First of several herbs that can help with inflammatory skin conditions. As usual, herbs almost always have more than one benefit. First is Red Clover. I could have used it when I had cancer but I had no access to fresh clover and couldn’t find organic dried, so went for other herbs.
Red Clover
Parts Used: Blossoms and leaves
Tissues: plasma, blood, bone, reproductive
Systems: circulatory, lymphatic, reproductive
Properties: alterative, antispasmodic, expectorant, anti-tumor, diuretic
Indications: skin eruptions, coughs, colds, congestion, bronchitis, cancer, infections, degenerative disorders
Precautions: Hemophiliacs or people with thin blood should not use red clover on a regular basis because of the presence in coumarins in the plan, which have blood thinning properties.
Dosage: 6-15 grams of herb made into tea, 30-60 drops of tincture, per day
Red Clover is rich in nitrogen and minerals, including calcium, iron, potassium, chromium, and manganese, as well as phosphorus, and vitamins like niacin, thiamine, and C. it is a gentle and effective blood tonic and purifier. It is helpful for treating pitta (hot) related skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and boils. It can safely be taken by children and sensitive or weak individuals that may benefit from a blood cleansing herb.
It has proven to be a valuable herb in the treatment of breast cancer and fibrocystic breast changes, and is used o soften and reduce cysts, tumors, and cancerous growths. It is the leading herb in the Western herbal compound known as Hoxsey’s formula, which is held in high regard for supporting the treatment of breast cancer. It can be taken internall and also be applied as a warm fomentation.
I think I’ve posted on Nettle before, but I’ll just do it again! Above is info about Red Clover.
Nettle
Use as infusion (tea), or tincture, use dried herb. (unless you’re lucky enough to have it growing close by, it is tasty and nutritious cooked as greens).
Dosage: 6-30 grams a day
Parts used: aerial parts
Tissues: plasma, blood, bone, nerve and marrow
Systems: digestive, nervous, respiratory, urinary
Properties: digestive bitter, diuretci, alterative, astringent, anti-inflammatory, homeostatic, tonic
Indications: skin diseases, gout, bleeding disorders, arthritis, allergies, hay fever, uterine bleeding, eczema, psoriasis, asthma, nervous tension, hemorrhoids, digestive complaints, edema, obesity
Nettle is a nutrient rich herb that may be as beneficial as many of the more costly green food supplements found on the market. Its bitter and slightly astirngent taste helps to reduce excess kapha (water/fat) and can be used to treat edema, respiratory congestion, and mucus accumulation in the stomach or colon. It stimulates the secretion and removal of uric acid from the system and is extremely useful in treating gout and arthritic and rheumatic conditions.
It works well for pitta related skin conditions (hot, itchy or burning, red) such as excema and psoriasis, especially to calm itching brought on by stress, anxiety and worry. It also helps to treat bleeding disorders as nosebleeds, rectal spotting, bleeding hemorrhoids, and uterine bleeding.
Nettle helps to remove ama (toxins) caused by poorly digested food, as well as from exposure to substances such as mold, dust, pollens, and chemicals, which can lead to environmental or food allergies.
Drinking the tea of fresh leaves (wish I had...I use dried) in the springtime is a gentle and effective way to renew the system by helping to cleanse excess kapha and ama (water/mucus/fat/toxins) accumulated during the cold, damp winter months.
Nettle is a good blood and bone building tonic rich in iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, and silica, as well as a variety of other vitamins and minerals. for indigestion caused by overindulgence in rich food, nettle can be mixed with other digestive herbs such as ginger, peppermint, or chamomile.
For cleansing the blood, liver and skin it can also be mixed with burdock and neem.