Symptoms
Blackheads,
whiteheads, pustules, inflamed and infected nodules, sacs, and cysts. They
occur where the sebaceous (oil) glands are most numerous: face, neck, chest and
back. Permanently expanded pores, as well as scarring, can result.
Causes
A sebaceous
gland is located in every hair follicle and produces oil which lubricates the
skin. Some of the oil becomes clogged, bacteria multiply, and inflammation results. This occurs
during adolescence (between 12 and 24), when androgens (male hormones) are
released in increased amounts in both boys and girls. A few have acne all their
lives.
Other causes
include junk foods, oral contraceptives, cosmetics, allergies, stress and heredity.
Skin
eruptions are often caused by consuming too much meat, white sugar, denatured flours, eggs and stimulants (including spices), or by the lack of wholesome foods such as
fresh vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts and legumes. Skin ailments will often follow or
accompany disease of the lung or colon.
Eggs, peanuts, nuts, colas and chocolate tend to induce acne. Milk is frequently responsible when
it is combined with sugar and eggs in
snacks and ice cream.
The problem
is intensified when sebum, combined with skin pigments, plugs the pores and produces
blackheads. If scales below the surface fill with sebum, whiteheads are formed.
Acne is
rarely caused by a serious hormonal disorder caused by tumors in
the adrenal glands or ovaries. Other symptoms of this possibility include excess facial hair and irregular menstrual periods.
Important tips to
prevent or get rid of Acne
1.Cleanliness is important. Keep the skin washed and clean.
Keep the infected area free of all oils. Wash or pat the face with lemon juice 3 times a day. Shampoo
the hair frequently.
2.Do not squeeze the spots. Blackheads must be removed (not with picking by the
fingers) with a specially designed instrument. Keep hands clean and avoid touching the face. Do not touch the
affected area unless your hands are thoroughly cleaned.
3.Wash the pillowcase regularly in chemical-free
(no added colors or fragrances) detergents.
4.Get early
morning sun on the face daily. Get fresh
air and exercise daily, and plenty of rest to eliminate toxins.
5.Avoid irritating the skin. Avoid clothing
which rubs against the affected area. Do not hold a telephone against your
cheek for long periods, Keep your hair from your face, so hair oil and bacteria
will not be deposited on the skin.
6.Avoid stress; for it can cause hormonal changes.
7.Do not put oil on your face. Avoid the use of
greasy creams or cosmetics. Avoid makeup. If you feel you must use some, use a
natural, water-based product. Wash and dip makeup brushes and sponges in
alcohol after each use.
8.Avoid oral or
topical steroids. They will worsen the problem.
Useful/helpful herbs
and herbal formulas to use both internal and external
For internal
uses
Here are
several which are recommended by leading herbalists.
I.Make a tea 1 part burdock, 1 part dandelion, 1 part sassafras,
1 part sarsaparilla, ½ part licorice.
Simmer 1 oz of herbs in 1 pint water for 30 minutes. Take 1 cup, 3 times daily.
II.Mix the following in equal parts: elecampane root, elder
leaves and flowers, witch grass
root, juniper berries, ground ivy. Steep 1 tsp in ½ cup boiling-hot
water. Take ½ -1 cup daily, unsweetened in mouthful doses, over an extended
period of time.
III.Use a good blood purifier, such as 1 part red clover, 1 part kelp, 2 parts Echinacea,
1 part dandelion root, 1 part burdock, ½ part licorice. Fill gelatin capsules with
the powder and take 2 capsules every 2 hours until the condition is greatly
improved.
For external
uses
I.Apply golden seal
and myrrh solution to the affected areas.
II.Chaparral and comfrey tea are good facial rinses.
III.Apply tea tree oil on sores 3 times daily. This is
known to be very healing to acne.
IV.Herbs which could be applied to the skin include
dandelion root, Echinacea, alfalfa, chaparral and red clover.
V.Apply a poultice of ground chaparral, dandelion or yellow dock
root, mixed with hot water and cooled, to the affected areas and allow to
remain for several hours. Then rinse off with tepid water.
VI.Steam: Put 1
part eucalyptus leaves and 2 parts elder flowers in 1 pint of boiled water in a
bowl. Cover the head with a cloth and lean over the bowl of aromatic steam.
Special applications on the affected
area
1.Place alternating hot
and cold cloths on affected area, to bring up cleansing circulation.
2.Rub on lemon juice
at night and wash in the morning.
3.Apply white clay
(from health food-store) and let dry, 3 times daily to bring to a head. Then
use once a week.
4.Mix 1 part apple cider
with 10 parts quality water. Apply to the affected area. This will help balance
the skin’s PH.
5.For acne scars, place fresh pineapple on the scars for
enzyme therapy; and take 750 mg bromelain daily.
6.Here are additional external food poultices to place on
the affected areas: Cook oatmeal in milk until thickened, cool and apply
to area. Another method is to cook carrots
in as little water as possible. Mash, cool, and apply. Or one can apply a
whizzed, chopped, ripe tomato in blender with 1 Tbsp of dry oatmeal and 1 tsp lemon juice.
7.If your acne is severe, take a steam bath 2-3 times a week. Take it once a week, to prevent further
outbreaks.
Proper diet and
nutrition to take to get rid of acne
1.Drink 6 glasses of
pure water daily.
2.Mix 2 oz. each of beet juice, celery juice and tomato juice. Take 2-3 times a day. As a general blood purifier, take several
times a week.
3.Eliminate all refined and/or concentrated sugars from the diet.
4.Eat a good, balanced diet. Exercise
regularly and get adequate sleep at night.
5.Eliminate all saturated fats from the diet, along with junk
food, fried food, refined food, dairy foods, carbonated drinks, caffeine,
alcohol and tobacco. Do not eat foods containing trans-fatty acids (milk, milk
products, margarine, shortening, and other synthetically hydrogenated vegetable oils).
6.Increase raw vegetables intake. The more you eat, the
faster the skin will clear and heal. Eat plenty of non-citrus fruits, raw
vegetables juice, cooked vegetables, salads, whole grains, legumes, and a few
seeds and nuts. Include some seaweed (for iodine) and pumpkin seed (for zinc)
7.Two servings of beets or beet juice weekly, and/or 2
glasses of carrot juice daily reportedly improve acne within a few weeks.
8.Eat a high-fiber diet. This helps the colon eliminate
toxins.
9.Go on a short vegetable juice fast of 1-3 days, along
with enemas. It would be well to do this every 2 to 4 weeks, until the skin is
perfectly clear.
10.Beware of all oily foods which have saturated fats. This
would include peanut butter, cheese, milk and cream. A small amount of
unsaturated vegetable oil would be acceptable.
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