Curing Acne with Ayurveda

Understanding Acne:

Acne vulgaris is a skin breakout condition which everyone suffers once in his/her life. It is a very common skin condition that causes spots and pimples on face, forehead, neck, back etc. it occurs when hair follicles lodged with oil, dirt or dead skin cells. It causes pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, pustules etc. Sometimes the large pus-filled bumps are painful to touch. Depending upon the severity of the acne it leaves scars and emotional distress on a person. Puberty and adolescent is the time when sebaceous glands activates and causes acne, but can occur at any age. Acne breakout leaves a negative effect on a person skin as well as self-confidence. Popping out the acne is not the cure but only leaves a permanent scar.

Different types of Acne:

• Blackheads
• Whiteheads
• Papules
• Pustules
• Fungal acne (pityosporum folliculitis)
• Nodules
• Cysts

Ayurveda’s view over Acne:

Our aacharyas mentioned Acne Vulgaris as Yuvanpidika. The major cause explained by them is the vitiation of doshas such as Vata, Kapha  along with Rakta dhatu. Yuvanpidika has been discussed under the heading of Kshudra Roga. All these vitiated dosha along with Rakta circulates all over body with the help of Sarotas (microchannels) and causes acne wherever it lodged.

Aachaya Charaka has mentioned hormonal acne as Vivridhadhatu kala at the age of 16-30 years. He explained  this as a starting period of functional state of shukra dhatu (reproductive phase), which modern medical science otherwise explained the hormonal imbalance caused by the androgenesis.

What Causes Acne?

• Stress increases the level of cortisol that flare up acne
• Genetic
• Fluctuation of hormonal levels during women’s period, pregnancy
• Picking up acne sores
• Eating spicy and deep fried food
• Dairy products such as milk, cheese
• Air pollution and humid weather conditions
• Using oil based skin care products
• Lack of exercise
• Not drinking enough water
• Medications such as corticosteroids, birth control pills, lithium etc
• Bacterial or fungal infection
• Folliculitis
• Using makeup products too frequent
• Lack of skin care regime
• Polycystic ovarian disorders
• Lack of sleep
• Cigarette smoking

Symptoms:

• Skin breakouts
• Skin discoloration, dark patches, hyperpigmentation or redness
• Swelling and inflammation
• Pain or tenderness over touching
• Scars
• Sometimes itching

Preventive measure for Acne:

• Applying aloe vera

• Avoid touching face
• Use honey and fullers earth face mask

• Drink green tea
• Wash your face with oil free cleanser
• Apply tea tree oil
• Never ever squeeze pimples
• Use less makeup products
• Eating food rich in Omega 3 fatty acids
• Proper sleep of 6-8 hours
• Stay hydrated and eat fibrous fruits

How Ayurveda helps in managing Acne breakouts?

Ayurveda heals acne by balancing Vata and Kapha dhautu along with purification of rakta dhatu from toxins. Ayurveda has immense herbs that reduces acne inflammation and their dark spots, purifies blood living glowing skin inside out. Some classical Ayurvedic formula are really effective in Acne such as Mahamajisthadi kwath, kadhiraristha, kumkumadi thailam, mahatikta ghrita, panchtiktaghrit guggul etc.

Beneficial herbs for Acne:

• Neem: It is a well-known blood purifier and greatest properties to control blood sugar levels. It can be taken orally but due to its bitter taste it is advisable to apply as a paste over acne.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera soothe the inflamed and painful skin and gives a glowing skin and is a greatest moisturizer.
• Amla: Amla is the richest source of vitamin C, which is good for acne free glowing skin. It should be consumed empty stomach.
• Tulsi (Holy basil): Tulsi has antimicrobial properties that helps in fighting back pimples and breakouts.
• Haldi (curcumin): It is a great anti-inflammatory and healing properties which leaves pimple free skin.

Managing Acne with Chandigarh Ayurved Centre:

1) Neem Soap:

Neem is one of the miracle herbs that offer many health benefits. It is an ultimate acne killer & acts as a powerful healer. The soap is very beneficial in healing the acne naturally. It treats issues like too much oiliness or dryness of the skin, red rashes due to permanent inflammation and painful big acne lumps.

Method of Application – Use as daily bathing purpose.

2) Twak Tailam:

Twak tailam is used for those who have acne-prone skin, skin discoloration and equally good for all skin types. It includes – Wrightia tinctoria, Coconut oil. This oil has been subjected to less intense refining, lower temperature with no chemicals. It has pacifying or cooling properties which further beneficial for improving the skin’s elasticity. In one single step, the skin is deeply cleansed as well as moisturized. It seeps into the pores and hydrates deeply and the molecules present in the oil ensuring the repair of the collagen layer.

Recommended Dosage: For external application over the affected area.

3) Aloe Vera Gel:

Aloe Vera Gel is formed with the pure extract of herb Aloe Vera and the mixture of rose petals. Thus this wonderful composition provides a cooling effect on the skin that relieves from burning sensation, itchiness, etc. The gel helps in maintaining healthy skin and repairing skin damage.

Recommended Dosage – Gently apply over the affected area of the skin.

4) Panchatikta Ghrita Guggulu:

The tablets are very beneficial in curing skin diseases as it contains the Pitta pacifying ingredients such as Shuddh guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Amrita (Tinospora cordifolia), Gajapippali (Piper chaba), Shunthi (Zingiber officinalis), etc. The tablet is Tridoshahara, thus is very effective in maintaining the hormonal level in the body.

Recommended Dosage – Take 2 tablets twice daily with normal water.

5) Skin Care tablet:

Skin care tablet is herbo mineral and purely ayurvedic formulation. It contains various herbs like Haridra khand, Panchnimba churna, Panchatikta guggulu, Patol patra, Ajmoda, Khadir chhal, Chirayta, Mulethi, Manjistha, Chopchini, Gandhak, etc. Skin care tablet is a blood purifying. It cools and detoxifies the blood, dissolves obstructions in the blood flow that further increase blood circulation of the skin. It minimises the blemishes, lighten sun tan, delay ageing of skin and heal skin problems. These tablet also act as a skin moistuirizer, Improves blood circulation, Remove blemishes, Reduce itching and burning sensation of skin, Prevent acne and pimples, Relieves leucoderma.

Recommended Dosage – Take 2 tablets twice daily with normal water.

6) Detox Premium Powder:

This is a herbo-mineral preparation that contains ingredients like Parwal Pishti, Giloy satv, Shukta Pishti, Kamdudha Ras, Gandhak Rasayan, etc.

Parwal Pishti: This Pishti reduces inflammation, flaking, itching of the skin. The Pishti is composed of natural coral calcium processed with rose water.

Shukta Pishti: It helps to balance the Pitta dosha in the body. All signs and symptoms related to Psoriasis patients are managed with this article.

Giloy Satv: This satv is prepared from the herb Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia). The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties of this herb deal with psoriasis easily.

Kamdudha Ras: This herbal-mineral classical preparation balances Pitta dosha in the body.

Gandhak Rasayana: This herbal preparation is used since ancient times for all types of skin disorders.

Tal Sindoor: It contains ingredients like Shuddh parad, Aloe vera, Gandhak, etc that relieve redness in psoriasis patients.

Akik Pishti: This Pishti reduces all types of Pitta related disorder hence it gives good results in psoriasis.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 sachet twice daily with plain water.