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Most
of the time acne is caused by the
sebaceous glands at the base of the
hair follicles of the skin secreting
too much sebum - an oily substance
released from the pores to keep the
skin lubricated and healthy. When
too much sebum is produced or it
gets clogged it can form hard plugs
that block the pores and produce
pimples.A localized bacterial
infection can develop when these oil
plugs rupture beneath the skin's
surface.
What causes
an overproduction of sebum?
Hormonal imbalances are a
common cause of an overproduction of
sebum. This is common in
adolescence, especially in males.
In females, menstrual periods or
pregnancy can also create hormonal
disturbances that can lead to
breakouts. Other common triggers
include emotional stress, irritation
of the skin, and certain
medications, particularly steroids,
contraceptives, or any drugs that
affect hormone levels. There is some
evidence that skin eruptions can be
brought on or aggravated by certain
foods or food allergies as well.
There are many useful herbs for acne
and we will outline some of them
here.
Specific
Herbs for Acne.
ALOE GEL has astringent &
antibacterial properties and is
applied topically.
CALENDULA
promotes healing of skin tissue. You
can make a strong infusion of this
herb and use as a facial was or
steam. It is also available in
creams.
LAVENDER
compresses are used to relieve
inflammation. ROSEWATER is applied
topically for pain & inflammation.
TEA TREE OIL
is a powerful antiseptic but must be
diluted before applying to skin.
WALNUT LEAF
is a useful astringent skin wash.
WITCH HAZEL
has antibacterial & astringent
properties.
ECHINACEA tincture taken
internally promotes healing, reduces
inflammation.
GOLDENSEAL
is an antimicrobial which stops
oozing. Another common cause of
outbreaks is a sluggish liver. When
the liver is not functioning
optimally it cannot clear excess
hormones. When trying to clear acne
it is important to balance the
hormones and cleanse the liver.
BURDOCK ROOT
and DANDELION contain insulin
which improves the skin by removing
bacteria.
MILK THISTLE
is the most commonly used herb for
cleansing and strengthening the
liver. It also helps remove excess
hormones through the stool by
stimulating bile production.
Traditionally this condition has
responded well to a combination of
herbs.
When treating acne it is important
to take a two-fold approach:
Internally and Topically
Generally speaking, just treating
the skin topically does not address
the internal causes of acne and skin
eruptions.
Internally, a good combination for
cleansing the liver and blood would
be a tincture of MILK THISTLE and
DANDELION. The traditional dosage is
30 drops in a little water 3 times
daily.
Topically, you can combine any
number of herbs such as CALENDULA,
LAVENDER, TEA TREE OIL, WITCH HAZEL
and ROSEWATER, depending on the
specific condition of your skin. |
