Saturday, August 30, 2008

Alternative Medicine For Acne - Does It Work?

Herbal Medicine

There are various herbs you can use for treatment, cure, and prevention of acne. The main thing to remember when using herbal remedies is safety. If you are buying ready-made herbal remedies, consider who you’re buying from. Are you buying from a reputable seller? Is it certified safe and tested by the US Department Food and Drug Administration?

It’s good if you want to make your own herbal remedy but make sure you’re able to follow directions accurately. Wrong quantities can lead to overdose and other medical complications. Insufficient quantities will naturally lead to ineffective acne solutions.

Tea tree oil is one of the most commonly used herbs for acne treatments. It may contain anti-microbial effects which can reduce inflammation of acne especially in severe cases. Continued use over a three month period can lead to dramatic results. It also has properties that can remarkably slow the growth of the P. acnes bacteria. Researchers have shown that tea tree oil have lesser side effects compared to benzoyl peroxide. Thus, it’s possible not to suffer from dryness, burning, itching, and stinging - all common reactions to acne treatments.

Evening primrose oil or black currant seed oil is effective when taken thrice a day in the form of 500mg capsules. In three months, you can expect your acne to clear up. You can also try a concoction of cleavers tincture and nettle.

Echinacea, goldenseal, calendula, flaxseed, licorice root, witch hazel, and German chamomile are all considered effective against acne as well. If it’s stress that’s causing you acne problems, consider relaxing with a cup of lavender tea.

Aromatherapy

The right scent can make your problems and illnesses go away. This is the primary claim of aromatherapy and they have suggested solutions prepared for your acne problems as well.

Similar to its use in herbal drinks, tea tree oil also has a scent considered beneficial for solving acne problems. Tea tree oil was used as the primary ingredient in researches focusing on the effectiveness of aromatherapy for acne control, prevention, and treatment.

Compared to traditional treatments, aromatherapy shows slower results but it does have lesser side effects as well. Aromatherapy, depending on the ingredients used, may also have antibacterial properties to prevent acne growth. A good example of this is farnesol.

Other excellent herbs for aromatherapy treatments for acne are ylang-ylang, sandalwood, palmarosa, myrrh, lavender, and jasmine.

For back acne, choose three to four of the herbs recommended above. Make sure you can extract its essential oils then create a 5% solution with it while mixing in two tablespoons of aloe vera gel. Put it inside a dark glass spray bottle. Shake well before having someone spray it on your back.

Acupressure

This age-old Chinese technique can also be applied for treating acne. According to acupressure theory, the body is made of various pathways. Massaging or performing certain actions on certain pathways can promote healing.

For facial acne, you can try dry-washing your face. Start by rubbing your face warm with both your hands. Next, use four fingers to wipe your face downwards. Circle back and move upwards. Do ten cycles of this before repeating it for another ten in reverse.

Acupuncture

Here are several suggestions on using this alternative treatment for acne. You’ll have to be familiar with the positioning of points in your body to follow the massage procedures below. Each massage point should only take up a minute of your time daily.

Try pressing and kneading gently the point situated above your nose bridge (Ex). Do the same on another day for the points on your cheek and beneath your pupils (St3), under your cheekbones (Si18), and at the bottom of your skull (Gb20).

Other alternative medicine and treatments for acne that are worth considering are homeopathy, juice therapy, yoga, and reflexology.

Flor Serquina is a writer and also a wife and a mother who has a great interest in maintaining the healthy skin of the members of her large family. For more information visit her website, where she discusses various subjects such as alternative medicine for acne, best birth control for acne and light therapy for acne.

The site features well-researched articles on the different types of acne, their causes and their treatment. There are reviews of the varied approaches to acne, including laser surgery for acne scars, home remedies, different brands of acne soaps and face wash, over-the-counter acne medications as well prescription medicines.

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