Scabies is a skin infection caused by mites that burrow under the skin and cause severe itching and burning, according to the altMD website. Scabies is extremely contagious. If you think you have scabies, see your doctor to confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor may prescribe prescription medicine or recommend one of several herbal treatments.
St. John's Wort and Evening Primrose Oil
MotherNature.com suggests using a combination of St. John's wort and evening primrose oil to treat scabies. To relieve the itching and discomfort associated with scabies, combine a tincture of St. John's wort and evening primrose oil and apply the mixture directly to the affected areas. You can find evening primrose oil and St. John's Wort in tincture form at health food stores and natural grocers.
Mint
The Home Remedies for You website states that the menthol in mint leaves soothes irritation caused by scabies. MotherNature.com suggests making an herbal bath using peppermint to kill mites and relieve itching. Just throw as much peppermint, sage, pennyroyal, rosemary, spearmint and thyme into your bath as you'd like. You can find all of these herbs in fresh or dried form at grocery stores.
Margosa Oil
Oil from the margosa plant, an herb grown in India, can treat scabies topically, according to the Home Remedies for You site. You can find margosa oil at ethnic markets or some health food stores. Apply margosa oil to the affected areas and massage the oil into your skin until it is absorbed. Margosa oil kills fungus and bacteria trapped under the skin, says Home Remedies for You.
Tea Tree Oil
For severe itching related to scabies, the Go Herbal Remedies website suggests using tea tree oil as a topical treatment. You can find tea tree oil at drug stores and health food stores. MotherNature.com suggests diluting tea tree oil with another mild oil, such as any vegetable oil, before using on your skin. Rub the diluted tea tree oil directly into the affected areas of your skin.
Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal tincture is a helpful herbal treatment for scabies. Find pennyroyal at the health food store and apply the tincture directly to your irritated skin. Pennyroyal soothes itching and repels the mites that cause scabies, according to MotherNature.com.
Neem and Turmeric
Neem is an Indian tree used to make pesticides and turmeric is a pungent Indian spiced that has a cooling effect on itchy skin. MotherNature.com suggests combining the two to treat scabies by making a paste using any skin-care product that contains neem and several teaspoons of turmeric powder. You can find beauty products that use neem at drug stores and purchase turmeric powder at any grocery store. Apply the paste topically to affected skin.
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