Eczema
• Consume a whole-foods diet, rich in fibre, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and their juices.
• Include essential fatty acids daily. Good sources are flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, and wheat germ oil. Do not heat these oils!
• Eat pumpkin and sunflower seeds daily, as these are excellent sources of zinc which encourages the proper metabolism of essential fatty acids.
• Mangos and apricots are good healing fruits for skin problems as they are rich in beta-carotenes, as are carrots, yams, spinach, and blueberries.
• Drink a glass of clean water every two waking hours to flush out toxins and to encourage skin health.
• Avoid constipation by consuming fibre[fiber] rich foods such as whole grains, leafy green vegetables, beans, and apples. For additional recommendations for constipation, see 'Constipation'.
• Eliminate all additives from your diet, as they contribute to a toxic internal environment that can manifest in the skin.
• Do not eat saturated fat or solid fats, such as shortening or margarine, as they interfere with the metabolism of essential fatty acids.
• Stay away from inflammatory foods, especially sugar, spicy foods, dairy, caffeine and alcohol.
• In cases of chronic eczema for adults, undertake a 3-day juice fast once a month to sweep away toxic build-up.
• Manage stress and obtain adequate rest, as eczema can be intensified by emotional stress and fatigue.
• Consume blackstrap molasses on a daily basis, as this has been shown to have therapeutic results for eczema.
• Cucumber juice used internally and externally is especially advised for the treatment of skin diseases; it possesses acknowledged cosmetic properties. Apply to the face or other are, leave on for 5 minutes and rinse with soft water.
• Determine if any food allergies exist, and eliminate those foods which are the most common offenders: cow's milk, wheat gluten, cheese, peanuts, rye, oats, and barley.
• Other skin irritants include: bubble bath, nickel jewellery, fake fingernails, antiperspirants, dyed toilet tissue, laundry soap, and hand soap.
• Exercise in the fresh air is very important. Try to take a daily walk first thing in the morning, and allow the sunlight on your skin as this promotes healing. Be careful not to let your skin burn.
