Ayurvedic Remedies for Acne & Soothing Pitta Foods

This is a serious situation and one has to act promptly to get help. So always be alert to the severity, intensity, persistence, or recurrence of any disease condition, and be sure to treat it properly. And remember: If you are not a trained medical professional, you may not always know. When in doubt, see a doctor.

On several occasions I recommend the use of licorice tea. Individuals A WORD ABOUT LICORICE TEA with hypertension (high blood pressure) may use this tea for emergencies (such as to relieve an asthma attack—see “Asthma”), but they should not use it on a regular basis; it promotes sodium retention, which may increase blood pressure. Illnesses and Remedies, A-Z Abdominal Cramps See “Muscle Cramps and Spasms” Acne See also “Skin—Ayurvedic Care” Acne is the result of high pitta moving under the skin and breaking out in pimples. Ayurveda recommends several natural approaches that, taken together, can effectively control acne.

The possible pitta-provoking causes are numerous. They include emotional stress, premenstrual hormonal changes, and exposure to chemicals or too much sunlight. The problem might also be a bacterial infection. It is important to find out the cause, so it can be properly treated or, in the case of exposure to chemicals or sunlight, simply avoided.

Because acne is a pitta condition, the first step is to follow the FOLLOW THE PITTA-PACIFYING DIET pitta-pacifying diet detailed in chapter 8. Avoid spicy and fermented foods, salt, fried foods, and citrus fruits. Favor blander foods such as rice, oatmeal, and applesauce. The following formula is excellent for pacifying the excess pitta USE THESE HERBS TO BALANCE PITTA that causes acne: kutki guduchi shatavari Make a mixture of equal proportions of these three herbs (you might start with 1 teaspoon of each), and take ¼ teaspoon of your mixture 2 or 3 times a day.

After meals, place the powder on your tongue and wash it down with warm water. • A helpful tea, made from common household herbs, is cumin-coriander-fennel tea. After each meal, steep ⅓ teaspoon of each of these three seeds in hot water for 10 minutes, strain, and drink. Use this tea 3 times a day.