Ask Kitty Magoo: Treating Eczema Naturally
Dear Kitty,
I’ve been under a lot of stress and my eczema is flaring up as a result. How can I ease the symptoms?
Signed, Inflamed in Iola
Dear Inflamed,
Sorry to hear about your flare-up. Eczema is a complicated condition with many causes, and stress is one of biggest contributors. Hopefully you’ll be able to unstress soon, but in the meantime I highly recommend this recipe adapted from Hands-On Healing Remedies by Stephanie Tourles. It features evening primrose oil, which is rich in gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) and therefore highly anti-inflammatory. It also contains blue chamomile essential oil, another potent inflammation reducer that also calms and heals the skin.
15 drops palmarosa essential oil
20 drops Moroccan blue chamomile essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
1/4 cup evening primrose oil
1/4 cup jojoba oil
Add essential oils drop by drop to a 4 ounce amber glass bottle. Pour in evening primrose and jojoba oils. Cap bottle and shake vigorously for 2 minutes to blend. Store in a dark place for 24 hours.
To use, cleanse the affected area with a mild baking soda solution (1 part baking soda to 8 parts water) and gently massage a small amount of the oil blend into skin until it’s absorbed. Repeat a few times a day until symptoms subside.
Stephanie Tourles also suggests a soothing spray for itchy eczema:
30 drops German chamomile essential oil
30 drops Moroccan blue chamomile essential oil
20 drops lavender essential oil
1 cup aloe vera juice
Add essential oils drop by drop to an 8 ounce glass spray bottle. Pour in aloe vera, cap, and shake vigorously for 2 minutes to blend. Store in a dark place for 24 hours, then refrigerate.
If you prefer a prepared product for treating eczema naturally, I really like the “Look, No X Ma" line from Four Elements.
Meow!