Acne Home Remedies

From NaturalNews:
1. Licorice: Researchers at the Skin Research Institute in Korea conducted research published in July 2008 that explored the role of Chinese herbs as agents against acne. They discovered that Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) had anti-bacterial properties against P. acnes. Apply licorice root extract directly to blemishes and use licorice root tea as a facial wash.

2. Echinacea: Another in vitro study conducted at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada used a standardized preparation of Echinacea against P. acnes. This research was published in September 2009 and showed that Echinacea both killed the bacteria and helped reverse inflammation brought on by the bacteria. Consume Echinacea internally in the form of either organic tea or capsules and apply Echinacea extract directly to pimples as an "on the spot" treatment.

3. Resveratrol: Researchers at the University of Naples in Naples, Italy published research in April 2011 that showed that the administration of a resveratrol containing gel improved acne symptoms in patients previously afflicted. Resveratrol is a substance naturally produced by grapes and other plants. The researchers in this experiment applied resveratrol gel once a day to acne-prone skin.

4. Basil Oil: Researchers at Naresuan University in Thailand conducted an in vitro study on the effect various basil oil preparations have on P. acnes. They discovered that sweet basil oil and holy basil oil were shown to have significant anti-bacterial effects against P. acnes. In this study, the sweet basil oil had higher activity against P. acnes than the holy basil oil did, although they both were active against it. Dilute basil oil in a carrier oil (such as coconut oil) and apply to the skin to control acne.

5. Hops: Another study conducted in Washington D.C. and published in July 2007 showed that hops extract had significant activity against the most common acne-causing bacteria. Hops extract can be used externally as an astringent to cleanse the skin and to prevent acne outbreaks.

Cure acne at home with five lesser known home remedies
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Amelia Bentrup
http://www.naturalnews.com/033633_acne_natural_remedies.html

Clear acne with green smoothies

Monday, July 18, 2011
Elizabeth Walling
http://www.naturalnews.com/033031_acne_smoothies.html

(NaturalNews) While most acne solutions focus on surface treatments, truly clear skin comes from treating acne from the inside out. Like the rest of the body, the skin needs nourishment and nutrients in order to heal and cleanse itself. One of the most powerful foods for clearing acne is the green smoothie. This colorful concoction is the best way to combine important nutrients that will feed your skin and clear your acne.

Green Smoothie Nutrients for Your Skin

Green smoothies work because they concentrate vital nutrients in an easily digested form. If you`re someone who doesn`t enjoy eating raw leafy greens in traditional forms like salads, then green smoothies provide an easy way to add a few more servings of these healthy foods to your diet every day. When blended into a smoothie, the nutrients in greens are more highly bioavailable compared to what you can extract by chewing.

Here are some of the nutrients in green smoothies that can clear your acne:

Chlorophyll. This is a potent blood purifier that aids in the elimination of toxins. It is said to improve cell metabolism and speed healing.

Vitamin A. Vitamin A is a potent vitamin for rebuilding connective tissue. Getting vitamin A from food sources (like fresh spinach) is far more effective than risking toxicity with synthetic vitamin supplements.

Sulfur. It detoxifies, balances pH levels in the body, reduces inflammation and fights infection. Sulfur is abundant in leafy greens and is an important nutrient for fighting acne.

Vitamin K. This vitamin helps improve the skin tone and is very helpful for reducing the appearance of scars and red marks left behind by acne.

Trace minerals. Important for skin health, trace minerals are severely lacking in the modern diet. Greens contain these important nutrients and will aid in replenishing any deficiencies you may have.

How to Make a Green Smoothie

The best thing about green smoothies is how easy they are to make. Anyone with a decent blender and some fresh, raw greens is ready to enter the world of green smoothies. Green smoothies can be sweet, earthy or savory depending on what ingredients you choose. Beginners will probably want to experiment with sweet varieties because these are nearly fool-proof. Here are basic instructions for a green smoothie with fruit:

1. Place about 1 cup of fresh greens in your blender (beginners may want to start with half a cup, but you can use as much or as little as you like based on your preferences). Spinach, kale, swiss chard or any other leafy greens will do.

2. Add two cups of your favorite fresh or frozen fruit. Bananas, grapes and pineapples are especially good for sweetening. Berries can add beneficial phytonutrients and beautiful color to your smoothies. Combine different fruits to try new flavors and make it fun.

3. Add enough liquid to give your smoothie the texture you desire (some prefer a thick smoothie while others like one with a more liquid consistency). Pure water, fresh juice or coconut kefir are excellent choices for liquids.

4. Blend until very smooth. In traditional blenders, this may take between one and three minutes. More powerful blenders can get the job done in less than one minute.

5. Pour into glasses and enjoy the refreshing flavor of a green smoothie!

To treat acne, consistency is key: have a green smoothie every day! To speed healing and detoxification, you may want to increase consumption to two or three smoothies each day for a period of weeks.