In most cases of eczema there is underlying lack of digestive enzymes, and/or hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
An adequate supply of raw foods in the diet is essential as it is only raw foods that naturally supply food enzymes. Without these a great strain is put on the body's digestive ability. Try and aim for 30-40% raw foods in the diet and be sure to sprout all seeds before consuming them. Supplementing with digestive enzymes at each meal is also essential and can result in dramatic improvement on this condition. I usually recommend enzyme products which are entirely plant derived, contain an effective doseage of digestive enzymes and are extremely well tolerated. See page on 'Enzymes - facts'.
The production of digestive enzymes and acids is dependent to an extent on an adequate supply of B vitamins and minerals in the diet, often deficient. Spirulina helps greatly, around 6000mg each morning. This may be repeated at lunchtime but do not take spirulina (or any B vitamin supplement) at night as it will keep you awake! An alternative would be 1tbsp of Colloidal minerals daily plus a B Complex tablet. The extra zinc supplied by the colloidal minerals will greatly aid in healing the skin.
Totally eliminate all added sugars as these will only worsen inflammation, lower the immune system, aggravate unwanted yeast production and cause swings in moods and emotions, all of which can aggravate skin conditions.
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Greatly reduce dairy products and eliminate cheese totally, as these products are high in dairy protein and can be very difficult for the stomach to digest. Products such as 'milo', ice-cream, and sweetened yoghurts and 'dairy' foods contain dairy proteins as well as sugars. Have a fish meal (preferably oily fish such as salmon, sardines, herrings, cod etc.) at least three times weekly and supplement with Evening Primrose oil daily - 3000mg at least twice daily, but increasing to three times daily if inflammation is severe. Fish oils supply Omega 3 and seed oils provide Omega 6 essential fatty acids, both are required to keep the skin healthy, prevent dryness and inflammation and maintain the circulatory and nervous systems. Fish oils also contain Vitamin A which is excellent in helping the skin to heal. If you don't like eating oily fish try taking 500 - 1000mg capsule of Cod liver oil daily or alternatively one Halibut oil capsule. Herbal remedies containing 'blood cleansers' are also very useful. Normally these contain herbs such as Red clover, Clivers, Burdock, Yellow dock, Dandelion and Kumerahou. These herbs are generally bitter to taste and therefore stimulate the digestive secretions and also maintain good mineral levels. They are usually taken diluted in three to five mls of water twice daily or can be bought as tablets, often with vitamin A added. A mix of Gentian and Ginger taken 2-3 drops onto the tongue ten minutes prior to meals is a very good way of further stimulating the digestive juices. Antioxidant preparations can also help and need to be taken according to body weight. Some types of 'eczema' would more accurately be termed 'allergic dermatitis' as they are the result of the body reacting to chemicals found in certain foods. These can be naturally occurring chemicals. 'Eczema' caused by sensitivity to citrus would be one example. The appearance of the skin is a little different to that of an eczema caused by intolerance to dairy products. Usually lighter, affects more of the body and is 'spread out' rather than circular patches.
In these cases care must be taken to avoid the food that the person is sensitive to, although in many cases the above treatments will also help tremendously.
Also I haver seen wonderful improvement where the correct probiotics are used. as improving/correcting the micro-biology of the gut can help prevent the body reacting to various natural chemicals. See page on Probiotics. In some cases Homeopathics may help alleviate the problem.
All information on this page has been compiled by Alison Odey from personal research and from results seen and experienced over 20 years in private practice. It is not intended to diagnose or to be construed as medical advice, but to inform the reader of alternative options that may be available to them. Any remedy mentioned in the text can be obtained by contacting the writer:
Contacts: Phone -64 7 5721147 Website www.alisonodey.com
(Permission to copy this page in any form must be obtained from the said person Click here to return to Index
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