Australia's Choice magazine is an independent magazine that reviews products from the point of view of the consumer. Recently they published an articled titled `Natural first aid: Are natural first-aid remedies effective?'
The summary of the article ;
There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence from years of traditional use, but scientific evidence for the clinical effectiveness of natural first-aid remedies is generally lacking.
Most of the world relies mainly on natural medicines, and their popularity is growing in the west. You can easily find natural first-aid remedies in pharmacies and healthfood shops. But can you be sure that they’ll work?
Something I hadn't heard of before is a body called `Commision E'. Where available the article cites findings from Commission E.
Commission E
An exception to the lack of scientific study of natural remedies is Commission E, a German government regulatory agency composed of scientists, pharmacists, toxicologists, physicians and herbalists that has produced a series of documents known as herbal monographs — essentially formal reviews of medicinal herbs based on the available scientific evidence as well as evidence from traditional use, case studies and the experience of modern herbalists. The monographs are considered to provide authoritative information including approved uses of the herbs and their side effects, interactions and doses.
See the full article for examples of where Commission E has published relevant information.
Some of the remedies in this article have been discussed in the past as possible treatments for rosacea. Unfortunately there isn't much in this well written article suggesting that any of these natural remedies have been proven as effective for inflammatory skin diseases.
Following are some interesting extracts ;
Aloe Vera
The evidence is mixed, but it probably can’t hurt to try certified aloe vera gel (or aloe vera juice squeezed directly from the plant, if you have one) on minor wounds and burns/sunburn — and it might work.
Arnica
Arnica montana is a medicinal herb with a long history of use for treating swelling and bruising resulting from blows, and injuries such as sprains. Arnica flower is commonly available in both herbal and homeopathic preparations.
Clinical evidence for arnica as an effective first aid treatment is lacking, but people with osteoarthritis might want to give it a go.
Calendula
Calendula officinalis, or marigold, is a member of the daisy family (Compositae/Asteraceae). Its preparations have been used since ancient times to treat inflammatory skin conditions and accelerate wound healing.
Lavender oil
Oil from the lavender flower (Lavandula angustifolia) has been used as an antiseptic in medicine since ancient Arabian, Greek and Roman times.
The clinical evidence for its effectiveness as an antiseptic is lacking, though sprinkling lavender oil in your bathwater to help you relax is likely to be safe enough.
Tea tree oil
Australian Aborigines have used the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant for medicinal purposes for many centuries. Tea tree oil’s traditional use is as an antiseptic for preventing and treating minor skin infections.
The evidence so far is encouraging, though not definitive. It may be worth a try on insect bites and minor skin infections.
Further Reading ;
