Ayurveda is an ancient system of holistic health developed in India over 5,000 years ago that addresses both psychological and physical imbalances, including skin aliments such as eczema. Eczema is a complex skin disease that causes redness, itching and inflammation and typically appears on the elbows, face, and back of the knees but can affect the entire body. Although ayurveda is acknowledged as a form of complementary therapy, consult with your doctor before beginning an ayurvedic treatment for eczema to discuss possible health risks and concerns.
Ayurvedic Therapy
In ayurveda, the objective of treatments is to restore balance within the body. Each person is thought to possess an individual composition of elements, known as "doshas" that can fall into disharmony as a result of stress, damaging environmental conditions or poor diet. Ayurvedic treatments are tailored to the individual to restore internal balance and healthy functioning, and takes into consideration your age, gender, background and lifestyle in determining an appropriate course of therapy.
Ayurveda and Eczema
In its approach to treating eczema, ayurveda focuses on the causes above the symptoms of the disease. Eczema is believed to be an adverse reaction to a diet that aggravates the skin or to psychological condition, such as stress or anxiety. Ayurvedic therapies treat eczema through a combination of food recommendations, herbal remedies and topical applications. Although treatments differ on a case-by-case basis, there are several herbs and foods commonly used for eczema treatment.
Diet Therapy
Ayurvedic medicine recommends that people with eczema avoid sour and salty foods, as well as dishes that are fried, stale or dry. Ayurveda promotes eating bitter foods, such as gourds, cabbage, cauliflower and dark, leafy green vegetables. To treat eczema, your diet should prioritize foods that soothe the digestive tract, are easily digested, and promote the rejuvenation of skin cells. Ghee, or clarified butter, should be used in place of oil when cooking. Ayurvedic practices also recommend that you avoid strong spices, as these can exacerbate skin inflammation and irritation.
Herbal Treatments
The herbs turmeric, neem, linseed and madhuca are all recommended for eczema treatment. Typically, ayurvedic practitioners prescribe herbs for eczema in conjunction with herbs that relieve stress and anxiety, such as valerian root, or soothe the nervous system, such as licorice root. Herbal remedies may be taken in pill form or prepared as a tea.
Topical Treatments
The topical treatments used for eczema in ayurvedic medicine depend on the type of eczema you have. Ayurveda distinguishes between dry and flaky eczema and patches more prone to oozing and open sores, as these different types require a different balance of moisturizing and astringent solutions. Neem oil is commonly promoted to soothe and heal the skin. It comes from the Indian neem tree, and is both antibiotic and antibacterial. Linseed and sesame oils can also be applied to affected areas. Additionally, during an eczema outbreak, ayurvedic medicine advises that you avoid using soap and wearing wool or other irritating fabrics.
References
- National Eczema Association: All About Atopic Dermatitis
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Ayurveda
- Disabled World: Herbal and Ayurvedic Cures for Eczema Treatment
- "Absolute Beauty: Radiant Skin and Inner Harmony Through the Ancient Secrets of Ayurveda"; Dr. Pratima Raichur; 1999
