A prime desire for many is acquiring clear, smooth, moisturized skin sans acne, blemishes, and wrinkles. However, a ubiquitous dermatological issue faced by both women and men of all age groups is dry skin. While dryness is mild in some and can be managed easily, quite a few face a rather intense form of peeling and itching in the skin, termed eczema. Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is a common skin disorder that is characterized by inflammation of the dermal tissues, along with peeling, itching, dryness, flaking, and redness.

Also Read: Ayurveda For Acne: Soothing Natural Remedies To Treat Pimples And Attain Clear Skin

While it occurs in children owing to genetic and hereditary factors, eczema develops in adults due to exposure to environmental allergens like pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet fur, as well as chemical irritants present in detergents, soaps, and shampoos. Eczema is a chronic inflammatory condition and hence persists well into middle and old age, with periodic flare-ups happening now and then and the intensity of inflammation-reducing gradually.

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian practice of medicine that originated thousands of years ago, terms eczema as “Vicharchika”, which is a skin-related health anomaly displaying blisters, lesions, and rashes on the dermal tissues. While the onset of eczema is triggered by inherited or environmental/chemical attributes, certain factors further exacerbate the condition such as “Ahara Hetu” i.e. eating habits like junk foods, untimely meals, “Vihara Hetu” i.e. unhealthy lifestyle practices like drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, too much physical exercise and “Achara Hetu” i.e. mental wellness-related concerns such as depression, anxiety, anger, low moods and negative emotions. The distinguishing symptoms of eczema comprise “Parushyam” i.e. rough skin, “Pidika” i.e. blisters, “Rakta” i.e. redness with bleeding at times, alongside “Kandu” i.e. itching and “Ruja” i.e. pain, from inflamed skin.

Although eczema is a long-term skin problem that prompts many discomforting signs of dryness, peeling, and redness, it can be effectively managed with time-tested natural solutions from Ayurveda. The age-old ayurvedic manuscripts of Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya mention a plethora of potent herbs that soothe itching, dryness, and skin inflammation, thereby helping treat eczema.

Astounding Herbs To Heal Eczema And Pacify Inflamed Skin:

Khadira (Black Catechu)

Khadira is an excellent skin-fortifying herb, and the wood obtained from the bark extracts of this tree is crushed into a powder for use in rectifying skin concerns. Applying Khadira powder on damaged peeling skin from eczema repairs wounds ceases bleeding in dermal tissues, and soothes redness, thanks to its powerful astringent and cooling properties.

Also Read: Khadir/Khadira: Uses, Health Benefits, Dosage And Side Effects

Chandana (Sandalwood)

Chandana is an aromatic herb that is a panacea for all skin-linked disorders, including acne, rosacea, and eczema. The yellow-tinted wood of the sandalwood tree is not only fragrant but also possesses vast reserves of medicinal compounds with anti-inflammatory and cooling qualities. These help balance aggravated Pitta dosha in skin conditions like eczema and topical application of sandalwood powder/paste calms itching and flaking in the skin.

Manjishta (Indian Madder)

Manjishta root extracts are imbued with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory components which work wonders in healing skin damaged by eczema. These bioactive elements diminish painful symptoms of dry skin, peeling, redness, and cracked dermal tissues, to significantly mend skin inflammation due to eczema.

Haridra (Turmeric)

Haridra or turmeric has been famed for its skin-benefitting properties since time immemorial, being extensively used to resolve acne, eczema, suntans, and more. Turmeric root houses profuse amounts of curcumin, a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound, which flushes out toxins and impurities from the skin’s surface and soothes dryness, itching, and peeling in the skin.

Nimba (Neem)

Neem leaves contain a treasure trove of antimicrobial elements that confer superb merits for skin health. The dried, crushed, and finely ground leaves, when applied topically on skin affected by eczema as neem leaf powder/paste, is an amazing natural remedy that heals inflamed, peeling skin and mollifies burning, redness, hence serving as an effective herbal treatment for eczema.

Additional Herbs To Combat Eczema And Itching

Guduchi

Guduchi is renowned in Ayurveda for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation and redness associated with eczema flare-ups. By inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulating immune responses, guduchi helps alleviate itching and discomfort.

Shatavari

Shatavari is well-known for its moisturizing and emollient properties, making it beneficial for dry, irritated skin common in eczema.  By enhancing skin hydration and improving the skin barrier function, Shatavari helps reduce itching and inflammation associated with eczema and decrease the severity of eczema flare-ups.

Bakuchi

Bakuchi or bakuchiol is valued in Ayurveda for its antipruritic (anti-itch) properties, which help relieve itching and irritation associated with eczema. Its cooling and soothing effects provide instant relief from itching, allowing for better management of eczema symptoms. Bakuchi also promotes skin regeneration and wound healing, making it beneficial for repairing damaged skin barrier in eczema.

References:

A Comprehensive Review of the Treatment of Atopic Eczema

Department of Dermatology, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.Sang Hyun Cho, MD, PhD, Department of Dermatology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4773205/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538209/