Chinese Herbs for Hormonal Acne
Hormonal acne most frequently affects teenagers during puberty and women around their menstrual cycles, and is a difficult condition to treat and cure because of its cyclical nature. Chinese medicine offers alternative treatments to Western cures and products. These treatments often include the use of Chinese herbs. Used properly, specific herbs can help realign the body's energy and alleviate the underlying causes of hormonal acne.
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First, a Warning
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Chinese medicine is based in large part on medicinal herbs that are prescribed for specific conditions. Do not consume any unfamiliar herbs or foods without first consulting your doctor or a Chinese medicine professional. Chinese medicine is not for the casual dabbler, as many of the herbs used in Chinese medicine can be dangerous if they are improperly prepared or taken in too large a dose.
What is Hormonal Acne?
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Hormonal acne recurs as a result of hormonal changes. Many teens experience hormonal acne during puberty, and many women experience monthly hormonal acne around the time of their menstrual cycle. Some women also experience hormonal acne problems during pregnancy.
When you have acne, irritated areas of your skin become infected and swell. The skin may become irritated due to dryness, dampness, oiliness or the wrong type of soap. When the skin becomes irritated, it loses its moisture balance and becomes more susceptible to the infections that cause acne. -
Chinese Medicine Principles
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In traditional Chinese medicine, there are four major factors or conditions that cause illness: atmospheric, emotional, dietary and fatigue. According to "Traditional Chinese Medicine: An Authoritative and Comprehensive Guide" by Henry C. Lu, the primary cause that affects skin conditions is the atmospheric condition called "damp." Dampness syndrome, called wei-ling-tang, can result from diseases of the liver or other organs, but can also be caused by a living environment that is too humid or moist. If you live in a basement flat, sleep on a futon on the floor or sweat excessively, you may be a candidate for skin problems due to dampness.
Common Chinese Herbs
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In Western culture, an herb is usually fresh, leafy green plant matter or seeds, often prepared by drying and used to season foods. In traditional Chinese medicine, however, herbs often consist of dried plant matter; herbal treatment can also include vegetables, minerals, and food prescribed in measured doses.
For instance, pipe fish, also known as the seahorse, is ingested to assist with kidney function and as an aphrodisiac. Chinese herbs are sometimes assigned as a treatment based on their flavor, along with the effect that the flavor has on the emotional state of the patient taking the herb.
Recommended Herbs and Foods
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According to Lu's table of dietary and herbal treatments for common conditions, foods such as egg yolks, olives, potatoes and clams are said to have properties that treat the causes of acne and other skin disorders. Squash is also recommended as a treatment for general malnourishment, which can disturb the skin's nutrient balance and cause a hormonal breakout. A nighttime meal of yam and rice is recommended if your acne is exacerbated by hormonal night sweats.
Rare Herbs
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Due to the deadly poison contained in its seeds, the castor bean is not a safe source for home acne treatment without proper preparation by an herbalist. Similarly, other herbs like the poria mushroom, known in Chinese medicine as fu ling---as well as less common herbs, such as huang bai, huang lian and chi shao---are used to treat acne and skin disorders. You should consult a professional herbalist to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Herbs and Foods to Avoid
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According to Lu, herbal cures for skin problems include the castor bean, called bimazi by Chinese herbalists. However, according to Cornell University's Animal Science department, the castor bean is a poisonous plant that can kill an adult human with a small amount of ricin, the bean's chief poison.
Alcohol and tomatoes are common liquids and foods that should be avoided if you are attempting to treat a skin problem by changing your diet and adding herbal supplements.
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