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ECZEMA- skin disorder where patches of skin becomes cracked, inflamed, dry, and itchy.
Colloidal Oatmeal- anti-inflammatory that can soothe skin.
Epsom Salt- anti-inflammatory that can relieve and repair skin.
Lavender Oil- soothes and cleanses the skin.
Add 10 drops Lavender Oil, 1 cup Colloidal Oatmeal and 1 cup Epsom Salt to a hot bath. Soak for up to 30 minutes.
Do this 3 times per week until Eczema subsides.
Colloidal Oatmeal- Colloidal oatmeal comes in a lubricant form like many skin conditioners and is used for itchy skin. For tougher problems like eczema, it is essential to get a good colloidal oatmeal from the health food store. When purchasing from the health store, ensure that it is powered colloidal oatmeal and does not contain any fragrance or has anything else added to it. Use the powdered oatmeal in the bathtub. Fill the bathtub with warm water, enough to be able to lay down in and cover the entire body. The powdered oatmeal is placed in a large piece of cheese cloth and tied off to prevent leakage of the oats. Once in the tub, begin gently squeezing the cheese cloth to release the liquid from the oats. The water will turn a mild milky color from the substance being released. Make sure to hand mix the water and if not laying down in the tub, cup your hands and run the milky water over your body.
Soothing Skin Ointment Chickweed Stellaria media herb: 2 ounces Burdock Arctium lappa root: 2 ounces Yellow dock Rumex crispus root: 2 ounces Echinacea Echinacea angustifolia root: 2 ounces Cleavers Galium aparine herb: 2 ounces Prepare a standard ointment using this basic recipe:
Anhydrous lanolin: 1 pound Beeswax (grated): ¼ ounce to ½ ounce Fresh herb: 8 ounces (or 4 ounces dried herb) *Depending on the herb you use, you may need to reduce this amount so that the melted lanolin will cover it. Melt lanolin in a stainless steel bowl over a pot of hot water or in a double boiler. ALWAYS use a double boiler to heat lanolin and oil.
Add herbs and simmer gently for 30 to 45 minutes. Depending on the herbs you use, you may need to do this in two batches or reduce the quantity of herb used. The lanolin should cover the herbs in order to extract the active constituents. Stir occasionally with your chopstick or old wooden spoon.
Remove the lanolin from the heat and let it cool until you can safely handle it.
Place your muslin or cheesecloth inside a colander, spreading it up over the side so no herb escapes into your strained mixture.
Pour your cooled lanolin and herb mixture into the muslin or cheesecloth and strain it into a second bowl. You may need to squeeze the herb in the cheesecloth to extract all the lanolin. This can get messy, so you may want to wear gloves. However, if you don't wear gloves, your hands will be wonderfully soft and moisturized!
Now return your lanolin to your double boiler or bowl over water and add the grated beeswax, stirring occasionally until it is melted and incorporated.
You will need to vary the amount depending on how firm you wish the final ointment to be. This may take some trial and error. You can check the consistency by dipping a teaspoon into the hot mixture and placing it in the freezer for five minutes. If it is too stiff, add more lanolin or oil; if it is too thin, add more beeswax. The consistency can be affected by humidity.
Once you have achieved the consistency you need, pour your ointment into sterile jars. Use a dark-colored or opaque glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. The jar opening should be wide enough to easily get the salve out. Let the mixture cool before putting on the lid.
Store in a cool place, avoiding extreme temperature changes, for example in a car or sunny windowsill.
This ointment is excellent for rough skin, eczema, skin inflammations, psoriasis, and dermatitis.