Seborrhea

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin disease, also known as dandruff in adults and cradle cap in infants. It begins with an inflammation, which produces patches of red and yellow scaly skin. Although it is not usually itchy, the skin flakes easily. Winter weather conditions tend to aggravate the problem. In more severe cases, a yellow rash appears along the hairline. Sometimes, this is accompanied by an eyelid infection, called blepharitis, where yellowish crusts form at the base of the lashes.

Seborrhea is easily confused with other similar looking skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis. Seborrhea can be in combination with other conditions. If itching is severe, for instance, an additional candida fungal infection is likely. Seborrhea is not always confined to the scalp. It can spread to the face, especially between the brows and around the nose, and cause the skin to become redder and scalier than normal. The chest and skin folds near the genital area are also affected in some cases.

Like most skin problems, there is not one sole cause for seborrheic dermatitis. Problems like seborrhea are often the external expressions of internal imbalances and toxemia. Stress, emotional factors, nutritional deficiencies, food allergies and digestive function abnormalities such as low stomach acid, low pancreatic enzyme levels, bowel infections or a severe intestinal flora imbalance can all be related to scalp inflammation. Diets lacking in wholesome foods, rich in nutrients and natural enzymes, are often at fault. Most important are the B vitamins, and the essential fatty acids. Although seborrhea can be controlled through nutrition and good health, the predisposition to it does not go away.

Supplements and herbs

Seborrhea is unlikely to occur when sufficient B vitamins are present. Most important are B6, B12, folic acid and biotin. Vitamin B12 is often poorly absorbed; sublingual tablets should be used.

Treatment of seborrhea also requires the essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids, especially the gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) found in evening primrose and flax seed oil, are building blocks for the body's own anti-inflammatories, as well as being nutrients for the skin. If the skin is very dry, vitamins A and E should also be added, as they maintain skin health.

Herbal Remedies

• Eradicating the problem usually requires a good bowel cleansing program. This might include aloe vera juice, senna, buckthorn or cascara sagrada. To stimulate the scalp and blood circulation, loosen scales and disinfect, rub the scalp with one of the following herbal combinations.
• Tea tree oil, aloe vera, silica gel and calendula cream can be applied topically to relieve the skin.
• Chaparral, goldenseal or red-clover tea help clear up the condition. Add 1 tsp. of herbs to 1 cup of boiling water; steep, strain, let cool and rub into scalp.
• Combine 1/2 tsp. each of lavender oil, calamus oil, burdock root oil and 2 tsp. of gentian tincture. Add rosemary spirit to make 1/4 cup. Shake well before rubbing into scalp. To make rosemary spirit, fill 1/2 cup with rosemary herbs, cover with vodka and let stand in a sunny place for four to six weeks, shaking several times. Rosemary is both antiseptic and astringent. Soak 1 tbsp. of rosemary herb in 1/2 cup of ordinary shampoo for two weeks before using.
• Stinging nettle and gentian tincture, St. John's wort oil, calamus oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil, burdock root oil or onion juice rubbed into the scalp provide relief. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp. of herbs, steep for thirty minutes, strain, add 2 tbsp. of vinegar and rub into scalp. Soap bark has anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties. Mix 1 cup of decoction of herbs with 1/2 cup of soft soap and use as shampoo.

What else you can do

• Apply vitamin E oil the affected area or break open a capsule and apply externally.

Usual dosage

• Vitamin B complex, 50 mg three times daily.
• Vitamin B12, sublingual form, 100 mcg
• Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules three times daily
• Flax seed oil, 1 tbsp
• Vitamin A, 25,000 IU (avoid during pregnancy)
• Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU
• Colloidal silver, or apply externally, 1/4 tsp.

More useful herbs

• Cleavers