Herbal Treatments for Itching

For some people, itching is more than a skin irritation: It can be a sign of a chronic condition. Because scratching can make an itch worse and can even lead to an infection, herbal remedies can be attempted.

Causes

Common causes of itching are dry skin, skin inflammations from allergies or sunburns, pregnancy, eczema, parasitic infections, insect bites and a reaction to strong chemicals like detergents.

Prevention

Avoid dry skin by moisturizing after baths and showers. Heat and humidity can cause moisture and sweat that can make you itch even more. Always wear sunscreen when outdoors and wear gloves when cleaning or handling chemicals. Check with your doctor about allergy medications or infections. Avoid tight clothes at night.

Home Treatments

There are many home treatments you can try, including:

Taking a peppermint bath. Peppermint will alleviate the itch and also help you relax.
Using Vicks vapor rub for quick relief on small areas that itch.
Mixing equal amounts of cinnamon and honey to make a paste and applying it to itchy areas.
Putting two cups of oatmeal into a bathtub filled with lukewarm water.
Mixing apple cider vinegar with water and rinsing the itchy areas. Two teaspoons of the vinegar can be added to your bath, or you can pour one cup of white vinegar in bath water and soak for five to 10 minutes.
Putting aloe vera or cod liver oil on itchy spots.
Trying a salt-free diet and adding foods with vitamins E and C, beta-carotene and zinc.
Covering the area with a paste made from coconut oil and lime juice.
Applying vitamin E oil to the itch.
Mixing baking soda with water to make a paste to apply to affected skin.
Applying a cold compress.
Mixing aloe vera, cod liver oil, lemon juice, vitamin E oil and wheat germ oil and putting it on the affected areas.
Bathing or wiping the area with evaporated milk.