Ichthyosis is the term for severe, persistent problems with dry skin that almost always start in childhood or infancy. Ichthyosis can be genetic (inherited) or can develop later in life. In a large majority of people with the disease, the cause is related to one or more genetic mutations. Under normal circumstances, the body continuously renews its skin surface, building new skin cells and allowing older cells to be shed from the surface. Ichthyosis disrupts this balance either because too many replacement skin cells are produced or because the skin cells do not separate well from the skin surface when it is their time to drop off. The result is that skin cells accumulate into thick flakes that adhere to the body and can resemble fish scales. Click to read Chinese medicine Treatment for Neurodermatitis. 

Herbal treatment can consist of herbal oils, creams, or salves containing moisturizing and soothing herbs and foods. Insure that the body has enough essential fatty acids with high-quality oils. Following is the introduction to three main herbs that are effective for ichthyosis.

1) Calendula

Calendula is popular in ointments, salves, or creams for various skin problems, such as eczema, skin rashes, bed sores, diaper rash, varicose veins, bruises, burns, and sore breasts. The tea is used locally for sore throats, slow-healing wounds, or leukorrea and internally for fever and swollen lymph glands. The tea or tincture is beneficial for the healing of ulcers in the digestive tract and to ease gallbladder inflammation and enlarged, sore lymph glands. An extract of calendula flowers (combined with allantoin) was shown to dramatically accelerate the healing of surgically-induced wounds and prevent infection. Calendula has a taste of spicy, bitter and a temperature of natural.

2) Comfrey

Comfrey root has long been in use externally for bites, burns, bruises, sprains, stings, and wounds. It contains allantoin, which increases the growth of cells and is an excellent demulcent due to its high mucilage content. Comfrey root is also a useful anti-inflammatory. Comfrey has a taste of bitter, sweet and a temperature of cool.

3) Plantain

Plantain is a ubiquitous weed that every herbalist appreciates. It contains a high percentage of mucilage, which gives it its soothing properties; allantoin, to speed wound healing; and aucubin, a strong antimicrobial substance, to help prevent infections. In Europe it is used to treat hay fever and respiratory congestion; it is well-suited for children. Plantain soothes inflamed and irritated tissues of the respiratory, urinary, and digestive tracts. The tea can be taken freely for coughs, irritable bowel, colitis, cystitis, and painful urination. When used fresh, it is the best herb to chew up and stick on a sting, bite, burn, or wound. It always seems to take the sting or pain out, speed the healing process, and prevent infection. 

The herb can counteract severe staph infections when applied fresh with echinacea tincture. Plantain leaf blended with a little water to make a paste can be spread into a small piece of gauze or cheesecloth, rolled into a small cylinder and inserted into the mouth on a herpes sore, ulcer of the gums, inflamed gums, or abscess. Other plantain species are the source of psyllium seed, and the small seeds from P. lanceolata and P. major can be used similarly. Soak 1/2 teaspoon in a little warm water and drink in the morning as a soothing bowel cleanser and regulator. Large-leaved plantain, P. major, can be substituted. Plantain has a taste of bland, bitter and a temperature of cool.