A holistic system of health care developed in India over 5,000 years ago, Ayurveda is used to treat bodily imbalances including skin disorders, such as acne. Acne is a common skin disease that causes clogged pores and leads to pimples. Ayurvedic diets and herbs can help clear up acne and improve your complexion. While Ayurveda is recognized in Western medicine for its healing potential, consult your doctor before taking any Ayurvedic treatments to discuss possible health risks or adverse reactions.
Ayurveda and Acne
In the Ayurvedic tradition, physical and psychological health are based on a balance of personal properties, known as "doshas." Each individual has a unique dosha that corresponds to different levels of fire, wind, water and earth. The practice of Ayurvedic medicine is based on the idea that health depends on the harmony of body, mind and spirit in a particular environment and that imbalances can be cured through a combination of proper diet, herbal supplements and lifestyle changes. Acne, in the Ayurvedic tradition, reflects an internal imbalance. Caused by stress, anxiety or poor diet, acne is viewed as a symptom of the body reacting badly to lifestyle or nutrition practices.
Treatment
Ayurveda has three central approaches for the treatment of acne: dietary modification, use of herbal supplements and application of topical treatments. Because everyone has a unique personal balance, Ayurvedic therapy prescribes individualized courses of treatment that take into consideration age, sex, background and lifestyle. While there are several foods and herbs commonly used to treat acne, the recommended amount and duration of use will vary by person.
Herbal Therapies
Ayurvedic oral supplements include turmeric, aloe, neem, ashwagandha, ginger root and guggal. Used in various combinations, these supplements are believed to help purify the blood, improve circulation, facilitate the removal of toxins from the body, and aid digestion and repair of skin cells.
Topical Treatments
Ayurvedic physician and chemist, Dr. Pratima Raichur, advises that you should never put a substance on your face that you would not ingest into your body. For cleaning, toning and moisturizing skin, she advocates the use of plant oils, fruit extracts and herbs. For acne, she specifically recommends using turmeric and neem oil, a substance derived from the Indian neem tree that is antibacterial.
Diet Therapies
In Ayurvedic practice, the skin is a mirror to internal health and food is regarded as an important agent for healing. In Ayurveda, acne is considered a condition of irritation, inflammation and the over-production of oil. To relieve these conditions, Ayurveda recommends a diet that emphasizes calming and purifying foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, yogurt and aloe vera juice. To effectively treat acne, you should eliminate or limit your intake of sugar, fried food, alcohol and meat.
References
- Medline Plus: Acne
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Ayurveda
- "Absolute Beauty: radiant Skin and Inner Harmony through the Ancient Secrets of Ayurveda"; Dr. Pratima Raichur; 1999
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