Though most treatments for common acne are topical--that is, applied directly to the affected sites--several herbal supplements and remedies are taken internally to combat the root cause of acne. Herbal supplements used for acne treatment don't have to be taken only in pill form. Unlike traditional pharmaceutical treatments, herbal remedies offer acne solutions that can be taken as teas, salad ingredients or even as a flavoring additive to cooking.
What Causes Acne
In some people, pores and hair follicles become blocked due to an excess production of keratin--a strong, fibrous protein produced by skin cells and found, among other places, in nails and hair. These clogged pores provide an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes, from which the syndrome takes its name. A waste product of P. acnes is a fatty acid that prompts the body to form cysts, which we call acne, pimples or "zits."
Fighting Acne from the Inside
The Merck Manual reports that medical science has yet to determine what causes the overproduction of keratin, so there is no way to fight the root cause of common acne. Topical treatments address the symptoms of acne--the redness, irritation, blackheads and whiteheads--and help reduce surface dirt and oils that contribute to clogged pores, but they do not reach P. acnes where it flourishes. "Antibacterial soaps are of no benefit, and abrasive soaps will make it impossible to use...benzoyl peroxide,"according to the Merck Manual. The key to preventing acne is actually a two-pronged approach: mild topical cleansers and antibacterial treatments that destroy the bacteria from inside. There are several herbal options for this.
Burdock
Burdock, a plant with those prickly, hooked balls that resemble Velcro, is often used in Asian cuisine--particularly in certain types of sushi. Burdock is a diuretic that promotes sweating and urination, which prompts the body to expel waste--including the fatty acid produced by P. acnes, according to Dr. Linda White and Steven Foster in "The Herbal Drugstore." Look for Burdock root in Asian groceries and make a tea of 1 tbsp. dried root steeped in 2 cups hot water. White and Foster say you can enjoy up to 4 cups Burdock tea each day.
Dandelion
Dandelion leaves have many beneficial properties, including stimulation of the liver, the body's main filtering organ. The root of the plant is an anti-inflammatory and both are loaded with vitamins--including vitamin E, which helps maintain a healthy skin. Like Burdock, make a tea of dried dandelion root or leaves (2 tsp. with 1 cup water).
Hormone-related Acne
Some women experience breakouts at specific times during their menstrual cycle. White and Foster recommend taking 40 drops of extract of vitex, or a capsule of dried herb each day. Vitex is a fruit grown in the Mediterranean region that has long been used to reduce pre-menstrual symptoms because of its apparent ability to promote progesterone. Do not take vitex if you are pregnant or nursing.
References
- "The Herbal Drugstore;" Linda B. White, MD and Steven Foster; 1998
- The Merck Manual, 14th Ed.; Robert Berkow, MD, Editor; 1982
Member Comments