Eczema, also known as contact dermatitis and allergic dermatitis, can be chronic or temporary and is characterized by abraded, cracked, blistered, weepy, crusted, patchy dry skin along with intense incessant itching, inflammation, and a tendency for anything you touch to make it worse. It most often occurs in the autumn. It is worse at night. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by small scaly silvery pink and red patches, commonly occurring on the knees, elbows, chest, scalp, lower back, and buttocks. Psoriasis can be mild to disabling and is considered more stubborn than eczema. Here’s how to soothe the skin you’re in.
HERBS THAT SOOTHE ECZEMA AND PSORIASIS
A dose of tea or tincture taken 3 times daily of burdock root, calendula, chickweed, cleavers, raw dandelion root, nettle leaf, Oregon grape root, plantain leaf, prickly ash bark, red clover blossoms, and/or yellow dock root improves skin health. Look for a combination in natural food stores that contains some combination of these herbs designed to improve liver, lung, and colon function, all helping to reflect clearer skin.
Turmeric root in capsules is a potent anti-inflammatory agent to help clear up skin condition. Take three times daily.
Cures from Grandma’s Kitchen
Cold pressed coconut oil is also a nourishing emollient for the skin. Here’s one way to include it in the diet:
VEGAN BUTTER
1 cup cold pressed coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon Celtic salt
Mix together and serve on dehydrated crackers.
SALVES AND ESSENTIAL OILS THAT SOOTHE ECZEMA AND PSORIASIS
Salves to apply topically include those made from aloe vera, burdock, calendula, chickweed, comfrey, echinacea, goldenseal, plantain, and Saint-John’s-wort, green tea, and/or tea tree oil. Apply three times daily, especially after bathing. Use only the best and more natural quality moisturizers for elsewhere on the skin.
Essential oils that best clear up eczema and psoriasis include bergamot, Roman chamomile, geranium, jasmine, lavender, lemon, lemon balm, (aka melissa), neroli, rose, sandalwood, or tea tree. Apply these oils topically in a jojoba-, olive-, or coconut-oil base 2 or 3 times daily.
BEST FOODS AND BEVERAGES FOR ECZEMA AND PSORIASIS
Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables to get more alkaline to your skin. Soak chia seeds to make a moistening raw porridge that lubricates the skin from the inside. Use extra virgin olive oil as your main fat. Eat 3 tablespoons (21 g) of freshly ground flaxseeds daily or learn to make flaxseed crackers.
Drinking an ounce of aloe vera juice after each meal can help calm inflammation.
GOOD TO GROW!
Houseplants are moisturizing to the air and body. They take in atmospheric toxins and use them as food, while releasing fresh, clean oxygen into the air we breathe.
Drinking a diluted vegetable juice daily made of celery, cucumber, beet, and parsley provides skin supporting trace minerals. Taking 1 tablespoon (28 ml) daily of organic hemp seed oil might be helpful in providing healing moisture for the skin.
SOOTHING PRACTICES FOR ECZEMA AND PSORIASIS
Many chemicals are irritating and harsh on the skin and can contribute to eczema and psoriasis. Soaps, bubble baths, shampoos, hair dyes, lotions, cosmetics, nail polish, laundry soaps, pet dander, and chlorinated and overly hot water are common examples of skin irritants. Avoid scrubs, harsh cleaners of any sort, overly hot water, bubble baths, loofahs, or anything else that might aggravate these conditions. Use fragrance-free products and avoid contact with chemicals on the skin. Remember what gets on your body can be absorbed by as much as 60 percent. Don’t pollute your body or the planet!
Be aware of what you wear. Avoid wearing elastic, nylon, spandex, suede, wool, and synthetic fibers. Dry cleaning fluid residue and synthetic laundry soaps can irritate the skin. It may be helpful to add 1 cup (235 ml) of apple cider vinegar to the final rinse of a laundry load to neutralize possible irritants.
Thrifty Cures!
A folk remedy worthy trying on either eczema or psoriasis is to apply raw potato juice (made from a juicer) to the affected area 2 or 3 times daily. It can be left on until your next bath.
Climatherapy indicates that brief exposure to natural sunlight can improve or even clear psoriasis. Swimming in the ocean may be helpful to both eczema and psoriasis.
Get plenty of fresh air and exercise to ensure good circulation. Saunas can also be a way to clear internal toxins.
Anger, anxiety, fatigue, frustration, grief, and worry can also be contributing factors to eczema and psoriasis. Slow down. Practice stress reduction. Massage is also a good way to soothe the tension from the body.
Skip This!
Avoid chocolate, dairy products, citrus, tomatoes, meat, eggs, peanut butter, potatoes, wheat products, gluten, soy foods, fried foods, food additives, and hydrogenated and even heated oils (which can include bottled salad dressings). Any food allergen can be a contributing factor to a skin condition.
This Difference Between Eczema And Psoriasis article is taken from :
The Country Almanac of Home Remedies - Brigitte Mars
