After reading @felvapes and @GreenHopper 's comments on Eczema, I started wondering if cannabis oil would help. I know that the cannabis infused oil and salve I make helps heal burns and other sores. So I did a little research.
In the 'Why Do You Medicate' forum, there is a thread called "700 Medicinal Uses for Cannabis sorted by Disease" which has a section devoted to Eczema:
So in theory cannabis should help eczema. So I took it further and looked in my 'bible' on essential oils ("The Quick Reference Guide for Using Essential Oils" by Connie and Alan Higley) and found:
So I'm thinking a cannabis infused oil with essential oils known to heal, or be helpful, for eczema. My thoughts are, that for eczema, you want as little barrier as possible. You want that cannabis and the essential oils to absorb. So you do not want to add anything to an oil that would solidify it; like beeswax. Coconut oil is also a barrier type oil.. so if making a topical oil, I would infuse grapeseed oil because it absorbs into the skin more easily. I would also make darn sure to filter the infused oil a couple times to get any type of cannabis particulate out. The particulate can be an irritant.
So what would I add? I'm not shy with the essential oils that I add. There are some that are irritants, however, and those I use sparingly. None of the essential oils used above for eczema are in that category. So for example, when I make a 2 oz. tin of my pain salve, I'll put in 10 drops of wintergreen, 4 drops of rosemary, 4 drops of eucalyptus, 4 drops of peppermint. More than you would think; right? But that's for pain...
For eczema, I think I would take 2 oz. of oil and add 5 drops of one of the main oils (German Chamomile most likely). Then I would add 4 drops of thyme, 4 drops of bergamot, 4 drops of eucalyptus. Or something along those lines from the above list of essential oils. But I don't add more than 4 oils as a rule. And then I would test and see how this worked before adding more essential oils to a batch. My feeling is that you could probably use more of the first ingredient... but maybe not to start. Better to err on the side of caution rather than go full bore and risk a flare up. Find a blend of the oils that you like. And when adding the oils, don't get freaked out if an extra drop or two comes out of the bottle. No biggie.
Another oil mentioned in the book I have is an oil called V-6. Sort of expensive and I've never used it, but think I may have to try it now that I've found a source for it. This oil is used to dilute essential oils for direct application to the skin or if they are on the list of 'possible irritant oils'. I have no idea if this can be infused. @Killick have you heard anything about this oil? In any case, you could just use this oil to dilute the essential oils and use them directly as well (without the cannabis infusion). Or mix that with a small amount of infused grapeseed oil. See below (from the product description):
On a side note, one thing I found interesting in the blurb above was that people who have eczema could have a sulfur deficiency. A quick Google search brought up this advice:
Would love for someone to try it and let me know. Lol... if you were my neighbor I'd make you my guinea pig.
In the 'Why Do You Medicate' forum, there is a thread called "700 Medicinal Uses for Cannabis sorted by Disease" which has a section devoted to Eczema:
ECZEMA
Hemp Supplement Boosts Body AND Mind (anecdotal/news - 2001)
http://pr.cannazine.co.uk/201006011282/green/eco-news/hemp-supplement-boosts-body-and-mind.html
Skin Complaint Man Grew Cannabis (news/ anecdotal- 2004)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04.n1222.a09.html
Want Nice Skin? Then Smoke Cannabis! (news – 2007)
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Want-Nice-Skin-Then-Smoke-Cannabis-56803.shtml
Cannabis helps treat allergic reactions (news - 2007)
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4768
Cannabis compound reduces skin allergies in mice (news – 2007)
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn12016-cannabis-compound-reduces-skin-allergies-in-mice.html
Cannabinoids Reduce Skin Inflammation (news - 2007)
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7284&wtm_format=print
So in theory cannabis should help eczema. So I took it further and looked in my 'bible' on essential oils ("The Quick Reference Guide for Using Essential Oils" by Connie and Alan Higley) and found:
So I'm thinking a cannabis infused oil with essential oils known to heal, or be helpful, for eczema. My thoughts are, that for eczema, you want as little barrier as possible. You want that cannabis and the essential oils to absorb. So you do not want to add anything to an oil that would solidify it; like beeswax. Coconut oil is also a barrier type oil.. so if making a topical oil, I would infuse grapeseed oil because it absorbs into the skin more easily. I would also make darn sure to filter the infused oil a couple times to get any type of cannabis particulate out. The particulate can be an irritant.
So what would I add? I'm not shy with the essential oils that I add. There are some that are irritants, however, and those I use sparingly. None of the essential oils used above for eczema are in that category. So for example, when I make a 2 oz. tin of my pain salve, I'll put in 10 drops of wintergreen, 4 drops of rosemary, 4 drops of eucalyptus, 4 drops of peppermint. More than you would think; right? But that's for pain...
For eczema, I think I would take 2 oz. of oil and add 5 drops of one of the main oils (German Chamomile most likely). Then I would add 4 drops of thyme, 4 drops of bergamot, 4 drops of eucalyptus. Or something along those lines from the above list of essential oils. But I don't add more than 4 oils as a rule. And then I would test and see how this worked before adding more essential oils to a batch. My feeling is that you could probably use more of the first ingredient... but maybe not to start. Better to err on the side of caution rather than go full bore and risk a flare up. Find a blend of the oils that you like. And when adding the oils, don't get freaked out if an extra drop or two comes out of the bottle. No biggie.
Another oil mentioned in the book I have is an oil called V-6. Sort of expensive and I've never used it, but think I may have to try it now that I've found a source for it. This oil is used to dilute essential oils for direct application to the skin or if they are on the list of 'possible irritant oils'. I have no idea if this can be infused. @Killick have you heard anything about this oil? In any case, you could just use this oil to dilute the essential oils and use them directly as well (without the cannabis infusion). Or mix that with a small amount of infused grapeseed oil. See below (from the product description):
- for direct application blend 1 drop essential oil in 1-8 teaspoons of V-6
- for topical applications apply 15-30 drops of essential oils to 1/8-1/4 cup V-6
- for stronger oils (cinnamon, clove, oregano) require more dilution than gentler oils
On a side note, one thing I found interesting in the blurb above was that people who have eczema could have a sulfur deficiency. A quick Google search brought up this advice:
The simplest way to cure a sulfur deficiency is by using Epsom salts (wiki). All you have to do is water the plant with Epsom salts and wait until it gets better. Use one, maybe two teaspoons of Epsom salts per gallon of water. If you have any other nutrients that have sulfur in it, feel free to add that as well.
Would love for someone to try it and let me know. Lol... if you were my neighbor I'd make you my guinea pig.