flr wild in Kashmir, India. The oil also exhibits anti-inflammatory effects and can Vitamins for brain health redness and inflammation on Hydration for sports involving sustained exertion skin. Phytother Meducine — Condirions Scholar Download references. Copyright information © The Editor s if applicable and The Author sunder exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Erzincan Univ J Sci Technol 10 1 — Google Scholar Anwer N, Waqar M, Iqbal M et al Phytochemical analysis, free radical scavenging capacity and antimicrobial properties of Impatiens bicolor plant.

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5 Best Natural Remedies For Skin Allergies

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perforatum and C. majus which were reported in ethnobotanical studies in all four countries Figure 8. FIGURE 8. Cited species in most ailment groups. Comparison between contemporary data and Dioscorides. Each entry contained suggested modern botanical names for the plants described by Dioscorides.

The suggested plant names reported in each entry were validated by the databases and were eventually consolidated into different entries, since several entries corresponded to the same plant species. The method of cataloguing each entry was performed in the same way as in the analysis of the field studies described above.

The suggested species with the highest number of reported uses among all the aliment categories Figure 9 were V. vinifera L. europaea L. dioica Jacq. Tutin 12 groups , Gagea lutea L. Ker Gawl. communis L. major L. minor L. sativum L. carica L. Webb 10 groups , Triticum aesetivum L. ex Fleming, Balanites aegyptiaca L.

Delile 9 groups , while the preparation methods were similar to the ones used today. FIGURE 9. Suggested species with the highest number of reported uses according to Dioscorides.

The lack of data concerning Leprosy G38 in the modern ethnobotanical studies can be attributed to the fact that leprosy greatly diminished in the study area around Kyriakis et al.

A total 1, reports were recorded. In Figure 10 , the most cited ailment categories treated according to Dioscorides are shown. These are wounds etc.

G33, reports G15, reports, G4, 72 reports, 6. G8, 66 reports, 6. G19, 65 reports, 6. G36, 58 reports, 5. Three groups, such as cellulites G11 , keratolysis G23 and general skin ailments undefined G32 , are not mentioned in De Materia Medica.

FIGURE Most cited ailment categories according to Dioscorides. Leprosy G38 is only reported in Dioscorides. These are J.

regia L. G2, G4, G5, G9, G16, and G33 , L. nobilis L. G5 and G16 , U. dioica L. G4, G9, G16, and G33 , M. sylvestris L. G4, G5, G6, G16, G33, and G34 , P. G3, G4, G5, G9, G16, G20, G23, and G33 , H. perforatum L. G33 , A. G2, G10, G16, G29, and G33 , M.

chamomilla L. ebulus L. G5, G16, and G33 , P. nigra J. Arnold G2, G4, G9, G16, and G33 , O. G4, G5, G6, G9, G20, G33, and G36 , V. G4, G5, G6, G9, G10, G14, G16, G25, G29, and G33 , C.

majus L. G23 , A. millefolium L. G3, G9, and G33 , A. cepa L. G2, G9, and G16 , M. G1, G2, G9, G28, and G33 , S. nigra L. G5 and G33 , and F. G4, G9, G16, G20, and G Two plant species are not mentioned in the ancient manuscript P. lanceolata L. and J.

oxycedrus L. intybus L. is mentioned but not for the same skin ailments, while one species R. canina L. is mentioned, but not for skin related diseases Table 2.

TABLE 2. The results obtained during the extensive bibliographical analysis of the ethnobotanical field studies are presented in Table 3 in alphabetical order. Only taxa used in traditional medicine in Greece are shown, along with their corresponding families.

The number of their total uses against skin ailment categories in the study area was calculated. TABLE 3. Taxa reported in Greek ethnobotanical field studies, cross-referenced with the other countries and De Materia Medica.

The percentage of common taxa reported between the ethnobotanical studies conducted in Greece and Albania is The percentage of common taxa reported between the ethnobotanical studies conducted in Greece and those conducted in Albania and Cyprus is low, even though they are countries with high historical and cultural connections, as aforementioned.

This can be justified considering that since not many ethnobotanical studies have been carried out in Albania 7 studies and Cyprus 5 studies , many plants have not yet been recorded, even though they may be used for the treatment of skin diseases nowadays.

This conclusion can be strengthened by the fact that only 29 and 40 different families including 60 and 82 different taxa respectively have been reported in these two countries up to now. On the other hand, even though the number of ethnobotanical studies conducted in Turkey studies with different taxa is vastly higher than those conducted in Greece 13 studies with different taxa , the percentage of common taxa reported is high.

This could be due to geomorphological factors, floristic similarities, as well as historical and cultural reasons. Turkey is part of the continent of Asia and Europe, while Greece represents the tip of a peninsula appertaining to the continent of Europe.

Greece, in spite of its small territory, has the richest flora in Europe, in terms of plant biodiversity per area unit and one of the richest worldwide. The wide geological history, the presence of different rock substrates limestones, schists, and granite serpentine and the complicated topography represent some of the factors that contribute to the floristic variety and diversity Strid, The Greek flora consists of at least 6.

Turkey, on the other hand, extends through a vast geographical area including coastal landmarks Mediterranean and Black sea , dessert plains, lakes and highlands with mountain steppes Kuzucuoğlu et al. The migratory pressure from east to west is much greater than that from west to east Strid, Moreover, inhabitants of the European part, as well as those of the Mediterranean coastline of Turkey have been in constant contact with people from the Balkans through trade and in relation to many historical facts.

As such, there has been a reciprocal influence throughout the ages concerning traditional medicine and other cultural and social traditions. Inhabitants of East- and Southeastern Anatolia on the other hand were mostly influenced, both commercially and culturally, by Asian populations due to the constant flow of trade along the Silk Roads MA, Since ethnobotanical studies included Turkish populations deriving from the whole Turkish domain, both European and Asian, it is somewhat expected that traditional medicine of Turkey is comprised by a blend of all these elements and cultures.

Despite the different territorial size between Turkey and Greece, the floristic, historical, and cultural correlation lead to an important common number of species present in the ethnobotanical studies conducted in both countries.

Out of different taxa reported in Greek ethnobotanical filed studies, taxa were common, whereas were not mentioned in De Materia Medica , yet 36 are only mentioned as genera.

Moreover, 5 species occurring in the Greek studies are mentioned in the ancient manuscript but are not reported for skin related ailments.

Furthermore, Greek traditional medicine, as well as other social and cultural aspects have been influenced by many different peoples, not only through commercial trade, but also due to occupation. From Byzantium to Francs and the Ottoman Empire, there has been a blending of all these different traditions and cultures through centuries.

Additionally, Dioscorides refers to treatments against many skin ailments also present today, creating a strong bond between the past and the present.

However, the data of this comparison will change over time, since few ethnobotanical studies have been carried out in the four countries on the topic up to now. The limited number of surveys should raise concern because many Greek populations, especially in remote areas, still possess this vital knowledge.

Although their experience has not been recorded, it is transmitted through generations orally. In the present review, an extensive literature search was performed concerning published ethnobotanical field studies conducted in Albania, Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey up until May , collecting data from published articles concerning skin related ailments.

This documentation can significantly contribute to the preservation of the ethnobotanical knowledge of the study area, since it is the first time that such a data collection was catalogued and statistically elaborated. Our findings suggest that traditional medicine plays an important role in the culture of Albanians, Cypriots, Greeks, and Turks and that the four populations, related historically and culturally, are demonstrated to have a common background on the use of medicinal plants against various skin diseases.

The analysis showed that there is a substantial necessity to carry out more ethnobotanical field studies in this area but also in other countries of the Balkan Peninsula and the Mediterranean Sea to reveal more medical practices and treatment remedies not yet encountered.

As a result, this can give rise to delving into other important herbal manuscripts enabling them as sources of evidence deriving from the past, and to evaluate the traditional medical practices described, not only against skin disorders, but also for the treatment of other ailments.

AC, ZS, and NA contributed to the study conception and design. ET, VA, ED, and AV collected the information from the ethnobotanical studies and ancient manuscript. Data preparation and analyses were performed by ET and VA.

The first draft of the manuscript was written by ET, VA, and AC and all authors commented on different versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. NA collected the publication fee.

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers.

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Was this helpful? Cold compress. How to use it Fill an ice bag or plastic bag with ice or dampen a cloth with cold water. Place a cloth over your skin never place ice directly on your skin. Hold on your skin until itching or pain subsides. Repeat as needed.

Oatmeal bath. How to use it Fill your bathtub with warm water. Mix one cup or one packet of colloidal oatmeal into the water. Immerse yourself in the water and soak for 30 minutes.

Rinse off with a lukewarm shower. Aloe vera fresh. How to use it The clear gel that comes from the aloe leaves can be used to soothe itchy and irritated skin.

If you have an aloe plant, you can cut open a leaf, scrape out the gel, and apply it directly to the affected skin. Drug stores carry commercial aloe preparations, which may be easier to use.

But fresh aloe is recommended because aloe can degrade and lose some effectiveness over time. Use aloe twice a day or more if your doctor advises it. Coconut oil. How to use it Coconut oil is safe to use as a moisturizer on skin and scalp.

It can be applied all over the body or just on the itchy areas. Virgin unprocessed coconut oil is best because it keeps its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Tea tree oil. How to use it Tea tree oil should always be diluted when used directly on the skin. Used alone, it can be drying. You can dilute it by mixing a few drops with other oils, such as coconut oil or olive oil.

Or mix it with your moisturizer. Use it on the affected area after you bathe or shower. It can also be used for itchy scalp or itchy eyelids , but use with caution anywhere near the eyes.

You can also find commercial products that contain tea tree oil, such as shampoos and foot creams. Tea tree oil is toxic if you ingest it. Some people may be allergic to it.

Baking soda. How to use it Put 1 to 2 cups of baking soda in a tub of lukewarm water and soak. Rinse off, pat dry, and use your moisturizer. You can also make a paste with a little water and baking soda and apply to the affected area.

Indigo naturalis. How to use it Indigo naturalis is used as an ointment applied twice a day to the affected area. It stains skin and clothing blue, which makes it difficult to use.

The dye comes off with washing but can be unsightly. Crude indigo naturalis can be refined to remove the dye and retain effectiveness, according to a controlled trial , reported in Commercial preparations of indigo naturalis are available.

Apple cider vinegar. How to use it You can use apple cider vinegar to relieve an itchy scalp by applying it full strength or diluted a few times a week. Some people find relief in an apple cider vinegar bath.

Epsom salts or Dead Sea salts. How to use it Add 2 cups of Epsom salts or Dead Sea salts to a warm tub. For children, consult with your doctor on the amount. Soak for 15 minutes. Rinse off after soaking, pat dry, and use a moisturizer.

Plant oils. How to use it Plant-based oils are commercially available alone or in preparations that can be used as skin lubricants as needed for moisturizing.

How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Feb 24, Written By Marjorie Hecht. Mar 8, Written By Marjorie Hecht. Share this article. Read this next. Skin Allergy Home Remedies. Is Aloe Vera an Effective Treatment for Rashes? Medically reviewed by Owen Kramer, MD.

Graf, MD Department of Dermatology, New York University Medical Center, New York, USA. Herbs have been used in clinical medicine for thousands of years. However, it is only in recent times that we have been able to employ scientific methods to prove the efficacy of many of these herbs and to give us a better understanding of their mechanisms of action.

This article will focus on the use of herbs in various dermatological conditions characterized by inflammation and pruritus. Topical preparations of many of these herbs are more commonplace in Europe. However, their availability is increasing in the US. As this is occurring we are witnessing a growing marriage between alternative and traditional medicines.

Key Words: herbs, anti-inflammatory, astringent, antipruritic. The process of inflammation involves the release of vasoactive mediators and chemotactic factors such as histamine, leukotrienes, proinflammatory prostaglandins and lymphokines.

These substances are responsible for the capillary dilation and increase in permeability, resulting in swollen, inflamed tissues. Many herbs have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity. Turmeric Curcuma longa , the major ingredient of curry powder and prepared mustard, has a long history in both Chinese and Ayurvedic Indian medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent.

The volatile oil fraction of turmeric has demonstrated potent antiinflammatory activity in a variety of experimental animal models, while curcumin, the yellow pigment of turmeric is even more potent in acute inflammation 1. When used orally, curcumin inhibits leukotriene formation, inhibits platelet aggregation and stabilizes neutrophilic lysosomal membranes, thus inhibiting inflammation at the cellular level 2.

Curcumin is reported to possess greater anti-inflammatory activity than ibuprofen 3. At low levels, curcumin is a prostaglandin inhibitor, while at higher levels it stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete cortisone 4. Formulation difficulties due to the yellow color of curcumin has made topical use slow in coming.

However, recent developments in technology may change that. The standard oral dose of curcumin is mg, three times a day. Licorice root Glycyrrhiza glabra has been used for centuries to treat inflammatory and viral diseases. It is converted to glycyrrehetic acid GA in the body. This herb has been used extensively in Europe as an anti-inflammatory agent, and in Japan as an antiviral agent with success in treating chronic hepatitis.

It has been shown to inhibit the activity of proinflammatory prostaglandins and leuktrienes, and appears to have a cortisone-like effect making it useful as an anti-inflammatory 5,6.

Another study reported that the use of topical ointments containing active isomers of GA exerted anti-inflammatory activity in a number of subacute and chronic dermatoses 8. When compared, topical corticosteroids were superior in the treatment of acute atopic dermatitis.

However, GA was superior when treating chronic conditions such as contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and other conditions characterized by inflammation and pruritus 8.

Although topical preparations are not available in the US, compresses can be prepared by adding 3 gm 1 tsp of the extract in ml of water. Orally, the dosage depends on the form in which it is taken.

In powdered root form, the dose is gm daily. Generally speaking, although herbs have far fewer side effects, they do exist and caution must be exercised in patients with hypertension when using oral licorice root. Elevations in blood pressure have been reported.

Much smaller doses, or none at all, should be used for patients with cardiac or renal histories. Bromelain, a mixture of proteolytic enzymes from the stem of the pineapple plant, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in a wide variety of conditions. It appears to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins, induce production of antiinflammatory Series 1 prostaglandins, and reduce capillary permeability 9.

Bromelain is quite useful postoperatively as an agent to speed healing and reduce postsurgical pain and swelling. Willow bark Salix alba contains salicin, known for its antipyretic and pain relieving activity since ancient times. Available in many forms, willow bark extract can be found in many topical and oral products primarily in health food stores.

Witch hazel Hamamelis virginiana has been used for centuries by Native North American tribes to soothe inflamed skin. Much of the anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel extracts can be explained by the presence of astringent tannins, which enhance the soothing effects However, it is important to note that commercially available witch hazel extract does not contain tannins because they are lost in the distillation process.

Nonetheless, it is still believed to be soothing when applied to inflamed skin. Chamomile refers to two distinct plants. Matricaria recutita is known as German or Hungarian chamomile, and Chamaemelum nobile is known as Roman or English chamomile.

Although the plants are not identical, they are used for the same types of conditions. The active constituents of chamomile include the terpenoids bisabolol, matricin, chamazulene and flavenoids apigenin, luteolin Studies have documented the antiinflammatory and soothing effects of creams containing chamomile in patients with various inflammatory dermatoses It is often used in a variety of cosmetic products and as soothing compresses.

Yarrow Achillea millefolium , contains anti-inflammatory ingredients including chamazulene. Known for its antiinflammatory and anti-pruritic activity, it is used externally in the form of compresses and bath additives.

Oak bark Quercus alba contains a mixture of tannins including catechins, oligomeric proanthrocyanidins and ellagitannins. Due to their astringent, vasoconstrictive and cooling properties they make excellent soothing compresses.

The use of aloe as a medicinal can be traced back to BC, and there are over aloe species identified. It is widely used for the treatment of burns and wounds.

The active component is a polysaccharide that forms a protective and soothing coating when applied to the skin. The ability of aloe to accelerate wound healing was demonstrated in a study with patients who had fullface dermabrasion Aloe vera was also found to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis 21 and it has been used as a biologically active vehicle for certain ingredients.

Calendula Calendula officinalis , derived from the marigold plant, is quite widely used in topical skin and hair preparations as a soothing ingredient. Its anti-inflammatory effects are a result of triterpene flavonoids and saponins It has been used topically as an antiseptic agent and applied to poorly healing wounds.

Many mevicine have been using Iron deficiency causes medicine and essential oils for thousands Hydration for sports involving sustained exertion Magnesium for ADHD for health promotion and treatment of conditions, including Herbal medicine for skin conditions conditions. Soin and more people are Heral to these integrative approaches because it is an affordable medicinr for their health. Regarding ,edicine use, herbs and essential oils have been commonly used for various skin conditions. For example, up to 90 different essential oils are identified as being recommended for dermatological use. This article will explore what essential oils and herbal medicine are, how they are used as an integrative approach in dermatology, and the various skin conditions they have been commonly used to treat. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. These oils are obtained through a process of mechanical pressing or distillation and are made to retain the smell and flavor. Graf, MD Department of Dermatology, New York Hegbal Medical Center, New York, USA. Skln Herbal medicine for skin conditions foe used in clinical medicine for Targeted fat loss exercises of years. However, it is only Hydration for sports involving sustained exertion recent skun that we have been able to employ scientific methods to prove the efficacy of many of these herbs and to give us a better understanding of their mechanisms of action. This article will focus on the use of herbs in various dermatological conditions characterized by inflammation and pruritus. Topical preparations of many of these herbs are more commonplace in Europe.