| Acne is a very common skin ailment found | | | | Foods that are beneficial for acne are |
| mostly in the period of puberty. It is | | | | green leafy vegetables, salad vegetables |
| more common in women than in men. Acne | | | | and fruits that have good water content |
| is characterized by the presence of | | | | in them. Foods that are difficult to |
| eruptions on the skin, which are | | | | digest can aggravate the acne. |
| commonly known as zits or pimples. | | | | (3) Ayurvedic Treatment for Acne |
| Acne is a sign of the impurity within | | | | Ayurvedic methods do not use any thick |
| the body. The impurity could be in the | | | | pastes for the treatment of acne for the |
| blood, which manifests itself externally | | | | simple reason that these pastes can clog |
| as acne. If the blood is impure, then | | | | the pores further, leading to |
| the sebaceous (sweat) glands will have | | | | aggravation of the pimples. Instead, |
| to work harder in eliminating these | | | | mild and thin pastes of the following |
| wastes. This hyperactivity of the sweat | | | | herbs are prescribed:- |
| glands causes acne. | | | | 1. Guduchi |
| Hormonal imbalances are very important | | | | 2. Shatavari |
| causes of acne. During puberty there are | | | | 3. Sarsaparilla |
| major hormonal changes in the body, as | | | | The preparation Arogyavardhini also has |
| also during each menstrual cycle of | | | | good effects in the treatment of |
| women. Therefore, these are important | | | | pimples. |
| periods when acne can occur. People who | | | | (4) Home Medications |
| consume steroids for any reason also | | | | There are many household remedies that |
| stand a higher chance of getting acne. | | | | can be used to control the condition. |
| In Ayurveda, acne is known as Yauvan | | | | Most of these remedies are external |
| pidika. It is classified as both a | | | | applications, but some of them are also |
| vataja and a kaphaja. Any increase in | | | | meant to be taken orally. |
| the dhaatus of rakta and medha are | | | | 1. Mix the husk of mustard seeds in |
| responsible in a major way for the | | | | paste form with cow's milk. Apply this |
| formation of acne. | | | | mixture on the affected areas every |
| (1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of | | | | night and wash it off thoroughly in the |
| Acne | | | | morning. The eruptions should disappear |
| 1. Almond (Amygdalus communis) | | | | within a week. |
| The almond replenishes the lost | | | | 2. Application of buttermilk on the |
| nutrients from the skin. Thus it makes | | | | affected regions is also helpful. |
| the skin healthier, which is an | | | | 3. Prepare a mixture of nutmeg and red |
| important step in reducing acne. | | | | sandalwood in water. Apply this mixture |
| 2. Aloe vera (Aloe vera) | | | | on the face. |
| Aloe vera is widely recognized to be one | | | | 4. Mix the pulp of the neem fruit in |
| of the most effective herbs in the | | | | water and apply it on the face. This |
| treatment of acne. It is an important | | | | application provides quicker but |
| ingredient in most cosmetic products | | | | temporary relief from the pimples. |
| also. Aloe vera can remove the marks | | | | 5. Application of a paste of thorns of |
| that acne leaves behind, and it gives a | | | | the semolina in milk for three |
| moist shiny sheen to the skin. | | | | consecutive nights will help reduce the |
| 3. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) | | | | eruptions. |
| Bergamot is an age-old Ayurvedic remedy | | | | 6. A very simple and cheap remedy is to |
| to treat skin problems. On the face, it | | | | apply the paste of orange peels on the |
| is especially useful in the treatment of | | | | face. |
| rashes and acne. | | | | 7. Indian plum or jambola must be |
| 4. Indian blackberry (Syzygium cumini) | | | | squeezed in water and this paste must be |
| Popularly known as jamun or jambula in | | | | applied on the affected part. This is |
| India, this blackberry has a purple | | | | more effective in the pimples which |
| juice. The purple juice has an alkaline | | | | appear in early youth. |
| content which can reduce the pus | | | | 8. One traditional method to keep acne |
| formation in the pimples. Thus, jamun | | | | away is to wash the face twice or thrice |
| prevents the acne from spreading and | | | | a day with buttermilk. This is also |
| also checks its further outbreaks. | | | | believed to increase the glow on the |
| 5. Sandalwood (Santalum album) | | | | face. |
| The sandalwood is a fragrant herb which | | | | 9. Apart from this, the following points |
| is looked upon with utmost reverence in | | | | must be borne in mind:- |
| Ayurveda. It has a religious | | | | 10. Maintain proper facial hygiene. This |
| significance. In the human body, it can | | | | can be done by washing the face at least |
| produce a cooling effect and treat the | | | | thrice a day. Use lemon soap for |
| blood of its impurities. Owing to this, | | | | washing. It is very important to wash |
| sandalwood can treat acne among its many | | | | the face after returning home from |
| other uses. | | | | outside. |
| (2) Dietary Treatments for Acne | | | | 11. Keep your mind stress-free. Stress |
| Acne is directly dependent on the diet, | | | | can release more hormones, which would |
| since it is a blood impurity. It is | | | | exacerbate the acne. |
| absolutely necessary to keep the blood | | | | Read More on acne cureby Ayurveda and |
| clean so that the facial skin does not | | | | Acne Home Remedies at |
| become a victim of ungainly pimples. | | | | Read more about Ayurveda at World's |
| Maintain a healthy dietary regime. Oily | | | | Largest Portal on Ayurveda and Ayurvedic |
| and spicy foods can aggravate the acne. | | | | Remedies. |