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So many products these days contain synthetic chemicals and other toxic ingredients that more and more people are turning to natural remedies for eczema. Natural remedies come from ingredients obtained from natural sources such as plants, flowers, herbs and foods. Natural remedies are extremely useful for treating eczema because they contain less harmful chemicals and so are less likely to irritate the skin and cause a flare up.
There are so many natural remedies available to help eczema that it can be a bit of a mine field when it comes to choosing which ones to try. The only way to know is to experiment and find a solution that works for you. However, to help you along, here are five natural remedies that you can try at home which are inexpensive, chemical-free and easily available.
Echinacea
Echinacea is one of the most researched herbs in recent times. It is widely known for helping keep colds, flu and infections at bay because of its general immune-boosting effects. However, echinacea has also been found to have anti-inflammatory properties which could help in inflammatory skin conditions like eczema. You can take this as a tincture to help boost your immune system and as a cream to help your skin.
Calendula
Calendula is commonly known as English marigold and is a member of the daisy family. It has been traditionally used for the treatment of burns and abrasions, but is also used for inflammatory skin conditions like eczema. Calendula is available in tincture and cream form.
Evening Primrose Oil
There has been much debate as to whether evening primrose oil can help with eczema and this continues to be a controversial subject. However, many studies have shown that taking oral evening primrose oil significantly reduced inflammation, dryness and scaling of the skin. This is because the oil is high in essential fatty acids which make hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins regulate inflammation and swelling as well as improve digestion and maintain healthy skin. Evening primrose oil can be bought easily and inexpensively in most health foods shops in easy-to-swallow capsule form.
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Aloe Vera
The benefits of aloe vera have long been documented, mainly in the treatment of burns, wounds and digestive problems. Aloe vera contains many powerful and natural substances that help in boosting the immune system and repairing skin tissue. You can take aloe vera as a drink, or apply directly to the skin as a cream or lotion.
Probiotics
Probiotics contain friendly bacteria which are essential for good gut health. Things like antibiotics, exposure to pollution, poor nutrition and stress are all factors which can reduce the level of these beneficial bacteria in the intestines. Even though the role of probiotics in preventing allergies remains unclear, studies have shown that they can protect against eczema. Many yogurt products have friendly bacteria added to them and this could be a great way of taking probiotics. If you are allergic to milk products, then yogurt would not be a good choice. In this case, you can take probiotics in capsule form easily obtainable from a health food store. Other foods that contain natural probiotics are fermented foods such as miso, tempeh and sauerkraut.
If you decide that you want to use natural remedies to treat your eczema then any of these five natural remedies will be beneficial as part of your regimen. However, it is important to note that you should always inform your doctor if natural remedies are being taken in conjunction with medication in order to avoid any possible conflicts.
