This information may be the opposite of what many bloggers recommend for eczema. And it's a common mistake natural health practitioners have been making when treating eczema and other types of skin inflammation.
Last updated 27 June 2026.
Image: Could matcha tea make eczema worse?
I made some of these mistakes when I first became a health practitioner many years ago, mainly because the research I am discussing is new, and I was a little green, like that matcha tea.
Like all good researchers, I'm willing to be wrong in order to get to the truth. We may get stuck 'defending our herbal prescriptions' rather than changing them when new research suggests it's time to update our advice. So I'm hoping to get the word out about eczema and my advice is this: stop following general health advice. Eczema is a unique condition and you need unique advice tailored to the problem. This sums it up perfectly:
One man's medicine is another man's sleepless night itching.
Here is a sample of the information I will be teaching at my eczema workshops throughout the year, and it's a good start to understanding your eczema [note the workshops have now ended].
Eczema and your immune system: why teas and herbs could make eczema worse
While some ingredients such as green tea are healthy, if you have a Th2 dominant condition such as eczema, they can actually worsen your skin. Let me explain...
What is Th2? (A quick lesson on the immune system: It will be brief)
In a healthy immune system, the two types of T-helper Cells (abbreviated to ‘Th’) are called Th1 and Th2.
Th1 and Th2 do several jobs:
- They recognise foreign nasties known as 'pathogens'
- They make hormonal 'messenger' proteins (called cytokines) which travel to the source of your inflammation
- They work together to create a balanced immune system.
Now this 'balance' can be likened to a seesaw, you want both Th1 and Th2 to work synergistically, and not have one type of T-helper cells take over and dominate on a long-term basis (Diagram 1).
Diagram 1: Eczema is often described as a Th2-dominant condition. This means the immune system's Th2 pathway becomes more active, while Th1 activity is relatively suppressed. This shift drives B cells to overproduce IgE antibodies, contributing to the inflammation, allergic responses, and intense itch commonly seen in eczema.
Eczema and Th2 research:
- Eczema sufferers are commonly born with a significant Th2 dominant immune system (Abrahamsson, 2011).
- Researchers have established that people with eczema have a Th2 dominant immune system and suppressed Th1 responses, which contributes to developing food sensitivities and allergies (Diagram 1). (Eyerich, 2013)
- In chronic (long term) eczema, the picture becomes more complex, with Th1 and Th22 pathways increasingly involved alongside Th2.
Are you Th2 or Th1 dominant?
Diseases are usually either Th1 dominant or Th2 dominant but some autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s, can switch from one to the other. Confusing I know! But if you have eczema this information is important.
In your body, Th2 cells deal with:
- bacteria
- toxins
- and allergens
So they are the good guys if they are kept in balance. Th2 dominance means they can overreact to foods and your environment and that worsens your eczema—but it's not the whole story, as the book The Eczema Diet explains.
Th2 dominant health problems and diseases:
|
eczema
atopic dermatitis
asthma
sinusitis
inflammatory bowel disease
sinusitis
|
allergies
cancer
ulcerative colitis
Lupus
Scleroderma
Candida albicans infestation
|
Image: Eczema is a Th2 dominant disease, while psoriasis is usually Th1 dominant.
Foods, extracts and beverages that may worsen eczema
If you have a Th2-dominant disease such as eczema, the following ingredients may worsen inflammation as they may stimulate Th2 and contain salicylates which can exacerbate eczema.
- Coffee (not decaf coffee)
- Black tea
- Green tea
- Matcha tea
- Cocoa/cacao/chocolate
- Iced tea
- Curcumin (the supplement, not turmeric as it does the opposite, see below)
- Genistin
- Pine bark
- Lycopene (from tomato)
- Resveratrol (from grapes, red wine, peanuts, cocoa and cacao)
- Willow bark (salicylates)
- Olive leaf extract - it increases Th2
Image: Teas, especially black tea, may worsen eczema due to their Th2 stimulating effect.
While some of the above ingredients are perceived as healthy and can be fine for people who are not Th2 dominant, if you have a Th2 dominant condition such as eczema, avoid these ingredients during your recovery.
Can green tea can make eczema itchy?
While the health benefits of green tea are well documented, this tea can stimulate Th2, which may worsen eczema symptoms if you are already Th2 dominant (Wang, 2021).
While the research on matcha tea and immunity are conflicting, teas like matcha and black tea are naturally rich in salicylates, a food chemical known to trigger eczema flare-ups in salicylate-sensitive individuals. For those following a low-salicylate approach, such as during the FID program, these teas may be worth avoiding until your eczema calms down. Then you may like to gradually add teas, in moderation, back into your diet.
Is turmeric good for eczema?
Research on curcumin, an extract from turmeric (HSS-888) revealed it can increase Th2 immune responses and promote a shift from Th1 to Th2 immunity (Douglas Shytle, 2012; Ukil, 2003). Therefore, curcumin supplements should be avoided if you have eczema or another Th2 dominant condition.
Interestingly, turmeric, the whole spice not the extract, has the opposite effect.
In a mouse study, ground turmeric eased food allergy signals by helping restore a healthier Th1/Th2 immune balance, calming Th2-driven allergic responses (Shin, 2015). So ground turmeric powder may help with Th2-related conditions like food allergy, eczema and asthma, especially when combined with a low chemical diet.
Olive leaf extract and eczema
In animal studies, olive leaf extract significantly elevated Th2 immune system responses (Park, 2013). So this potent immune system modulating herbal medicine may not be suitable for eczema-prone individuals.
Can caffeine trigger eczema?
The relationship between caffeine and Th1/Th2 balance is mixed and context-dependent. While caffeine's effects appear broadly immune-suppressive across T-cell types in some research, other studies in autoimmune disease models suggest caffeine may shift immune activity toward Th2 in certain contexts. Since eczema is already a Th2-dominant condition, this potential Th2-favouring effect, if it applies in humans and in allergic skin conditions, is one plausible reason strong coffee and caffeinated teas like matcha and black tea may be worth avoiding for some people with eczema.
Chocolate, coffee, cacao, matcha tea and regular black tea may also worsen eczema, due to the high salicylate content which can worsen eczema symptoms in people with chemical sensitivities.
Decaf or half strength coffee appears to be less irritating for people with eczema, so it may be successfully consumed in moderation for most eczema prone people (about 9% of adults with eczema adversely react to coffee).
Best teas for eczema
If you would like to drink tea, choose low salicylate options like ginger and lemongrass tea.
Turmeric latte recipe for eczema
This is a nourishing, eczema-friendly drink when made at home with these specific ingredients: Make your anti-inflammatory turmeric latte with a small sprinkle of ground turmeric, cinnamon and ginger (avoid all other spices as they are very rich in salicylates which can worsen eczema). Simmer with milk of choice such as oat milk or rice milk, and sweeten with pure maple syrup (not honey as it's rich in salicylates).
Vitamin E for eczema: the Th1 and Th2 balancer
Vitamin E is the predominant antioxidant in human skin and it is essential for preventing skin inflammation for many reasons, most notably its balancing effect on the immune system.
Five surprising facts about vitamin E and the immune system:
- In a mice study, vitamin E improved Th1 responses in mice, however it did not improve Th2 responses.
- Vitamin E's anti-inflammatory action decreases the allergy marker immunoglobulin E (IgE) in allergy sufferers, so it can decrease the severity of allergic reactions.
- Vitamin E inhibits the production and release of inflammation-making substances called prostaglandins (Tsoureli‐Nikita 2002).
- Vitamin E is believed to stabilise lysosomal membranes, potentially inhibiting events involved in autoimmune diseases (Ayres 1978).
- Vitamin E decreases inflammation in immune cells and inhibits lipoxygenase production, which is involved in eczema, psoriasis and other skin rashes. (Meydani, 1990)
Should you buy a vitamin E supplement for eczema?
Not necessarily. You can get vitamin E naturally by consuming sunflower oil, wheatgerm oil or safflower oil, rather than buying a vitamin E supplement, as excess vitamin E from supplements can cause hypervitaminosis. Plus, why pay for expensive vitamin E supplements when you can simply buy the oil?
Vitamin C for eczema
While vitamin E is important, no nutrient works alone. Vitamin E works best when combined with several nutrients:
- Vitamin C has a positive vitamin E recycling effect in the body as vitamin C rejuvenates/revives vitamin E after it has been destroyed by oxidation.
- Beta-carotene is another antioxidant that helps to boost the protective action of vitamin E: as beta-carotene is more lipophilic than vitamin E it's able to access and protect inside your cell membranes (lipophilic means it dissolves better in fats). (ref: Niki, 1995).
- Vitamin A (beta-carotene) deficiency causes Th1 and Th2 dysfunction (Stephensen, 2004). The vitamin A deficiency prevents proper formation of Th1 cells, which can lead to Th2 dominance.
Can vitamin A or vitamin D worsen eczema?
While vitamin A deficiency or excess may trigger Th2 dominance (and Th1 suppression), DO NOT take vitamin A (retinol) supplements as they can make your skin flake off in droves. I learnt this the hard way and my face peeled for a week when I briefly took a vitamin A oral supplement.
Vitamins A and D, when consumed in high doses may support a Th2-dominant, anti-inflammatory immune profile, playing key roles in both cell-mediated and antibody-based immunity. Despite supporting Th2 activity, deficiencies in either vitamin can weaken overall immune defence:
- low vitamin A impairs mucosal healing and the body's ability to fight off external pathogens,
- low vitamin D is linked to a higher risk of infection due to weakened local immune defences and impaired immune cell response.
In short, while vitamins A and D lean the immune system toward Th2, but getting too little of either can leave the body more vulnerable to infection overall. So when choosing a vitamin D supplement, opt for low dose vitamin D to prevent deficiency, without excess.
Natural betacarotene for eczema
Instead of consuming fat-soluble vitamin A (like cod liver oil), consume natural beta-carotene from foods like carrots and bok choy as it is a safe way to boost your vitamin A levels. Note that most beta-carotene supplements are synthetic which may increase the risk of cancer, particularly in smokers, so look for words such as "natural beta-carotene" and "Dunaliella salina", a natural microalgae best known as a source of natural beta-carotene, or again, simply eat a few carrot sticks each day.
Vitamins for eczema and Th2 dominance
Studies show that adequate intake of vitamins B6, folate, B12, vitamin C and E, and the minerals selenium, zinc, copper and iron, supports a Th1-dominant immune response. These nutrients help maintain healthy production of proinflammatory cytokines, supporting effective immune defence and helping to prevent an unwanted shift toward a Th2-dominant state.
In fact, supplementing with these nutrients (in moderate doses, not high) may help reverse an existing Th2-skewed immune response back toward a healthier Th1 balance, while also strengthening innate immunity. You can find a suitable supplement here.
Can Th2 dominance be reversed?
Yes, but you have to look after your health. Fixing your immune system is not a passive, one off event where you merely take a pill, then go back to drinking coffee all day, eating sugar and smoking cigarettes. It's important to consume eczema-friendly foods and limit your vices when you are prone to eczema.
Also ensure you don't have nutritional deficiencies. I am a big advocate of supplements as they are the fastest way to reverse nutritional deficiencies. A vitamin deficiency can adversely affect your immune system. Your skin needs vitamins and minerals, without excess, so avoid mega-dosing as this can also unbalance your immune system.
Remember eczema is a unique skin condition so it needs specialised health advice. See more information, below.
