Essential Oils for Eczema
Eczema Essential Oils - Clinical Studies
Eczema, a chronic skin condition characterized by inflammation, redness, and itching, affects millions worldwide. Traditional treatments often come with side effects or limited effectiveness, driving many sufferers to explore alternative remedies such as essential oils. This article delves into clinical studies that investigate the benefits of essential oils for eczema, providing insights into their potential benefits and applications.
Understanding Eczema and Its Treatment
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin disorder with symptoms ranging from dry skin to severe itching. According to the National Eczema Association, it affects around 31.6% of children and 10.1% of adults in the United States (National Eczema Association). The quest for relief has led many to seek natural remedies, including essential oils, which are concentrated plant extracts known for their therapeutic properties.
Evidence of Essential Oils that Helped Eczema - Clinical Studies
1. Lavender Oil
Study Overview: A study was done using mice who had atopic dermatitis (eczema). They were treated with lavender essential oil.
Findings: The study found that mice who were treated with topical lavender oil experienced a significant reduction in inflammation and skin lesions. The anti-inflammatory properties of lavender oil were credited for these improvements.
2. Kānuka Essential Oil
Study Overview: A study done with 80 people examined the effects of kānuka oil (3%) in a cream in treating moderate-to-severe eczema.
Findings: Results of the study indicated a remarkable improvement in eczema symptoms.
3. German Chamomile Essential Oil
Study Overview: Research evaluated the effects of german chamomile essential oil on 40 mice with atopic dermatitis.
Findings: The study concluded that german chamomile essential oil reduced symptoms of atopic dermatitis (eczema) after applying 3% german chamomile essential oil for six days a week for four weeks.
4. Frankincense Essential Oil
Study Overview: This was a study performed in Taiwan in 2022. It was done with mice who had atopic dermatitis (eczema).
Findings: One of the main components of frankincense essential oil is α-Boswellic Acid. This study showed α-Boswellic Acid helped to improve the skins appearance as well as reduce inflammation caused by atopic dermatitis.
Conclusion
The exploration of essential oils for eczema reveals promising results from various clinical studies. Oils such as lavender, kānuka , german chamomile and frankincense, and show potential in alleviating symptoms associated with eczema. While these findings are encouraging, further research is necessary to establish standardized treatment protocols and safety profiles. As always, individuals should consult healthcare professionals before embarking on any new treatment regimen.
Essential Oils Safety
If using essential oils for eczema, always do the following:
Check with your healthcare professional first.
Always do a patch test first to make sure you don’t get a reaction to the oil
Always choose 100% pure essential oils with no chemicals added
Always dilute with a carrier oil such as jojoba or almond oil to dilute the essential oils before applying.
References
Jiawei Duan, Jinkai Li, Yujiao Wang, Peijie Zhou, Xuan Wang, Ning Xia, Jie Wang, Jia Li, Wenfei Wang, Xiao Wang, Jing Sun, Dongyan Guo, Junbo Zou, Xiaofei Zhang, Changli Wang, Therapeutic effects and mechanism of action of lavender essential oil on atopic dermatitis by modulating the STAT3/RORγt pathway, Arabian Journal of Chemistry, Volume 17, Issue 2, 2024, 105525, ISSN 1878-5352, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2023.105525.
Shortt, N.; Martin, A.; Kerse, K.; Shortt, G.; Vakalalabure, I.; Barker, L.; Singer, J.; Black, B.; Liu, A.; Eathorne, A.; et al. Efficacy of a 3% kānuka oil cream for the treatment of moderate-to-severe eczema: A single blind randomised vehicle-controlled trial. EClinicalMedicine 2022, 51, 101561.
Lee SH, Heo Y, Kim YC. Effect of German chamomile oil application on alleviating atopic dermatitis-like immune alterations in mice. J Vet Sci. 2010 Mar;11(1):35-41. doi: 10.4142/jvs.2010.11.1.35. PMID: 20195063; PMCID: PMC2833428.
Tsai YC, Chang HH, Chou SC, Chu TW, Hsu YJ, Hsiao CY, Lo YH, Wu NL, Chang DC, Hung CF. Evaluation of the Anti-Atopic Dermatitis Effects of α-Boswellic Acid on Tnf-α/Ifn-γ-Stimulated HaCat Cells and DNCB-Induced BALB/c Mice. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug 30;23(17):9863. doi: 10.3390/ijms23179863. PMID: 36077254; PMCID: PMC9456567.