4 Herbs to Prevent Acne

If you have acne, you may feel willing to try anything in hopes of preventing rid of this pesky and disfiguring condition. But, for the majority of women with acne, it's not necessary to resort to strong prescription drugs or harsh chemical peels. For a gentler, more sustainable form of acne treatment, try using medicinal herbs. Although these lack the level of scientific evidence supporting drug treatments, they tend to produce fewer side effects. Talk to your health care provider before taking medicinal herbs by mouth.

Tea Tree Oil

The essential oil of the tea tree is one of the most notable and apparently effective naturopathic preventions for acne. According to the National Institutes of Health, this richly fragrant botanical medicine may wipe out acne as effectively as conventional treatments. Visit a drug store or health food store in your area to find a 5% tea tree oil solution. A gel of this strength is about as effective as benzoyl peroxide, but it might take a little longer to work. Don't apply undiluted tea tree oil directly to your face unless you like the look and feel of burning, peeling skin.

Guggul

The herb guggul contains a naturally high concentration of guggulsterones, which are medicinal compounds that can help to fight acne. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a 500-milligram dose of guggul twice per daynmay be as effective as tetracycline for preventing and treating acne outbreaks. However, you may need to think twice before taking guggul without your doctor's supervision. It may affect levels of certain hormones, interact with prescription drugs and cause problems if you are pregnant or nursing. Check with your dermatologist or a qualified herbalist before using guggul.

Ashwagandha

Practitioners of Indian traditional medicine, or Ayurveda, use ashwagandha in much the same way that practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine use ginseng. Traditionally, ashwagandha has been used as an adaptogen-- it might help to enable your body to adapt to stress better. For this reason, it's ideal for people who have acne outbreaks during times of stress. In one study, cited by the UMMC, ashwagandha effectively prevented acne outbreaks when combined with other, herbs, including Aloe barbadensis, Azardirachta indica, turmeric, Hemidesmus indicus, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia arjuna. Don't worry; your local health food store will forgive you if you can't remember how to spell or pronounce those names.

Ginger

Ginger and its close relative, turmeric, are also used in Ayurvedic medicine to prevent acne. According to the UMMC, ginger taken by mouth, when combined with the Ayurvedic herbs Holarrhena antidysenterica and Embelia ribes, can help to prevent acne symptoms in most healthy women. There's still insufficient evidence to truly prove its efficacy, but it probably won't hurt to try it. Besides, it's a great excuse to go for that extra bottle of natural ginger-ale.