Treat Your Eczema With Herbal Remedies
Treat Your Eczema With Herbal Remedies
Eczema is a chronic skin disorder characterized by itching rashes, which may be red, scaly, dry, or leathery. There may be skin blisters with oozing and crusting. Eczema also known as: atopic eczema, atopic dermatitis, infantile eczema. According to a new study by researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, five different Chinese herbs may help Eczema patients. The researchers in the study found that patients who used herbal treatment were less dependent on conventional medicines and the quality of life for young patients with atopic eczema, improved considerably.Eczema usually occurs for the first time in infants, with rashes typically occuring on the cheeks, elbows or knees. Eczema, athough often less of a problem in adulthood, can persist, especially if a person is exposed to allergens or chemical irritants or is under stress.In adults, eczema is commonly located on the inner elbow or behind the knee. People with eczema frequently have family members with asthma, hay fever, or eczema. For the study, the researchers analyzed the impact of ‘pentaherbs formulation’ on patients suffering from atopic eczema, the most common form of the disease which affects one in ten kids.The five raw herbs used were Flos lonicerae (Japanese honeysuckle), Cortex moutan (root bark of peony tree), Herba menthae (peppermint), Cortex phellodendri (Amur cork-tree bark) and Atractylodes Rhizome (underground stem of atractylodes herb).The Flos lonicerae (Japanese honeysuckle) flower is of high medicinal value in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is called rn dMng téng (literally “Winter enduring vine”) or j+n yín hu (literally “gold silver flower”). It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and is used (often in combination with Forsythia suspensa) to dispel heat and remove toxins, including carbuncles, fevers, influenza and ulcers. It is, however, of cold and yin nature, and should not be taken by anyone with a weak and “cold” digestive system. In Korean, it is called geumeunhwa. The dried leaves are also used in traditional Chinese medicine.Cortex moutan (root bark of peony tree), is a woody species of peony, named after Joseph Rock. It is native to the mountains of western China, mainly in Gansu and adjoining provinces. This tree peony is cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is very frost hardy and resistant to fungal diseases, and is grown in Europe, particularly in northern countries, such as Sweden and Finland. In Germany it is the most hardy tree peony species. Like Paeonia lactiflora, another Chinese peony species, it is used as a herbal remedy in traditional Chinese medicine.Peppermint is sometimes regarded as ‘the world’s oldest medicine’, with archaeological evidence placing its use at least as far back as ten thousand years ago. Peppermint has a high menthol content, and is often used as a flavouring in tea, ice cream, confectionery, chewing gum, and toothpaste. The oil also contains menthone and menthyl esters. It is the oldest and most popular flavour of mint-flavoured confectionery. Peppermint can also be found in some shampoos and soaps, which give the hair a minty scent and produce a cooling sensation on the skin.Peppermint, like many spices and herbs, is believed to have medicinal properties when consumed. It is said that it helps against upset stomachs, inhibits the growth of certain bacteria, and can help soothe and relax muscles when inhaled or applied to the skin. Other health benefits are attributed to the high manganese, vitamin C and vitamin A content; as well as trace amounts of various other nutrients such as fibre, iron, calcium, folate, potassium, tryptophan, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, riboflavin, and copper.The Cortex phellodendri is resistant to drought and insects, and it can thrive in a variety of soils. It is hardy to zone 4 and it is easy to maintain, sometimes to the point of being invasive. One drawback is that the drupes fall and scatter, which may be undesirable on a formal lawn.The bark in some species is thick, resembling that of the Cork Oak, but is not thick enough for commercial cork production. It has been used to produce a yellow dye.Atractylodes Rhizome are considered very important to the treatment of digestive disorders and problems of moisture accumulation. The herb helps move moisture from the digestive tract to the blood that reduces diarrhea, gas and bloating. Atractylodes is rarely ever used by itself. It is usually included into tonic prescriptions
Posted in Public health | No Comments »