Keratosis pilaris is a skin disease that occurs when a protein called keratin accumulates in your pores. It may be a painless condition, but the tiny bumps on your skin can itch and become red and inflamed. Keratosis pilaris may have genetic roots, or it can be associated with other skin disorders, such as eczema and fish scale disease. Conventional treatment may include acidic exfoliants to remove dead skin, and corticosteroids for inflammation. Herbs may help relieve keratosis pilaris naturally. Consult your doctor before starting any herbal treatment.
Herbal Actions
Herbs for keratosis pilaris work in various ways. Emollient herbs will reduce roughness and soothe irritated skin. Exfoliant herbs will help moisturize and eliminate dead skin, and some herbs may also relieve itchiness. Herbs known as alteratives act to detoxify your liver and help to resolve any imbalance that may underlie skin problems like keratosis pilaris and eczema. Check with a qualified practitioner for advice about how to prepare and apply herbs for keratosis pilaris.
Chickweed
Chickweed, or Stellaria media, is a small annual creeper. Herbalists use the leaves and flowers to treat psoriasis, eczema, keratosis pilaris, varicose veins and rheumatism. The herb is rich in saponins and has emollient action. In their 2001 book, "Herbal Remedies," naturopathic doctors Asa Hershoff and Andrea Rotelli note that chickweed reduces inflammation and soothes irritated itchy skin. You can make a poultice from the juice and apply it topically to relieve the symptoms that accompany keratosis pilaris. Discontinue using chickweed if inflammation persists or worsens.
Elder
Elder, or Sambucus nigra, is a small tree with clusters of white flowers. The flowers, leaves, roots and fruits are remedies for a range of disorders, including wounds, colds, flu, sinusitis and rheumatism. The leaves have emollient properties and may be mildly anti-inflammatory. Naturopathic doctors Asa Hershoff and Andrea Rotelli explain that elder is useful for chronic skin conditions and acts as an exfoliant, assisting your body in sloughing off dead skin. Do not use elder if you develop irritation due to the herb.
Burdock
Burdock, or Arctium lappa, is a large biennial herb native to Europe. Herbalists use it as an alterative, which are herbs also known as blood cleansers. Alteratives work internally to stimulate the elimination of wastes and toxins from your body. In his 2003 book, "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," clinical herbalist David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG, explains that these toxins may create an internal systemic imbalance that can lead to skin diseases. Botanist Ben-Erik van Wyk and biologist Michael Wink note in their 2009 book, "Medicinal Plants of the World," that burdock root and leaf extracts are topical remedies for all skin diseases. Do not use this herb if you have allergies to plants in the aster family.
References
- "Herbal Remedies"; Asa Hershoff, N.D., and Andrea Rotelli, N.D.; 2001
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
- "Medicinal Plants of the World"; Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink; 2009
