Best Eczema Treatment in Ayurveda

Overview

Eczema is a term for a group of inflammatory skin conditions that cause itchy, red, and irritated skin. It is a relatively prevalent skin condition. There are different types of eczema, but the most common one is called atopic dermatitis, often known as atopic eczema. People with atopic dermatitis are more likely to get allergies like hay fever and asthma.

If you are looking for an Ayurvedic treatment for eczema then natural remedies for eczema include detoxification such as Vamana and Virechana, Yoga Asanas, Dietary Changes, Lifestyle Management, Panchakarma, etc. Which we will discuss in detail further in this post.

Types of Eczema

Eczema is divided into seven different types such as:-

1. Atopic dermatitis
2. Contact dermatitis
3. Dyshidrotic eczema
4. Neurodermatitis
5. Nummular eczema
6. Seborrheic dermatitis
7. Stasis dermatitis

Common Symptoms of Eczema

The following symptoms may be seen in a person suffering from eczema:

• Irritation
• Sensitive skin
• Dryness
• Inflammation
• Discolored skin
• Rough, scaly patches mainly on the face, scalp, eye, elbows, arms, mouth, and hands
• Bleeding

Causes of Eczema

The following factors can aggravate Eczema symptoms:-

• Heredity
• Pollen, mold, dust mites, or animal allergies.
• cool air in winter
• Colds or the flu.
• Exposure to irritants and chemicals
• Contact with abrasive materials like wool.
• Dry skin
• Emotional stress.
• Taking regular baths or showers, as well as swimming frequently, causes the skin to dry out.
• Overheating or hypothermia, as well as sharp temperature changes.
• Perfumes or dyes applied to lotions or soaps for the skin

Ayurvedic Views on Eczema

Eczema is referred to as “Vicharchika” or shudra kushtha in Ayurveda. “Parushyam” i.e. rough skin, “Pidika” i.e. blisters, “Rakta” i.e. redness with blood at times, “Kandu” i.e. itching, and “Ruja” i.e. discomfort from inflamed skin are the characteristic signs of eczema mentioned in Ayurveda.

Acording to Ayurveda while inherited or environmental/chemical factors trigger the onset of eczema, certain factors exacerbate the condition, such as “Ahara Hetu” i.e. unhealthy eating habits such as junk foods and late meals, “Vihara Hetu” i.e. unhealthy lifestyle practices such as drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, and excessive physical activity, and “Achara Hetu” i.e. Depression, anxiety, rage, low moods, and negative emotions are among mental health issues.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Eczema

Ayurveda takes a comprehensive approach to cure skin problems, using various herbs, dietary changes, lifestyle improvements, yoga, meditation to reduce stress, and Panchakarma therapy for skin problems like eczema.

1. Diet & Lifestyle for Eczema

Ayurveda mentioned that diet changes are important for managing eczema.

Therefore it is advised to avoid or limit eating certain foods such as spicy, sour, oily, fried food items, red meat, coffee, alcoholic drinks, etc.

If the patient is experiencing too much itching or irritation due to vitiated kapha dosha, then avoiding sugar and dairy items is recommended. 

Foods you can include in your diet to help you get rid of eczema should include plant-sourced food items and alkaline or pitta pacifying and cooling agents to balance pitta such as dudhi (ghiya) juice, celery juice salads of zucchini, lettuce, soup of beetroot with sweet potato, green vegetables, etc.

Additionally, herbal tea infused with licorice and drinking aloe vera juice is helpful.

Moreover, eczema involves dryness therefore optimum hydration is essential and it is advised to drink water stored in the copper vessels.

2. Common Herbs for Eczema

1. Aloe Vera:- Aloe vera is a very potent herb to treat a variety of skin issues. Eczema relief is a popular application. The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of aloe vera is helpful in treating skin diseases.

2. Chandana:- Chandana is an aromatic plant that can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne, rosacea, and eczema. The sandalwood tree’s yellow-tinted wood is not only aromatic but also contains a large number of medicinal chemicals that have anti-inflammatory and cooling properties. These aid in the balance of exacerbated Pitta dosha in skin disorders such as eczema, and topical use of Chandana powder or paste relieves itching and flaking.

3. Coconut Oil:– Coconut oil is also ideal for skin care. It is known to be a powerful home remedy to cure eczema because it contains fatty acids that can moisturize the diseased area’s dry skin. Virgin coconut oil also aids in the reduction of inflammation and greatly enhances skin health.

4. Honey:- Honey is thought to be a natural cure for a wide range of ailments. It contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to cure wounds for a long time. Because it stimulates your immune system, it can help with a variety of skin problems caused by the autoimmune system. Honey can help with eczema symptoms and can also be used to heal wounds, burns, and bacterial illnesses.

5. Turmeric:- Haridra, also known as turmeric, has long been known for its skin-beneficial characteristics and has been used to treat eczema, acne, sunburns, and other skin conditions. Curcumin, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory component found in turmeric root, flushes toxins and impurities from the skin’s surface and soothes dryness, irritation, and peeling.

6. Neem:- Neem leaves have a plethora of antibacterial properties that are beneficial to skin health. When neem paste is applied topically to eczema-affected it heals irritated, peeling skin and soothes burning and redness, making it a useful herbal remedy for eczema.

3. Meditation and Yoga for Eczema

There is scientific evidence that suggests that a persistent urge to scratch is present in eczema as the damaged nerve fibers send signals to the brain. But meditation helps to improve the central processing system of the brain and this can lower the stimulation and as a result, the patient does not feel the constant need to scratch.

Meditation can re-calibrate the brain, moreover, regular practice of yoga and meditation reduces inflammation markers like cortisol and interleukin.

Yoga poses that are beneficial for eczema are:

• Downward facing dog
• Bridge pose
• Cobra pose
• Cat-Cow
• Child’s pose
• Lion’s pose
• Plow pose

Breathing exercises also increase mindfulness and lower stress. Deep breathing exercises such as “anuloma viloma” or alternate nostril breathing and deep belly breathing are beneficial in skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

4. Panchkarma for Eczema

Panchkarma means five different procedures that help to detoxify and rejuvenate the body.

Panchakarma involves a series of cleansing methods that are aimed at eliminating toxins from the body.

The Ayurvedic treatment procedures are Vamana (emesis) and Virechana (Purgation) to eliminate toxins from the body and maintain doshas balance. When doshas get balanced then the condition begins to heal from the core and the chances of recurrences are also negligible. 

Conclusion

Eczema is an allergic condition that negatively impacts the patient’s quality of life. Ayurvedic Treatment for Eczema includes implementing natural remedies for eczema, dietary changes, lifestyle improvements, detoxification, stress management techniques, practicing yoga asanas, and panchakarma therapy so one can effectively manage the disease. 

References

Hegde, P., Hemanth, D. T., Emmi, S. V., Shilpa, M. P., Shindhe, P. S., & Santosh, Y. M. (2010). A case discussion on eczema. International Journal of Ayurveda Research, 1(4), 268–270. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7788.76792