Soothing The Itch - Natural Remedies For Itchy Skin

Has your scalp or skin ever been uncomfortably itchy? Do you know someone who has an itchy scalp or itchy skin? Itching can cause extreme misery for the sufferer, however many causes of itchiness can be solved with simple remedies. There are many reasons why the scalp or skin may be irritated. So before you seek a dermatologists help, ask yourself the following:

Are you using a shampoo or shower gel made from detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate? Although these detergents lather wonderfully they can dry your scalp or skin out to the point of being extremely itchy. Consider switching to a natural soap-based liquid or bar cleanser, or try making your own cleansers yourself. Natural soaps are much kinder to the skin and scalp because they are made from vegetable oils instead of petroleum derivatives.
Is your laundry detergent making your skin itch? Laundry detergents are made from harsh cleansers and they are so strong that some of the residue may be left on your clothes even after the rinse cycle. When you dry your clothes, that laundry detergent residue is left on them. When you wear your clothes the laundry detergent residue comes into contact with your skin. As an alternative try a natural laundry powder available at health food stores or make your own soap, grate it, and use it as a natural laundry powder.
Are you suffering from allergic reactions to one or more food items? Commercially prepared foods contain many different ingredients which can sometimes cause allergic reactions. Try changing your diet by eliminating one food item at a time and see if this helps.
Has your skin come into contact with a bacteria or fungus that could cause itching (like athlete’s foot)? Try applying tea tree oil, or a product containing tea tree oil to the spot that is irritated. According to Dr. Ruth Winter, M.S., author of A Consumer’s Dictionary Of Cosmetic Ingredients, tea tree oil is “eleven to 13 times stronger than carbolic acid” and is non-toxic to the skin.
Are you suffering from bug bites? Bites from mosquitos and other insects usually swell and cause intense itching. Try applying several drops of lavender essential oil directly on the bug bite itself to soothe the itching.

Herbs That Help

Several herbs help to soothe itchy skin. Among these are:

Cade (Juniperus oxycedrus): Cade essential oil, also known as Juniper tar, is a natural, thick, brown oil which is used in many pharmaceutical preparations to help soothe itching.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): Contains the substance allantoin which is soothing and helps the skin to heal.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla and Chamaemelum nobile): Contains the substance azulene which is soothing and anti-inflammatory.
Lavender (Lavandula officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia): Lavender is helpful in fighting all kinds of itchy scalp and skin problems including dandruff, dermatitis and eczema.
Marshmallow Root (Althea officinalis): This plant helps to reduce inflammations of the skin.
Plantain (Plantago major): Contains zinc and silica. It is soothing to the skin.
Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alterifolia): This powerful essential oil is helpful in fighting dandruff and athlete’s foot.

Other Itch Soothers:

Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate) is a neutralizer and can be added to to the bath to help soothe irritated skin. Dead Sea Salts and Dead Sea Mud have been reported to alleviate cases of psoriasis, and other irritating skin conditions. Oatmeal is very soothing to irritated skin.

Recipes

Itchy Scalp Shampoo
Soothe an itchy scalp with this shampoo recipe.
You will need:

Blend the liquid soap with the essential oils. Package in a clean bottle. For best results, lather the shampoo and leave in hair for 5 to 10 minutes. Then rinse out. Follow up with a vinegar hair rinse to restore the hair's natural ph balance.

Skin Soothing Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal and baking soda are soothing to irritated skin. In this recipe they are combined with herbal extracts and essential oils to make a soothing bathtime treat. You will need:

Blend the essential oils together. Set aside. Blend the baking soda and the oat flour with the extracts. Pour the essential oils into the baking soda/oat flour combination. Stir well. Package as desired. To use, add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup to warm bathwater.

Tea Tree Foot Wash
Try this foot wash to help treat fungal infections of the feet.
You will need:

Blend the liquid soap with the essential oils. Package in a clean bottle.

Soothing Bug Bite Oil
Take the sting out of bug bites with this simple oil. Apply directly onto the bite.
You will need:

Blend all ingredients together and store in a clean bottle.

Making Good Scents™