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Acne Acne is often associated with hormones and occurs when sebum (an oily substance), bacteria, and dead skin cells clog a hair follicle and are thus unable to escape through the pore. A blackhead develops when the blockage is incomplete and a whitehead develops when the blockage is complete. Bacteria trapped in the hair follicle transform the trapped sebum into substances that irritate the skin and cause inflammation. Symptoms of Acne Pimples and blackheads occur most often on the face. Acne can also appear on the back, shoulders, chest and other parts of the body. Pimples have a white center surrounded by an area of reddened skin. Blackheads are seen as a small black dot situated in mildly irritated or normal skin. Herbal Treatments for Acne Tea Trea Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) Scientific Evidence from Clinical Trials In a randomized, double-blind, 45 day clinical trial involving 60 people with mild to moderate acne, participants were treated with either placebo or a 5% tea tree oil gel. Acne was evaluated by rating severity on a standardized index and by counting the total number of acne lesions. Results indicated that the tea tree oil treatment was significantly more effective at reducing both the number of acne lesions and their severity than the placebo (Enshaieh et al. 2007). In a three month clinical study of 124 patients suffering from acne, the effectiveness of the topical application 5% tea tree oil gel was compared to that of 5% benzoyl peroxide. It was reported that pimples took slightly longer to clear up when tea tree oil was used; however, it resulted in much fewer incidences of side effects such as skin dryness, itchiness, and scaling (Bassett 1990). Flaxseed Oil Flaxseed oil an excellent source Omega 3 fatty acids, which decrease inflammation by inhibiting the formation of thromboxane A2 and assisting with the formation of thromboxane A3. This reduces the redness and swelling caused by pimples. The essential fatty acids in flaxseed oil regulate the production of sebum, which prevents skin from becoming too oily. The same essential fatty acids also thin the sebum, which prevents pores from clogging. References Bassett, I., et al. 1990. "A comparative study of tea tree oil versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne." Medical Journal of Australia. 153:455-58. Enshaieh, S., A. Jooya, A. Siadat, et al. 2007. "The efficacy of 5% topical tea tree oil gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study." Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 73:22-5. |
An outline of clinical studies that verify the effectiveness of herbal medications and supplements |