Herbal Remedy for Rosacea

Rosacea is a common skin disease. The American Academy of Dermatology states that rosacea often starts as a tendency to blush easily but progresses to redness in the center of your face that does not go away. Your nose, cheeks, forehead, chin, ears, chest and back may be affected. Some people use herbal remedies to treat rosacea. Before using herbs for your condition, talk with your physician about whether herbs are appropriate for you.

Rosacea

If you have rosacea, the capillaries -- the smallest blood vessels in your body -- near the surface of your skin become dilated, which results in patchy red areas with small bumps and, in some cases, pimples. The redness of rosacea may come and go, but it may eventually become permanent. The underlying causes of rosacea are not known, although certain factors may contribute to this condition, including alcohol consumption, humidity and the use of certain cosmetic products.

Common Herbal Remedies

According to Phyllis A. Balch, a certified nutritional consultant and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," rosacea, although not dangerous, can cause significant distress for cosmetic reasons. Herbs that may help treat your rosacea, include alfalfa, aloe vera, borage seed, dandelion root, dong quai, parsley, sarsaparilla, yellow dock, bromelain, turmeric, burdock root, red clover, calendula, cayenne, fennel seed, ginger, marshmallow root, sage, slippery elm, milk thistle, nettle and rosemary.

A Popular Remedy

Aloe vera is a popular remedy for treating rosacea. Aloe vera gel is applied topically to help heal rosacea. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that the aloe vera plant has been used for centuries to treat many health conditions, including burns, wounds and skin irritations. Aloe vera possesses anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiviral action, and when it is applied topically, it helps stimulate cell regeneration.

Warning

Although rosacea is not a life-threatening condition, you should still seek the opinion of a qualified health care professional about how to best treat your skin problem. Learn more about herbal remedies by talking to a naturopathic physician, an herbalist or a medical doctor trained in botanical medicine. Some herbs should not be used by people with certain medical conditions, certain allergies or who are taking certain prescription drugs. If you are pregnant, use extreme caution when taking herbs.