Alternative Cures for Acne

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sees acne as a problem with chi, the energy that keeps crucial components of the body and mind (like blood and emotions) moving freely. Acne occurs when the flow of "liver chi" is stagnant or blocked.

Four acupressure points are particularly effective for pre­ menstrual acne. Stimulating the points SP6 and SP9 releases congestive energy that causes menstrual problems, he says, while stimulating LV3 and LV4 helps release toxicity in the body. Twice a week, sit in a chair and use your thumb to make circular move­ments in a clockwise direction in and around each point for about 1 minute. Press hard enough to cause slight pain, but not so much that you want to stop.

HERBS: A Formula to Eliminate Toxins

Herbal remedies, both Chinese and Western, can help heal acne and prevent recurrences by cleansing the lymphatic sys­tem. He recommends a formula that combines equal parts of the tinctures of nine herbs: red clover, burdock, yellow Mock, dang gui, milk thistle, cleavers, schisandra, echinacea, jid licorice.

Bring 1 quart of water to a boil and add 1 ounce of combined dnctures. Turn off the heat and steep for 30 minutes. Drink two cups a day' for up to 3 months. You can refrigerate the unused portion for up to a week.

Along with lymphatic cleansers, the formula contains herbs that are thought to support the liver, nourish the blood, and fight infection-all factors that are crucial in healing acne.

HYDROTHERAPY: An Herbal Steam Bath far Your Face

A weekly steam bath for your face can open and drain the pores, helping to heal acne and prevent new outbreaks, Elias says..Adding the herb yarrow to the steaming water is very heal­ing to the skin, he says.

Using 1 teaspoon of loose tea or a tea bag, prepare an 8-ounce cup of yarrow tea, steep for 30 minutes, and add it to a basin of steaming water. Lean over the basin for 5 to 10 minutes, holding a towel over your head as a kind of hood to keep the steam on your face. Your face should be close enough to feel the steam (about 12 inches away) but not so close that it burns.

If your acne is severe, use a steam bath two or three times a week. If you get acne every now and men, use it once a week to help prevent' outbreaks.