21 Natural Remedies for Eczema

ByChickenCravings

The Ultimate Guide to 21 Natural Remedies for Eczema: Soothe Your Skin and Heal from Within

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is more than just a dry patch of skin. It is a chronic inflammatory condition that creates a relentless cycle of itching, scratching, and inflammation. While conventional medicine often turns to steroid creams and antihistamines, these often provide only temporary relief and can lead to thinning skin or systemic side effects over time.

Turning to nature provides a holistic path to healing. By addressing the skin barrier, reducing inflammation, and balancing the body’s internal environment, natural remedies can offer long-term relief. This comprehensive guide explores 21 evidence-based natural remedies for eczema, complete with recipes, application methods, and the science behind why they work.

1. Virgin Coconut Oil: The Ultimate Barrier Repair

Coconut oil is perhaps the most popular natural remedy for eczema, and for good reason. It is rich in lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid that possesses incredible antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. For eczema sufferers, the skin barrier is often compromised, making it susceptible to Staphylococcus aureus infections. Coconut oil helps kill these bacteria while sealing in moisture.

How to Use it: The “Damp-Skin” Method

Applying oil to bone-dry skin can sometimes be ineffective. The goal is to trap moisture.

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 1/2 cup Organic Virgin Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil.
  • Instructions:
    1. Take a lukewarm (not hot) shower or bath.
    2. Pat your skin partially dry, leaving it slightly damp.
    3. Scoop a small amount of coconut oil and warm it between your palms until it liquifies.
    4. Gently massage it into the affected areas.
    5. Allow it to soak in for 10 minutes before dressing in cotton clothing.

2. Colloidal Oatmeal: The Ancient Anti-Irritant

Colloidal oatmeal isn’t the stuff you eat for breakfast; it is oats ground into an extremely fine powder that remains suspended in water. It contains avenanthramides, unique antioxidants that reduce redness and itching by blocking pro-inflammatory cytokines.

The Ultimate Colloidal Oatmeal Bath

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 1 cup of whole organic oats (unflavored), a high-speed blender or coffee grinder.
  • Instructions:
    1. Grind the oats into a fine, flour-like powder. To test it, stir a spoonful into a glass of water; if it turns the water milky and doesn’t settle at the bottom, it’s ready.
    2. Fill your bathtub with lukewarm water.
    3. Slowly sprinkle the powder into the running water, stirring with your hand.
    4. Soak for 15–20 minutes.
    5. Rinse with cool water and pat dry. Follow immediately with a moisturizer.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): Restoring the Skin’s pH

Healthy skin has an acidic pH (around 5.0). Eczema-prone skin is often more alkaline, which weakens the protective barrier and allows bacteria to thrive. Apple cider vinegar helps restore the skin’s natural acidity.

The ACV Balancing Spray

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 1 part raw, unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (with “the Mother”), 2 parts distilled water.
  • Instructions:
    1. Mix the ACV and water in a clean spray bottle.
    2. Spray onto a cotton pad or directly onto the affected skin (avoid open wounds or cracked skin, as it will sting).
    3. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
    4. Apply a natural oil like coconut or jojoba oil afterward.

4. Raw Manuka Honey: The Natural Antibiotic

Not all honey is created equal. Manuka honey from New Zealand contains high levels of Methylglyoxal (MGO), giving it potent antibacterial and wound-healing properties. It draws moisture into the skin while preventing infection in scratched areas.

The Manuka Honey “Healing Wrap”

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Manuka Honey (UMF 15+ or higher), medical-grade gauze.
  • Instructions:
    1. Clean the affected area gently.
    2. Apply a thin layer of Manuka honey directly to the eczema patch.
    3. Cover the area with gauze to prevent a sticky mess.
    4. Leave the wrap on for 30–60 minutes.
    5. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.

5. Aloe Vera Gel: Cooling the Fire

Aloe vera is famous for treating burns, but its cooling, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties make it an excellent choice for “hot,” inflamed eczema. It contains polysaccharides that stimulate skin regeneration.

DIY Aloe & Vitamin E Soothing Gel

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 1/4 cup pure Aloe Vera gel (fresh from the leaf is best), 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil.
  • Instructions:
    1. If using a fresh leaf, scoop out the clear gel and blend until smooth.
    2. Whisk in the Vitamin E oil (which acts as a natural preservative and skin healer).
    3. Apply a thin layer to itchy areas as often as needed.
    4. Store the mixture in the refrigerator for an extra cooling effect.

6. Sunflower Seed Oil: Boosting Ceramide Production

Unlike olive oil, which can actually damage the skin barrier in some eczema patients, sunflower seed oil is rich in linoleic acid. This fatty acid is essential for the production of ceramides, the “glue” that keeps skin cells together.

The Post-Bath Massage Oil

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 1/2 cup organic sunflower seed oil.
  • Instructions:
    1. Apply twice daily to the entire body, especially after bathing.
    2. Focus on areas where the skin feels thin or “parchment-like.” It absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave a heavy residue.

7. Tea Tree Essential Oil: Fighting Secondary Infections

Eczema skin is prone to “staph” infections. Tea tree oil is a powerful antiseptic. However, it is very potent and must always be diluted to avoid further irritation.

The Antiseptic Eczema Salve

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Shea butter, 5 drops Tea Tree essential oil, 2 drops Lavender essential oil.
  • Instructions:
    1. Melt the Shea butter in a double boiler.
    2. Remove from heat and stir in the essential oils.
    3. Let it solidify in a small jar.
    4. Apply to areas that look particularly red or infected (but not on broken skin).

8. Witch Hazel: Drying Up Weeping Eczema

“Wet” or weeping eczema involves fluid-filled blisters that ooze. Witch hazel is an astringent that helps dry up these lesions and reduce inflammation.

The Witch Hazel Compress

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: Alcohol-free Witch Hazel, chilled distilled water.
  • Instructions:
    1. Mix equal parts witch hazel and chilled water.
    2. Soak a clean cloth in the mixture.
    3. Apply the cloth to the weeping area for 10 minutes.
    4. Repeat 2-3 times a day until the oozing stops.

9. Evening Primrose Oil: Internal and External GLA

Evening primrose oil (EPO) is exceptionally high in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid that many eczema sufferers lack. It helps reduce systemic inflammation when taken orally and repairs the barrier when applied topically.

How to Use it:

  • Orally: Take 500mg to 1000mg daily (consult your doctor first).
  • Topically: Prick a softgel capsule with a pin and squeeze the oil directly onto a stubborn eczema patch before bed.

10. Calendula (Pot Marigold): The Gentle Healer

Calendula is one of the gentlest herbs for skin repair. It improves blood flow to the skin and promotes collagen production, which is vital for healing the thickened, “leathery” skin (lichenification) caused by chronic scratching.

Homemade Calendula Infused Oil

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 1/2 cup dried Calendula petals, 1 cup Jojoba oil or Sweet Almond oil.
  • Instructions:
    1. Place the petals in a clean glass jar.
    2. Cover with the oil.
    3. Let it sit in a sunny windowsill for 2–4 weeks, shaking daily.
    4. Strain the oil through a cheesecloth.
    5. Massage this golden oil into dry, scaly patches.

11. Magnesium (Epsom Salts) Soak: Detox and Hydrate

Many people with eczema are deficient in magnesium. Magnesium flakes or Epsom salts can help improve skin hydration and reduce the inflammatory response that causes the itch.

The Magnesium Restorative Bath

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 1 cup Epsom salts (Magnesium Sulfate) or Magnesium Chloride flakes, 1/2 cup baking soda (to neutralize chlorine in tap water).
  • Instructions:
    1. Dissolve the salts and baking soda in a lukewarm bath.
    2. Soak for 15 minutes.
    3. If your skin feels “stinging,” reduce the amount of salt next time.
    4. Always moisturize immediately after.

12. Neem Oil: The Ancient Ayurvedic Remedy

Neem has been used for thousands of years in India to treat skin disorders. It contains Nimbidin and Nimbin, compounds that have antihistamine properties, effectively “switching off” the itch signal.

The Neem & Almond Blend

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 1 tablespoon Neem oil (it has a strong, nutty/garlic scent), 3 tablespoons Sweet Almond oil.
  • Instructions:
    1. Mix the oils together to dilute the potent Neem.
    2. Apply to the affected area.
    3. Wait 20 minutes, then wipe off excess with a soft cloth. Use this at night due to the strong odor.

13. Shea Butter: The Deep Moisturizer

Raw, unrefined Shea butter is packed with vitamins A, E, and F. It is a “heavy” emollient, meaning it creates a thick protective seal over the skin, preventing “Transepidermal Water Loss” (TEWL).

Whipped Eczema Body Butter

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 1/2 cup Raw Shea Butter, 1/4 cup Coconut Oil, 1 tablespoon Rosehip Oil.
  • Instructions:
    1. Melt Shea butter and coconut oil together.
    2. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes until it starts to firm up around the edges.
    3. Add Rosehip oil.
    4. Use a hand mixer to whip the mixture until it looks like whipped cream.
    5. Apply to dry patches twice daily.

14. Turmeric: The Internal Anti-Inflammatory

Eczema is an external manifestation of internal inflammation. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, is a systemic anti-inflammatory powerhouse.

The “Golden Milk” Eczema Tonic

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 1 cup Almond or Coconut milk, 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder, a pinch of black pepper (essential for absorption), 1 teaspoon honey.
  • Instructions:
    1. Heat the milk in a small saucepan.
    2. Whisk in the turmeric, pepper, and honey.
    3. Drink once daily to lower systemic inflammation. Note: You can also make a paste of turmeric and water for topical use, but be warned—it will stain your skin yellow for 24–48 hours!

15. Chamomile Tea: The Skin Soother

Chamomile isn’t just for sleep; it contains bisabolol and chamazulene, which act similarly to mild hydrocortisone by reducing swelling and itching without the side effects of steroids.

The Chamomile Cold Compress

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 3 organic Chamomile tea bags, 1 cup boiling water.
  • Instructions:
    1. Steep the tea bags for 10 minutes to create a very strong concentrate.
    2. Place the tea in the refrigerator until ice-cold.
    3. Soak a clean washcloth in the tea and wring out the excess.
    4. Lay the cloth over the itchy area for 15 minutes.

16. Dead Sea Salt: Mineral-Rich Therapy

The Dead Sea is famous for its healing properties for psoriasis and eczema. Its salt is rich in bromide, magnesium, and potassium, which help to strengthen the skin’s barrier and calm the nervous system.

The Mineral Spa Soak

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 1/2 cup Dead Sea Salt, 1 teaspoon Glycerin (optional, for extra moisture).
  • Instructions:
    1. Add salt to a lukewarm bath.
    2. Soak for 15 minutes.
    3. If you have open scratches, start with a lower concentration (1/4 cup) to avoid stinging.

17. Probiotics: Healing the Gut-Skin Axis

Modern science has confirmed a strong link between gut health and skin health. An imbalance in gut bacteria (dysbiosis) can trigger the immune system to overreact, leading to eczema flares.

The Probiotic Protocol:

  • The Remedy: Focus on strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium.
  • Dietary Sources: Incorporate fermented foods like Kefir, Sauerkraut, Kimchi, and Miso into your daily diet.
  • Topical Probiotics: You can even mix a capsule of high-quality probiotics with a little yogurt and apply it as a face mask for 10 minutes to rebalance the skin’s microbiome.

18. Licorice Root: The Natural Cortisone

Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which has been shown in studies to reduce itching, redness, and swelling. It is often referred to as “nature’s steroid.”

Licorice Root Infusion Spray

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 1 tablespoon dried Licorice root, 1 cup distilled water.
  • Instructions:
    1. Boil the root in water for 15 minutes.
    2. Strain and let the liquid cool completely.
    3. Apply to the skin with a spray bottle or cotton ball.
    4. Store in the fridge for up to one week.

19. Hemp Seed Oil: The Perfect Omega Balance

Hemp seed oil has a 3:1 ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids, which is considered the ideal ratio for human health. It penetrates deep into the skin’s layers to provide long-lasting hydration.

Daily Hemp Moisturizer

The Remedy: Use 100% pure, cold-pressed hemp seed oil. Apply it immediately after a shower. It is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores, making it perfect for eczema on the face or neck.

20. Propolis: The Bee’s Protection

Propolis is a resinous mixture that honeybees produce to seal their hives. It is highly anti-inflammatory and helps the skin regenerate. It is particularly good for “cracked” eczema on fingers and heels.

The Propolis Ointment

The Recipe:

  • Ingredients: 1 tablespoon beeswax, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 10 drops of liquid Propolis extract.
  • Instructions:
    1. Melt beeswax and olive oil in a double boiler.
    2. Stir in the propolis extract.
    3. Pour into a tin and let it set.
    4. Apply to cracks in the skin to seal them and promote rapid healing.

21. Diet and Hydration: The Foundation of Healing

No topical remedy can fully cure eczema if the body is fueled by inflammatory foods. A “clean” diet is the final, and perhaps most important, remedy.

The Anti-Inflammatory Eczema Diet:

  • Hydration: Drink at least 2–3 liters of filtered water daily to keep skin cells plump.
  • Omega-3s: Eat fatty fish (salmon, sardines), walnuts, and chia seeds to lubricate the skin from the inside out.
  • Avoid Triggers: Many eczema sufferers find relief by eliminating dairy, gluten, eggs, and processed sugar for 30 days to identify hidden allergies.
  • Vitamin D: Ensure you get moderate sun exposure or take a Vitamin D3 supplement, as low levels are strongly linked to eczema severity.

Understanding Your Triggers: The Essential Checklist

While these 21 remedies are powerful, their effectiveness can be undermined by environmental triggers. To give these natural treatments the best chance of success, evaluate the following:

1. The Laundry Factor

Conventional detergents are loaded with synthetic fragrances and surfactants like SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). These can stay in the fibers of your clothes and irritate your skin all day.

  • The Switch: Use “free and clear” detergents or soap nuts. Double-rinse your clothes to ensure no residue remains.

2. Fabric Choice

Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon trap heat and sweat, which are major eczema triggers. Wool, while natural, can be too “prickly” for sensitive skin.

  • The Switch: Stick to 100% organic cotton, silk, or bamboo fabrics, which allow the skin to breathe.

3. Stress Management

The skin and the nervous system are closely linked. Stress triggers the release of cortisol, which can lead to a massive eczema flare-up.

  • The Remedy: Practice 10 minutes of deep breathing or meditation daily to lower your body’s stress response.

4. Shower Temperature

Hot water strips the skin of its natural oils, leading to immediate dryness and itching.

  • The Remedy: Keep showers under 10 minutes and use lukewarm water.

When to See a Doctor

Natural remedies are highly effective for managing and preventing eczema flares. However, you should seek medical attention if:

  • The skin shows signs of a severe infection (pus, yellow crusting, or red streaks).
  • The eczema is so painful it interferes with sleep or daily activities.
  • A fever develops alongside the skin rash.
  • The eczema is spreading rapidly and not responding to any home treatments.

The Journey to Healing

Healing eczema naturally is not an overnight process. It requires patience, consistency, and a “trial and error” approach to see which of these 21 remedies works best for your unique skin type. By combining topical treatments like Coconut Oil and Colloidal Oatmeal with internal support like Probiotics and Turmeric, you can break the itch-scratch cycle and reclaim the health of your skin.

Remember, your skin is a reflection of your internal health. Be gentle with yourself, keep your skin hydrated, and trust in the power of nature to restore balance.

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