Archive for the ‘acne treatment’ Category

The most commonly accepted treatment for acne is to use a traditional over the counter acne treatment or, if the condition is too severe, to get some kind of prescribed acne treatment from the doctor. But there is another kind of acne treatment that is also available to help you cure acne. It’s herbal acne treatment and it works.

In fact, most of the brand name acne creams, lotions and gels that are available over the counter contain some kind of herbal ingredients as well as the accepted (and FDA-approved) active ingredients. There are many powerful herbs containing antiseptic and/or anti-bacterial qualities. The only problem with using or concocting your own herbal remedy for acne is the unknown factor of the dosages that are safe or most effective.

One of the most effective herbal treatments for acne is the use of tea tree oil as a topical treatment. Tea tree oil has tremendous anti-microbial properties that will kill the bacteria responsible for acne. The oil is actually very effective for many skin complaints from itchiness to burns and infections. The leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia contains a constituent called terpinoids which have antiseptic and antifungal properties.

There is one warning that goes with the valuable properties of tea tree oil and that is that using too much will cause the skin to become very dry and irritated and it will begin to scale and peel. That being said it is a much gentler option than using an acne treatment containing benzoyl peroxide which will have the same side-effects only to a greater degree.

Green tea extract is another effective herbal acne remedy, not so much by drinking the tea itself but by topically applying a green tea extract to the acne. Green tea has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities and it inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha reductase which converts testosterone into the subaceous gland-stimulating hormone, DHT which can help reduce sebum production in acne sufferers.

Red clover is a popular acne treatment taken orally as a herbal supplement. It is said that red clover is a blood cleanser and has been used for years as a means of relieving skin complaints including the effects of acne. It has also been used externally as a topical treatment of acne too. You will often see red clover mentioned as one of the ingredients in various over the counter acne treatments.

You may also hear of many other herbs that can be used to cleanse and dry out the skin or herbs with anti-bacterial properties. Heartsease (wild pansy) is said to have flavonoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Burdock root is another known blood cleanser that also helps to regulate your hormone balance. Burdock also helps the liver, kidneys and bowel which will help with clearing up related acne conditions.

It is important to remember that the information displayed on this page is for information only and is not intended as advice. Herbal therapy does not come under FDA-approval and so there is no guarantee that the substances discussed here will help clear up acne or will have unforeseen detrimental affects on your particular condition.

New herbal remedies for acne are being released every week, some of them have a basis for the belief that they may work while others are pure bunk. It is up to the individual to find out the fact from the myth and to act accordingly. Seek as much advice as you can before undertaking any king of herbal acne cure.