From Diet to Herbs: Eczema Treatment in Ayurveda

Surprise Attack or Early Warning: Can You Predict It?

Several factors can trigger Eczema, including:

• Genetics: If one or both of your parents have Eczema, you have a higher chance of developing it.
• Irritants: Certain chemicals in soaps, shampoos, creams, cosmetic products, detergents, and solvents can irritate the skin and cause eczema flare-ups.
• Allergens: Exposure to dust mites, animal dander, or pollen can trigger Eczema. Allergy screenings like skin patch tests, blood tests, and elimination diets can identify potential allergens and develop an effective eczema management plan. Alternatively, you can journal your symptoms to identify possible triggers.
• Fabric: Certain clothes made of synthetic material or wool can lead to an eczema breakout.
• Environmental factors: Cold, dry weather can dry out the skin and worsen Eczema, while hot, humid weather can make the skin more itchy and irritated.
• Stress: Stress can cause the body to release certain chemicals that can make Eczema worse.
• Hormones: Fluctuations in hormones can also affect the skin and lead to eczema flare-ups.
• Diet: Some people with Eczema may be sensitive to certain foods, such as dairy, eggs, nuts, or soy, which can trigger eczema symptoms. Work with an Ayurveda practitioner to identify potential allergens and manage eczema symptoms.

If you’re dealing with Eczema, it’s essential to understand that these triggers can vary from person to person. As you navigate your eczema journey, you’ll learn which factors aggravate your symptoms. By recognising and avoiding them, you can manage your condition more effectively and keep your symptoms under control. 

Endurance Test: How Long Does Eczema Hang Around?

In the case of a vital genetic component, Eczema can be chronic, which means it can last for a long time. 

The duration and severity of Eczema can vary from person to person, and it can be challenging to predict how long a flare-up will last. There can be periodic flare-ups when you get exposed to triggers. The flare-up period may last up to two or three weeks if the trigger gets eliminated and proper eczema treatment in Ayurveda is given and adhered to.

The severity and persistence of eczema symptoms vary among individuals, with some experiencing infrequent and mild flare-ups that quickly resolve. However, on the other hand, there may be others who encounter more severe and prolonged symptoms. 

Although some of you may see an improvement in your symptoms over time, they can persist throughout a person’s lifetime for others. But, with proper treatment and management, you can effectively manage your symptoms, reducing the frequency and severity of flare-ups.

Unlock the Power of Ayurveda to Soothe Your Eczema Symptoms

Ayurveda perceives ‘Vicharchika’ or Eczema as a complex skin condition that requires a holistic approach to treatment, addressing the underlying imbalances in the body and promoting overall health and vitality. 

According to Ayurveda, Eczema is primarily caused by an imbalance in the doshas, specifically Vata and Kapha. 

Eczema can have multiple causes, including genetic, dietary, lifestyle, environmental, and psychological factors. Consuming non-compatible food, known as ‘virudhahara,’ is one of the primary causes of Eczema.

The Ayurvedic approach to treating Eczema aims to restore balance to the deranged doshas, typically through dietary adjustments, herbal remedies, and purificatory procedures like Panchakarma. 

Along with these interventions, eczema treatment in Ayurveda also emphasises lifestyle modifications, including

• Getting sufficient rest,
• Reducing stress levels, 
• Avoiding environmental toxins, and 
• Practising yoga and meditation 

You may also ask - Why? Well, these are recommended to balance the doshas, reduce the risk of recurrence, and promote overall health and wellness.

Reading the Signs: How Your Skin Reflects Your Internal Health

For a long, Ayurveda has believed that a proper diet and lifestyle based on one’s Prakriti or body constitution plays an essential role in healing various health conditions. This applies to your skin too. Ayurveda for Eczema states that the root causes of skin disease are improper diet and lifestyle. 

When you consume food that is difficult to digest or incompatible with your Prakriti, your body generates toxins that can accumulate over time and negatively impact your skin’s condition.

To know your Prakriti, take this free quiz now - Take Quiz  📝

Consuming certain foods can aggravate your pitta dosha, creating an imbalance. Seeking guidance from an Ayurvedic practitioner can prove helpful in identifying your Prakriti and determining which foods you should avoid, managing eczema symptoms.

However, it’s not just diet that affects skin health; engaging in certain physical activities at the wrong time or in an improper manner can also take a toll. For instance, taking a cold bath immediately after sun exposure can harm your skin.

Ayurvedic Remedies for Eczema: Dietary and Lifestyle Recommendations

Here are some recommendations with respect to your diet and lifestyle for eczema management.

• Follow a diet that aligns with your body type (Prakriti) and avoid foods that may worsen your symptoms
• Incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables to ensure adequate vitamin and mineral intake
• Use Ayurvedic spices like turmeric, ginger, and coriander to enhance flavour and health benefits
• Include green gram soups, pointed gourd, and bitter greens in your meals
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoid diuretic beverages such as alcohol and caffeine
• Incorporate healthy fats like coconut oil, ghee, and avocado to support skin health
• Eat only when you feel hungry and stop when you are 80% full to avoid overeating
• Have lighter meals that are easier to digest, and try to have an early dinner
• Regularly practice yoga to reduce stress and promote overall well-being
• Maintain a proper skincare routine to keep your skin healthy and moisturised
• Prioritise good sleep hygiene to promote rest and recovery for your body

Ayurvedic Herbs Can Heal You!

Various herbal remedies are used for eczema treatment in Ayurveda. These Ayurvedic medicines for Eczema are believed to reduce inflammation, moisturise the skin, and improve overall health.

Some of the Ayurvedic remedies for Eczema are as follows:

• Neem - Its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory action pacifies pitta dosha and improves skin health.
• Turmeric - Its anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antiseptic properties effectively control skin conditions. 
  • To Do: Boil Neem leaves and turmeric in water and use this infusion for washing the affected area. Neem and turmeric paste can also be ground into a paste and mixed with buttermilk. You can apply it to the skin to remove the blackish discolouration of the skin caused by scars.
• Shatavari  - It’s another herb which has anti-inflammatory properties and pacifies pitta. It can be used in Eczema with blisters.
• Manjishta - As one of the essential herbs used in skin conditions, it helps purify the blood and pacifies pitta and kapha. It can remove the blackish discolouration on the skin after a severe flare-up.
• Triphala - It is both anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal. It can help to treat skin damage and other secondary infections on eczematous skin. Boil Triphala powder in water and use it for washing the affected area. 
• Chandana - It houses anti-inflammatory properties and pacifies pitta.
• Khadira - It is a kapha and pitta-alleviating herb and is widely used in treating skin diseases.

While you can utilise all these herbs internally and externally to alleviate eczema symptoms, seeking guidance from an Ayurveda practitioner to determine the most effective herbs for your unique body type and achieve optimal results is advisable.

Foods to Avoid for Preventing Eczema Flare-Ups

Here is a list of foods when knocked off your menu, can help prevent your eczema symptoms

• Spicy foods
• Processed foods
• Fermented foods
• Foods with heavy use of preservatives, e.g. pickles
• Gluten rich grains
• Soy Products
• Aubergines and tomatoes
• Alcohol
• Cow’s milk, especially in children

Also, avoid having non-compatible foods, e.g., fish with curd or sour fruits with milk etc.

“I’ve lived with this since childhood. Now I know that I cannot prevent this as it is in my genes. But now I also know how my body can react by changing my diet and lifestyle. My symptoms have reduced once I started my Ayurvedic diet, and I can handle stress very well, which also helps reduce the symptoms.”

-A Nirva client

Beyond the Basics: Additional Strategies for Preventing Eczema

While there is no surefire way to prevent Eczema, several steps can help to reduce the risk of developing the condition or reduce the frequency and severity of eczema flare-ups. These include:

• Moisturise Regularly - Keeping your skin moisturised can help prevent dryness and cracking, which can trigger eczema symptoms. Daily massage your body before bathing with coconut or medicated oil according to your dosha predominance.
• Avoid Irritants - Avoiding harsh soaps, detergents, and solvents can help prevent eczema flare-ups. 
• Avoid Exposure to Allergens - Identifying and avoiding known allergens, such as dust mites, animal dander, or pollen, can help prevent eczema flare-ups.
• Manage Stress - Stress can worsen eczema symptoms, so finding ways to manage stress, such as through physical activity, exercise, relaxation techniques or yoga, is essential.
• Wear Comfortable Clothing - Wearing loose, soft, breathable cotton clothing can help prevent itching and irritation associated with Eczema.
• Monitor Temperature and Humidity - Cold, dry weather can dry out the skin, while hot, humid weather can make the skin more itchy and irritated. Stay in a comfortable temperature and humidity range, and use a humidifier if the air is dry.
• Identify and Avoid Triggers - Look out for specific triggers that affect you, and take steps to avoid them.
• Practise Purification Procedures - Periodically opt for specific purification procedures as Ayurvedic remedies for Eczema under the expert guidance of an Ayurvedic Practitioner. 

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, while Eczema is a chronic condition, you can effectively manage it through proper Ayurvedic treatment and lifestyle modifications. Why Ayurvedic treatment? Ayurveda can help identify the root cause of Eczema by examining the derangement of doshas that can lead to flare-ups. Balancing the dosha equilibrium through natural Ayurvedic remedies and diet can aid in controlling inflammation. Regular Ayurvedic detoxification procedures can also be beneficial in managing eczema symptoms.

However, modern medicine may be necessary in severe cases, and purification procedures may not be suitable for all ages. 

If your eczema symptoms are severe and accompanied by secondary infections like bleeding blisters, it’s crucial to consult a doctor. Additionally, seek medical attention if your symptoms persist even after a week of natural remedies or begin to interfere with your daily activities or sleep. 

With proper care and management, Eczema can be significantly controlled, allowing individuals to enjoy a better quality of life. Yes, Ayurvedic remedies for Eczema are the keys!