Acne is the most common problem of adolescents. Acne is a skin condition characterized by excess oil production from the sebaceous glands leading to blockage of hair follicles. Acne usually affects the face, back and shoulders and other areas that are densely populated with sebaceous glands. Acne presents either as blackheads, whiteheads, pimples or nodules.
FAQ / ARTICLE INCLUDES/ POINTS COVERED
- Concept Of Acne According To Ayurveda,
- Causes Of Acne
- Symptoms Of Acne
- Complication Of Acne
- Acne In Ayurveda
- How Ayurveda Prevents Acne
- Ayurvedic Treatment For Acne
- Panchakarma Treatment In Acne
- Internal Medication
- External Application
- Diet And Lifestyle Adaptation In Acne
- Vegetarian Diet For Acne
- Non-Vegetarian Diet For Acne
- Mixed Diet For Acne
- Food To Avoid In Acne
- Lifestyle Adaptation In Acne
- Natural Ayurvedic Home Remedies For Acne
- Effective Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment For Acne
- Herbal Tea For Acne
- Yoga Asanas For Acne
CONCEPT OF ACNE ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA
Ayurveda considers Acne as Yauvanapidika, ‘Yauvan” means adolesce nce and ‘Pidika’ means pustules or papules. It is a kapha (bodily humor that governs liquid and solid part of body)-pitta (heat or fire) disease.
CAUSES OF ACNE
- Hormonal fluctuations or imbalance
- Clogged pores, caused by excess oil production and dead skin cells.
- Bacteria
- Poor diet
- Stress and other psychological disorders
- Use of certain medications, including corticosteroids, androgen, birth control pills and lithium.
- Less sleep
- Friction and irritation to the skin
SYMPTOMS OF ACNE
- Pimples
- Blackheads
- Whiteheads
- Pustules
- Nodules
- Cysts
COMPLICATION OF ACNE
- Acne scarring
- Discolouration of skin
- Depression and Low Self Esteem
ACNE IN AYURVEDA
Ayurveda considers Acne as Yauvanapidika, ‘Yauvan” means adolescence and ‘Pidika’ means pustules or papules. It is a kapha-pitta disease. The primary cause is impairment of all the three doshas, predominantly the pitta dosha, which further vitiates the dhatus (tissues). Vitiated doshas produce toxins that block the channels of circulation in the face leading to pimple formation. The condition of acne can also aggravate by intake of excessive oily, spicy, salty and sour food.
HOW AYURVEDA PREVENTS ACNE
Ayurveda suggests following a healthy regimen that does not lead to the aggravation of doshas (bio energies).
Eat fresh foods, and prepare them daily. Eat a wide variety of foods. Follow a well-balanced diet containing fiber-rich food. Try to cook foods slowly on low heats. Avoid frozen and processed foods. Fresh organic foods are best. Eat food that is ripe only. Sleep for 6-8 hours every night. Avoid oily and junk food. Keep your skin clean and use products that suit your skin type
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR ACNE
Main cause of acne is the aggravation of pitta dosha (heat or fire), that further vitiates other doshas and dhatus. Because acne is deep-rooted, use of local creams, antibiotics and lotions only masks the symptoms. Thus, specific Ayurvedic acne treatment is advised which includes right diet, lifestyle and some specialized herbal combinations that tackle the disease from its root cause. Ayurveda provides effective-root cause treatment.
PANCHAKARMA TREATMENT IN ACNE
- Virechana (Medicated Purgation)
- Vamana (Medicated Emesis)
- Rakta mokshana (Blood letting)
Other treatments like
- Abhyanga – massage with herbal oils, deeply penetrate the skin, removes toxins and impurities and improves circulation
- Swedana – fomentation or steam bath helps in opening up the pores and detoxify the skin.
- Garshana – it is type of treatment which removes impurities and toxins from the body by brushing the skin with silk or wool glove. This cleans the skin by improving blood circulation.
- Udvartana – It is the external application of medicated powders on the skin with affordable pressure massage. It releases toxins and removes the dead cells and provides natural radiance to the skin.
INTERNAL MEDICATION
Patoladi kashayam, Mahamanjishtadi kashayam, Panchathikthakam kashayam, Manibhadra Gulam, Gandhaka Rasayanam, Arogyavardhini Rasa, Chandhraprabha vati, Shankha Bhasma are useful.
EXTERNAL APPLICATION
- Lodra ( Symplocos bark), dhanyaka ( Coriander) and vacha (Sweet flag)
- Chandana (Sandalwood), Manjishta (Rubia cordifolia) and lodra (Symplococs bark).
Seka (washing the face with medicated water) with Panchathikthakam decoction or Aragwadadi Gana decoction or Triphala decoction.
DIET AND LIFESTYLE ADAPTATION IN ACNE
VEGETARIAN DIET FOR ACNE
- Use fresh and seasonal vegetables
- Green leafy vegetables like Broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, dandelion, green peas, kale, cooked onion, potatoes, pumpkin.
NON-VEGETARIAN DIET FOR ACNE
- Processed meat and non-vegetarian food are not advised due to its hot potency. Goat, sheep and camel meat are comparatively better
MIXED DIET FOR ACNE
- Eat fresh, unprocessed food
- Increase the use of herbs that have cooling effects on the body like fennel, coriander seeds, Indian gooseberry and aloe vera
- Fruits like apple, berries, cherries, pomegranate, pears, mango, watermelon, lemon, dried fruit, raisins
- Processed Ghee
FOOD TO AVOID IN ACNE
- Spicy, oily, salty and sour food
- Processed food
- Frozen food and beverages.
- Fast food, fried food
- Snacks containing refined sugar
- Ice dreams, sour creams
- Butter milk, cheese
- Mayonnaise , ketchup, pickles
- Preservatives and additives, chemical pungent or salty, sour items.
- Chocolates, soft drinks
- Sweetened Ice cold or very hot drinks.
- Salted drinks in excess
- Caffeinated and carbonated drink
LIFESTYLE ADAPTATION IN ACNE
- Avoid irritant cosmetics
- Do not squeeze the acne lesions.
- Always wash your face after exposure to pollutants.
- Try sticking on to herbal or natural products
- Use paraffin and petroleum free products
- Avoid too much sun exposure
- Increase the intake of water to about 8-10glasses a day
- Eat at regular time
- Have good sleep (minimum 6 to 7 hours of sleep)
- Avoid stress and tensions
- Avoid alcohol and habits like smoking
- Practice Yoga and breathing exercises.
NATURAL AYURVEDIC HOME REMEDIES FOR ACNE
- Take one teaspoon of coriander juice mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder.
- Apply paste of crushed neem leaves on the affected area.
- Steam with water boiled of herbs like holy basil, neem.
- Cinnamon and honey pack
- Use naturally available products like sugar, salt ,coconut oil to scrub your skin
- Apply naturally available aloe vera gels
- Apply grated potato
- Apply garlic paste
- Cinnamon powder and lemon juice
- Apply orange peel paste with rose water
- Pulp of ripen tomato can be applied in the affected part
- Boil 2-3 stem leaves of neem and make them paste, add it with rose water and apply to the face weekly.
- Apply lemon and water
EFFECTIVE AYURVEDIC HERBAL TREATMENT FOR ACNE
- The paste made of Jeera (cumin seeds) applied over the pimples gives relief. After one hour, the application can be removed.
- The paste of 5gm each of red sandalwood (Rakta Chandan) and turmeric made with milk is a very efficacious local application.
- Prepared pastes of 5gm ajwain, add with required quantity of water and apply on the face.
- Kumari pulp (known as Aloe vera) should be taken internally. Extracted juice of Aloe vera (half a cup) should be taken internally twice a day.
- Fresh juice of tender tulsi leaves (Ocimum basilicum) is to be applied externally daily.
- The paste of jatiphal (nutmeg) made with water is also very useful.
- Paste of some herbals like Shalmali (Bombax malabaricum) Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Chandan (Santalum album), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus) can be applied locally.
HERBAL TEA FOR ACNE
- Hibiscus tea
- Chamomile tea
- Lemon grass tea
- Green tea
- Licorice tea
- Tea prepared by using peppermint, basil, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric
YOGA ASANAS FOR ACNE
Yoga asanas support the physical, psychological and emotional sufferings that a disease creates. It helps to tone the internal organ functions and improves the blood circulation. Practicing yoga asanas helps in calming the entire body and mind. Stimulates the muscles, increase blood supply, balance the glands and helps in internal purification process. Yoga is effective in lowering the stress level, strengthening immune functions and rejuvenates a person. It keeps your mind and body fresh. It increases the blood flow thereby helps in getting rid of pimples. Hormonal changes and stress are major factors for pimples. Yoga helps to balance hormones. It relaxes your body and relieves stress. Some of the effective yoga asanas for acne are mentioned below. Apart from these Pranayama (Breathing exercises) are also beneficial.
- Bridge Pose
- Shoulder Stand Pose
- Lotus Pose
- Cobra Pose
- Warrior Pose
Standing Forward Bend Pose
