Acne cure with Ayurveda

Acne cure with Ayurveda

Acne is a condition of the skin characterised by swelling and inflammation of the minute glands present on the skin. Any part of the body is affected, but mostly the skin of face, shoulder and back are affected. The skin has pores on the body and each pore is an opening to a follicle, which contains a hair and an oil gland. These oil glands help lubricate the skin and help remove old skin cells. When the opening of the pores gets clogged due to too much oil secretion, dirt, debris, bacteria, and inflammatory cells build up. The blockage is called a plug or comedone. The outermost part exposed to the air, gets dried up and forms blachhead or whiteheads according to its colour. When the debris inside the follicle gets infected, it forms a red coloured swelling. When the infection is deep seated it gives rise to large red swelling which leaves behind a black mark on the skin on healing.

Acne is most common in teenagers, but it can happen at any age, even in an infant. It usually gets cleared by the mid twenties. But occasionally people in their 30s and 40s also have acne. It can happen due to various reasons, the most important being hormonal influence. Hormones stimulate the oil glands in the skin to produce more oil which tends to occlude the pores. Exposure to dust, excessive sweating, high humidity and some medications especially applied on the skin, may also cause clogging of the pores and acne formation.

Forms of Acne:

• Whiteheads
• Blackheads
• Yellowish pus filled swelling
• Reddish skin eruption
• A round hard, discoloured painful mass.

Management:

In Ayurveda, the condition is said to be caused by vitiation of Kapha, Vata and Rakta. Kapha and Vata along with Pitta are the three bio regulating principles of the body. When they are vitiated due improper food and activities, it vitiates the blood and gives rise to this condition.

Eating food before the food of previous meal is digested, taking excess amount of food, taking heavy, spicy and oily food, not having food when hungry, excess sexual desire, stress and anger causes imbalance in the doshas which in turn causes vitiation of the blood causing Acne. Pacification of the doshas and purification of the blood are the two main line of management of this condition.

When the condition is severe due to excessive vitiation, elimination of the Doshas with Panchakarma therapies is indicated. Vamana (emesis) and Virechana (purgation) are the procedures used for elimination of Doshas in this condition. Internal medicines are then administered for pacification of Doshas and purification of blood. Measures to rectify the digestion and regulate the bowels are also important. External application of herbs which improves complexion (called as the Tvachya and Varnya aushadhis) are also important for removing the acne and the marks on the skin.

With a proper internal and external treatments with a regulated diet and lifestyle, this condition can be cured effectively.

DIET AND LIFESTYLE:

• The diet should be light and easily digestible.
• Use of Ghee regularly has very good effect over the digestive system.
• Too much oily food has to be avoided.
• Too much heavy, spicy, hot and salty foods has bad impact over the digestive system.
• Digestive and carminative spices like cumin, pepper, ginger, asafoetida etc should always be used in our diet.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
• Curd should not be taken regularly.
• Food should be taken only after one feels hungry.
• One should wash the face atleast twice a day with a mild soap or herbal powders.
• Use of turmeric, besan, curd, chandan, lodhra, etc are good for the skin as these have cleansing property and enhances complexion.
• One should use a soft towel to wipe the face, but it should never be rubbed hard.
• One should drink lot of water and fresh fruit juice which helps to nourish the skin.
• One should avoid fried foods, snacks and fast food items.
• Taking lot of fresh fruits and boiled vegetables helps to regulate the bowels and nourish the skin.
• Avoid foods which are refrigerated.
• Regular massage with oil will increase blood circulation and helps to remove dirt from the surface of the skin but should be avoided by people who already have a very oily skin.
• Anger and stress should be managed by meditation and effort should be taken to maintain a peaceful state of mind.
• Regular exercise, Yoga and Pranayama are highly beneficial.