Monday, January 26, 2009

Herbal Remedies for Acne

By Richard May

In most cases where a person has begun to suffer from acne it is because the sebaceous glands (found at the end of their hair follicles) are producing too much oil. These increased oil levels in the skin can then cause the pores to become blocked and infected and so they start to notice spots forming. Most people will often seek out their doctor's advice on how to treat the problem and they will generally prescribe some form of anti-biotic medication. However, there are others who would prefer to use more natural and safe ways of treating their condition and luckily for them there are plenty of different herbal remedies for acne that they can select from.

Below we take a look at a few of the different herbal remedies a person may want to consider trying in order to treat their acne. However it is important that before they do they actually discuss their plans with their doctor first.

1. Aloe Vera - This is one of the most effective herbs for treating acne available today. This particular plant contains both astringent and anti-bacterial properties that can help to fight the bacteria, which is causing the acne. Also it also contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce the swelling (spots).

2. Calendula - Although not as popular as Aloe Vera or other herbal remedies for acne this is still an effective one. Not only does it help with healing damaged skin tissue but it contains anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties as well. Many people will apply this herb directly to the skin when it has been made into a cream or when it has been infused with water and then they wash their skin with it.

3. Lavender - This like the herbs previously mentioned also contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can help to combat the affects that the acne bacteria is having on the person's skin. In order for this remedy to be effective it is best if the essential oil is mixed with water or carrier fluid and then applied directly to the area of skin that is affected.

4. Tea Tree Essential Oil - Of all the different kinds of herbal remedies that we mention in this article this is the most popular one. Just like all the rest of the remedies we have told you about this one contain anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties. But as with all of the other remedies we have mentioned here this one is applied topically to the skin. But it needs to be mixed with either water or a carrier fluid else it can cause damage to a person's skin.

As well as the herbal remedies that we have mentioned above there other natural ones that you may want to consider trying as well. There is walnut leaf, which has good astringent properties and is most effective when used as a wash on the skin. Whilst witch hazel is another effective treatment as it like many of the others contains both anti-bacterial and astringent properties.

However, it should be noted that all the herbal remedies for acne that we have discussed above work on treating the condition from the outside. In order to really ensure that the acne does not return you need to look closely at what is the underlying cause for the condition. In many cases it is a person's diet and their lifestyle habits that have resulted in the condition occurring in the first place. So making changes to what they eat and what they do can help to improve not only their skin condition but their health overall. - 15437

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