Mother Nature and Acne

It's all her fault!

You didn't do anything wrong; Mother Nature coldly and callously decreed that you would be unfortunate enough to struggle with acne. Firstly, your family line determines the likelihood that you will have acne-prone skin anywhere from a mild to severe level. Then at a certain age, the reproductive engines start up without your consent, flooding your body with strange chemicals called hormones that switch on all sorts of systems including those in your skin. Finally, Mother Nature determines when those engines stop revving and run at a smooth idle, letting your skin calm down. This means that you have very little say in how many months or years this thing called acne will beset you. Mother Nature is a beast.

Luckily however, she is also a generous beast. Providing, and sometimes hiding, many treasures in the natural world that can help and heal, soothe and strengthen, cool and cleanse. She offers gifts that balance your system and balm your skin.

Hormones are produced and travel through your whole body. One of the organs that helps to process hormones and detoxify your body is the Liver. During puberty, it can get a little over-loaded with the hormonal surges, plus any other "toxic" substance add through junk food. If you help to unclog the Liver as much as possible, it can do its work much faster and reduce the effects on your skin (which is also trying to detoxify the body). Other organs that help detoxification are the Kidneys and Bowel.

DAILY BASICS

Drink 8 glasses of filtered water, to help the Kidneys flush out toxins.
First thing in the morning have 1 glass of water with fresh lemon juice

(squeeze 1/3 large lemon or half a small lemon) for the Liver.

Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and fibre to assist the Bowel.
Exercise helps all your organs, and sweating can help clean your pores from the inside out.

DAILY ADDITIONS

Taking 1 chasteberry tablet each morning can help girls balance and regulate your hormonal cycles.
Taking a Multivitamin or B complex tablet each morning can help clear the Liver at a faster rate and provide more energy for sport and mental activities.
Taking an immune boosting tablet such as Echinacea or Garlic capsule assists your body's ability to fight off the bacteria in skin.

HERB TEAS

Dandelion - assists detoxification by improving digestion and fluid metabolism. It is good for the Liver and Kidneys.
Nettle - helps to clear skin problems, purifies blood, helps metabolism and digestion and is a good tonic for tiredness because it contains many vitamins and minerals.
Vervain - used in chronic skin conditions, assists the Kidneys and is a nerve tonic which can relieve headaches and insomnia.
Licorice - good to combine with other herbs to harmonise the effects and improve the taste of bitter teas.

WONDER PLANTS

Aloe Vera - has many benefits and is easy to grow at home. The gel inside the leaf can be used fresh as a topical balm on the skin directly. Has anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory properties, it is cleansing for the skin, helps wounds to heal more quickly and calms the redness of pimples. It is mildly pain-relieving, detoxifies the skin and removes dead cells. There is also a liquid preparation of Aloe Vera that can be taken as a drink and is a detoxifying, acid/alkaline balancing and immune-stimulating tonic.
Neem - used mostly in India but becoming popular world-wide. Generally neem seed oil is used externally and neem leaf powder can be swallowed or neem leaves chewed, but teas, tablets, herbal wine, jam and creams are also available. Among its many benefits, neem has great immune effects, reducing infection and inflammation. It is also blood purifying and Liver cleansing. Neem oil applied to the skin is a wonder treatment for acne.

ESSENTIAL OILS

Tea tree oil - anti-septic, anti-bacterial, healing to skin, strengthens immune system
Cedarwood - skin toning, anti-septic, calming, soothing
Cypress - balances female hormones, relaxing, skin treatment
Geranium - anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, balancing, treatment for skin
Lemon - anti-septic, anti-bacterial, skin tonic, astringent, cooling, refreshing
Juniper - cleansing, toning, refreshing, anti-septic
Neroli - anti-bacterial, healing to skin, relaxing, anti-depressant
Sage - anti-septic, pain relieving, healing to skin, relaxing
Thyme - anti-septic, cleansing and toning to skin, strengthens immune system

Most essential oils must be diluted into a suitable carrier oil or filtered water /alcohol base before being applied to the skin, but Tea Tree oil can be used straight from the bottle and dabbed directly onto pimples. Essential oils can also be used in hot water for a facial steam bath.

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