Acne rosacea, also known as adult acne and rosacea, is a disorder that targets the skin of the face and sometimes the eyes, according to MedlinePlus. More common in women and people with fair skin, the condition most often begins sometime between the ages of 30 and 60, causing facial redness and pimples, a thickening of the skin, a swollen nose and dry, itchy eyes. Several herbal remedies can help you to control acne rosacea's symptoms.
Natural Remedies Catching On
In an article from the Nov. 1, 2006, issue of "Dermatology Times," staff writer Jane Schwanke reports on the increasing popularity of herbal remedies in the treatment of rosacea. She points out, however, that there is a downside to the swing toward natural remedies. This can occur if you use herbal remedies without consulting or at least advising your doctor and end up unwittingly using a substance that may be more irritating than curative.
Despite the occasional misstep, it appears that most rosacea patients going the herbal remedy route are getting it right, according to Schwanke. Although she cites no source for her data, Schwanke reports that the use of herbal products soared a phenomenal 380 percent from 1990 to 1997. The herbs most likely to help you control symptoms of rosacea, according to Schwanke, are feverfew, chamomile, lavender, green tea, oatmeal, licorice, camphor and tea tree oil.
Evaluating Remedies
While acknowledging the effectiveness of certain herbs in relieving the symptoms of rosacea, dermatologist Jessica Wu, who is also the founder and president of Dr. Jessica Wu Cosmeceuticals, urges that you exercise caution in using herbal remedies. In an article in the January 2006 issue of the "Journal of Drugs in Dermatology," Wu offers brief profiles of some of the more popular herbs used to treat rosacea.
The glycyrrhizinic acid in licorice, says Wu, seems to have potent anti-inflammatory properties when used to treat skin disorders, while the immunomodulating properties of feverfew could be the key to that herb's usefulness in treating rosacea. If your rosacea seems to be triggered by sun sensitivity, Wu suggests that green tea extract may be helpful. Depending on your symptoms, you should know that oatmeal is a powerful anti-itch substance, while both lavender and chamomile are potent anti-inflammatory agents. Wu urges caution in the use of camphor and tea tree oils, as both can cause irritation in higher concentrations.
Chamomile
Use chamomile to soothe the discomfort and itching of rosacea and to help reduce inflammation generally. This, according to MotherNature.com, is the advice of Dr. Mary P. Lupo, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University. To get the most from this herb, Dr. Lupo suggests that you steep a few chamomile teabags or, better yet, a handful of pure chamomile in three cups of boiling water for 10 minutes. The resultant brew should be strained and then put in the refrigerator to cool. Once it's thoroughly cooled, you can dip a cotton cloth in the chamomile mixture and apply it to areas ravaged by rosacea.
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