Eczema is a discomforting skin condition that leads to the formation of itchy, inflammatory, dry, and swollen patches on the skin. The conventional world of medicine is still searching for the originating cause of this problem which complicates the possibility of a permanent treatment or reversal of this problem. For most patients, eczema turns into a chronic situation that can only be controlled by avoidance of its triggers. However, Ayurveda disagrees with this preventive approach and offers a chemical and side-effect free solution to this problem.
Ayurveda is the traditional medical science of India that has been providing relief from all kinds of problems for thousands of years. It is still a widely practised and accepted form of treatment, especially for skin disorders. The Eczema Ayurvedic treatment includes a holistic approach to the problem that involves body, mind, and spirit. Rather than subduing the symptoms, it works on the root cause of the problem.
The Pathology of Eczema
Ayurveda believes that skin disorders like eczema erupt when either the toxicity levels of our body exceed their threshold or the basic energies sustaining our bodies get vitiated. It considers three basic energies regulating the human body: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha Dosha. Every dosha is responsible for a specific bodily function.
When these doshas lose their natural balance or order, skin problems like eczema start occurring at a regular pace. The purpose of Ayurvedic medicine for eczema is to restore this lost order of these energies and eliminate the basic cause of this problem. The course of treatment includes the usage of natural herbs and procedures that detoxify the inner systems and thus remove the exact cause of eczema. It is the reason why Ayurvedic treatment is also known as the natural treatment for eczema.
Panchkarma Therapies for Eczema
“Panch” is a Sanskrit term that refers to the number five. The Panchakarma therapies revolve around the five basic elements, panchdhatu, that form the universe. These five elements are air, water, fire, space, and sky. So, the Panchakarma therapies include the usage of any or all of these five elements in the treatment of diseases. For natural treatment of eczema, it includes some specific procedures like:
- Consumption of medicated ghee for five to seven days
- Body massages with warm oils
- Induced sweating for detoxification of the skin
- Induced vomiting and purging for cleaning the digestive tract
These procedures are done in form of sessions that are scheduled according to the progress and history of disease in a patient’s body. The basic purpose is to detoxify the body internally and externally so that bodily functions and energies return to their original pace.
Diet and Lifestyle for Eczema
As we mentioned earlier, Ayurvedic treatment not just focuses on the body but also on the mind and spirit of the patient. Therefore, the patient needs to follow a regulated diet and lifestyle to get rid of the behavioural practices that may have led to eczema.
Eczema patients need to stay away from fried, over spicy, salty, oversweet, and sour food items. The diet mandatorily includes vegetarian food that has high nutritional value and less junk or fatty elements. Regular usage of fruits, leafy vegetables, sprouts, and boiled daal is recommended for people suffering from eczema.
As for lifestyle habits, they need to be adopted to bring some peace and order in the hectic life of patients. You may not know that many people suffer from skin disorders due to work and emotional stresses. Therefore, an ideal treatment needs to include measures that relieve stress and allow the person to get their thoughts together. Early mornings, optimum sleep, regular workout, and meditation are highly recommended as anti-stress and anti-depression measures for eczema patients. Also, skin problems often affect the self-esteem and confidence of people who have suffered such problems for a long time. Many people face social awkwardness and embarrassment in their daily lives due to skin problems. It makes them emotionally weak, anxious and stressed.
Regular meditation and yoga are considered the best anti-depressants in the world. People who get in and out of bed on time develop a distinct self-confidence and efficiency that keeps stress-related problems at bay. So, yes, a regulated and simple lifestyle has a deep relationship with the natural treatment for eczema.
Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Eczema
There are certain Ayurvedic remedies that can be practised at home to increase the efficacy of Panchakarma therapies and Ayurvedic medicines for eczema. Some of the common ones include:
- Regular usage of cardamom, Triphala, need, and turmeric as topical applications and in form of oral medicines. However, oral medication of this kind should be done after the doctor’s consultation. It is important to know the right amount of any of these ingredients to treat eczema. Over dosage can easily make things worse and lead to other uninvited problems.
- Stress-relieving Ayurvedic herbs like winter cherry, Brahmi, and kava kava are also recommended for eczema patients. The doctor’s discretion is advised in this case as well.
- As a home remedy and preventive measure, the patient needs to stay away from dairy products, yeast-based products, meat, alcohol, processed food, spicy food, salty food, heavy food, tomatoes, acidic fruits, and processed food.
- Regular application of coconut oil is also considered beneficial for eczema patients. Its antibacterial and moisturizing properties keep away infection-causing bacteria from entering the cracked skin. If available, you may also use sunflower oil, hemp seed oil or the Ayurvedic medicated oils recommended by your doctor.
- Aloe vera gel is another useful herb that can do wonders for your skin, especially for eczema patches. Just spread the gel all over your skin once or twice a day and you will see the required effect within 2-3 days.
- If you are getting eczema due to work or emotional pressures, it is better to practise deep breathing techniques, guided imagery, music therapy, massages, walking, stretching exercises, journaling, and yoga. Choose any of these depending on your personal preference and ensure that you spend at least 30-60 minutes every day on it, you will see the required difference within a week.