How to Alleviate Acne With Herbs
Keeping an area affected by acne clean is vitally important, but it must be done gently to avoid irritation. Toxins found in the bowel or the blood can also be causes of acne, so internal cleansing herbs are important for good health and clean skin. Equally important is a good diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Things You'll Need
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Mild soap or anti-bacterial skin cleanser
- Echinacea in capsules or tea and lotion
- Tea with the roots of burdock, yellow dock and/or dandelion
- Evening primrose oil in capsules
- Tea tree oil, mixed with a gentle moisturizing lotion
- Hot and cold water compresses
Instructions
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During a bad breakout, include large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink vegetable juice containing carrot, celery, cucumber and parsley, if available.
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Keep your affected area(s) clean by washing gently (with your hands, not a washcloth) twice a day with a mild soap or medicated soap. Pat dry gently.
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Apply a lotion that contains echinacea. Taking echinacea capsules or drinking echinacea tea can also help to strengthen the immune system, which can help the body to heal itself.
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Make a tea with burdock root, which purifies the blood and is helpful for all skin eruptions. Combine one tablespoon of this root with two cups of water and allow to simmer for 30 minutes. Drink one cup two to three times every day.
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Take one or two evening primrose capsules each day, following label instructions.
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Mix two drops of tea tree oil in your hand with a mild, unscented lotion. Using your fingertips, apply it gently onto affected areas. Use this mixture after you wash your face in the morning and before bed.
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Do an herbal detox for 10 days. Several cleansing products are available commercially or you can make tea or tincture from the roots of yellow dock, burdock and dandelion. For tincture, take one full dropper in half a glass of warm water before each meal. If you prefer to make tea, simmer about one cup of the above herbs in one quart of water for 10 minutes. Steep for 20 minutes and then drink one cup of this tea before each meal. Rest for 10 days, and then repeat this regimen.
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Once or twice each day, apply alternating hot and cold water compresses to affected areas. Just soak a washcloth in hot or ice water, squeeze out excess water, and lay it gently on the area suffering from acne.
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Tips & Warnings
Eliminate or reduce your intake of sugar and fried foods.
If you eat up to five servings of vitamin A-rich yellow fruits and vegetables each day, you can help your acne problem greatly.
Do not take echinacea for longer than two weeks at a time. You can go on and off echinacea: give it a two-week rest and then take it again for another two weeks. You can repeat this as long as you need to. It’s also best to taper off your echinacea dosage gradually when your acne problem begins to heal.
Always consult a qualified health care practitioner before using any herb, especially if you are pregnant or nursing or if you are taking any prescribed medications.
Give your treatment plan some time. Old habits are hard to break and an acne problem can be tough to overcome.
Be certain that your hot compress is not too hot because you do not want to burn your skin.
