Natural Treatments for Acne

Considering that acne has been an affliction plaguing mankind since the dawn of history, it only makes sense that people have not always relied on modern medicinal and preventive products to alleviate this skin condition.  Though frowned upon by more conservative practitioners, there is evidence to suggest that alternative methods of treatment, such as with the usage of natural or herbal remedies, can also produce effective results.  Without delving into such mystical concepts as life force and spiritual balance, many of these treatments have solid basis in science, and may be a welcome change from the typical gauntlet of products with strange and complicated ingredient lists.

For instance, honey is a natural antibiotic, which makes it excellent for warding off the bacteria that are seen to be the root cause of acne formation.  Specialists suggest mixing pure honey with baking soda, applying it as a paste on one’s face and other affected areas, and then rinsing off the solution after it has dried.

Tea tree oil is another renowned acne remedy, which also works well against yeast-based skin infections due to its antibiotic properties.  Just be forewarned that some people have reported allergic reactions to its usage.

Garlic and parsley may only seem fitting for the dining table, but they can also be combined to produce an acne poultice that is said to be fairly effective.  To make the poultice, one should take a pulverized garlic clove and a teaspoon of shredded parsley and place it in a sock-style nylon, which should then be soaked in warm black tea.  The poultice should then be pressed against the areas of the skin with heavy acne breakouts until it cools off.  It may be awful to smell, however, so if you can’t stand the pungent odor, you may be better off with other methods.

Though the effect of stress on acne isn’t as substantial as we assume, it still has a tendency to aggravate hormone production, so a cup of lavender or chamomile tea is a fitting recommendation to alleviate your frustrations, even temporarily.  A regular tea regimen should eventually allow you to manage your daily stress levels. 

Herbalists have several recommendations for the treatment of acne.  The first is the consumption of black currant seed oil or evening primrose oil, with a prescribed dosage of three 500 mg capsules every day for three months, or until the acne dissipates.  Another is to drink a tea made from a mixture of nettles and cleavers tincture.  Chinese herbalists believe cnidium seed and honeysuckle flower will also help with acne. 

It is also a widely-held observation by many herbalists that the imbalances in the body that aggravate acne proceed from the liver, which constantly struggles to keep the body in a state of relative equilibrium.  As such, herbalists prescribe treatments that promote liver health, as a means of dealing with acne outbreaks.  Juice therapy, which involves blending one part beet juice and three parts carrot juice with two parts water, is supposed to stimulate the liver and cleanse one’s digestive system, which purportedly extends its benefits to the skin.

Allergic reactions aside, none of the aforementioned treatments is known to be harmful or produce adverse side effects, so if you’ve tried all the conventional remedies and still aren’t getting the results you want, you may wish to give these a second look. 

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