What are some traditional Chinese medicine remedies or tips for treating eczema?

Patients suffering from eczema are well aware of the immense discomfort it brings, including itching, inflammation, and its tendency to recur frequently, making it a challenging condition to cure and causing significant distress. There are numerous factors contributing to the development of eczema, such as genetics, immune abnormalities, hormonal fluctuations, endocrine imbalances, and chronic infectious conditions. Additionally, poor dietary and lifestyle habits, as well as mental states, can trigger eczema episodes. Therefore, maintaining a cautious diet is crucial for avoiding eczema. Foods that may precipitate eczema include mutton, beef, sea fish, shellfish, freshwater fish, shrimps, crabs, mangoes, peaches, apricots, plums, and others like vanilla, fish heads, peanuts, and wheat. Those with a preference for spicy foods are also susceptible to eczema, emphasizing the importance of a bland diet.

Remedies for Eczema

1. Honeysuckle Water: Honeysuckle is renowned for its heat-clearing and detoxifying properties. Consuming honeysuckle-infused water can alleviate skin rashes. However, due to its cooling nature, excessive consumption should be avoided as it may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, chronic diarrhea, constipation, and loss of appetite. Moderation is key.

2. Purslane Water: Boil fresh purslane leaves in water for approximately 5 minutes, strain, and soak a towel in the decoction. Apply this towel to the affected area three times daily, each for around 40 minutes, to effectively alleviate eczema-related discomfort.

3. Coptis Chinensis and Red Date Charcoal Powder: Prepare equal parts of raw Coptis Chinensis and red dates, char the red dates, and bottle them together with the Coptis Chinensis. When needed, apply a moderate amount of sesame oil to the affected area, optionally using some dry powder to prevent exudation. Repeat this two to three times daily.

4. Seven-Star Herbal Tea: This tea possesses heat-clearing, fire-draining, and detoxifying effects, aiding in constipation relief and alleviating eczema rashes. However, due to its cooling nature, it may cause diarrhea and should not be consumed excessively or frequently (once or twice a week, avoiding cold weather).

5. White Vinegar and Mung Bean Paste: Grind mung beans into a powder, mix with an equal amount of white vinegar to form a paste, and apply it to the cleansed affected area. This mixture can clear heat and detoxify, with recommended application two to three times daily for a week.

6. Raw Potato Mash: Potatoes, a daily staple, can be peeled, mashed, and applied to the affected area, secured with gauze, and replaced three times daily for a week.

7. Three-Leaf Water: Boil the leaves of the locust tree, plum yew, and holly. Once cooled, wash the affected area with this water, crush the leaves, extract their juice with gauze, and apply it to the area.

8. White Vinegar Soak: Boil strong white vinegar, let it cool to room temperature, and soak the affected areas (especially hands and feet) in the vinegar for 10 minutes. Alternatively, soak a gauze pad in vinegar and apply it to the area. Avoid prolonged soaking or wet compresses, keeping it within ten minutes.

From these folk remedies, it is evident that to alleviate or treat eczema, primarily using medications that clear heat and detoxify to eliminate toxins within the body is effective. To prevent eczema, maintaining good dietary and lifestyle habits while avoiding triggers is essential.