Garlic as a Cure for Acne
Commercial or prescription acne treatments come with risky side effects and a hefty price tag. If you're taking the natural route to curing your acne, look no further than your kitchen cupboard. Fresh garlic is a powerful acne-fighting treatment, both internally and externally, and it's dirt cheap. If you can stand the smell, give it a try.
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Properties
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Garlic, a member of the allium family (along with onions) are full of sulfuric acid, which has strong antibacterial properties. The sulfur kills acne-causing bacteria, among other things. Garlic is also a blood cleanser, when taken internally.
Internally
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Eat your garlic to fight acne from the inside out and help your system cleanse itself. For the very brave, take one clove of raw garlic every day, and don't forget to brush your teeth. You can also saute garlic in a pan to give it a milder, roasted flavor. Mix crushed garlic with olive oil, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese to make a wonderful bread dip. For zero odor, take garlic supplements.
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Externally
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The antibacterial properties of garlic give it the potential to zap your acne. Be very careful, however--garlic is extremely strong. Cut a clove of garlic in half, and rub the moist inner part on your pimples. Repeat several times a day. You can also add the juice of a garlic clove to a little water if you need a gentler treatment. If you're concerned about the smell, soak a clove of garlic in milk for an hour before application.
Buying Garlic
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For the most effective treatment, you'll want garlic with the highest available sulfur content. At the grocery store, buy the freshest-looking garlic that you can find, with the strongest smell. The stronger the smell, the higher the sulfur content. Organic garlic may contain more sulfur than regular garlic, so give it a try.
Cautions
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Garlic doesn't work for everyone. It has the potential to burn, blister, or irritate the skin. To avoid disaster, start with a very mild mixture of garlic and water, and don't leave it on the skin for too long. Never leave the flesh of the garlic directly on your skin. If your skin isn't irritated, you can try leaving the juice on overnight, but avoid overnight treatments altogether if you have sensitive skin. Garlic is also a blood thinner, so don't take more than a clove a day, and stop taking any garlic supplements before any surgery.
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References
- Photo Credit flickr.com
