Acne
Acne is characterized by minor, though occasionally
severe, skin eruptions due to inflammation around
the sebaceous glands. Most prominent on the face,
upper chest, and back, the sebaceous glands secrete
sebum, a thick, oily substance that lubricates the
skin. The male hormones called androgens can
trigger over activity of the sebaceous glands. Acne develops when sebum flow is
blocked by skin cells, dried
sebum, or bacteria. A complete blockage produces a
light-colored bump (whitehead); an incomplete
blockage leads to a dark-colored spot (blackhead).
Bacteria normally found on the surface of the skin
may then infect the whitehead or blackhead,
produce pus, and cause an eruption (pimple). In severe
cases, which are known as cystic acne, painful purple lumps develop.
Except in cases that cause widespread skin
pustules, cysts, or scarring, acne is generally harmless
and responsive to treatment. It is most common
during adolescence and can cause considerable
psychological distress. Eruptions tend to wane by one's 20s,
but they may persist. In women, acne may first
appear in the 20s or 30s. Unexplained outbreaks of
acne in older adults may be a sign of a more serious underlying problem.
Acne can be caused by:
Hormonal changes (especially excessive androgen
secretion) resulting in increased sebum production.
Hereditary factors.
Certain medicaments or compounds, including
oral contraceptives, corticosteroids, or other hormones, as well as
barbiturates, iodides, bromides, vitamin B12, antiseizure
medicaments, and lithium.
Grease, tar, heavy oils, cosmetics, tight clothing, or
anything else that can physically block the pores.
In adults, underlying medical conditions, including
ovary or adrenal gland dysfunction, such as
polycystic ovary disease and Cushing's syndrome.
Other factors including climate changes, stress, and exposure to dioxin.
Supplements and herbs
Most people will benefit from trying all of the supplements that are
recommended below; they can be safely combined. It often takes three
to four weeks, or longer, to notice results. All can be used long term, as
well as with conventional acne medications.
Vitamin A is important because it plays a role in controlling
overproduction of sebum, the root cause of acne. Because it aids in
balancing levels of acne-related hormones, vitamin B6 may be useful for acne
aggravated by menstrual cycles or menopause. And
vitamin C promotes
immune system health, helping to keep acne - causing
bacteria in check.
Taken with any or all of these vitamins, zinc enhances immune function,
reduces inflammation, and promotes healthy hormone levels. Because
long-term use of zinc inhibits copper absorption, it should be taken with
that mineral. It may also help to take zinc along with essential fatty
acids: Two excellent sources are flaxseed oil and
evening primrose oil
which contain GLA (gamma-linolenic acid). Essential fatty acids aid in
diluting the oily sebum, reducing the likelihood of clogged pores.
Aromatherapy
Commonly used essential oils for acne:
Homeopathy
The appropriate remedy should be taken in a
6c or 12c potency twice daily
for several weeks. After a while, the 30c can be used daily. Constitutional
doses of this or other remedies for acne can be prescribed infrequently
in high potencies by a professional homeopath.
- Calc sulph
Severe acne or cystic acne. Stays for weeks in one place. Yellow, creamy
pus that drains for a long time; with swollen glands. Itching, stinging.
Easy infections: skin, sinuses, ears, etc. Poor healing. Warm-blooded.
Fear of being thought ugly. Anxiety. Averse to those who don't agree.
Worse: heat, drafts, wet, exertion, lower face. Better: open air, bathing.
- Kali brom
Teenage acne, or into adulthood; forehead, upper face, shoulders, back.
Blackheads. Pimples with a depressed center; leave purple spots or
scars. Painful, inflamed red pimples with white heads. Worse at menses.
Yellowish, sickly complexion. Overweight, overeater. Warm-blooded.
Feels as if under a curse. Suspicious. Conflict between desires and morals.
- Pulsatilla
Acne, pimples, particularly at puberty, in young girls, pregnancy.
Styes.
Frequent itchy hives. Flushes easily. Pale, dry cracked lips (licks them).
Chilly, but hates heat. Scanty, irregular or
absent menses. No thirst.
Affectionate, emotional. Forsaken, sad, weepy. Fear if alone or in crowds.
Worse: evening, warm air, rich food. Better: fresh air, gentle motion.
- Silicea
Acne and rosacea. Forehead, cheeks, nose, back of hands. Pitting scars.
Pustules, blackheads, boils, abscess. Itches and burns daytime only.
Deep cystic pimples, do not come to a head. Easy infection, poor healing.
Chilly. Profuse and offensive sweat. Sweaty hands, feet. Stubborn.
Lack of confidence, afraid to initiate things. Wants good opinion of others.
- Sulphur
Acne on forehead, scalp, nose, (becomes reddened). Rosacea. Oily face.
Large pimples, close to the surface. Blackheads. Black pores on chin,
nose, lips. Painless but itchy pimples, seeping fluid after scratching.
Over intellectual, dreamers. Always dissatisfied. Selfish, lazy, messy.
Hungry, weak at I I a.m. Worse: warmth, before menses, night, bathing.
- Thuja
Acne: cheeks, nose, chin. Greasy skin. Moist or crusty pimples. Pimples
leave bluish marks or scars, pock marks. Hard pimples with red edges.
Warts on chin, mouth, cheeks.
Irregular menses. Acne in puberty,
infants. Pungent, sweetish sweat. Worse: cold baths, scratching, damp.
Feels ugly, unlovable. Sense of shame, guilt. Rigid opinions, obsessive.
What else you can do
- Picking pimples causes scarring and inflammation. Avoid it.
- Wash everyday, using water and soap.
- Use cosmetics labeled "oil-free" or "noncomedogenic".
- Balance your diet; do not eat foods which may act as acne triggers.
Usual dosage
- Evening primrose oil
- 1,000 mg three times daily.
Can be replaced with 1,000 mg borage oil daily.
- Flaxseed oil
- 1 tbsp. (14 gr) daily
Take it in the morning mixed in the food.
- Vitamin A
- 25,000 IU once a day; after 1 month or when healing is noticed reduce to 10,000 IU daily.
Women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy
should not exceed 5,000 IU a day. You should not take vitamin A, if you use isotretinoin.
- Vitamin B6
- 50 mg in the morning.
Nerve damage can be caused by long-term of using more than 200 mg daily for acne.
- Vitamin C
- 1,000 mg two times a day.
If diarrhea develops, reducing the dose is recommended.
- Copper / Zinc
- 2 mg copper and 30 mg zinc daily.
Adding copper is recommended only when you use zinc over 1 month.
For kids
- Try the following vitamin/ mineral/herbal formula to fight acne. This is a clear
solution that is not noticeable on the skin.
Add the following to 1 pint of water, and blend well: 1,600 micrograms of
folic
acid powder (open two 800-milligram capsules); 25 milligrams of zinc (open a
capsule, crush a tablet, or use 2 tablespoons of liquid zinc); 100 drops of herbal
calendula extract; 6 tablespoons of
aloe vera gel; and 1,000 milligrams of powdered vitamin C. Using a clean cotton ball, apply this mixture to the skin morning and
night. Folic acid, one of the
B-complex vitamins, helps renew and restore tissue.
Zinc aids in healing skin tissue and helps prevent scarring. Calendula is a soothing,
healing, and antibacterial herb, and vitamin C protects the skin and is mildly
anti-inflammatory. Aloe vera is soothing and restorative.
- A clay masque is especially beneficial for the teenager with excessively oily
skin. Mix 1 teaspoon of kaolin, bentonite, or green clay in a little water, until a
paste like consistency is achieved. Apply this mixture to the skin and allow it to
remain in place for fifteen minutes. Wash it off with warm water.
- Cucumber refreshes oily skin. Slice a fresh cucumber and put the slices on the
skin for five to ten minutes, once daily.
- Green clay, taken internally, helps to balance an acidic body. If your child eats
too much sugar and fat, his internal environment is likely to be highly acidic, a
condition that fosters the development of acne. Have him drink 1 teaspoon of
green clay in a glass of water, twice daily, for one week.
- A 5-percent solution of tea tree oil, applied topically to the skin, has been shown
to have beneficial effects similar to those of benzoyl peroxide, but with fewer side
effects.
More useful herbs
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