Holistic Health Tips

In This Issue

Evidence-Based Research

Natural Remedies

Essential Oils for Eczema

Contact Information

Jean Oswald RN

585-872-6242

or write jean @

compassionate

consulting.net

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Evidence-Based Research

Sometimes I'm asked if there is "evidence-based" information on the efficacy of using essential oils for physical issues.

Here are a few things I found for treating eczema with essential oils:

The Journal of Family Practice offers physicians' evidence based answers to questions they are often asked in their practice. On the topic of using essential oils for eczema, the JFP sites: "Several adult and mixed adult-child studies have found mild efficacy for chamomile extracts. One randomized controlled trial demonstrated topical chamomile to be equivalent to 0.25% hydrocortisone cream for treating mild eczema."(1)

A case study in the first 2006 issue of The International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy (IJCA) described a 2 year old boy's case of eczema. This young boy was found to have not only asthma but some allergies to soy proteins, food preservatives and food colorings. After eliminating them from his diet he still suffered from stress-related flare-ups of eczema. The doctor prescribed lotions that were either ineffective or made the itching worse. When the mother turned to an aromatherapist, hydrosols were recommended. Hydrosols are a great choice for children's therapy. A 50-50 preparation of rosa damascena (Rose) and chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile) hydrosol was made for the boy and when applied as needed to the young boys' affected areas, the results were very positive: reduced itching and a decrease in inflammation.(2)

The National Institute of Health's Pub Med reports a comparative, randomized study of 161 patients with atopic eczema. Half the group used Kamillosan� cream (containing matricaria recutita - German chamomile) and the other half applied a 0.5% hydrocortisone cream. After 2 weeks use, the group using Kamillosan � showed more improvement than the half using the hydrocortisone cream.(3)

Click here for references

Compassionate Consulting

January 22, 2014

Hello again! Did your skin feel dry or itchy since we last connected here? LOL! Dry, itchy skin is a problem for many people, even if they don't have eczema! But here is Part 2 with lots of ideas for naturally healing eczema, including recipe and essential oil suggestions. Let me know if you try them! And please share with someone else who will benefit!

With love,

Jean

"We're all in this together."

Natural Remedies for Eczema

Symptomatic Help

Natural Healing offers many remedies that can be helpful in the case of eczema. Most ideas seem to aim at treating symptoms rather than the original problem, but that's because it's hard to pinpoint what causes eczema. Sometimes even 'natural remedies' can't get to the root of the problem. The most popular relief measures I saw in my research include using:

Fish oil or Vitamin E gelcaps (taken internally)
Aloe vera gel
Lotions that contain vitamins A & E
Oatmeal baths and/or lotions
Cocoa butter
Evening primrose oil capsules (taken internally)
Calendula oil
Hydrotherapy
Homeopathy
Flaxseed oil (taken internally)

Essential Oils for Eczema

Recipes and Suggestions

There are several aromatherapy books which offer suggestions for eczema. Here are a couple with some very good ideas for dealing with eczema.

In her book Aromatherapy: A Lifetime Guide for Healing with Essential Oils Valerie Cooksley offers a cool compress suggestion for itching, swelling and inflammation. She wisely advises extra care when skin is broken (apply essential oil blends to a small area initially) and proposes this recipe:

8 oz. cool water
2 drops Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
2 drops Lemon (Citris limon)
1 drop Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

Mix well together in a bowl. Soak a small towel in the solution and wring it out. Apply to the skin and cover with an additional towel or lay an ice pack over this. Use this therapy for 20 min. intervals 3-4 times a day.

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Along with other authors, Valerie recommends using Calendula and Rose Hip Seed oils in a blend for dry eczema. Here is her recipe:

1 T Calendula infusion oil
1 T Safflower oi
� t Rosehip seed oil
� t Carrot seed oil (Daucus carota)*
12 drops Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)
6 drops Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
3 drops Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
3 drops Rose (Rosa damascena)
400 units Vitamin E

*Carrot seed oil is both a carrier oil and an essential oil. In this recipe it refers to the carrier oil.

In an amber glass bottle, add the infusion and vegetable oils. Add the carrot seed oil and rosehip oil. Add the essential oils and the vitamin E. Shake well and label. Apply in small amounts to affected areas. Massage into the skin until absorbed. Apply three times daily.

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Kurt Schnaubelt offers recipes for both wet and dry eczema in his book Advanced Aromatherapy: the Science of Essential Oil Therapy:

To relieve itching and stimulate regeneration of skin tissue (dry eczema):

Lavender 20 drops
Palmarosa 20 drops
Calophyllum (Tamanu oil) 10 ml
Rose hip seed oil 30ml

Mix together and apply three to four times a day directly to affected area.

For weeping eczema:

Thyme, thujanol 20 drops
Eucalyptus citriodora 20 drops
Calophyllum (Tamanu) 10 ml
Rose hip seed oil 30 ml

Mix together and apply three to four applications topically per day on the affected areas

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Finally, here are a couple of my suggestions:

Prepare a 50/50 spray blend of peppermint and chamomile hydrosols - to relieve itching, reduce pain and calm the inflammation; spray 4-6 times a day over affected area
Make your own or let me formulate an oil blend for you using some good carriers like Baobab, Hemp seed, Tamanu, or Rosehip seed with essential oils like Palmarosa, Chamomile, Geranium, Helichrysum, Rose, Yarrow, Lavender and others
It's important to vary the dilutions for mild and severe cases: keep the goal in mind for each blend because you would want to use a stronger dilution (3-10%) for acute stages of itching on an adult and a milder dilution (1%) for a 4 year old child
Create an Aloe Vera gel blend with essential oils to clean, soothe and regenerate the skin during eruptions

There is no 'magic bullet' for healing eczema. Since the specific cause cannot be pinpointed, healing requires a multi-level approach. Because eczema is a complex issue, it is best to work with an ally; get help from a natural health professional and benefit from a holistic approach.