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Natural Home Remedies for Rosacea
Use natural home remedies for rosacea such as herbs, natural supplements, vitamins, aromatherapy, etc. to treat redness, inflammation,
and other symptoms caused by rosacea.
Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that affects mostly adults in their 30s or 40s. Pre-menopausal and menopausal women also sometimes have rosacea.
Rosacea causes redness in your face, your nose, and your forehead and sometimes it also causes acne-like welts to form. Unlike acne, however, rosacea never
produces whiteheads or blackheads. Besides acne, rosacea can be mistaken for other skin problems, such as skin allergy or
eczema.
Rosacea is a progressive disorder, which means it gets worse over time. It usually begins with a mild pink blush that does not go away. If left untreated, it may cause
permanent redness and thickness of the skin, especially on the nose. This redness is due to the dilation of blood vessels close to the skin's surface.
Women are more likely to get rosacea, but men who do get the disorder tend to have more severe conditions.
Rosacea usually appears in phases:
- Pre-rosacea: At this early stage, rosacea begins with a simple tendency to flush or blush easily, then it progresses to a persistent
redness in the face, particularly the nose.
- Vascular rosacea: If the pre-rosacea stage is left untreated, vascular rosacea may develop. It is characterized by the swelling of
small blood vessels on the nose and cheeks, making the skin overly sensitive. Vascular rosacea may also be accompanied by oily skin and dandruff.
- Inflammatory rosacea: At this stage, small, red bumps or pustules may appear and persist, spreading across the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin.
In addition, about one in two people with rosacea experience ocular rosacea, which is characterized by a burning and gritty sensation in the eyes. Rosacea may
cause conjunctivitis, in which the inner skin of the eyelids becomes inflamed.
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Symptoms of Rosacea
- Redness across the nose, the cheeks, the forehead, or the chin
- Small, red bumps or welts on the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin (but not the same as whiteheads or blackheads)
- Red, bulbous nose
- Visible small blood vessels on your nose and cheeks
- Burning or gritty sensation in your eyes (ocular rosacea)
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Causes of Rosacea
The underlying cause of rosacea is still unclear, but it is believed to be due to some combination of hereditary and environmental factors.
A number of factors that can trigger rosacea have been identified. Some of these factors include:
- Certain foods or drinks (e.g. spicy foods, alcohol)
- Low levels of stomach acid
- Constipation
- Hormonal imbalance
- Nutritional deficiencies (especially of B vitamins)
- Certain medications (e.g. Corticosteroids, drugs that dilate blood vessels, including some blood pressure medications)
- Temperature extremes
- Sunlight
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Home Remedies for Rosacea
Since conventional treatment for rosacea (typically using topical or oral antibiotics) is rather ineffective and not without side effects, people with mild to moderate
conditions are much better off using natural home remedies for rosacea.
Several herbs, nutritional supplements, and homeopathy are effective in treating rosacea without the side effects brought on by conventional medication.
Natural Home Remedies for Rosacea - Herbs
Herbs make excellent natural home remedies for rosacea. Here are some herbs that can be taken orally and are good for the skin:
- Burdock root: Burdock is a tonic herb that helps detoxification and hormonal balance. It is frequently used to treat chronic skin conditions
such as rosacea.
- Licorice: Licorice is anti-inflammatory and recent studies have found that the herb was effective in treating skin inflammation.
- Green tea: Green tea is an antioxidant and helps detoxification and improves skin irritations.
Topically, these herbs are effective for rosacea:
- Aloe vera: Aloe has soothing, cooling, and anti-inflammatory effects. Apply aloe vera gel to the affected areas two to three times a day.
- Chamomile: Chamomile can provide soothing relief to rosacea symptoms. Make a chamomile tea by putting the herb in boiling water for 10 minutes.
Strain off the herb and keep the tea in the refrigerator. After washing your face with cold water, dip a cotton cloth in the chamomile tea and apply it to the
affected areas.
You can also use herbs to improve the general functioning of your body system so that you become less prone to rosacea outbreaks.
- Gentian root: This herb improves overall digestive function. It helps the body digest and absorb nutrients more readily.
- Milk thistle: This herb improves liver function and detoxification and promotes optimal skin health.
- Reishi: Reishi also improves liver function.
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Natural Home Remedies for Rosacea - Supplements
Nutritional supplements are essential home remedies for rosacea. In particular:
- B Vitamins: Many people suffering from rosacea have a deficiency of B vitamins. A dosage of 50 mg B-complex twice a day is recommended.
- Digestive Enzymes: One possible trigger of psoriasis is digestive problem. Supplementing your diet with digestive enzymes can help you
digest food more efficiently.
- Probiotics: Probiotics supply your body with "friendly bacteria" which are essential for detoxification and skin health.
- Essential Fatty Acids: EFAs found in fish oil or flaxseed oil have anti-inflammatory effects and are good for skin disorders such as rosacea,
psoriasis and
eczema.
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Natural Home Remedies for Rosacea - Aromatherapy
Essential oils are also used as natural home remedies for rosacea. Oils that have been found to be helpful in keeping rosacea under control include:
- German Chamomile
- Helichrysum
- Lavender
- Rosewood
- Cypress
Always dilute these oils (to 1% or less) before using them on your face. Also skin test a small area before applying your final choice as sometimes the essential oils can
trigger a reaction.
If you find the essential oils too strong for your skin, try using the hydrosols of one of these oils instead. Many people have reported good results using the hydrosol
of Helichrysum as a toner to reduce irritation and redness caused by rosacea.
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Natural Home Remedies for Rosacea - Homeopathy
Homeopathy is effective in alleviating symptoms caused by rosacea. Choose a remedy that most closely matches your symptoms.
Continue taking the remedy until there is an improvement. Once the skin begins to improve, stop taking the remedy. If however, the skin worsens after taking the remedy,
stop using it and consult a holistic practitioner.
Common remedies to treat psoriasis include the following. It is advisable to consult a practitioner as to dosage.
- Arsenicum album: This remedy is effective for skin that is hot, dry, flaky, and tends to get infected easily.
- Pulsatilla: This remedy is for rosacea that is associated with hormonal changes, such as puberty, menstrual onset, or menopause. Women needing
this remedy tend to be sensitive and weepy. They feel better in the fresh air and worse in warm rooms.
- Sepia: This remedy is for rosacea that is associated with hormonal changes, such as puberty, menstrual onset, or menopause. Women needing
this remedy tend to get chilly easily. They crave for chocolate, as well as salty and sour foods.
- Sulphur: This remedy is for chronic skin inflammation that is worsened by the sun, hot baths, and warm weather. People needing this remedy tend
to be thirsty for cold drinks and prefer a cool climate.
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Other Natural Home Remedies for Rosacea
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Taken orally, ACV is one of the various effective home remedies for rosacea. It stimulates the release of digestive
enzymes and helps to normalize the digestive flora in the intestines.
- Niacinamide Cream: Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and the cream has been used topically for rosacea. It improves the moisture level of
the skin while reducing inflammation.
- Stress Reduction: Stress can bring on a flare-up so try to reduce your stress level as much as you can.
- Avoid Bright Sunlight: Bright sunlight can trigger rosacea, so avoid the midday sun. When you go outside, remember to put on a hat and
sunscreen.
- Avoid Foods that Make You Flush: For example, alcohol, spicy foods, caffeine.
Related Topics
Natural Home Remedies for Eczema
Psoriasis Natural Remedies
References
Balch and Stengler, Prescription for Natural Cures, (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2004).
MayoClinic.com (http://www.mayoclinic.com).
West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy.
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