Skin
Eczema
Dry, itchy, inflamed patches of skin, including atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. See a health professional if it's widespread, weeping, infected or not improving. Herbal products can themselves cause allergic skin reactions, so test a small patch first.
Most minor skin problems can be cared for at home, but see a doctor for deep, infected or slow-healing wounds, serious burns, or rashes that come with a fever. Several of these herbs can cause skin allergies, especially plants in the daisy family such as calendula and mugwort. These herbs are listed because of traditional use or research, not because they're proven treatments.
12 herbs
Each note says whether the link comes from traditional use or research, and what the research found.
AloeAloe veraThere isn't enough reliable information to say whether aloe helps eczema, and aloe gel has occasionally caused eczema-like rashes.
BurdockArctium lappaUsed on the skin for eczema in traditional Chinese medicine. Not tested for eczema in trials.
CalendulaCalendula officinalisA cream with calendula helped irritated skin stay hydrated and recover faster in healthy volunteers; not tested in people with eczema.
ChamomileMatricaria chamomillaIn a small trial, chamomile cream did slightly better than mild hydrocortisone but only marginally better than plain cream for atopic eczema.
Evening PrimroseOenothera biennisA 2013 Cochrane review found evening primrose oil taken by mouth didn't improve eczema more than a placebo.
LicoriceGlycyrrhiza glabraLimited evidence suggests licorice may possibly help eczema.
MarigoldTagetes erectaIn India the flowers are used on eczema as a traditional remedy. Not tested in trials.
Marshmallow RootAlthaea officinalisUsed on the skin for eczema and dermatitis; an ointment eased irritated skin, though less than a steroid.
Ophiopogon RootOphiopogon japonicusA skin product with ophiopogon extract reduced eczema severity and flare-ups in one trial.
RosehipsRosa caninaIn animals, a related rose species eased signs of eczema. Not tested in people.
St. John's WortHypericum perforatumA hyperforin cream improved mild to moderate atopic dermatitis better than a dummy cream.
Witch HazelHamamelis virginianaWitch hazel creams helped atopic eczema in some trials, but a mild hydrocortisone cream worked better in another.