Herbal Challenge - Scary Skin

The (self-imposed, arbitrary and subject to change) rules of the game Herbal Challenge are as follows:

1. When I think if it, have the materials and time, and in non-emergency situations, I will select a natural, plant-based remedy instead of a synthetic, chemical, processed one.
2. I will give the herbal remedy a reasonable time to work its magic (immediately for mouthwash, cleaners, etc., up to an hour for a headache or cramps, overnight for colds, muscle aches, rashes, a couple weeks to months for hormonal and mood balancing, etc.)
3. I will report honestly on the results and compare them to a manufactured product when possible.

Herbal Challenge # 1: Weird dry patch of skin

I had a little circular dry patch, sometimes itchy, sometimes not, on my inner upper arm. I had tried various conventional lotions and cremes on it over the months, but it persisted. A minor annoyance, but I wanted it resolved. Last month, I ordered a sample balm from Mountain Rose Herbs called Powerful Skin, made with Black Walnut leaves, Chaparral, Sage, Mugwort, and Tea Tree essential oil in an olive oil and beeswax base which I applied before going to bed. When I woke up, the little patch was all but gone! After using it a few more days, totally gone. Success!

Running Score: Lab Rats: 0, Garden Mice: 1

Herbal Challenge # 2: Mystery rash

I am sorry if this is too much information! I woke up with a strange, very angry, itchy and sort of blistery rash on my upper chest last week. I blame my little devil cat, suspect she got into some poison oak and 'sweetly' curled up on my chest. I put on some Powerful Skin balm - it seemed to inflame it. I put on a little diluted tea tree oil in some calendula oil. No improvement. After 24 hours of no relief from the materials and knowledge I had on hand, I reached for the big guns. Luxiq is a terribly expensive (I think a canister cost me $150, not covered by insurance) chemical ('betamethasone valerate') topical steroid foam I discovered (from the urgent care clinic's MD) last summer when I had systemic poison oak and had to go on prednisone. It's the only product I've found that clears up my poison oak. Sure enough, I put it on at night and woke up with a nearly healed chest. Sigh. I need to do more research on poison oak herbal remedies. Thank you for this one, big pharma.

Running Score: Lab Rats: 1, Garden Mice:1

Herbal Challenge # 3: Bruised and bumped!

So last weekend we went to Calistoga for a wedding. Lovely! We went wine tasting and I probably drank a bit too much and banged my hand into the fancy footboard thing on the bed where we stayed. I woke up with a big bruise and 'goose egg' swelling on my hand. Ouch. When I got home, I put some Arnica oil on my hand. This was weird - the pain immediately stopped, the swelling immediately disappeared. The flowers of Arnica montana contain pretty strong constituents (not recommended for internal usage and can cause dermatitis in some) but they sure worked for me in resolving my bruised hand - right before my eyes. I am impressed with this pretty yellow flower.

Running Score: Lab Rats: 1, Garden Mice: 2

Herbal Challenge # 4: Went straight for the meds

It appears I have had a low-level medically interesting week. I don't think I'm ready or will ever be ready to blog about this situation (though the story should be told) but anyway . . . something happened and I needed meds and although there are supposed herbal solutions, my confidence went to medical science as there was a little too much at stake. I know, from too much to too little information, sorry.

Running Score: Lab Rats: 2, Garden Mice: 2 - a tie this week!

PS - I have tons of faith in science and medicine. I just personally believe that when I have a viable choice and alternatives, I will prefer to start with natural, studied and tested (both through scientific testing and through thousands of years of successful human use), plant-based remedies.

PPS - if anyone else wants to play Herbal Challenge, let me know! I want to know what works best. (And thanks for your patience, those who are awaiting my experiments, soon, soon.)

Comments

[Shephard]

I have distrust of the same issues with big medicine.
But I'm also skeptical about natural remedies too, having tried calendula and tea tree oil etc with no results. I'm glad you're sharing, and definitely interested in what you'll find.
~S :)

[Popeyes]

I'd recommend that you don't use poison ivy. Actually, anything with the qualifier "poison" is usually not good for you.

[Jayne]

Shephard: I hope to find remedies that are natural--and effective! If it doesn't work, why bother . . . I'm glad you are interested : )

Popeye: Excellent advice! Cuz I was going to, you know : P

[ring]

I've just been hanging out doing nothing. I've basically been doing nothing worth mentioning. Shrug. Pretty much not much exciting happening today. Today was a complete loss.

[Sandra]

The government should be persuaded to pay for all healthcare