Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes itching, redness, and dryness. The phytotherapy approach to managing this condition involves not only skin care but also internal therapies. This method uses natural ingredients and plants with anti-inflammatory, hydrating, and soothing properties, including extracts, oils, and preparations that strengthen the skin’s barrier, reduce inflammation, and improve overall health. The goal is not only to relieve symptoms but also to empower the body to naturally fight the disease.
Here’s a brief overview of the plants that can help care for your skin from the inside:
🌿 Cleansing herbs – supporting the liver, kidneys, and skin
These are herbs that help detoxify the body. It’s easy to remember that if our body is clean, our skin will also be clear. Herbs that support liver function often have a beneficial impact on the skin. By cleansing the liver and promoting bile secretion while aiding the removal of waste products, we also help the skin, which is another organ responsible for eliminating substances from the body. There’s also a group of herbs that benefit the skin while also supporting kidney function. These herbs are typically used in four-week cleansing courses, repeated a few times a year. Examples include burdock, viola tricolor, dandelion, artichoke, nettle, and horsetail.
🌿 Herbal oils – providing essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals
Internal care also involves herbal oils rich in essential fatty acids and other beneficial compounds that support skin metabolism. Essential fatty acids cannot be synthesized by the body (or are sometimes produced in insufficient amounts), so it’s important to understand the value of obtaining them through herbal oils. Besides skin issues, an inadequate intake or imbalance of fatty acids in the body can lead to various other diseases. Unlike cleansing herbs, oils are used over a longer period (several months or even years) because their therapeutic effects are only noticeable after extended use. Examples of these plants include borage, evening primrose, flaxseed, black cumin, and olive oil.
A common issue for people with atopic dermatitis is skin itching. Not only is itching unpleasant, but it can lead to scratching, which can cause wounds and worsen the skin condition.
Here are some ways to keep itching under control:
🧅 Quercetin intake. This is an antioxidant from the bioflavonoid family. Its role is to prevent the release of histamine and it has strong anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent ally in the fight against allergic symptoms. It is most abundant in red onions, broccoli, apple peels, berries, seeds, and cruciferous vegetables. Studies have shown that red onions are the most effective source. In addition to natural sources, quercetin can be taken in capsule form for adults, ideally combined with vitamin C and bromelain. For children, it’s best to obtain it through food.
For topical relief from itching, a great option is the use of hydrosols (floral waters).
🌸 Witch hazel hydrosol is one of the best-known options. It’s made through the distillation of plant material and has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, astringent, and regenerative properties. It reduces itching, redness, burns, and swelling. It’s the only hydrosol recognized by ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy), which means it is officially prescribed in medical phytotherapy. In clinical studies (Korting, 1993), witch hazel hydrosol demonstrated nearly the same anti-inflammatory effects as corticosteroid creams but without the negative side effects.
🌸 German chamomile and peppermint hydrosols also have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties, and both help with rashes, sensitive skin, scratches, psoriasis, dermatitis, itching, and insect bites. Peppermint additionally provides a cooling sensation, making it a great complement to witch hazel.
In this article, we’ve mentioned just a few of the problems and solutions to give you an idea of how phytotherapy approaches this condition. With an individualized approach and consultations with qualified professionals, phytotherapy can significantly improve the quality of life for those with atopic dermatitis.
Written by: MSc. Pharm Amila Zec Dohranović
