Natural Remedies For Eczema: DIY Neem Balm
Most medicated creams for eczema work short-term because they don’t deal with the root of the problem. They don't contain the kind of replenishing ingredients that heal and calm inflamed damaged skin.
Neem Oil is quite the opposite. This natural remedy is known for its extensive list of healing properties such as; antiseptic, anti-viral, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, and even pain relief! Making it a common alternative remedy to medicated creams and ointments for healing eczema naturally.
Neem oil dates back centuries to the ancient books of Ayurveda, India's system of natural medicine. Almost every part of the neem tree has been studied for medicinal use, from the root to the bark, the leaves, and even the gum.
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COMMON TYPES OF ECZEMA
Atopic Dermatitis
This type of dermatitis can be caused by a genetic mutation in the skin called filaggrin. This results in a breakdown of the skin barrier, allowing for aeroallergens (pet dander + dust mites) to penetrate the skin. This results in an allergic reaction and a strong itching sensation. Scratching further disrupts the skin causing more inflammation and damage.
Contact Dermatitis
Do new beauty products, perfumes or laundry detergent often bring your skin out in red, irritated rashes? If so, you could suffer from contact dermatitis. The most common type of eczema, this condition occurs when chemicals come into contact with your skin they can cause a reaction. Resulting in extremely itchy, red, dry, flakey skin. It can cause swelling especially in the eyes.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
This skin condition affects areas of your skin rich in oil-producing glands, like the scalp. It causes scaly, itchy, and inflamed skin, commonly known as 'dandruff', or 'cradles cap' in babies.
Perioral Dermatitis
Affects the area of skin around the mouth and nose. The skin may appear scaly, bumpy, and itchy. To make matters worse, this type of dermatitis can be triggered by products used on the face, like sunscreen, fluoridated toothpaste, or cosmetics, or in babies by drooling.
Psoriasis
Often confused with dermatitis, psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that results in the overproduction of skin cells that go through their life cycle too quickly. Typically, it takes about a month for skin cells to regenerate, but for psoriasis sufferers, this process happens every three to four days! Causing cells to accumulate rapidly on the surface of the skin. Skin becomes inflamed and itchy with patches of rough, silvery, scaly skin appearing anywhere on the body including the scalp. There are several different types of psoriasis, but the most common type is plaque psoriasis.
NEEM OIL BENEFITS FOR ECZEMA
With so many healing abilities neem is a natural alternative to antiseptic lotions such as calamine. In Sanskrit, the word for neem is 'nimbati syasthyamdadati’ meaning 'To give good health'. 'Pinchumada', is another Sanskrit word for neem that means 'The destroyer of leprosy and healer of skin infections'. Slightly more impressive than a bottle of calamine lotion!
1. Healing & Soothing
Neem oil is extremely beneficial for treating eczema thanks to its high levels of vitamin E and oleic acid (omega-9). This makes it super moisturizing and also gives it the ability to speed up cell renewal —meaning your skin will heal and repair quicker. Its anti-inflammatory properties soothe and heal eczema rashes.
2. Infection Fighting
Due to the scratching that occurs when rashes flare up, infection is very common for eczema sufferers. Neem helps to kill bacterial and fungal infections thanks to a powerful antioxidant called quercetin, a plant pigment found in colorful fruits like blueberries, tomatoes, leafy greens, and broccoli.
This is what gives neem strong antiviral, anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties that help skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis, and also acne by preventing the spread of bacteria on the surface of the skin from developing into infections.
3. Allergies
An allergic reaction to any substance, be it pollen or detergents, can trigger an eczema breakout. However, neem oil is loaded with antihistamine properties. This means that it can inhibit these allergic reactions effectively. It also supports the body's ability to respond to inflammation.
4. Pain Relief
Neem oil has excellent analgesic (pain relief) properties. Making it a natural remedy for minor cuts, scrapes, stings, and burns.
ORGANIC NEEM OIL
Natural Raw Neem Butter
Era Organics
Not a DIY girl? Can't take the smell of neem oil (it's pretty bad!)? Then I've also got you covered. If you're here reading this blog, then you pretty much know that the majority of store bought eczema products are garbage. As with medicated creams they act as a band aid, temporarily masking symptoms but not healing the root cause. However, while recently researching products for a friends child I came across an amazing, all natural eczema balm from Era Organics called Superbalm with the following star studded ingredient list:
Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil
Avocado Oil
Rosemary Extract
Organic Chickweed & Chamomile infusion in Organic Sunflower Oil
Organic Castor Oil
Organic Beeswax
Organic Cocoa Butter
Organic Vegetable Glycerin
Organic Coconut Oil
Organic Arrowroot Powder
Organic Calendula Oil
Organic Avocado Oil
Organic Rosehip Seed Oil
Organic Arnica Oil
Organic Gluten Free Oats
Organic Rosemary Extract
Non-GMO Mixed Tocopherols
DIY HEALING ECZEMA RECIPE
Coconut oil is another natural remedy for skin conditions like dermatitis. It has many protective antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that help to balance fungal and candida-related skin issues. Coconut oil has a very unique fatty acid profile of Lauric, Capric, and Caprylic Acids which are immunity superstars. One of the very few other places Lauric Acid is found is in breast milk.
Lavender, Tea Tree, and Rosemary essential oils are all highly beneficial for eczema due to their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and healing properties.
You can substitute castor oil for any other oils that are high in Oleic Fatty Acid (Omega-9), like Apricot Kernel Oil, Avocado Oil, Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, or Macadamia Nut Oil. Oleic acid is extremely healing and moisturizing for dry, sensitive skin.
If using essential oil for children, please check safe dilutions for babies and toddlers.
Directions
Melt the butters and coconut oil (if using) in a double boiler on low heat. Once melted take off the heat and mix in the other oils. Pour into your glass jar and let it set in the fridge.
*Use a 60ml glass jar*
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References
Valério DA, Georgetti SR, Magro DA, et al. Quercetin reduces inflammatory pain: inhibition of oxidative stress and cytokine production.J Nat Prod. 2009;72(11):1975‐1979. doi:10.1021/np900259y
Moga MA, Bălan A, Anastasiu CV, Dimienescu OG, Neculoiu CD, Gavriș C. An Overview on the Anticancer Activity ofAzadirachta indica(Neem) in Gynecological Cancers.Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(12):3898. Published 2018 Dec 5. doi:10.3390/ijms19123898
Yadav DK, Bharitkar YP, Chatterjee K, Ghosh M, Mondal NB, Swarnaka S. Importance of Neem Leaf: An insight into its role in combating diseases.Indian J Exp Biol. 2016;54(11):708‐718.
Rinaldi F, Hanieh PN, Longhi C, et al. Neem oil nanoemulsions: characterization and antioxidant activity.J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. 2017;32(1):1265‐1273. doi:10.1080/14756366.2017.1378190
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