PROPOLIS – a powerful, all natural antibiotic also known as Russian Penicillin.

Propolis is a product from the bee-hive.  Honey-bees collect the sticky, brown resinous substance from various plants.  In the hive the bees mix the propolis with wax and use it to sterilise their home against infection and as a  multi purpose cement and varnish.

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Also known as Golu Kola and Indian Pennywort, Centella Asiatica is a herb possessing natural antiseptic properties.  It was traditionally used to treat a multitude of conditions ranging from leprosy and gonorrhoea, to delay aging and to minimise female problems such as amenorrhoea.  It has also been used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis for hundreds of years.

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Calendula, also known as Garden Marigold is a common garden plant throughout Europe and North America.  The flowers have been used for centuries as an antiseptic, to reduce inflammation and to treat wounds and a variety of skin conditions.  Calendula can also be used internally to treat stomach ulcers and inflammations however the use of calendula in this way professional supervision is recommended.

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The incidence of eczema is on the rise, with more and more children being born with the condition every day.  The rise can almost certainty be attributed to aspects of our modern way of life, such as more pollution, processed foods and more chemicals and irritants all around us.

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Rosacea, the skin condition primarily affecting the facial blood vessels causes a hot, inflamed rash similar to blushing and acne like bumps.

There are three types of Rosacea:

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If we knew exactly how to treat eczema, there would be a lot of happy and itch free people out there! But unfortunately, as you all would know there is no easy way to treat eczema.

One of the most difficult aspects you will face when you try to treat eczema is that it seems to come and go, getting worse and then improving sometimes for no obvious reason.

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As a general rule children under the age of 12 months should not ingest raw honey.  This is because honey may contain clostridium botulism spores.  The spores do not germinate in the acidic adult digestive system, but may germinate in the gut of young infants because they do not have well developed intestinal flora.  Cases of infant botulism and all botulism are extremely rare.

The danger of honey affecting young children is only in relation to their under developed gastro intestinal flora.  This means that there is no danger for it being used topically.

The honey in topical applicants is safe for young children.  This does not however eliminate the need to patch test any new topical product.

Having trouble relieving that itch?

One of the main problems for people with eczema is that persistent, drive-you-mad itch. It seems to go on and on and no matter how much cream you use it just won’t go away.

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My children are in the middle of their winter sports season.  And they love it.  Unfortunately though, eczema and sport do not go together.  Sport can cause you to overheat, which can make your eczema symptoms worse.  This is not only embarrassing, but uncomfortable.

Sport is however an important part of our lives, especially when we are children.  The health and social aspects are vital.  It is therefore important not to avoid sport if you have eczema, but to take extra care.

If possible play your sport during the cooler part of the day and wear cotton rather than synthetic sports clothes.  Take time out after the your sport to shower and wash off the sweat and most importantly always remember to re-moisturise after exercising or playing sport.

Eczema of the scalp or seborrhoeic eczema is a skin disorder that tends to begin with itching and scaliness on the scalp, causing severe dandruff.  Sufferers of eczema of the scalp will often find that it may spread down to the face, in particular the oily zones such as the sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears etc.

In babies, eczema of the scalp often goes by the well known name of cradle cap.  It will usually strike during the child’s first year, and the child may develop red scaly patches in areas where the skin rubs together ie. elbows or under the armpits.

Most sufferers of eczema of the scalp will be especially sensitive to chemicals in products such as soaps, bubble baths, some shampoos and cosmetics.  These can dry out the scalp even more, and thus creating an increasingly embarrassing dandruff problem.

Finding a good shampoo and conditioner that won’t irritate your eczema of the scalp is very hard.  We here at Graham’s Natural Alternatives are in the process of manufacturing our own shampoo and conditioner especially designed for this problem.

In the meantime, a natural remedy that has helped ease the eczema of the scalp has been the use of Graham’s Natural Alternatives Bath Oil.  The best way to use the Bath Oil for eczema of the scalp is to wash your hair with the bath oil and leave on for 10-15 minutes  before rinsing out.  Calendulus Plus Cream can also be rubbed into the effected areas through the hair with great results.

Most of our customers that have tried this approach have had great results.  The hair doesn’t seem to be overly oil afterwards, and the dandruff has nearly all but gone.  Well worth a try!.