Eczema
Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked. It is a long-term (chronic) condition in most people, although it can improve over time, especially in children.
FOODS TO EAT MORE OF
FOODS TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE
ESSENTIAL OILS
NATURAL/HERBAL
SUPPLEMENTS & HOMEOPATHIC
MIND-BODY CONNECTION
RECIPES/FOOD MEDICINE
Not all recipes are nutritionally perfect, but the options below are a great way to start incorporating beneficial foods into your diet in delicious ways. Always try to buy organic, and feel free to make substitutions to accommodate gluten-free, vegan, etc diets.
Abbreviation Definitions:
LC = Low Calorie (under 400 for breakfast, 600 for lunch/dinner, and 200 for beverages/sides/snacks)
GF = Gluten Free
KT = Keto / Low Carb
VG = Vegan
VT = Vegetarian
BEVERAGES
MEALS
SIDES/SALADS/SNACKS
FOODS TO EAT MORE OF
- Fruits: apples, blueberries, cherries, pears
- Vegetables: beets, cabbage (red), carrots, kale, spinach, turnips
- Legumes/Beans, brown rice, wheat germ & oats
- Fish (especially salmon, sardines, trout)
- yogurt, miso
- Flaxseed oil, saffron
FOODS TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE
- Can be related to food intolerance - try an ELIMINATION DIET. (Most common food sensitivities for those with eczema are dairy, soy, gluten, coffee, nuts, fish & shellfish).
- Avocado, grapes, oranges, kiwis, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, soy sauce & dried fruits
- Processed meats , eggs and other dairy products, and excessive sugar
ESSENTIAL OILS
- For Dry Eczema: Roman chamomile, geranium, hyssop, rosemary (on location, bottom of feet).
- For Wet Eczema: Roman chamomile, hyssop, myrrh, lavender, juniper (on location, bottom of feet).
NATURAL/HERBAL
- Internally (teas or added to food/beverages): black walnut (in small doses), Burdock, chamomile, dandelion, lemon balm, licorice, red clover, skullcap, stinging nettle, wood betony, yellow dock
- Externally/On location (creams/lotions/etc): Borage, chamomile, calendula, chickweed, jewelweed, licorice, evening primrose oil, gotu kola, lavender, marigold, chickweed, stinging nettle
- Flaxseed Oil: 1 Tablespoon (14 grams) daily (can be mixed with food; take in the morning).
- Witch Hazel: Apply cream to affected areas 3-4 times daily.
- Sarsaparilla, Red Clover, Cleavers and Wild Oat have also shown to be beneficial.
- Add cooked oatmeal to skin cleansers (or add uncooked to bath water).
- Add 2 cups baking soda to bath water at a moderate temperature (not too hot). Soak for 10 minutes, pat skin dry gently and immediately apply a moisturizer.
- Varicose eczema (related to poor circulation and more common in the elderly): Ginkgo, ginger, galangal and cinnamon
SUPPLEMENTS & HOMEOPATHIC
- Evening Primrose Oil: 1,000 mg 3 times daily (can substitute 1,000 mg borage oil daily)
- Fish Oil: 10 grams daily
- Grape Seed Extract: 100 mg twice daily (should contain 92-95% proanthocyanidins)
- Vitamin A: 25,000 IU daily for up to 10 days to treat flare-ups; reduce dose to 10,000 IU for maintenance therapy. (pregnant women should not exceed 5,000 IU/day)
- Vitamin E: 400 IU daily (check with your doctor if taking anticoagulant drugs)
- Zinc/ Copper: 30 mg zinc (add 2mg copper if using zinc longer than 1 month)
MIND-BODY CONNECTION
- Represents how safe you feel in your life (aka in your skin).
- May indicate a need to separate yourself from your family (either biological or social) and developing your own self-esteem/independence. It may help to identify negative thoughts that you've inherited from this "family" and replace them with positive alternatives.
RECIPES/FOOD MEDICINE
Not all recipes are nutritionally perfect, but the options below are a great way to start incorporating beneficial foods into your diet in delicious ways. Always try to buy organic, and feel free to make substitutions to accommodate gluten-free, vegan, etc diets.
Abbreviation Definitions:
LC = Low Calorie (under 400 for breakfast, 600 for lunch/dinner, and 200 for beverages/sides/snacks)
GF = Gluten Free
KT = Keto / Low Carb
VG = Vegan
VT = Vegetarian
BEVERAGES
- Apple-Orange Smoothie GF VG VT
- Banana-Blueberry Smoothie GF VT
- Blueberry Peach Smoothie LC GF VG VT
- Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie GF VT
- Blueberry Smoothie LC GF VG VT
- Blueberry-Pomegranate Smoothie LC GF VT
- Mango-Blueberry Smoothie GF VT
- Mega-Greens Smoothie GF VT
- Pomegranate Dandelion Tea LC GF VG VT
- Super Skin Smoothie GF VT
- Superfruit Smoothie GF VG VT
MEALS
- Baked Salmon with Dill Sauce LC GF KT
- Beef Bone Broth LC GF
- Buddha Bowl GF VG VT - omit soy sauce
- Chicken Bone Broth LC GF
- Cornmeal & Pecan Crusted Fish LC
- Fish with Dill Breading LC
- Miso Soup LC GF VG VT
- Mujaddara LC GF VG VT
- Oven-Fried Fish LC KT
- Pan-Fried Fish Fillets LC
- Quinoa Oatmeal LC GF VG VT
- MahiMahi with Cucumber-Dill Sauce LC GF
- Tilapia with Balsamic Brown Butter LC KT
- Vegetable Broth LC GF VG VT
- White Bean & Spinach Soup LC GF
- White Chili LC GF VT
SIDES/SALADS/SNACKS
- Beans & Greens Salad LC GF VG VT
- Brown Rice Pilaf with Saffron and Ginger LC GF VG VT
- Caraway Brussels Sprouts LC GF VG VT KT
- Creamy Kale LC GF KT VG VT
- Dill Vinaigrette Greens LC GF VG VT KT
- Favetta & Pita Triangles GF VG VT
- Fried Cabbage LC GF VG VT KT
- Pesto Vegetables LC GF VG VT KT
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts LC GF VG VT
- Roasted Carrots LC GF VG VT
- Sauteed Spinach LC GF KT VG VT
- Spinach, Mushroom & Bacon Salad LC GF KT
- Warm Red Cabbage Salad LC GF VG VT