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Articles > Skin Conditions: How to treat them

Skin Conditions: How to treat them

There are many reasons why the skin can become irritated and itchy. There are the obvious ones like insect bites, stings and contact dermatitis. However, more often than not, itchy skin is due to internal causes such as a weakened digestive system and kidney function, an overloaded liver and a compromised endocrine system. Itchy skin can also result as a side effect from diseases such as diabetes and due to certain medications. These conditions will potentially lead to a build up of toxins in the body.

The skin can also become aggravated because of an intolerance towards certain foods like wheat flour, refined sugar and dairy products or allergies toward certain building materials, dust mites, animal hair, or clothing (material or build-up of washing detergents). Some parasites and the yeast/fungus Candida albicans excrete toxic wastes that can aggravate the skin with rashes, hives and itch (especially around the anus and vagina). The body naturally excretes waste products and toxins via the digestive system and the kidneys, but when there is an overload or weakness the body uses the skin instead. Leaky gut syndrome leads to a recycling of toxins and wastes which further ads to impurities in the blood and continuously overloads the liver.

Conditions of the skin can present themselves as hot, itchy, or crusty, in red patches with blisters or without blisters and can be either dry or wet.

Itchy eczema responds well to frequent topical applications of the herbs Chickweed, Calendula and Nettle - even in stubborn cases. Always use a herbal cream in combination with an internal herbal fresh-plant tincture or tea to address the root causes and for faster results that last. The internally taken medicinal herbs Heartsease and Herb Robert have direct anti-inflammatory, anti-itch and healing actions on the skin. Nettles, Dandelion, St Mary's Thistle assist liver and kidney function, which promote detoxification through the proper eliminatory channels, hence reducing the toxic load otherwise dumped on the skin.

It is important to observe that wet eczema needs to be treated first with wet poultices or quark applications until it stops weeping, so that a cream can unfold its healing benefits. Only on dry eczema an externally applied itch relieving cream will have the desired skin mending benefits. In the meantime it is essential to continuously take an internal herbal fresh-plant tincture or tea to support cleansing and detoxification of liver and kidneys which will help to address the root causes of the problematic skin condition.

Psoriasis is classified as an auto-immune condition. A treatment approach should focus on the skin and the immune system as well as on promoting a healthy digestive system. This is to avoid a toxic build up in the body, which can aggravate this skin condition.

In scaly psoriasis it has shown to be beneficial to treat the skin with a topical application of an itch relieving fresh-plant cream to help with the unpleasant and irritating sensation in the skin, complemented with a second application of the moisturising and skin regenerating actions of St John's Wort Oil on top of fresh-plant cream. As psoriasis is a deep seated condition it is imperative to offer the body internal healing support as well. An internally taken herbal fresh-plant tincture or tea needs to contain herbs that not only act as an anti-inflammatory and itch relief for the skin itself but also support liver and kidney function for proper detoxification. The ingestion of essential fatty acids via flax seed oil, fish oil or a diet rich in deep sea fish and nuts (check for allergies!) can also assist in reducing the inflammatory cascade.

Cradle cap is a type of infant eczema where the sensitive skin reacts against certain foods or is affected by the fungus Candida albicans. A herbal itch relieving fresh-plant cream with Calendula has proven anti-Candida properties, whilst Chickweed and Nettle ensure a cooling, soothing and anti-inflammatory effect. If the baby's skin is very scaly and red, applying a therapeutic combination of freshly picked St John's Wort and organic olive oil, acts as a moisturiser, anti-septic and anti-inflammatory. As an additional bonus, this oil is also very calming and soothing for the baby and can be used over the whole body as an infant massage oil.

Often it is not enough to attempt to treat this distressing complaint externally only. A treatment aiming at the root of the complaint includes changing the diet of the infant or of the mother if she is breastfeeding. All dairy products are best removed and the nursing mother should observe a light wholesome diet of organic food where possible. An internal herbal fresh-plant tincture with itch relieving herbs may calm the skin from inside out and help to gently support and detoxify the overloaded little body. It is given in minimal doses directly to the baby. If the breast feeding mother is suffering from eczema herself, then she should take the herbal fresh-plant tincture herself as well.

Skin complaints can be very annoying and stubborn. It is of great concern to me that they become more and more common and Im sure that our western methods of agriculture, food production and dietary habits have a role to play in this increase. Allopathic treatments such as cortico-steroid creams and internal ingestion of cortisone can give welcomed temporary relief in desperate situations yet there is a price to pay as they drive the illness deeper into the body. It is my experience that these synthetic creams often stop working after a while. Furthermore when a skin complaint is continuously suppressed artificially the next stage of illness is often more serious e.g. asthma.

The skin is regarded as the third kidney in the body and reflects therefore the inner state of our detoxification organs. All sufferers of skin complaints therefore benefit from the additional regular use of kidney strengthening and cleansing herbs (Birch leaves, Golden Rod, Horsetail, Nettle, Raspberry leaves). With their alkalising and cleansing actions they are most effective in helping to get on top of skin impurities and irritations.

Skin complaints have to be addressed in a holistic way in order to achieve long term results. This can take time. A topical application of a cream on its own will often work for a few weeks and give the desired relief, until the body finds another way to use the skin again as a detoxification exit port. Therefore it is imperative that alongside topical applications an internal herbal remedy as a fresh-plant tincture or tea is concurrently used to address the root causes of the skin problems. Diet, allergies and the proper functioning of the digestive system need to be addressed as well in order to relieve a skin complaint permanently. This also applies when itchiness is a result of certain drugs or allergies.