Some Facts about Hydrocortisone 

Why is Hydrocortisone used in your ‘Natural’ product line?

Hydrocortisone is a catabolic steroid that greatly reduces inflammation, redness, itching, and other signs of allergic reaction. We use 1% hydrocortisone in our Calming Anti-Itch Cream.

The word 'steroid' has a negative connotation. However, not all steroids are created equally. There are two basic categories of steroids: anabolic and catabolic.

- Anabolic steroids are what some weight lifters and athletes may take to enhance muscle mass; testosterone is the most common anabolic steroid.

- Catabolic steroids, such as hydrocortisone, are those that mimic the ones that we naturally produce in our own adrenal glands. They’re called glucocorticoids and are responsible for helping reduce inflammation and itching, particularly in allergic responses. Hydrocortisone is a catabolic steroid often prescribed by doctors and dermatologists to address dermatological issues.

Low doses of topical steroids – such as our use of 1% hydrocortisone – used for short lengths of time are sufficient for controlling most itching, redness and topical swelling with little to no side effects or problems. Most of the over-the-counter (OTC) products that you would find on your local drugstore shelves contain the same amount – 1% hydrocortisone. At Healing Tree, we combine this powerful ingredient with natural botanicals and essential oils to optimize their healing powers.

*For those who still feel strongly about NOT using hydrocortisone, we have developed an all-natural alternative formula (Natural Healing Cream) using only plant-based anti-itch and anti-inflammatory ingredients.