Allergies to plants are sometimes the cause of itchy skin, but in the hands of a holistic health practitioner, herbs are often used to alleviate the same symptom. Topical holistic remedies for dermatitis, an inflamed, itchy skin condition, often feature herbal ingredients. Herbs in an extract or tincture form are combined with an oil, ointment, or lotion which can then be applied to the skin.
Chamomile
The University of Maryland Medical Center hails chamomile as the herb that has the most evidence to support its effectiveness in the treatment of itchy skin. A chamomile ointment or cream can be applied to soothe itchy or burning skin, as well as to promote healing.
Chamomile grows as both perennial ground cover, and as an annual form. It has small daisy-like flowers that are harvested and used to make teas, herbal supplements, tinctures and topical creams that can be used on the skin.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel, commonly sold in liquid form, is derived from a plant with the botanical name Hamamelis virginiana. Used in an ointment form, witch hazel can help to relieve itching, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dermatitis with open, oozing sores is sometimes treated with the liquid form of witch hazel.
The witch hazel plant can grow as a small tree or a large shrub. It reaches a height of 10 to 25 feet tall, and produces yellow flowers in autumn. Witch hazel extract is derived from the leaves, stem and bark of the tree, which contain the tannins that give the herb its astringent properties.
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort is an herbal remedy that has a long history of use as a treatment to alleviate depression, but the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has deemed it ineffective in helping people with major depression.
St. John's wort gives better results when used as a remedy for itchy skin. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that eczema patients who were treated with a cream form of St. John's wort reported more improvement than when they were treated with a placebo.
St. John's wort also has antibacterial and antiseptic qualities. Oil based topical applications of St. John's wort can be used to treat inflammation of the skin.
Other Herbs
Other herbs that have been traditionally used in treating itchy skin include sarsaparilla, marshmallow, chickweed and marigold, but with only anecdotal accounts in support of their effectiveness, little objective evidence has been gathered to endorse their use.
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