Eczema Treatments: How A New Herbal Formulation Can Put A Stop To The Maddening Itching Of Eczema

Eczema is a form of dermatitis that accounts for more than half of all skin disorders. The name comes from a Greek word meaning 'to boil over' - a feeling which will be all too familiar to anybody who has been driven to despair by the intense itching it causes.

As if that wasn't bad enough, the condition can also leave sufferers feeling extremely self-conscious when the itching is accompanied by scaly, thickened patches of skin forming. These are prone to becoming cracked and red and, in some cases, tiny blisters appear that can burst, weep and crust over.

That's why HSI Panel member, Martin Hum, is delighted to bring you this report. He's been investigating a remarkable new formula that is fast proving to be an effective treatment for eczema.

Derma Cal Plus is a topical cream made up of four natural healing herbs - gotu kola, calendula, lavender and chickweed - which each possess special anti-inflammatory, healing and soothing properties. Combined together in this unique formulation they can provide even greater relief from the distressing symptoms of eczema. This is good news, particularly as conventional medicine has very little to offer sufferers for alleviating the condition.

Steroid creams can permanently damage your skin... and worse
Most doctors prescribe steroid creams, such as Betnovate for eczema. However, prolonged use of these creams can cause permanent damage to the skin including thinning, stretch marks and reddening.1

Steroids also suppress the immune system and can cause other symptoms such as weight gain, muscle wasting, osteoporosis, peptic ulcers, high blood pressure and glaucoma. Antihistamines may also be prescribed to reduce inflammation, but many people find these drugs make them drowsy and unable to concentrate.

Derma Cal Plus provides a safe, natural and effective alternative. Gotu kola, calendula, lavender and chickweed have all proved themselves to be of value in the treatment of eczema, either in clinical studies or through many years of traditional use in herbal medicine.

Gotu kola promotes healing and reduces scarring
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica), also known as Indian pennywort, has had a central place in Ayurvedic (ancient Indian) medicine for thousands of years. It has been used to treat a variety of skin problems, such as eczema and psoriasis and even leprosy.

The main active constituents of gotu kola are plant chemicals called saponins, which include asiaticoside, madecassoside and madasiatic acid.2

They have been found to significantly accelerate the healing time of infected wounds.3

Animal studies carried out at the College of Pharmacy in Mysore, India, revealed that after just eight days of applying gotu kola, wound healing was significantly 'improved and scar tissue greatly minimised'.4

This has important benefits for eczema sufferers as a characteristic of the condition is an inability of the skin to heal - it remains broken, inflamed and sometimes 'weepy'. So it follows that anything that can promote effective wound healing will bring significant relief.

Common garden plants that help alleviate skin inflammation
Calendula (Calendula officinalis), the familiar garden marigold, is an excellent and long-established remedy for inflamed and angry skin. It contains high levels of bioflavonoids, which are thought to be largely responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties. Like gotu kola, it also contains saponins, which help the skin heal more effectively.5 6

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis) is another well-known garden plant with remarkable medicinal properties. Essential oil of lavender is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic, which promotes wound-healing and prevents scarring.7

For this reason it is commonly used by aromatherapists in the treatment of eczema.8

Lavender oil contains over forty different chemicals, including bioflavonoids.
Finally, chickweed (Stellaria media) is far more than just a common garden weed. It has a long-standing reputation for combating eczema by helping to soothe irritated skin.9

Like the other herbs used in Derma Cal Plus, chickweed contains saponins and bioflavonoids.

What to take for best results
Derma Cal Plus is usually effective in clearing eczema within thirty days. If the condition remains after one month's use, it is completely safe to continue using the cream until your skin is clear. Apply the cream to the affected area two to three times a day.

1. BMA New Guide to Drugs and Medicines, 2003
2. Herbs, Spices, and Medicinal Plants. Oryx Press, 1986, 145-73
3. Phytother Res 1987;1:117-21
4. Indian J Pharmacol 1996; 28: 249-253
5. Planta Med 1994; 60: 516-20
6. Phytomedicine 1996; 3: 11-18
7. The Fragrant Pharmacy. Bantam, 1994: 23
8. The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils. Element Books, 1999: 162
9. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley 1996: 270