Herbs to Treat Acne

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by clogged pores, blackheads and pimples. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) acne usually affects the nose, forehead, cheeks, chin, back and trunk. It is caused by a buildup of too much sebum, a bodily secretion that lubricates hair and skin, and dead skin cells. Traditional treatments include over-the-counter cleansers, oil-free cosmetics and lotions as well as prescription topical and oral medications. Herbs may help treat mild to moderate acne but can take six to eight weeks before improvement is seen.

Tea Tree Oil

Australian researchers published a study in 1990 in the "Medical Journal of Australia" that compared the acne-fighting ability of tea tree oil and benzoyl peroxide, a compound often used to treat acne. The results of the study showed that 5% tea tree oil was just as effective as 5% benzoyl peroxide in reducing acne. While the tea tree oil worked more slowly than the benzoyl peroxide it also appeared to have fewer side effects. According to the UMMC tea tree oil helps to reduce bacteria and decrease inflammation. The Mayo Clinic says a possible side effect of tea tree oil is contact dermatitis, a type of skin inflammation. It should not be used on the skin of someone who suffers from acne rosacea.

Guggul

The UMMC says guggul has been shown to work like tetracycline, an antibiotic often used to treat acne. Guggul is a resin from a medicinal plant used in ayurvedic medicine and in addition to treating acne has been used for arthritis, hemorrhoids, high cholesterol, rheumatoid arthritis and weight loss according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). Possible side effects of guggul include headache, mild nausea, burping, hiccups, and loose stools. The UMMC warns that guggul should not be used by pregnant or nursing women and individuals with a history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer. Guggul may also interact with certain prescription medications and should not be taken with blood-thinners, birth control and tamoxifen, a drug used to treat breast cancer.

Additional Herbs

Additional herbs that may help treat acne are burdock and chasteberry. According to the University of Michigan Health System burdock has a history of being used to treat skin conditions. It may have a cleansing action when taken internally as a capsule or pill and is often combine with yellow dock, red clover and cleavers. German researchers have done preliminary research on chasteberry that suggests it may help premenstrual acne by regulating hormones. According to the MSKCC side effects of chasteberry are nausea, rash, headache and agitation and it should not be taken with oral contraceptives and by anyone undergoing hormone therapy.