Health & Wellness

Eczema Nettle (Urtica dioica) Allergic rhinitis is an umbrella term for allergic reactions to irritants such as pollution, dust, or pollen. Allergic rhinitis may occur year round, while hay fever is usually caused by seasonal grass or pollens. Symptoms include sneezing; copious nasal mucus; sinus congestion; watery, irritated eyes; and even asthma like wheezing. Self-treatment will help relieve mild conditions, but for severe attacks, consult a professional practitioner who can prescribe herbs such as ma huang.  

Diet Reduce your intake of or cut out mucus-forming foods such as dairy, eggs, sugar, white flour, fatty foods, and alcohol. Characterized by red, inflamed skin, eczema causes irritation, flaking, scaling, and tiny blisters. Although it is often the result of an allergic reaction to certain substances, eczema can also be inherited, result from prolonged contact with an irritant, or it may simply appear for an unknown reason. It is best to consult a professional practitioner as eczema is difficult to self-treat.

However, the following remedies, taken for at least a week, can bring relief. Two remedies may be used at once.

Chickweed reduces soreness or itchiness, and oats can be used to impart a soothing, emollient effect to bathwater.  Self-help To avoid scratching, cover the affected area with an absorbent, non-irritating material such as cotton.

General caution If there is no improvement, or if the condition deteriorates, consult a professional practitioner. 

 

Herbs Nettle, elderflower. 

Remedy Make a nettle infusion. Take 12/3–21/3 cups (450–600 ml) a day for 3 months at a time. Alternatively, make an infusion with 1 tsp of each herb to 11/4 cups (300 ml) of water and take daily for 3 months at a time.

 

Herb Baical skullcap 

Remedy Make a decoction from the herb and take 11/4 cups (300 ml) a day.

 

Hay Fever Herb Elderflower 

Remedy Make an infusion and take 11/4–12/3 cups (300–450 ml) a day. Take for a few months before, as well as during, the hay fever season.

 

Allergic Rhinitis with Congestion Herbs Eyebright, common plantain, goldenrod, boneset  

Remedy Make an infusion with one or a mixture of all of the herbs and drink up to 12/3 cups a day. Note Use this remedy especially for copious, watery mucus.

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Herbs Echinacea, marshmallow, elderflower, thyme  Remedy Take 1 tsp of equal parts of each tincture 3 times daily with warm water. Note Use this remedy especially for thick yellow / green mucus and sinus congestion.

 

 Herbs Peppermint, chickweed  

Remedy 1 Make peppermint lotion by infusing 1 tsp of herb to 3/4 cup (150 ml) of water. Leave for 10 minutes, then strain and cool. Use to wash gently over the affected skin 2–3 times a day.

 Apply chickweed ointment, cream, or freshly squeezed juice up to 5 times a day. Option Add 2 drops of peppermint oil to 1 tsp of any of the chickweed preparations.

 

Herb Gotu kola

Remedy Dust the affected area with powder 2–3 times a day. Alternatively, mix the powder with enough water to make a thick paste and spread over the affected area 1–2 times a day.

Eczema with Weeping Skin Herb Witch hazel 

Remedy Apply lotion or cream up to 5 times a day (the lotion is preferable). Alternatively, make a decoction with 2 tsp of leaves to 3/4 cup (150 ml) of water. Leave for 15 minutes, strain, and cool. Use as a wash up to 5 times a day.

 

Herb German chamomile 

Remedy Make an infusion using 50 g of herb to 3 cups (750 ml) of water. Apply directly to the itchy area when cool, or add the hot infusion to a warm bath and soak in it for at least 20 minutes. Herb Oats (Avena sativa, p. 175) Remedy Fill a muslin (or similar) bag with milled oats and place under a hot tap while running a bath. Relax in the bath for 5–10 minutes.

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