Eczema: Understanding, Relieving, and Treating Naturally

It itches, it reddens, it always comes back at the wrong time. Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions in France—affecting approximately three million people—yet it often remains misunderstood and poorly treated. The result: many people find themselves in an endless cycle of creams, relapses, and frustration.

At MerveilleNature, we believe that suffering skin sends a message. And to truly listen to it, one must look beyond the surface.

What exactly is eczema?

Eczema—also called dermatitis—is a chronic inflammation of the skin. It manifests as redness, sometimes intense itching, and, in some cases, patches that weep or that dry and crack.

It affects both adults and children—and its incidence has tripled in the last thirty years, which speaks volumes about the influence of our lifestyle on skin health.

The different forms of eczema

Atopic eczema is the most common. It occurs in individuals with an "atopic" predisposition—meaning hypersensitive, prone to all kinds of allergies: rhinitis, conjunctivitis, allergic asthma. This genetic predisposition is often amplified by environmental and dietary factors.

Contact eczema is triggered by a specific substance in contact with the skin—chemical, metal, cosmetic, or plant.

Eczema of internal origin—less known but very common—is linked to an accumulation of toxins in the blood, which seek to eliminate themselves through the skin, irritating it. Herbalists then speak of "dirty blood"—a figurative way to describe an organism overloaded with metabolic waste that the liver and kidneys can no longer filter alone.

Why conventional treatments are not always enough

Allopathic medicine generally treats eczema with corticosteroid creams. Their effect is often rapid and spectacular—itching subsides, patches regress. But this treatment has significant long-term limitations.

Firstly, corticosteroids treat symptoms—not the cause. The underlying problem continues to evolve silently. Secondly, over time, the skin can become dependent on these creams: stopping them can cause even more intense flare-ups—this is called the rebound effect. Not to mention that in the long term, corticosteroids weaken the skin and alter collagen structure.

This is why the natural approach offers a different—and complementary—perspective.

The natural approach—acting from the inside and outside

The central idea of herbal medicine for eczema is simple but powerful: what appears on the outside comes from the inside.

The skin is our largest excretory organ. It assists other organs—liver, kidneys, intestines—when they are overwhelmed. This is why skin that "overflows" with patches and irritations is often a sign of an organism that needs support in its elimination functions.

The natural approach therefore relies on two complementary axes:

1. Internal action—Drain and purify

Support the liver—the main blood filtration organ. Plants like dandelion and burdock are traditionally used to support its liver functions and promote toxin elimination.

Purify the blood—with plants like wild pansy, birch, and nettle, which facilitate the elimination of waste substances through urine and perspiration.

Soothe inflammation—chamomile, lemon balm, and hawthorn help calm inflammatory reactions and support nervous balance—because stress is one of the main triggers for flare-ups.

2. External action—Soothe and protect

Gentle and natural local applications can relieve symptoms while respecting the skin:

Chamomile compresses—apply compresses soaked in Roman chamomile hydrosol or a concentrated infusion of chamomile flowers to irritated areas for 10 minutes morning and evening. Calming, anti-inflammatory, gentle.

Clay poultices—for dry eczema, use white clay. For weeping eczema, green clay is more suitable. Mix with a little water or hydrosol until a smooth paste is obtained, apply for 20 to 30 minutes, rinse gently.

Nourishing vegetable oils—borage or St. John's wort oil for very dry skin, calendula macerate for irritated skin. A few drops after compresses or poultices.

Aloe vera gel—soothing and healing, this miracle plant can be applied as soon as itching appears to quickly calm inflammation.

The purifying herbal tea recipe for eczema

Drink morning and evening—as a 3-week course per month

Composition of the mixture:

• 20g wild pansy (detoxifying, supports skin)

• 20g burdock (purifying, anti-inflammatory)

• 20g stinging nettle (remineralizing, immune support)

• 20g Roman chamomile (soothing, anti-allergic)

• 20g hawthorn (calming, anti-stress)

Preparation:

1. First prepare a burdock decoction: boil 1 teaspoon of burdock root in 50 cl of water for 10 to 15 minutes

2. Off the heat, add 1 tablespoon of the remaining plant mixture

3. Let infuse for 10 minutes covered

4. Filter and drink 1 cup (25 cl) morning and evening

⚠️ Important: It is common to observe a temporary worsening of symptoms around the 4th or 5th day of the treatment. This is a sign that the body is reacting and eliminating—don't panic! This transitional phase is natural and gradually subsides. Its duration varies from a few days to a few weeks depending on the person.

The soothing flax bath—for intense flare-ups

Flaxseeds have a remarkable soothing effect on irritated skin.

Recipe:

• Boil 50g of flaxseeds in 1 liter of water for 2 minutes

• Filter and add this preparation to your bath water

• Stay in the bath for 15 to 20 minutes

Diet—the often-neglected lever

The naturopathic approach emphasizes the importance of diet in managing eczema. Certain foods promote inflammation and intestinal permeability—which plays a key role in allergic skin reactions.

To limit:

• Dairy products—especially animal-derived

• Gluten—which increases intestinal permeability

• Animal fats

• Sugar—which promotes intestinal dysbiosis

• Alcohol and tobacco—which amplify oxidative stress

To favor:

• Good oils—evening primrose and borage oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid

• Probiotics and prebiotics—to support intestinal flora balance

• Turmeric—whose curcumin has shown interesting results in alleviating inflammatory skin symptoms

• Liquid aloe vera—as a regular treatment to cleanse the intestine

Some practical daily tips

• Use an extra-mild soap or Aleppo soap to avoid irritating the skin

• Wear cotton clothes—avoid synthetic materials

• Manage your stress—it is one of the main triggers for flare-ups. A hawthorn and chamomile infusion in the evening can help

• Humidify your home in winter—dry air aggravates atopic skin

Our MerveilleNature Skin Herbal Tea

Looking for a ready-made solution? Our Skin & Eczema Herbal Tea was formulated precisely with this in mind—to act from within to support clearer, soothed, and balanced skin.

It combines wild pansy, burdock, dandelion, nettle, chamomile, linden, marshmallow, blackcurrant, lemon balm, and meadowsweet—a complete synergy to naturally support your skin.

👉 Discover our Skin & Eczema Herbal Tea →

Important precautions

This information is provided for educational purposes and based on recognized traditional uses in herbalism. It does not replace medical advice. If you are undergoing medical treatment, always consult your doctor before incorporating natural remedies—some interactions are possible. In case of doubt or severe symptoms, consult a health professional.

Sources:

• Caroline Gayet & Michel Pierre, Les Secrets de mon Herboristerie, InterEditions
• Plantes & Santé, N°158 — June 2015
• Dr G. Pamplona-Roger, Guide des plantes médicinales, Encyclopédie Vie et Santé
• Sophie Lacoste, Et si vous appreniez à vous soigner vous-même?, Éditions Mosaïque-Santé