Eczema refers to a medical condition characterized by inflammation and irritation of skin. Atopic eczema and atopic dermatitis are the common forms of eczema. While eczema is often hereditary, various factors can also trigger it, such as allergies, environmental irritants, sweating, and emotional stress. Eczema outbreaks can be chronic or acute.
Eczema is termed as Vicharchika in Ayurveda. It is said that the imbalance of all the three doshas namely vata, pitta and kapha cause eczema. According to Ayurveda, turmeric helps treat Vicharchika or eczema effectively.
HOW DOES TURMERIC HELP?
A yellow pigment known as Curcumin present in Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and is an excellent remedy to inhibit the release and production of leukotrienes and other mediators that are inflammatory and helps in removing the toxins from the body that cause eczema and other skin disorders.
Here are some ways to use turmeric for treating eczema:
TURMERIC+COCONUT OIL
You need 1 teaspoon turmeric and 1 ½ teaspoon liquid coconut oil. Combine the ingredients and make a smooth paste. Apply coconut oil-turmeric paste directly on the affected skin several times a day to get instant relief from itching or mild pain. Continue for as many days as needed until the symptoms are gone completely.
TURMERIC WATER
You can add one-half teaspoon of turmeric to one cup of boiling water and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Allow it to cool. You can drink it or use it to wash the affected area.
TURMERIC+MILK
Mix one-half teaspoon of turmeric with enough milk to make a paste. Apply this paste on the affected skin twice daily until the redness and itchiness is gone.
TURMERIC+ALOE VERA
Extract the gel from a fresh aloe leaf. You can also add a few drops of vitamin E oil in the aloe gel. Combine the aloe and vitamin E mixture with 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder. Apply the paste directly on the affected skin. Allow it to dry on its own, and then rinse it off with warm water. Use this simple treatment twice daily for several weeks.
TURMERIC+NEEM
Make a paste using 1 Tbs of grounded neem leaves paste and 1Tbs of turmeric powder. Apply this paste at the affected portion. The antibacterial action of both turmeric and neem leaves relieves rashes.
TURMERIC PASTE
To use turmeric in the treatment of eczema, add some turmeric powder to water until it forms a thick paste. Apply this paste to your skin and leave it on for a few hours. This helps in decreasing inflammation and irritation associated with eczema.
TURMERIC NUTMEG CREAM
Grate one nutmeg and use one teaspoon of this powder in preparing nutmeg cream. Add this powder to 10 ml olive oil till it forms a thick paste. Now add 1 ½ teaspoon turmeric powder to it. Apply this paste to your skin and leave it there for 10-12 minutes. You can wash this cream off with warm or cold water. The leftover cream can be stored for 3-4 days.