Going herbal with eczema

Dear Ms McDaniel,

I am 20 years old and I have eczema all over my body - my hands, my back - and it is spreading to my face. What is the best herbal remedy you can recommend?

Dear Reader,

Thank you for your question. Eczema can be a very distressing condition because of the excessive itching it causes and in some people dry, reddish-brown patches, bumps and scales appear on the skin in difficult-to-hide places.

Eczema (or dermatitis) may be triggered by allergies or a malfunction of our immune system but the exact cause is not known. Because of the itching and scratching, it can eventually cause thickening of the skin. It is not life-threatening or contagious, although the scratching may damage the skin, making it prone to infection.

Herbal therapy

To answer your question, there are numerous herbal therapies. However, many of them have no scientific evidence to back up their claims. This does not necessarily mean that herbal products are ineffective or unsafe.

As a pharmacist, I do not advocate for or against the use of herbal products, and I am aware that millions of consumers worldwide use some form of herbal product with or without conventional medicine.

The following herbs are reported to be useful in treating eczema. Until more research is available they are not recommended (without medical consultation) for use in children, pregnant and lactating women, persons with other illnesses, or those who are using other therapeutic products:

Goldenseal in powder form mixed with vitamin E and honey and used externally.

Guta kola (Centella asiatica) may be used externally. It contains antioxidants and glycosides (madecassoside and asiaticoside) which decrease inflammation and promote healthy skin.

Evening primrose oil contains some fatty acids that our system does not manufacture. Dosage range of 160mg to 4g taken orally each day in divided doses is recommended.

Jojoba oil, which is extracted from its seeds, is used externally. It may be used alone or mixed with tea tree oil.

Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) contains numerous alkaloids with strong antioxidant actions, reducing inflammation.

Jaborandi tree (Pilocarpus jaborandi) is used externally.

Chamomile, fumitory, grapeseed extract, wild pansy, licorice, figwort, blackthorn and dandelion have also been used to treat eczema.

Preventive approach

In many persons, eczema is an allergic reaction which may explain why they often have hay fever (allergies) and asthma. Soaps, household cleaning products, perfume, plants, sticking plaster, extremes of weather, cats and dogs, nickel and chromium (found on belts, zippers and buttons) are among the usual suspects that can trigger an allergic reaction and eczema. Stress and tension can worsen the condition.

Dairy milk, soy, shellfish, nuts, pork, citrus fruits, bananas, chocolates, food additives and gluten in wheat are other culprits. Eliminating these triggers may be helpful.

Omega-3 fish oil, zinc and vitamins C and E may be useful in decreasing the inflammation. Moisturising the skin frequently with petroleum jelly, emulsifying ointment, aqueous cream or vegetable oil is remarkably helpful in eczema.

Dahlia McDaniel is a pharmacist and final-year doctoral candidate in public health at the University of London; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.