Here are some alternative treatments for eczema that you might want to try if you’ve already spent a lot of time and money on doctor’s visits and expensive medications without results. Here we’ve got seven natural alternative treatment for eczema that don’t cost an arm and a leg and are quite effective.

1.1.Echinacea is an herb best known as a cold preventative, blood cleanser and immune system booster. However, a little known benefit of Echinacea is that even long-standing cases of eczema respond well to Echinacea tablets (available at health food stores) within several days.

2.Amaranth tea is another effective eczema treatment. Here’s the formula: you’ll need two teaspoons of amaranth seeds and, if available, 1 teaspoon of amaranth leaves. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, add the amaranth seeds and simmer for five minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and add the leaves. Steep for 30 minutes. (If you can’t find the leaves, don’t worry ñ it’s not essential, but does increase the effectiveness.) When cool, use as a wash, twice daily.

3.Here’s another natural eczema treatment which, while being a bit unusual, is highly effective. For each treatment, combine one tablespoon of peeled, raw, grated potato with 2/3 teaspoon of uncooked, granulated quick-cooking tapioca. Add just enough water to make a thick, sticky paste. Spread the paste on several layers of gauze and fasten to the affected area with medical adhesive tape. Change every day, repeating until relief is obtained.

4.Watercress tea for an eczema treatment? You bet! Thoroughly wash 1 large bunch of watercress and place in a stainless steel saucepan, with just sufficient water to cover the greens. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat, simmering slowly until the watercress is quite tender. Strain the cress well, through a few layers of cheesecloth and refrigerate. Bathe the affected area(s) a few times each day, with a piece of soft cloth. For comfort’s sake, a soft linen works best.

5.Would you believe that horseradish root can treat eczema? Yes, indeed and quite effectively. Grate a 3-4 inch piece of fresh horseradish root, put it into a glass bottle and cover with apple cider vinegar. Set the covered jar on a sunny window ledge for 10 days. Strain the horseradish root out and refrigerate the remaining liquid. For each application, dilute the vinegar with equal parts of water and apply daily.

6. Some cases of eczema respond well to warm water combined with a couple of teaspoons of blackstrap molasses. Soak the affected area frequently in this bath each day. In addition to the soaking, take a teaspoon of molasses by mouth, several times a day. Note that diabetics should not use this treatment!

7. Our last natural eczema treatment is for dry eczema only, as it will make weeping eczema worse! Take 1 capsule of propolis twice daily, for 3-4 days, then follow up with one application of the propolis cream daily, until the eczema is relieved. (Propolis capsules and cream are available at health food stores.) Note that about 1 in every 2,000 persons have an allergic reaction to propolis. Should you develop a rash, discontinue use. The rash will disappear upon discontinuing the propolis.

You’ll surely agree that eczema is no fun! One of these natural eczema treatments will work well for you and you’ll save time and money, too!

Italian actress Sophia Loren is perhaps the icon of ageless beauty. Surely she’s well into her 70s now, yet remains so beautiful, apparently without the aid of plastic surgery. How does she do it? Just lucky? Perhaps her genes are exceptionally favorable to her continued good looks. However, in a magazine interview some years back, she sat down with the reporter to let the rest of us in on some of her anti-aging secrets. You might have thought that she spends a ton of money on beauty products, facials and the like. According to Ms. Loren, her anti-aging secrets are inexpensive and simple.

For one thing, she said she’s always taken care of herself, even when still in her teens. So, a word of advice to you teens – don’t wait until you’re 40 to start taking care of yourself. When you start seeing wrinkles on your face and flabby skin in unattractive places, you’re facing an uphill battle. This anti-aging secret may hold the key to hanging on to that fresh, vibrant and firm skin you now take for granted!

Anti-ageing skin care is of prime importance and it’s never too early too start! As we age men and women alike notice our skin starts to lose its natural oil and elasticity, resulting in dryness, wrinkles and sags. The longer you postpone replenishing the natural moisture in your skin, the more difficult it will be to correct later on. Teens often have an over-abundance of natural oils and feel that a moisturizer will only make things worse. Not true. Wash with warm water, rinse thoroughly, apply an astringent and finish off with a light moisturizer. This will help keep your skin clear and smooth, paying real dividends by the time you’re thirty and your friends, not privy to this simple anti-aging secret, are sporting little wrinkles.

If you’re already in your 20s, 30s or hitting 40, it’s never too late to start. Clean your skin twice a day, as described above, use an exfoliant once a week and get a moisturizer suited to your skin condition.

Here’s one of Ms. Loren’s anti-aging secrets upon which she placed particular emphasis, diet and in particular consumption of particluar anti-ageing foods. Italians include vegetables and fruits with every meal and in profusion. The Italian cook goes to the home garden or the local marketplace daily, to select the very freshest produce available. Perhaps this is one reason most Italians seem to look younger than their years. The nutrients and antioxidants contained in produce are an absolute blessing to your skin, no matter your age.

Another important anti-aging secret is oh, you’ve heard this one -  drinking water and lots of it! Water flushes toxins out of your body, which is definitely a good thing. In addition to whatever other beverage you might have with your meal, have a glass of water at the side. One cup is sufficient, but you’ve got to drink it!

Moderation in the amounts of food you eat is another of Ms. Loren’s anti-aging secrets. Eat slowly. Enjoy the table conversation and relax. You’ll find that eating in this way gives your stomach a heads-up when you’re full. If you wolf down your food, you’re going to be reaching to loosen a button or belt notch at the end of the meal. Minimize the fatty and fried foods. Opt for lean meats. Do your heart good using olive oil instead of saturated fats for cooking.

Minimize stress. One way to do this is through regular exercise. If you need convincing, think of it this way: have you known people who, under tremendous stress or a traumatic experience, have gained a shock of gray hair overnight? (I have.) It does happen, so think how years of chronic stress and neglect to your diet might eventually have you looking old and haggard before your time.

The last of Ms. Loren’s anti-aging secrets is simple indeed. Cultivate a positive outlook and a sunny spirit! Look what it did for her!