What to Know About Homeopathic Remedies for Eczema
Relying solely on homeopathic remedies for eczema may not provide adequate relief. Studies show inconsistent or nonsignificant results compared to placebos.
Although scientific backing is limited, homeopathic remedies like dulcamara, graphites, pine tar, and sulfur may help you manage eczema symptoms like itching, inflammation, and skin hydration.
Health organizations and the FDA caution against using homeopathy for eczema due to limited safety and efficacy data. Consult a healthcare professional for proven treatments like antihistamines and steroids.
Many people with eczema find it challenging to manage the condition. Because eczema is chronic and causes intermittent flare-ups, some people seek different interventions — including alternative treatment approaches like homeopathy.
But can homeopathy treat or cure eczema?
Homeopathy is a form of complementary or alternative medicine that uses small, diluted doses of a natural substance that causes symptoms to treat those symptoms. The belief is that if large quantities of a substance cause symptoms of a disease, a small, properly diluted amount can help the body heal itself.
Some people tout homeopathy as a remedy for eczema, an inflammatory skin condition that affects an estimated 223 million people worldwide. But there's hardly any solid scientific evidence that supports the use or effectiveness of homeopathy for treating eczema.
Read on to find out what research says about the use of homeopathy for eczema, if homeopathic products are FDA-approved, and the potential risks of using homeopathy for eczema.
Can homeopathy help treat eczema?
One of the earliest studies on homeopathy for eczema was a 2009 study by German researchers. The study compared the effects of homeopathic remedies versus placebo in young adults ages 18–35 with eczema. The study found no significant difference between the group that received homeopathy and the group that received a placebo.
A later review of studies analyzed evidence from controlled clinical trials for homeopathic treatment for all types of eczema. The research indicated that no evidence from the controlled trials proved the efficacy of homeopathy for treating eczema.
A more recent, small 2022 preliminary study noted a slight improvement in eczema symptoms among people who used homeopathy compared to placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant. This means the researchers weren't confident that the slight improvement they observed wasn't by chance.
Some homeopathy advocates believe homeopathy can help relieve stress and anxiety, which triggers eczema flare-ups in some people. But a systematic review has shown inconsistent results for its effectiveness in treating anxiety.
What do the experts say?
The U.S.-based National Eczema Association and U.K.-based National Eczema Society both caution that there's not enough research to support using alternative treatments like homeopathy.
Other international organizations like the Polish Dermatological Society also don't recommend using homeopathy for treating eczema.
What homeopathic remedies do people use to treat eczema?
Although the National Eczema Association cautions that there's not enough research to support alternative therapies like homeopathy, it notes that about half of people with eczema use these treatments.
Here are some homeopathic remedies some people believe can help with eczema:
Dulcamara
Dulcamara, also called woody nightshade, is a shrubby perennial plant from the Solanaceae family. It's a medicinal plant touted for treating skin conditions. While scientific evidence for this is sparse, 2021 research indicated that the plant is rich in alkaloids, has antibacterial properties, and is traditionally used for relieving mild recurrent eczema.
Graphites
Graphite is a carbon compound similar to coal. Some people use it to treat dry, cracked, itchy, red skin, as occurs in eczema. A 2020 case report revealed that graphite helped reduce eczema symptoms after several weeks of treatment.
Pine tar (pix liquida)
Studies suggest a potential benefit of using pine tar to treat skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. People produce pine tar by high-temperature carbonization of the pine tree wood. A 2022 study suggested it may help relieve eczema symptoms, reduce inflammation, and lower the risk of infection.
Sulfur
Other remedies
Other homeopathic remedies with little to no scientific backing include:
Rhus toxicodendron
sepia
natrum muriaticum
mezereum
lycopodium
Arsenicum album
Calcarea carbonica
Mercurius solubilis
barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
Are homeopathic products FDA-approved?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve any homeopathic product for treatment because the agency has not determined that such products meet effectiveness, safety, and quality standards.
What are the risks of homeopathy for eczema?
An older review of case reports reported the following side effects of homeopathy:
allergic reaction
widespread skin irritation
nausea and vomiting
skin itching
hair loss
sneezing and inflammation of the nasal cavity lining (rhinitis)
Also, keep the following in mind when using homeopathic products:
No government body or agency legally regulates homeopathic practitioners. This means a person without qualifications can claim to be a homeopath.
There's no strong scientific evidence that homeopathy is safe or effective for eczema.
Some homeopathic products may contain high amounts of substances that are not good for your health.
A homeopathic product may interfere with your doctor's prescribed medication, reducing its efficacy or causing side effects.
What natural and alternative treatments can help with eczema?
Some natural treatments that may help manage eczema include:
Acupuncture: Acupuncture, part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), may help reduce skin itching, wheal size, and allergic reaction in people with eczema.
Aloe vera: Aloe vera is a plant rich in antioxidants that can help heal wounds, regenerate damaged skin, and retain skin integrity.
Coconut oil: Some people with eczema may benefit from coconut oil because it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, hydrates the skin, reduces itching, and reduces the chances of infection.
Colloidal oatmeal: Colloidal oatmeal is oat grain ground into a fine powder. It can help your body retain moisture and relieve dry, itchy skin.
Honey: Researchers have observed several properties of honey that may help people with eczema, but more research is needed.
Massage therapy: A gentle, 20-minute massage using a moisturizer may help reduce eczema symptoms by reducing stress and encouraging blood flow.
Sunflower seed oil: Sunflower oil contains vitamin E, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and sesamol which are all good for your skin. It can help repair your skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil can reduce eczema symptoms because it has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.
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