People seeking herbal remedies for rosacea are usually looking for an alternative to traditional western medicine in the form of antibiotic drugs and chemical laden topical applications. If you’re one of those people, you’ve come to the right place.
Taking the herbal approach is about focusing on the cause rather than the symptoms of the problem. We’re looking to avoid those foods which have been identified as ‘rosacea triggers’ and include some good herbal applications which are known to encourage healthy skin. Needlesss to say, all the great herbal remedies in the world won’t be so effective if you don’t look after your insides.
So let’s start with a good general guide on what your rosacea diet should look like:
- Avoid food which contain common allergens such as corn, dairy and peanuts and cut out trans fats, sugar and products containing high fructose corn syrup.
- Eat plenty of dark leafy greens and other natural foods that include anti-inflammatory B vitamins.
- Go for the antioxidant rich foods such as prunes, grapes, promegranates, blueberries, blackberries, zucchini, apples, beets, kale, broccoli and onions. These also contain bioflavinoids and essential minerals which strengthen your arteries and blood capilliaries. Since dilating capilliaries are at the root of rosacea breakouts, you want to eat foods that help prevent this.
- Get your share of omega 3 fatty acids.
Herbal Remedies For Rosacea
All of the medically defined types of rosacea have different symptoms and treatments best suited for each case. Natural health therapy is arguably the best method to treat any skin condition and rosacea is not an exemption.
The most important feature a herb should have before it could be counted among the herbal remedies for rosacea, is to possess anti-inflammatory properties. In recent times, many dermatologists are advising patients suffering from rosacea to prefer herbal remedies as they are more organic and suitable for their overall health.
The best herbal remedies for rosacea include; licorice, fever few, tea tree oils, green tea, oatmeal, chamomile, lavender oil and camphor oil. These herbs are found to have anti-inflammatory properties and are very effective in treating the problem of rosacea. Most of these herbs have proven effects while some of them have potential benefits.
Camphor oil. (cinnamonum camphora)
No study has proved that camphor can cure rosacea, but it is known to have suppressive effects. Camphor is readily absorbed through the skin and has antimicrobial, soothing and analgesic effects. To apply camphor oil, wash your face and apply to all the affected areas of the skin. However, it should be noted that camphor oil can irritate the skin if used in excess proportion. It has also been reported to cause reversible hepatotoxicity in severe cases.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita and chamaemelum nobile)
This herb is used in the making of some cosmetic products and soothing compresses. As it is known to do in cosmetic products, chamomile should provide anti-inflammatory effects and soothing feeling. To use chamomile, add a number of chamomile tea bag in a small bowl of boiling water for at least 10 minutes or pour a handful of pure chamomile in boiling water and refrigerate afterwards. This is always useful whenever you need a cold compress, all you need do is to get a clean cotton cloth and dip into the cold chamomile and then apply it to the affected skin area until relief is felt. It can also be applied as a cream or an ointment on the skin.
Chamomile is also known to have some side effects if used by persons in certain conditions and in excess proportion. It contains active ingredients like terpenoids and flavonoids. Anyone with bleeding problem or anyone who takes warfarin is advised not to take chamomile. In some very rare cases, chamomile allergic reactions like shortness of breath, anaphylaxis, throat swelling and skin rashes.
Feverfew (Tanacetum Parthenium)
Like other herbal rosacea remedies, it is known to reduce inflammation by means of impeding cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase, which results in reduced platelet aggregation. Its extract contains a strong skin sensitizer (parthenolide) and as such studies reveal that feverfew depleted of parthenolide might be a suitable remedy for rosacea. This remedy is not advised for pregnant women and nursing mothers or children under the age of two years. It is not without side effects, which range from nervousness, stomach upset, bloating, loss of taste, canker sores and oral irritation, to mention a few. Also, if feverfew has been used for more than a week, to avoid withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, muscle stiffness, joint pain, anxiety, rebound headache make sure you taper off slowly because abrupt cessation.
Lavender (genus lavandula)
Lavender irritates the skin of some people with rosacea because lavender has geraniol in it. Even though lavender oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties it must still be consumed with care as a potential allergen. To use lavender oil, wash your face and dry it. First apply lavender oil to any part of your skin and observe for a day or two so as to notice an allergy. If it is safe to use for you then apply a little amount of lavender oil to the affected areas of your skin. If you notice any newly developed redness on the surface of your skin please, do not use it. Lavender is known to have side effects like vomiting, nausea, chills and headache on pregnant and breast feeding women.
The Appeal of Herbal Remedies for Rosacea
The use of herbal remedies for rosacea is very cheap and effective and the lists of herbs that help in this cause are numerous and dependent on individual cases or similar cases of rosacea. Generally, people living with rosacea should try to avoid oral antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline, or minocycline and metrogel (metronidazole) as studies have found the to cause more harm than good. Most importantly, it is best to see any health challenge as a journey and not to focus on instant cure; this would ensure a fruitful and realistic health life.
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