Herbs the Alternative Cure For Acne, Pimples, Eczema, Spots and Many Skin Problems.

by Hester-Lynne Murdoch

For those of us who prefer the natural, tried, tested and true to the "fast food" way of the modern life, nature has always had the answers to our needs. Since day's undocumented, herbs have been used to treat most medical and beauty problems we may encounter, and until the end of times, this will continue to be so as long as we look after our green heritage and preserve our herbal inheritance.

Herbs can be used internally (as a drink or eaten fresh) or externally; as infusions, creams or oils. For the purpose of this article I have grouped them in their functional categories, to make using them easier. I have included simple recipes (that apply to all the herbs listed below the recipe), to help you get the job done. Good luck!

External Treatments

On the spot Treatment A date looming and Oh No! An ugly spot! No problem, try the following: Squeeze juice, fresh from the stem, leaf, seed, fruit or flower, directly onto the spot to kill germs, cool inflammation and improve blood circulation. Dandelion (stems) Nasturtium and Evening Primrose (petals) Aloe and Bulbinella (leaf) Garlic (clove) Lemon (Juice)

Infusion, face splash and face steam. (As a daily cleaning treatment) Make an "infusion" The standard recipe is: 1 teaspoon dried herbs (3 teaspoons fresh herbs) to 1 cup of boiling water, let stand for 5 minutes, strain, and let it cool. Apply to the skin with cotton wool, or as a face splash or a face steam.

Lavender and Parsley. Flowers and leaves can be used for facial steams. Chicory - for inflammation, boils and septic areas. Patchouli and Bergamot - powerful, antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti bacterial, regenerates skin cells

Mask, poultice or compress. (A few times a week or when the problem is really troubling) Make a face Pac (mask) or paste (poultice) or compress (Cotton wool soaked in liquid and placed on face); the standard method is: the plant is crushed and a little water is added, leave on until dry, then wash off.

Horseradish - (paste) replace water with milk. Stinging Nettle - (paste) eczema and acne remedy. Comfrey and Fenugreek - (paste) use leaves. Marigold - (paste) (flower petals) clears and softens the skin Aloe - (paste) crush leaves (no need to add water) heals and prevents scaring. Basil - (paste) no need to add water, draws out puss. Camomile - (compress) reduces inflammation. Chickweed - (poultice) relieves inflammation and brings boils to a head. Borage - (Face Pac) made up with cooked barley and bran.

Astringent (Twice a week or before that great date, to look great.) Use an astringent to tighten the pores, to prevent sagging and to reduce the tired look. Make an infusion, the standard quantities are; 1 cup of herbs to 1 litre boiling water, let it stand until cool. Apply to face with cotton wool.

Evening Primrose - use leaves for greasy, spotty skin, eczema and rashes. Camomile - use petals, tones clears, purifies and softens the skin. Horsetail - clears tones and purifies skin. Scented Geraniums - a mild astringent to cleanse and improve circulation.

Face Cream: (Long term, twice daily treatment with cream)

Make your own face cream. The basic recipe is as follows: Use as a basis a combination of honey, lanolin, glycerine and almond oil in equal proportions. Slowly heat in a pan, when melted, add crushed herbs in the ratio 1/5 herbs to 4/5 basis and stir until the mixture is boiling. Simmer gently for 20 minutes, then strain, whisk mixture until thick and creamy and quite cold. Pour into pots and cover.

Bulbinella -soothes all skin problems. Aloe - use the leaf sap to make a soothing and healing moisturizing cream. Myrtle - for blemishes. Marigold and Comfrey and Salad Burnet for dry skin Camomile - for oily skin.

Face Oils: (Long term, twice daily treatment with oil) (Make in the following way): Dry the herb. Add to a basic oil like Almond, Jojoba or Sweet oil (the ratio is ½ herb and ½ oil) Place in a closed jar, let it stand in a warm place (shake daily) strain after 10 days. Discard herbs, repeat process with fresh (dried) herbs until you have the strength you desire. This should be at about 4 to 5 weeks. The greater the concentration herb to oil, the more effective the mixture will become.

Marigold - (flower petals) soothes inflammation has antiseptic properties, heals and softens. Tea Tree - is an antibacterial, soothes irritated skin. More effective if mixed with Witch Hazel. Rose - clears tones and purifies the skin. Evening Primrose - helps clear up spots. Scented Geraniums - Is useful in balancing the sebum in oily and dry or inflamed skin.

INTERNAL TREATMENTS To solve a skin problem, applying products to the face is not enough, the body has to be cleared form the inside. The benefit is to clear the blood; blood removes impurities and transports necessary nutrients to the skin. There are two different ways to do this. The first to drink an infusion (tea) the second is to include herbs freshly eaten in your diet. For the list of herbs to use internally and the recipes to follow, please visit my blog. (See address below)

Because of the limited space for this article I have only referred to a few herbs and their preparation: For the complete list and directions and correct botanical names, please go to my blog page named Skin Problems: Herbs are the "Green" Answer

For a wider opinion on all the possible treatments to cure for acne and skin ailments please visit http://www.hester-lynne.com/acne/

About the Author
Hester-Lynne Murdoch is a South African. She is a teacher by profession with a passion for research. If any topic catches her fancy she takes up the books and does not stop until she is satisfied that she knows, what it is all about. She has published many articles in magazines and has a book near completion for publication.

Treatment of Acne Scarring

by Jojo Michelle

Despite the advent of isotretinoin more than 20 years ago, many patients still present with acne scarring. Because of recent technologic advances and the development of creative techniques by today's cosmetic surgeons, there has never been more hope or options for these patients. This article is designed to inform primary care clinicians about the advances that have been made in the treatment of acne scarring, so that they can better advice patients and provide appropriate referrals. It will begin by reviewing the types of acne scarring patients may have and highlighting important considerations, such as the patient's skin type.

The article will then summarize the different procedures that can be offered to patients: dermabrasion; microdermabrasion; laser resurfacing; chemical peeling; subcision; soft tissue augmentation; suture-assisted resurfacing; and punch elevation, punch excision, and punch grafting. These techniques require advanced dermatologic surgical skill and full knowledge of their risks and benefits, of which types of acne scars respond best to which modality, and of how different skin types may respond.

SCARRING Acne is the most common cause of facial scar in the world.1 Patients with acne scars are often frustrated by their attempts to mask their appearance. Makeup may collect around the rim of widened "saucerlike" indentations and actually make the scars more noticeable. The technique of scar correction will be dictated by the type(s) of scarring present and the patient profile. The three main types of acne scars are: -Indented, relatively deep "ice-pick" scars. -"Broad-based," atrophic, distended scars. -Thickened, elevated, or "cord-like" hypertrophic scars. A patient may have multiple types of acne scars that require various treatment modalities. Before a cosmetic procedure, the clinician and patient must consider: - How much recovery time the patient can afford with regard to work and home responsibilities. -The patient's ability to comply with postoperative instructions. - Whether the patient can avoid sun exposure in order to minimize the risk of post-inflammatory pigment alterations.

The number of scars is also important. For example, a few atrophic scars may be treated with a local injectable filler substance, whereas a large area of scarring may require a more invasive resurfacing procedure. Additional considerations include the patient's budget, expectations, and Fitzpatrick skin type. Patients with Fitzpatrick skin types IV, V, and VI (typically, Asians, Hispanics, and blacks, respectively) may not be good candidates for certain resurfacing procedures, given the risk of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. It cannot be overstated that the patient and clinician must have realistic expectations when considering scar correction techniques. Because of acne scarring, a patient may have been suffering for many years and may often feel tormented, self-conscious, or depressed, or may even be more seriously disturbed. These powerful emotions can result in low self-esteem and unrealistic hopes for the procedure. Any corrective procedure helps acne scarring, but it does not give the patient perfectly smooth skin.

About the Author
Acne treatment
Acne treatment best rated products. Clear pores natural acne treatment products for skin care. Which acne treatments work? Acne treatment reviews from 2000 to 2008.