Granuloma Annulare Herbal Remedy

Granuloma annulare is a chronic, benign skin condition, usually occurring on hands and feet, in which small, reddish bumps form in a circle, with normal skin at the center. The condition can be unsightly but is usually painless--although the bumps may itch--and normally goes away by itself. Although doctors can treat the disorder with cryosurgery (freezing) or steroid creams, some people employ herbal remedies for help with their symptoms. If you have unexplained bumps or lesions on your skin, you should see your doctor to rule out dangerous diagnoses.

Features

• Although granuloma annulare resembles ringworm, it is neither fungal nor contagious. According to information on the Mayo Clinic website, granuloma annulare is sometimes linked with diabetes and thyroid disease, but most people with this disorder are otherwise healthy. The cause of granuloma annulare is unknown. Women are twice as likely as men to get the condition, with young adults and children most vulnerable. Diagnosis is made by ruling out fungal infection and by skin biopsy. In generalized granuloma annulare, the rings can cover large parts of the body, and itching can be more pronounced.

Herbal Remedies

• If you see an herbalist for treatment for your granuloma annulare, he will probably begin by questioning you about your diet, prescription drugs, allergies, lifestyle and exercise habits. He may advise you to avoid products containing gluten--such as wheat bread--as well as sugar, and increase your intake of fresh fruits and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, halibut, tuna and sardines. To treat your granuloma annulare, your herbalist may recommend rheum rhabarbarum, or Chinese rhubarb, also called da huang.

  According to Phyllis A. Balch, certified nutrition consultant and author of Prescription for Nutritional Health, this herb contains phytochemicals such as beta-carotene that help fight infection and promote healing. He may also advise boswellia serrata--made from the gum of the Indian olibanum tree--which limits the production of leukotreines, unsaturated fatty acids which are released during allergic reactions and cause swelling. To prevent infection, he may also prescribe zingiber officianale, or ginger, for its anti-microbial effects, as well as operculina turpethum, a Himalayan herb used in ayervedic herbal medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. He may also recommend arishina gurige, made from the oil of the torchwood treep, for the anti-fungal effects of the steroidal saponins it contains.

Tips and Precautions

• Herbal medicine is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for conventional medical treatment. Before embarking on any regime of herbal medicines or vitamin supplements, consult with your physician; these substances can interfere with prescription medications. To learn more about possible side effects of herbs, visit the U.S. Library of Medicine.