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Traditional Chinese Herbs in Battling Acne
Chinese love to drink herbal tea to eliminate toxin and maintain
body well-being. Herbal tea is known to bring down heatiness in the
body. But what is heatiness? The Chinese believe that excessive heat
can result from obstructed flow of energy (a.k. a chi), aggressive
diet, and life on the fast lane. Examples that bring about stagnant
chi are stress, frustration and emotional woes.
We also believe that hormonal activities are stimulated by heatiness.
See the scientific connection here? They lead to the same conclusion
: our skin will translate this heatiness into symptoms like
infections, redness, acne and other forms of inflammation.
Chinese medicine practitioners also go one step further to conclude
that acne is caused by dampness in the body. The damp element allows
microorganism to thrive. In acne, the damp factor is most likely the
excess oil that bacteria feed on.
Traditional Chinese medicine offer acne solution from topical
application (root water), herbal supplements and even
acupuncture. We
are going to focus on mainly herbal supplements. Below are the
different types of heatiness and its solutions:
Lung Heat: Rosacea sufferers usually fall into this category. If you
have acne near the nose area or around the forehead, you may be
suffering from lung heat. Examine your tongue and see if it is red
with a thin yellow coat. You'll most probably have respiratory
symptoms such as a dry cough or a congested nose and slight
breathlessness. Another sign of lung heat is prolonged thirst and
feeling chilled easily due to wind. Pulse is overflowing and rapid.
* Recommended herbs: Chao Sang Bai Pi (cortex mori albae radicis),
Pi Pa Ye a.k.a. loquat leaf (folium eriobotryae japonicae)
Damp Heat: As the name suggest, the root problem here is excessive
dampness. The skin is oily, leading to painful, big pus-filled
pimples. A patient experience constant thirst but funnily, do not
desire to drink. Loose stool, dull headache, blocked nose, feeling
of fullness and loss of appetite are also signs of damp heat. This
is most common in young people.
* Yi Yi Ren a.k.a job's tears (semen coicis), Lian Qiao (fructus
forsythia suspensae), Jin Ying Hua a.k.a honeysuckle flower (flos
lonicerae japonicae), Tu Fu Ling (rhizoma smilacis glabrae)
Stomach Heat: This usually indicate that you have digestive problems
and occasional constipation due to dry stools. Are you a heavy eater
with preference for greasy and spicy food? Feel thirsty all the
time? Here's other signs to look for : thick yellowish clot on
tongue, nausea, excessive hunger and bad breath. All these with acne
breakouts on the chest, shoulders, back and mouth are the indicators
of stomach heat.
* Recommended herbs: Da Huang (radix et rhizoma rhei), Mang Xiao (mirabilitum)
Blood Heat: People with blood heat will have long term acne problem.
Acne condition will be accompanied by flushed face, constant thirst,
dry stools and deep colored urine. The tongue is very red with
yellow coating. Patient also feels hot all the time.
* Recommended herbs: Mu Dan Pi a.k.a peony bark (cortex moutan
radicis), Sheng Di Huang (radix rehmanniae)
Toxic Heat: Some signs include large painful acne on the face. Acne
is usually severe with redness around inflamed area. Red tongue
with red tip are commonly accompanied by sticky yellow coating.
* Lian Qiao (fructus forsythia suspensae), Jin Ying Hua a.k.a
honeysuckle flower (flos lonicerae japonicae)
Traditional Chinese herbs are safe and powerful alternatives for
over 2500 years to rid acne from the inside. Consult your local
herbal store pharmacist on dosage upon purchase. They will also be
glad to help you with boiling instructions.
About the Author:
Steff X is a twenty-something self-confessed masque freak. When she is not busy concocting facial formulas using raw chemicals, she writes full time for her website http://www.AcneWar.net, a resourceful site for acne sufferrers offering free acne care tips and information
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