Herbs to Cure Rosecea
Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition characterized by facial redness---most notably around the nose and high on the cheeks---and small, red bumps filled with pus. MayoClinic.com reports that medical researchers believe the disorder is related to environmental and hereditary factors, although there is not yet any agreement on its precise cause. Nor is there a cure. A growing number of rosacea patients have turned to herbal remedies to ease and, in some cases, eliminate symptoms.
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Pros and Cons
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Dr. Jessica Wu, a Los Angeles-based dermatologist and founder of Dr. Jessica Wu Cosmeceuticals, has written widely on the subject of herbal remedies for rosacea. In an article in the January 2006 issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Dr. Wu reports that the use of herbal remedies for the treatment of rosacea is growing. She acknowledges that some herbs have proven anti-inflammatory properties, while others show potential. She cautions, however, that some of the herbs being used may actually be counterproductive, aggravating rosacea's symptoms.
OTC Medications
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Rosacea sufferers often turn to alternative/complementary modes of treatment because the doctor-prescribed medications are producing only minimal relief or are causing side effects that patients find intolerable. For many, according to Dr. Wu, herb-based over-the-counter (OTC) medications are being used in combination with prescription remedies or in place of such medications. In many cases, the patient is acting on her own without consultation with her dermatologist.
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Feverfew, Green Tea and Licorice
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Among the herbal remedies that seem to provide relief are those that contain feverfew, green tea and licorice extracts. All have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties that are helpful in combating the symptoms of a skin disorder such as rosacea. An added benefit of green tea, according to Dr. Wu, is its ability "to reduce the disruption of the skin barrier" widely observed in rosacea patients.
Other Herbal Remedies
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Dr. Wu suggests that OTC preparations containing oatmeal, lavender, chamomile, camphor oil and tea tree oil also may show promise in the treatment of rosacea. She points out that oatmeal not only reduces inflammation but is also a "potent antipruritic," making it particularly useful for patients who are troubled by itching. The doctor notes, too, that the soothing and anti-inflammatory effects of creams containing chamomile have been documented in previous studies.
A Note of Caution
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While there seems to be little argument about the positive effects of some of these herbal remedies, Dr. Wu says that a very real danger exists when patients fail to inform their doctors about herb-based medications or other herbal remedies that they are taking on their own. Dangers include negative interaction with prescription medications or the use of an herbal remedy with the potential to aggravate rosacea symptoms. To avoid this, she urges patients to fully inform their doctors about other measures they may be taking. She also encourages doctors to question their patients about other treatments they may be pursuing.
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References
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