Essential oils for Eczema

by Christina
(Wisconsin)

What are Essential oils for Eczema? Find out which essential oils may be useful for relief from eczema.

As an infant until between the ages of 4 and 5, I had severe eczema - then I outgrew it forever until now, as an older adult, another form of it, Nummular (coin-shaped red patches) has appeared on my back, arms, and legs. This really prohibits me from wearing shorts or short-sleeved shirts (people always ask if I have AIDS! and I can't take the embarrassment) and I wonder if there's an aromatherapy or any other that people know about to take it away? I know it's based on a compromised immune system, Dermarest takes away the itching and a prescription drug, Olux, stops it for a little while, but nothing really works. Help! Thanks so much!

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Mar 10, 2009
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Juniper oil may help nummular eczema
by: Cristl Arndt

Hi Christina,

Juniper berry (Juniperus communis) essential oil may be helpful. It contains a compound called beta-farnesene which seems to mimic hydrocortisone in humans, so it works well for inflammatory type skin conditions relieving swelling, heat, redness and pain. Mix 3 drops in 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil (such as sweet almond or grape seed). Apply to the affected area as needed. Although the following contraindications may not apply to you, be aware that juniper is a powerful diuretic and should not be used with kidney inflammation or irritation, and should not be used during pregnancy or breast feeding. It can be used for 4 consecutive weeks, then administration may resume after a 4 week interim. Prolonged use may result in renal damage.

Best wishes,
Cristl Arndt, RA

Mar 10, 2009
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Thank you! I'll try the juniper oil!
by: Christina

Thank you about the juniper oil in a carrier (I usually have grape seed oil on hand). Do you know of any solutions for eczema caused by insect bites (the name escapes me now)? This is also something I contracted after being bitten by a rather vicious strain of mosquitoes that came into our area. Again, thank you so much, since I couldn't get this information easily otherwise!

Mar 10, 2009
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Essential oils for Eczema
by: Cristl Arndt

Hi Christina,

Juniper oil should help for all causes of eczema. The etiology is really irrelevant, it all comes down to an immune response. In the case of the mosquito, your immune system reacted to a protein in the mosquito's saliva. But the symptoms of eczema, which Juniper berry targets, are all pretty much the same. So feel free to use Juniper berry for all types of eczema.

Cristl

Buy Essential oils for Eczema

Mar 10, 2009
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Thanks Cristl!
by: Christina

Thanks Cristl, I value your (obviously!) professional opinion, and I'll try the juniper oil. It's interesting, in the fields of art/poetry/journalism/tv/videography I'm the one who knows a lot, but here I don't know much at all, and really appreciate your help!

Mar 10, 2009
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One more question for Cristl Arndt
by: Christina

Hi Cristl! It occurred to me to ask you - do you know why eczema would re-occur in later life? Heredity? To me it seems to have come post-menopause - is that possible?

Mar 11, 2009
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Eczema outbreaks may be managed through diet
by: Cristl Arndt

Hi Christina,

You're welcome, and thanks for the compliment.

The question about hereditary is complicated. There seem to be lots of different types of eczema, and the jury is still out whether or not nummular eczema is hereditary. The cause is still unknown. It is exacerbated by stress, illness, infections, and sometimes, hormonal changes. Even though our skin gets thinner and drier as we age in general, that isn?t necessarily the reason for recurrence of eczema, and I would think that being post-menopausal shouldn't make any difference.

I do think you may be able to manage eczema through some dietary changes. Overproduction of inflammatory mediators, the prostaglandins, cause a malady of problems including eczema, and can be controlled by avoiding certain foods. I recommend that you see a naturopathic doctor, if there is one near you, to help you with this. My personal experience of seeing a ND four years ago was the best decision I have ever made for my own health. I?ve had to make some dietary changes to balance prostaglandin production, but it was more than well worth it. Since the first 3 months of following the diet, I no longer have seasonal allergies, lactose intolerance or hormonal swings, and I haven?t been sick, not even with a cold in four years! I think it may be worth a shot for you to try and it certainly can?t hurt you.

I invite you to contact me through my website if you can't find a ND and would like some holistic health coaching.

Cristl

Mar 11, 2009
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Juniper Berry Oil, and Diet
by: Anonymous

Hi Cristl! Today I've bought the Juniper Berry oil and Grapeseed Oil carrier, and will use it. I HAVE been controlling my diet, to which I attribute the many years of non-eczema outbreaks, but perhaps there's something that I'm missing. Meanwhile, perhaps this will work! Also thanks for telling me about your website!

Sincerely, Christina

Mar 14, 2009
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Reply
by: Cristl Arndt

Hi Christina!

I hope the Juniper Berry helps. Please let me know if you have any adverse reaction to the oil, and if it helps or not. Thanks!

Cristl

Mar 16, 2009
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Using the Juniper Berry
by: Christina

Hi Cristl! So far the juniper berry in grapeseed oil has had NO adverse effects on my skin. It doesn't seem to be taking it away, but it does seem to have arrested it. It's only been a few days, and I'll let you know more when the entire month is over (since you said 4 weeks on, 4 weeks off). It IS much cheaper than Olux, and hopefully won't have side effects like the cortisol in Olux would have. Again, thanks so much for the tip!

Sincerely,
Christina

Mar 18, 2009
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Reply
by: Cristl Arndt

Hi Christina,

Glad to hear you aren't having any side effects. How frequently are you applying the blend? If you aren't already, try applying it every 4-6 hours and see if you can go from an "arrest" state into a "clear up" state.

Cristl

Mar 30, 2009
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Eczema progress report/diet?
by: Christina

Hi Cristl!

So far I'm at the same stage - the eczema isn't going away (using the juniper berries formula) (and I AM applying it 4-6 times a day as you noted) but it isn't getting worse either. Do you have any diet suggestions? They may be different than what I'd doing currently - also perhaps we'll know more about the results of the Juniper Berry by the end of me using it for a month!

Thanks again,
Christina

Mar 30, 2009
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Reply
by: Cristl Arndt

Hi Christina,

I'd like to discuss your diet in greater depth to see if there is anything you might need to add or subtract (foods, supplements, herbs). You mentioned that you are controlling your diet, but I don't know what that means. I really want to help you, but I don't like to give superficial, off the cuff advice without knowing more details. Since this is beyond the scope of aromatherapy, I would like to change the venue from this public site to a private setting because we would be discussing your medical history , etc... We can do a consultation by phone or e-mail. Please see my website for my contact info.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Cristl

Mar 31, 2009
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Private Consultation
by: Christina

Hi Cristl!

I'm not interested in a private consultation at this time, but thanks for the offer, and good luck with your endeavors!

Sincerely,
Christina

Mar 31, 2009
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by: Cristl Arndt

Hi Christina,

Thanks and all the best to you!

Take care,
Cristl

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