A Review of four common Medicinal Plants used to Treat Eczema

The big idea:

Many medicinal plant species worldwide are used in traditional medicine for treating different diseases. 

What the study asked:

The study summarised the scientific data published on four common medicinal plants, namely, aloe vera, oats, turmeric, and chamomile. 

What the study did:

• The review was achieved using an organised search of scientific data published on the four medicinal plants used for the treatment of eczema. 

  • The searches were carried out using various databases including: PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. 

• The review presented the results of different studies on each plant - discussing their possible mechanisms of action, chemical compositions, and their toxicity data. 

What the study found:

1. Aloe Vera 

   1. Has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and immune boosting properties. 

      1. Its gel is applied directly to the eczematous skin. Because of its moisturising effect, the skin becomes softer and wounds heal rapidly. 

   2. Many patients reported a decrease of the symptoms of eczema such as skin dryness, scaling, and improved skin quality. 

      1. In addition, its antibacterial activities prevent secondary infection.

   3. In a randomised double-blind study by Syed et al. (1996), aloe vera cream was compared with the placebo in 60 patients having mild to moderate chronic psoriasis. 

      1. The cure rate was 83% with aloe vera cream as compared to 7% with placebo. 

   4. Toxicity: 

      1. Aloe vera has possible toxicity, with side effects occuring at some dose levels either when ingested or applied topically.

         1. Oral ingestion might cause diarrhoea, while topical application may induce contact dermatitis, erythema, or phototoxicity. 

         2. Cases of contact allergy have been seldom reported. 

      
      

2. Oat

   1. Oat in colloidal form is a centuries-old topical treatment for different skin conditions, including skin rashes, erythema, burns, itch, and eczema.

      1. However, few studies have examined the precise mechanism of action for the anti-inflammatory activity of colloidal oatmeal. 

   2. Colloidal oatmeal extracts diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and the colloidal oat skin protectant lotion demonstrated significant clinical improvements in skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itch intensity. 

      1. These results reveal that colloidal oat extracts display direct anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which may provide the mechanisms for observed dermatological benefits while using the colloidal oatmeal skin protectant lotion (Reynertson et al., 2015).

   3. Toxicity: 

      1. Colloidal oatmeal was used to treat 11 patients with drug-induced skin rash. 

      2. Out of 10 patients evaluated, 6 demonstrated a complete response and 4 a partial response, with no toxic effects noticed. (EMEA, 2008)

   
   

3. Turmeric 

   1. It appears that the active ingredient curcumin present in turmeric has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties which may assist to treat skin inflammation linked with eczema. 

   2. The healing effect of turmeric is attributed to polyphenolic curcuminoids (natural, yellow-pigmented polyphenolic compounds found in turmeric, primarily consisting of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin)

   3. A medicinal paste of turmeric (turmeric powder mixed with sweet lime juice and salt) is applied on swellings.

      1. This paste is said to provide rapid and long lasting relief. 

   4. Turmeric powder is scattered on wounds/ ulcers for fast healing. It is an antiseptic and stops bleeding and cures the cut or burn (Khiljee et al., 2011). 

   5. Toxicity: 

      1. Toxicity studies on turmeric in animals demonstrated no adverse effect up to 2.5g/kg b.w. (Shankar et al., 1980). 

      2. Large doses in humans may cause gastric irritation. 

      3. As turmeric and other spices are usually sold by weight, the potential presently exists for powders of toxic, cheaper agents with a similar colour to be added, such as lead (II, IV) oxide, giving turmeric an orange-red colour instead of its original gold-yellow (Kaul, 2015).

      
      

4. Chamomile

   1. Chamomile is a daisy-like herb, and found to be efficient in wound healing and skin inflammatory conditions, consequently used in allergic conditions, atopic dermatitis and eczema. 

   2. Chamomile helps in skin cell regeneration and works as an antioxidant, fighting free radical damage on the skin. 

   3. It is applied to the skin in the form of an ointment or cream.

   4. Aertgeerts et al. (1985) performed a clinical study in 161 eczema patients using a cream made from chamomile extract. 

      1. When compared with steroidal and nonsteroidal creams, it was similarly effective as steroidal cream and more effective than non-steroidal cream cream. 

   5. In another study, after 2 weeks of treatment of patients with medium-degree atopic eczema, effectiveness of cream containing matricaria chamomile flower extract was superior to that of 0.5% hydrocortisone cream (anti-inflammatory synthetic drug) regarding the symptoms of pruritus, erythema, and desquamation (ESCOP Monographs, 2003).

   6. Toxicity:

      1. Allergies have been reported and those with daisy allergies may discover themselves similarly allergic to chamomile. 

      2. Furthermore, chamomile, a relative of ragweed, may cause allergy symptoms and can cross-react with ragweed pollen in persons with ragweed allergies. 

      3. Cases of contact allergies have seldom been reported. 

What this means for eczema:

• Medicinal plants have a great potential to cure different diseases. These herbs are a rich source of active ingredients and can be safer and more cost effective for the treatment of different skin diseases.

• However, there is a need for more in vitro and in vivo research to evaluate and confirm the efficiency and safety of various herbs in the current era of evidence-based medicine.

• Nonetheless, medicinal herbs are likely to open new horizons in therapeutic medicine.

Link to study:

https://journal-backups.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/uploads/main/article/article1435738061_Zari%20and%20Zari.pdf