Acne

Description

Acne (acne vulgaris, common acne) is a disease of the hair follicles of the face, chest, and back.

Diet

Eliminate dairy and junk foods.

Vitamin A (Beta Carotene):

Essential for growth and maintenance of skin tissue and proper functioning of mucous membranes. Helps prevent dry, rough skin and premature aging. Speeds healing, especially acne.  Foot sources of Vitamin A include liver, blue-green algae, pumpkin and winter squashes, alfalfa, carrots, cayenne pepper, dandelion greens, parsley, spinach, apricots, beet greens, broccoli, sweet potatoes, kale, lettuce, endive, cantaloupe, watermelon, and tomatoes.

Sulfur

The beauty mineral, helps keep skin clear and smooth.   Food Sources for sulfur include Turnips, dandelion greens, radishes, horseradish, string beans, onions, garlic, cabbage, celery, kale, watercress, soybeans, fresh fish, lean meats, eggs, and asparagus.

Apple Cider Vinegar

When using apple cider vinegar to treat acne, some alternative practitioners recommend mixing one part apple cider vinegar with three parts water. The solution is then dabbed onto the pimple. Since there have been case reports of skin damage and burns from using full-strength vinegar on the face, it’s important to take caution when using this remedy.

Herbs

Burdock

A cleansing, eliminative remedy where a buildup of toxins causes skin problems, digestive sluggishness, or arthritic pains. As a decoction, the root can be used externally as a wash for acne and fungal skin infections and taken internally for skin disorders as tea. It can also be used as a poultice for skin disorders.

Lemon Balm

Helps heal and cleanse skin affected by pimples, acne, insect bites, and rashes. Lemon Balm infusion has antiviral properties. Combined with vinegar it makes a good facial rinse to balance your skin’s pH after cleansing. Good for depression and tension which can be triggers for acne.

Aloe

Aloe vera helps skin heal from the damage caused by acne. It soothes and lessons redness and swelling and improve sthe overall health of your skin.

Tea Tree essential oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. Applying topical tea tree oil to acne lesions has been thought to destroy Propionibacterium acnes, the skin-dwelling bacteria that is involved in the development of acne. To use, you can add a drop or two to your daily moisturizer before applying and rub into the affected area. A mix of tea tree oil and aloe vera gel makes a great natural acne treatment.