Acne
Explanation
Acne is a skin problem which mostly occurs due to excess of oil secretion from the sebaceous glands which leads to blockage of hair follicles. These problems are commonly seen among adolescents. In Ayurveda, this disease is called asYauvanpidika wherepidika means boils or papules and Yauvan means adolescence. The most common place which gets affected by acne is the face, shoulder back and other areas with sebaceous glands. Mostly acne either appear as a whiteheads, blackheads, nodules and pimples.
Reasons/Causes
The main cause behind acne is the impairment of all the three doshas. Due to Pitta Dosha, the medadhatus and rakta vitiates in body which results into produce of excessive toxins in the body that hinders the energy flow of face leading to formation of pimple. In some people, acne occurs because of excessive intake of spicy, salty, sour and oily food on regular basis.
Signs/Symptoms
Acne can form in body in following types
Acne as per Ayurvedic Concept
Ayurveda has a straight approach towards all kind of acne as this problem arises due to the imbalance of all the three doshas – Pitta, Vata and Kapha. Though, the main reason behind this is the aggrevation of Pitta Dosha which represents fire or heat. Rise of Pitta Dosha in skin causes accrual of heating toxins. These toxins gather in deep tissues like rakta (blood), rasa(nutrient plasama), lasika (lymphatic) and mamsa (muscles). They contaminate the deeper tissues of skin leading to the rise of Yauvanpidika. As the acne is deep-rooted, using lotions, daily use creams or antibiotics will only mask the problem from the upper level. A special Ayurvedic treatment is advised to the person who is suffering from this problem. It includes change in diet, daily lifestyle and special herbal groupings which controls the disease and cure it from the root.
Lifestyle Guide & Recommended Diet
Homemade Therapies
Acne is a skin problem which mostly occurs due to excess of oil secretion from the sebaceous glands which leads to blockage of hair follicles. These problems are commonly seen among adolescents. In Ayurveda, this disease is called asYauvanpidika wherepidika means boils or papules and Yauvan means adolescence. The most common place which gets affected by acne is the face, shoulder back and other areas with sebaceous glands. Mostly acne either appear as a whiteheads, blackheads, nodules and pimples.
Reasons/Causes
The main cause behind acne is the impairment of all the three doshas. Due to Pitta Dosha, the medadhatus and rakta vitiates in body which results into produce of excessive toxins in the body that hinders the energy flow of face leading to formation of pimple. In some people, acne occurs because of excessive intake of spicy, salty, sour and oily food on regular basis.
Signs/Symptoms
Acne can form in body in following types
- Whiteheads
- Blackheads
- Pimples (pores that are blocked, infected and inflamed)
- Cysts (inflammation and blockage in the hair follicle from deep within)
Acne as per Ayurvedic Concept
Ayurveda has a straight approach towards all kind of acne as this problem arises due to the imbalance of all the three doshas – Pitta, Vata and Kapha. Though, the main reason behind this is the aggrevation of Pitta Dosha which represents fire or heat. Rise of Pitta Dosha in skin causes accrual of heating toxins. These toxins gather in deep tissues like rakta (blood), rasa(nutrient plasama), lasika (lymphatic) and mamsa (muscles). They contaminate the deeper tissues of skin leading to the rise of Yauvanpidika. As the acne is deep-rooted, using lotions, daily use creams or antibiotics will only mask the problem from the upper level. A special Ayurvedic treatment is advised to the person who is suffering from this problem. It includes change in diet, daily lifestyle and special herbal groupings which controls the disease and cure it from the root.
Lifestyle Guide & Recommended Diet
- Avoid consuming oily, sour and spicy foods.
- Eat unprocessed and fresh food daily.
- Use the herbs which have cooling effects on your body like coriander seeds, fennel, aloe vera, and Indian gooseberry (amla).
- Increase water intake up to 8-10 glasses per day.
- Cleanse your face in small intervals with mild herbal soaps.
- Avoid cosmetics that can cause irritation.
- Never squeeze or touch the acne lesions.
Homemade Therapies
- Form a paste by mixing equal amount of turmeric, saffron, margosa (neem),basil, red sandalwood, and fuller’s earth with milk or butter milk. Apply this mixture twice a day. You can skip saffron if it’s not available to you.
- Create a dry powdered mixture from fennel, coriander seeds, turmeric, basil, and amla(Indian gooseberry) in equal parts. Take ½ teaspoon of this mixture and consume it 15 minutes before lunch and dinner.
- Consume 1 teaspoon of powdered Indian gooseberry fruit (amla) every morning and evening with water.