Skin Problems
The treatment of acne is a two-fold approach using supplementation and the use of appropriate skin care.
Many factors affect acne such as hormonal imbalance, oily skin, allergies, certain drugs and stress. Diets high in saturated fats are also linked.
Similarly other inflammatory conditions including ECZEMA and PSORIASIS benefit from using liver, kidney and blood cleansing herbs.
These include BURDOCK : Often used in traditional Chinese medicine, this herb has a powerful detoxifying effect in the bloodstream. Used for all types of skin inflammations including eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.
MILK THISTLE : This herb is involved in the detoxification and regeneration of the liver. The liver is the main organ through which all toxins, including hormonal waste, are removed. Hence it follows that if you do not remove these toxins then they will enter the bloodstream where they can worsen acne lesions, eczema or psoriasis.
AGNUS CASTUS : It increases the level of progesterone relative to oestrogen and hence is very successful in premenstrual breakouts. This herb is safe for adolescents as well as adults.
M.S.M. : Used for its anti-inflammatory activity, as well as cell wall permeability, allowing nutrients to pass into cells and toxins to pass out.
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (EFA) : Current consensus of opinion points to the increase in all skin disorders is due to a concurrent reduction in our intakes of essential fatty acids. These are involved in practically every function in the body from hormone production to dissolving blocked pores. EVENING PRIMROSE OIL AND FISH OILS are both effective.
GUGGUL : The ayurvedic herb Guggul has been used for reducing cholesterol levels and for optimising thyroid function. In small clinical trials, comparing it to tetracycline, Guggul outperformed the conventional treatment! Its role is not quite fully understood, but there is a suggestion that it might be involved in increasing the burning of these fatty hormonal substances and hence perhaps there is a reduction in sebum production.
ZINC : This important mineral aids the healing of skin tissues, but is also required with Vitamin B6 to convert GLA into prostaglandins which are anti-inflammatory in nature. Zinc is also known as the " traffic policeman" in the body ensuring that all cells get the appropriate nutrients hence optimising cell health
Another great liver and kidney detoxifier is known as berberis or OREGON GRAPE.
