Herbs for Dry, Itchy Skin
If you’ve experienced dry, itchy, and flaky skin, believe me I’m with you!
Many years ago I suffered from seasonal to year-long bouts of eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and impetigo. (Fair warning if you click that impetigo link!)
I felt like my body was quite literally revolting against me; as if a war was breaking out between my mind and body.
The worst part is that almost every winter I knew and prepared myself emotionally to break out in these rashes all over my elbows, ribcage, ankles and thighs.
So what changed? What has led me to three consecutive years of itchy-free skin?
Well friends, a large part was due to a food intolerance. As a Vitalist I must inform you of the very real reality of food intolerances.
If you’ve been to any restaurant or grocery store recently (especially metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, New York, Denver, and Portland), you’ve seen that there are large amounts of food labeled “Gluten free”, “Paleo”, “Dairy free”, “Plant-based Milks”, and so on.
These are because of the major shift in social eating habits having everything to do with the rising awareness of food intolerances and allergies.
These intolerances are extremely damaging to the body, they can destroy gut flora, and eventually can cause imbalances like leaky gut, IBS, inflammation, eczema, psoriasis, and so much more.
As a side note, if you do in fact have a known food allergy, it’s imperative to learn to read labels correctly and correctly distinguish between the nuances of the label industry.
For a comprehensive guide on covert sources of gluten and dairy, email me and I’ll send you a free guide!
Dry itchy skin can also be caused by a myriad of other things like skin allergies to chemicals or metals like nickel and also deficiencies like Vitamin D, Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids, and Vitamin C to name a few. An effective supplement protocol may be in line to keep skin issues like eczema and psoriasis in check.
For a comprehensive supplement evaluation, book a session with me here!
It’s not all bad news, folks! Thankfully there are herbs that can help tremendously with itchy skin problems.
Below are my Top 3 Skin Healing Herbs
1: Plantain
Actions: antiseptic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, nutritive, alterative
Plantain is an excellent skin soother. It’s been used for generations as a wound cleanser from its drawing effects, anti-inflammatory for its cooling effects, and its general antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. Plus, it grows everywhere! To give a personal example of Plantian’s awesome healing effects; one time I was coaching a soccer camp and a family member’s adorable but large dog jumped on me and scraped my whole thigh. This left me with a large scratch that was bleeding and no wants blood on their kids, ya know?
I quickly remembered that Plantain has been used for generations as a poultice, so I grabbed a leaf from a clean area, chewed it up and layered it along the scratch.
Almost immediately the bleeding had stopped and by the time camp was over, the wound was already healing!
2: Calendula
Actions: Alterative, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, lymphagogue, choleretic, vulnerary, antibacterial, antifungal, diuretic, emmenagogue, immunemodulant
There’s an old saying that “Where there is Calendula, there is no need for a surgeon.”
The saying doesn’t mean that Calendula is a replacement for surgery, but that its antibacterial and antiseptic properties are so good that it can greatly decrease the chances of wounds getting infected or septic. Though Calendula is touted as a “beginner’s herb” this bright beauty is anything but for beginners. It can be used on the most aggressive of itchy patches and red irritated skin, as well as the most sensitive things like diaper rashes or hemorrhoids.
3. St. Johnswort
Actions: anti-inflammatory, topical antiviral, antibacterial, vulnerary, nervine, analgesic, antioxidant, exhilarant
If the first thing that comes to mind with St. Johnwort as “antidepressant”, you’re probably from the 90s or reading a book that mentions it from that time! It’s upsetting to me that I too pigeon-holed St. Johnswort as an antidepressant herb, but I’m delighted to share that this herb is also one of the most potent wound soothing herbs we have! Especially when made as a fresh flower oil infusion.
Oh! It’s also a supreme nervine and liver-loving herb as well.
