Eczema preventing you from a good night's sleep?! - Bergamot Essential Oil to the Rescue
Updated: Nov 8, 2021
My three year old son always develops eczema after eating certain fruits, in particular tropical fruits. I had been woken up by his cries nearly every night between 1-3 am for the past few weeks even though I diligently apply the DermAssist with 1% Hydrocortisone that was prescribed by our family doctor right before he goes to bed. However, the cream seems to lose its effectiveness around 1-3 am.
Recently, I came across 2 concepts that I thought I would share with you all, the first being the 5 Elements Meridian from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The five elements consists of Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. The basic concept of TCM is that everything is made up of 'Qi' - the life force or vital energy that circulates through the body at all times. Qi is also responsible for regulating the blood flow within our body. It is believed that you need to have a balanced Qi to have your physical body and mind to be in harmony.
The second concept is Yin & Yang, the harmony of all the opposite elements and forces that make up existence. Yin and yang are terms used to describe relative opposite qualities or manifestations of Qi. If yin is form, then yang is function. If yin is material, then yang is immaterial. Yin and yang are continuously changing; they constantly adjust to one another, and are endlessly transforming one into the other.*
When all of the yin and yang aspects of Qi are in harmony with one another, there is health, wellbeing and contentment. When yin and yang are in disharmony - there is too much or too little of one aspect of Qi relative to another, then there is illness, pain and suffering.*
The diagram below shows when does the Qi circulates to a particular organ to nourish and repair.
(Picture credit - Marianne Jacobsen)
In my son's case, his eczema has been consistently becoming an issue around 1-3 am which is related to the Liver Qi. When studying the chart it made sense to me why my son's eczema became unbearable for him around 1-3 am as his eczema is a direct result of his food allergies and the liver is responsible for blood purification and detoxification.
To treat his symptoms, I researched alternative methods and decided to give essential oils a try. There are a few essential oils that has proven to be effective with regulating liver Qi, namely Rose, Bergamot, Lemon, Rosemary, Clary Sage, Roman Chamomile, Geranium, Jasmine, Peppermint, Cinnamon and Wild Tangerine. I decided to use Bergamot as I already had it in my medicine cabinet. I made a 5% dilution with Sweet Almond oil and applied on the eczema affected area right before bed.
Over the last week, I am happy to say that the ointment worked and my son has stopped waking up around 1- 3 am every night and we both now enjoy a full night's sleep!
* https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/traditional-chinese-medicine/what-qi-and-other-concepts