or having inflammatory flare ups. The extract of watercress can be used as a disinfectant to wash the area as well. The juice is obtained by boiling it with water for around 10 minutes. [29]
Zinc Vitamin Tablets
Zinc vitamin tablets can directly help you to combat eczema from its very source. You can also use lotions with similar ingredients on the skin for an immediate cure for eczema. [30]
Nutmeg Powder
Nutmeg powder is considered to be a great remedy for eczema. Make a paste of nutmeg powder with warm water and apply it directly onto the skin to get easy, painless, and effective relief from eczema. [31]
Camphor and Sandalwood
Take one teaspoon full of camphor oil and mix it with sandalwood powder. This paste can be applied to the affected area and left there for few minutes. The therapeutic effect will heal eczema quickly and permanently. [32]
Sunlight
Soaking in sun is beneficial for health in many ways. Recent study suggests that exposure to sunlight may help to alleviate symptoms of eczema. It also provides the essential vitamin D required for absorption of other key nutrients and minerals such as calcium and iron. [33]
