AboutDennis Leppanen Expertise I can answer most questions on herb usage and and am very familiar with (gras) herbs, generally recognized as safe. I am very knowlegible
in nutritional healing. I have extended education in detoxing the body and fasting for health. I believe in the Naturopathic belief, the body get sick in only two ways; either because it is too toxic, or it is malnurished. I grow, wildcraft, and make most of my herbal remedies.
Experience
Past/Present clients Individuals, will furnish upon request
Question I am just now realizing that all of the above(In the Subject line) come from inflammation of the skin. I have them all on and off. I am so over this that I have decided to "get healthy". From what I have read green tea, green supplements, omega 3 oil and multivitamins are great. Can I take all of these things in a day, for months? Or are these even the best things to be taking to get clearer skin. I have to also add this, 10 years ago when I cut out milk and tomatoes and was on prednisone for hives my skin clear up to a babies skin. What did that, the prednisone or the lack of certain foods? Please advise.
Answer Hi Valerie,
Yes, these are all pretty much related. Prednisone could have helped, but please try to stay away from it, the side-effects can be devastating.
Dermatitis
Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that produces scaling, flaking, thickening, color changes, and often itching. Eczema is a term sometimes used interchangeably with dermatitis, although some authorities define it as a specific type of dermatitis distinguished by the presence of fluid-filled blisters that weep, ooze and crust over.
Many cases of dermatitis are caused by allergies. This type of condition is called allergic or contact dermatitis. It may be caused by contact with perfumes, cosmetics, rubber, medicated creams and ointments, plants, and/ or medals and alloys such as gold, silver and nickel found in jewelry or zippers.
Atopic dermatitis is a hereditary form of the condition that usually becomes apparent in infancy. It typically appears on the face, in the bends of the elbows, and behind the knees. Often, other family members have histories of allergies and asthma.
SUPPLEMENTS
Aloe Vera—Aloe has been used since the days of Egypt’s ancient pharaohs to treat all manner of skin diseases. It is effective in treating infections caused by excessive scratching.
Evening Primrose Oil—EPO is rich in a compound called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is approved in Great Britain for treating eczema. Research I’ve reviewed supports this use and suggests that this herbal oil is also helpful in treating other forms of dermatitis.
You can buy EPO at a health food store. You can take capsules orally, following package directions. You can also take oils of borage, currant and hops, which also are well-endowed with GLA.
Gotu Kola—This herb, native to India, stimulates the regeneration of skin cells and underlying connective tissue. In clinical trials, Kotu Kola has proven useful in the treatment of exczema.
Wild Pansy—Germany Commission E supports using this herb as a treatment for skin problems including acne, eczema and impetigo, itching and other skin problems. Make a tea with one teaspoon of dried herb to one cup of boiling water, steep for ten minutes.
Dandelion—Dandelion tea is a great blood purifier.
Milk thistle-a great antioxidant and liver protector. All the bad stuff in our bodies is processed out through the liver.
Add brown rice and millet to diet.
Avoid dairy products, sugar, white flour, fats, fried foods, and processed foods.
Do not eat foods containing raw eggs, which contain avidin, a protein that binds biotin and prevents it from being absorbed. Biotin is needed for skin and scalp disorders.
Keep the colon clean. Make sure you get enough fiber or take fiber supplements.
Sensitivity to gluten is widespread, although it is often unrecognized.
Lastly, food allergies are very common and can cause dermatitis.
FOODS
An allergy is an inappropriate response by the body’s immune system to a substance that is not normally harmful. The immune system is the highly complex defense mechanism that helps us combat infection.
Foods can provoke allergic reactions. Some of the most common allergenic foods include chocolate, dairy products, eggs, shellfish, strawberries, and wheat. Food allergies and food intolerance’s are not the same thing. A person with a food intolerance is unable to process and digest that food correctly, usually due to a lack of digestive enzymes.
If you suspect that you are allergic to a specific food, there is a simple test. Using a watch with a second hand, sit down and relax a few minutes. When completely relaxed, take your pulse.
After you’ve consumed the suspected food, take your pulse again twenty minutes later. If your pulse rate has increased more than ten beats, omit that food from your diet for at least one month.
Herbs containing flavonoids (a class of compounds that are widely distributed in herbs and edible plants) can help control this discomfort. Quercetin is the most common bioflavonoid in the human diet and is especially concentrated in onions, garlic, and cayenne pepper, so you can take your allergy treatment in fresh medicine if you so like. It is also available in capsule form. Feverfew, yarrow, peppermint, and spearmint are also rich in bioflavonoids.
I added the additional info on food allergies, Valerie because of the several different issues facing you. This should help. It does work for me, an old atopic excema sufferer.
