About this e-class…

Taking a look at herbal strategies for preventing and treating these annoying conditions:

♥ You’ll need to know what’s more likely to be the right approach to use for YOUR eczema or dermatitis, which herbal regime is most appropriate for you, which dosage to take, how long to use it for and other details key to help you to make a suitable plan to try to help yourself.

♥ Natural remedies often fail because people choose the wrong treatment or don’t understand how much to use to be effective.

So in this class Vivienne takes a detailed look at the following key areas:

♥ WHAT ARE ECZEMA & DERMATITIS?

Vivienne explains what these conditions really are: the key features of and differences between eczema, dermatitis and other skin issues that people might mistake for them.

♥ CAUSES & AGGRAVATING FACTORS:

What can trigger these conditions or make them worse? It’s not the same for everyone. Are you eating a food that’s causing flare-ups? Is stress making it worse? Is there something in your environment that you are touching that’s triggering it? Vivienne discusses a range of factors that can be contributing and gives her tips for recognising the key signs that can indicate each one. This should help you to determine what is more likely to be of relevance to the type of eczema or dermatitis that YOU have.

♥ CONVENTIONAL TREATMENTS:

Steroid creams, emollients etc. A quick look at what you’re likely to be offered by the GP or Dermatologist, the main issues with and side-effects of using these products (as well as the occasions where they can be a useful standby to help to manage these conditions).

♥ The Herbal Approach to Treatments:

In herbal medicine we always try to find and treat the underlying cause of a condition, not just simply bring short-term relief of the symptoms. We approach treating eczema and dermatitis in different ways, determined by the most likely factors causing the conditions e.g. allergy, dietary issues etc. Vivienne gives her tips on how to recognise these (and many other factors) and how to approach treating it in each circumstance. Herbal treatment is usually a combination of taking suitable herbs internally as tonics, as well as applying herbal treatments (e.g. creams) directly to the skin that is effected.

♥ Using herbal medicines internally.

Vivienne discusses herbal mixtures and tonics based on the potential causes of eczema (e.g. stress, allergy, digestive issues, skin health, ‘detox’ etc.) and to support healthy skin. These can be consumed in the form that you prefer e.g. teas, infusions, tinctures, vinegar extracts etc. Recipes are in the online classroom, a guide to dosages for adults and children is also included.

♥ Using herbal treatments on the skin

“Please help me to relieve that maddening itch!”

Whatever the underlying cause of the eczema or dermatitis you will still want something that you can apply directly to the skin that may help to relieve the itching quickly and reduce the constant urge to scratch the skin. Vivienne shares various herbal treatments that can be applied directly to the skin to help to bring some relief to this common symptom and to try to improve the health of the skin. She includes her recommendations for DIY home-use treatments as well as tried and trusted convenient herbal creams you can buy and keep stocked up on for self-treatments. You do NOT need to make all the treatments and remedies from scratch yourself.

♥ When to see a Professional:

We always need to recognise our limits when treating ourselves or our families with home remedies. Vivienne discusses when it is safe to try your own treatments, warning signs that may indicate something more serious, when you should consult a qualified herbalist or other suitable medical professional for appropriate help e.g. doctor, dermatologist etc.

♥ What not to put on the eczema or dermatitis:

Believe it or not, some natural and organic treatments can worsen and aggravate eczema and dermatitis. Learn what to avoid and why, and which form of herbal treatments to try instead.