What is Acne? Cause, symptoms, Natural and Herbal Remedies for Acne

 Acne: cause, symptoms, Natural and Herbal Remedies

Acne is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized by pimples on the face in particular, chest, and back. It happens when the pores of the skin become blocked with oil or fat and bacteria.

Common Causes of Acne

It occurs mostly in women as a result of excess male hormone production; irregular menstrual cycles; and premenstrual flare-ups of acne. It can also be caused by a condition of toxicity in the intestines or liver.

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The interaction between the body’s hormones, skin protein, skin secretions, and bacteria determines the course of acne. There are other factors such as:

Age: Acne is mostly seen in teenagers than any other age group.

Gender: Acne affects boys more often than girls.

Disease: A disorder in the Hormone can aggravate acne in girls.

Heredity: The family history can also be a contributing factor in individuals.

Hormonal changes: Acne is likely to increase before menstruation, during pregnancy, and menopause in women.

Diet: Some foods may trigger up or make the condition worse even though they are not the main cause.

Drugs: The side effect of using antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and anabolic steroids can lead to acne.

Personal hygiene: Use of harsh soaps, hard scrubbing of the face, or handling pimples will often make acne worse.

Cosmetics: Oil-based makeup and hair sprays worsen acne.

Environment: Sweating in hot weather, exposure to oils and greases, polluted air, can all escalate acne.

Stress: Emotional stress could lead to acne.

Friction: Continual pressure or rubbing on the skin by such objects as bicycle helmets, backpacks, or tight clothing can worsen acne.

Regular Symptoms of Acne

The most common and general places where acne appear are the face, chest, shoulders, and back.

For teenagers, acne is found on their forehead, nose, and chin. But this changes somehow as people age.

Adult women may have acne on their chins and around their mouths. The elderly often develop whiteheads and blackheads on the upper cheeks and skin around the eyes. Inflamed lesions may cause redness, pain, tenderness, itching, or swelling in affected areas.

How to make Herbal remedies for Acne

Whether the acne affects only your face or has spread to your chest, back, or other body parts, herbal remedies help you look and feel better

Calendula Toner

With soothing calendula that addresses inflammation, this simple toner also contains witch hazel, which targets bacteria while softening your skin. 

When kept in a cool, dark place, this toner stays fresh for at least a year.

• Take 2 tablespoons calendula oil
• Take ⅓ cup witch hazel

In a dark-colored glass bottle, combine the ingredients and shake gently. With a cotton cosmetic pad, apply 5 or 6 drops to your freshly washed face or other areas of concern. Use a little more or less as needed.

Repeat twice per day while acne persists. Store the bottle in the refrigerator if you think you’d like a cooling sensation.

How to make Agrimony-Chamomile Gel for Acne

Agrimony and chamomile, combined with aloe vera gel, soothe redness and ease inflammation. Store the gel in the refrigerator. When kept an airtight container, it will remain fresh for up to 2 weeks.

• Take 2 teaspoons dried agrimony
• Take 2 teaspoons dried chamomile
• Take ½ cup water
• Take ¼ cup aloe vera gel

In a saucepan, combine the agrimony and chamomile with the water. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer the mixture until it reduces by half, then remove it from the heat and allow it to cool completely.

Dampen a piece of cheesecloth and drape it over the mouth of a funnel. Pour the mixture through the funnel into a glass bowl. Squeeze the liquid from the herbs, wringing the cheesecloth until no more liquid comes out.

Add the aloe vera gel to the liquid and use a whisk to blend. Transfer the finished gel to a sterilized glass jar. Cap the jar tightly and store it in the refrigerator.

With a cotton cosmetic pad, apply a thin layer to all affected areas twice a day. Precautions Omit the chamomile if you take prescription blood thinners or are allergic to plants in the ragweed family.

Chinese Herbalism treatment for Acne

Cai Feng Zhen Zhu an Chuang Wan/Margarite acne pills. This is an excellent remedy for acne. It contains Pearl.

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Treatments to clear excess Heat in the Blood and Stomach include chrysanthemum, dandelion, and honeysuckle, with cucumber and watermelon juice applied externally.

Herbalism treatment for Acne

A facial steam with chickweed, elderflower, and marigold may be useful for soothing and drawing out infection. Take echinacea, burdock root, cleavers, or yellow dock, sipped three times daily as a decoction, to cleanse the system and fight infection.

Massage comfrey ointment into any old spots to reduce scarring.

 

Hygiene as a healthcare remedy for Acne: 

• Proper cleansing to keep the skin oil-free; 
• Intermittent fasting;
• Eating a good diet; 
• Aan elimination diet in which the individual avoids alcohol, 
• Dairy products, 
• Smoking, 
• Caffeine, 
• Sugar, 
• Processed foods, 
• Foods high in iodine, a mineral which appears to contribute to acne.

Supplementation with herbs that are blood cleansers or blood purifiers is recommended. These herbs strengthen the action of the liver and the kidneys, helping with detoxification and excretion. Dandelion root tincture (Taraxacum officinale) is recommended.

Other recommended products include burdock root (Arctium lappa), also known as gobo, which can be purchased fresh at health food grocers or in Asian markets. It can be used either raw or cooked in salads, stir-fries, or other vegetable dishes. 

Burdock root tincture can also be used. Red clover (Trifolium pratense) makes a pleasant tea that can be consumed throughout the day. 

Milk thistle seed (Silybum marianum) can either be taken in tincture form or the seeds can be ground up and eaten in combination with hot cereal, granola, or other foods.

Other herbs useful in the treatment of acne include Echinacea spp. and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis).

Goldenseal is particularly helpful in clearing up underlying conditions of intestinal toxicity. Herbal remedies used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for acne include cnidium seed (Cnidium monnieri), and honeysuckle flower (Lonicera japonica). 

Supplementation nutrients, such as essential fatty acids (EFAs), vitamin B complex, zinc, vitamin A or beta-carotene, and chromium are also recommended.

Bowel toxicity may contribute to acne flare-ups and should be addressed. Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus should be taken in yogurt or in capsules to maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora. 

Goldenseal can be used to kill toxic bacteria. Allergic foods should be identified and removed from the diet. Dietary fiber, such as oat and wheat bran, beans, fruits and vegetables and their skins, and psyllium seed, should be increased in the diet. 

The fiber absorbs toxins and carries them through the colon to be excreted.

In addition, individuals with acne may want to participate in movement therapy, such as yoga or t’ai chi, or begin an exercise regimen. The person may also consider stress reduction or meditation.

Allopathic treatment for Acne

Acne treatment consists of reducing sebum and keratin production, encouraging the shedding of dead skin cells to help unclog the pores and killing or limiting bacteria. Treatment choice depends upon whether the acne is mild, moderate, or severe. 

Complicated cases are referred to a dermatologist or an endocrinologist, who treats diseases of the glands and the hormones. 

Counseling may be necessary to clear up misconceptions about the condition and to offer support regarding the negative effect of acne on the physical appearance.

Prevention

There are no sure ways to prevent acne, but the following steps may be taken to minimize flare-ups:

Gentle washing of affected areas once or twice every day.

Avoidance of abrasive cleansers.

Limited use of makeup and moisturizers; with avoidance of oil-based brands altogether.

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Frequent shampooing of oily hair which should be worn up, away from the face.

A healthy, well-balanced diet that emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods that seem to trigger flare-ups should be avoided.

Gentle washing of the face, twice daily, with a soap compounded of sulfur, Calendula officinalis, or other substances that are useful against acne.

Avoidance of handling affected areas excessively.

Pimples should not be squeezed or prodded, as this may contribute to scarring, as well as spreading the acne lesions.

Control over emotional stress.