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Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia.

Pure, undiluted tea tree oil is found in and online. Tea tree oil is also an ingredient in a number of commercial products, such as gels, lotions, creams, toothpaste, mouthwashes, and shampoos.

Tea tree oil contains a constituent called terpinen-4-ol that is thought to be responsible for most of tea tree oil’s antimicrobial activity. Because tea tree oil can kill bacteria, applying topical tea tree oil to acne lesions has been thought to kill Propionibacterium acnes, the skin-dwelling bacteria that is involved in causing acne.

In a study comparing tea tree oil gel to benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil had fewer side effects than the benzoyl peroxide, which was associated with itching, burning, stinging, and dryness.

Although tea tree oil is a popular remedy for acne, there has only been one older study on tea tree oil and acne.

A single-blind randomized trial by the Department of Dermatology at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia compared the effectiveness and tolerance of 5% tea tree oil gel with 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion in 124 people with mild to moderate acne. People in both groups had a significant reduction in inflamed and non-inflammed acne lesions (open and closed comedones) over the three month period, although tea tree oil was less effective than benzoyl peroxide.

Although the tea tree oil took longer to work initially, there were fewer side effects with tea tree oil. In the benzoyl peroxide group, 79% of people had side effects including itching, stinging, burning, and dryness. Researchers noted that there were far fewer side effects in the tea tree oil group.

Double-blind, randomized controlled trials are needed before we can determine whether tea tree oil can help acne.

Undiluted tea tree oil may cause skin irritation, redness, blistering, overdrying, and itching when applied directly to the skin.

The concentration used in the only study to date was a 5% tea tree oil gel, which was applied to acne prone areas.

A 5% tea tree oil solution can be made by mixing 5 parts tea tree oil to 95 parts water (e.g. 5 mL tea tree oil and 95 mL water).

There are a number of new topical acne products that contain tea tree oil. Have a look at the skin care aisle of the health food store. The company Kiss My Face just introduced a new topical tea tree oil gel that also has other herbal antiseptics, such as witch hazel.

Another place to look would be the drug store or a cosmetics store such as Sephora. DDF has a benzoyl peroxide gel with tea tree oil.

To learn about the safety concerns of tea tree oil, please read the Tea Tree Oil Fact Sheet.

Sources
Bassett IB, Pannowitz DL, Barnetson RS. A comparative study of tea-tree oil versus benzoylperoxide in the treatment of acne. Med J Aust. (1990) 153 (8): 455-458.



Tags: J Aust, Acneiform eruptions, topical tea tree oil gel, prince alfred hospital, Acne vulgaris

Suffering from scars can be more difficult to bear than the injury or wound that caused itr. Fortunately, many scars do not need to become a permanent part of the skin. You can treat them easily and cheaply using natural remedies.

There are countless over the counter and commercial remedies that promise scar removal. However, these do not always deliver. They are expensive and are usually developed with natural ingredients you could get for a lot less. For example, one of the most popular scar treatments is derived from onion extract, a great scar remedy. However, as the extract is processed commercially, it often loses its effectiveness.

Using home-made onion extract produces a more potent extract that will yield results, not to mention that it will cost substantially less. All you have to do is slice an onion and rub it on the scar three times a day to help lighten and soften your scar. This is only one of the many examples why natural remedies are superior to other types of scar remedies.

A sandalwood powder mask has been shown to be very good for getting rid of acne scars and other scars. The sandalwood powder should be mixed with
rose water until a paste forms. Add a couple drops of lime juice, which acts as a bleach to lighten the scar. Apply this paste as a mask and leave it on until it dries completely. Wash off the mask with cool water and you will find the scar is softer and more conditioned.

Lavender oil is referred to as an “essential oil”. Essential oils give your body nutrients it needs to thrive but cannot produce on its own. People who study how to get rid of scars have found lavender oil has excellent healing properties. It restores the health of you skin while removing the scar. Add one or two drops to a cotton ball and rub it on your scar at least three times a day to get the best results.

Some of the other essential oils have also proven to be very effective at getting rid of acne scars and other scars. Frankincense Oil was used by ancient Egyptians to restore the skin and eliminate scars. If you would like unscented oil, you can use diluted jojoba oil.

If you have acne or other scars, you do not have to spend a lot of money to remove then. You can easily get rid of scars using natural therapies. In fact, natural remedies will give you better results than the many expensive remedies you can buy over the counter.

To read more about ways to get rid of acne scarring, check out Blake Helton’s authoritative articles on treating acne.

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Tags: scar treatments, scar removal, Lavender oil, cool water, unscented oil
Did You Know that Corn Starch Can Heal a Cold Sore?

Did You Know that Corn Starch Can Heal a Cold Sore?

The human body has natural healing abilities. Holistic healing and alternative health care solutions support the body in healing itself. A holistic therapy provides a complementary alternative healing method to standard medicine. Holistic health care includes alternative natural health remedies, like herbal healing, and an abundance of health and wellness products and services. Here are a number of natural therapeutic treatments for you:

ACNE

Acne healing (1) using a blend of
Honey Powder, 8 oz. and
cinnamon powder. Blend them together in equal amounts (about two tablespoons for two to three applications) until they thicken into a paste. Apply directly on acne each night before going to bed. Wash off upon awakening with lukewarm water. Repeat this procedure for two weeks.

Acne cure (2) using a home-made Orange Paste :P eel an orange, break the peels into small pieces, add less than 1/4 cup of water and then mash them together to make a paste. Apply directly on the pimples to treat acne and let sit for 10-15 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

CANDIDA

Candida therapy using Plain Yogurt: You must utilize plain yogurt with no sugar or other ingredients. For Vaginal Candida, dip a tampon in the plain yogurt and insert it into the vagina. Do this two times a day until the Candida is gone. You may additionally rub the yogurt all over the vaginal region.

Not only will the yogurt clear the infected region but will also lend a soothing effect and alleviate itching. Plain yogurt can be utilized on any area of the body. Leave on the skin for nearly an hour prior to washing off with warm water.

COLD SORES

Remedy cold sores by using corn starch – This treatment is good if your cold sores are already blistering. When the blisters bust put corn starch on them to dry them up. It works very well.

ARTHRITIS

The raw potato juice therapy is considered one of the most successful biological treatments for rheumatic and arthritic conditions. It has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The traditional method to prepare potato juice is to cut a medium-sized potato into thin slices, without peeling the skin, and place the slices overnight in a large glass filled with cold water. The water should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach. Fresh juice can also be extracted from potatoes. A medium-sized potato should be diluted with a cup of water and drunk first thing in the morning.

CONSTIPATION

Constipation treatment using Grapes or Raisins: The laxative properties of cellulose, organic acid and sugar made grapes an excellent laxative to relieve constipation. Eat one or two cups of grapes daily to achieve the desired results. When fresh grapes are not available, raisins, soaked in water, can be used. Raisins should be soaked for twenty-four to forty-eight hours. This will make them swell to the size of grapes. They should be eaten early in the morning, along with the water in which they have been soaked.

HEMORRHOIDS

1. Pomegranate peels can be used to prepare a hemorrhoids remedy, by simply boiling the peels in water. The water must then be drunk, and this practice should be done twice a day. 2. One remedy that is widely regarded is the consumption of figs that are soaked overnight in water. 3. Buttermilk can also be used to prepare another effective remedy. Just add some peppercorns, rock salt, and ginger. Drink this at least twice a day for some quick relief. 4. Another remedy involves crushing black mustard and mixing it thoroughly with a bowl of yogurt. Consume this mixture, but make it a point to chew the mustard thoroughly and wash it down with a glass of buttermilk once done.

These are simply a few natural therapeutic remedies for some familiar conditions. if you see some symptoms of any ailment, seek out your physician and ask if natural healing remedies will fit your condition. To learn more of topics as Natural an Alternative Medicine visit the web site at natural healing remedies. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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Tags: health care solutions, lukewarm water, Hospitality Recreation, plain yogurt, Holistic health
Nearly Half of All Women Experience Acne Flare-ups During the Week Preceding Their Menstrual Period.

Nearly Half of All Women Experience Acne Flare-ups During the Week Preceding Their Menstrual Period.

You are probably aware that HORMONES are the start of the menstrual cycle. For millions of women, it happens like clockwork every month: cramping, bloating, mood swings, and acne. Experts know that acne is influenced by hormones, but research on the subject has been relatively limited - until now that is!

A recent study conducted by dermatologist Alan Shalita, MD, confirmed that nearly half of all women experience acne flare-ups during the week preceding their period. This particular kind of acne is known as hormonal acne. Hormonal acne may fail to respond to traditional therapies, such as topical retinoid and systemic or topical antibiotics.

There are several hints or clues which can help your doctor identify hormonally-influenced acne. Some of these are: Acne flare-ups preceding the menstrual cycle, a history of irregular menstrual cycles, increased facial oiliness Hirsutism (excessive growth of hair, or hair in unusual places) and/or elevated levels of certain androgens in the blood stream. Any one of these is possible evidence of Hormonal Acne.

While hormonally-influenced acne typically begins between the ages of 20-25, it can strike teens and mature women as well, and is most persistent in women over the age of 30. These patients will usually experience lesions on the lower face, especially the chin and the jaw line. Some may have breakouts on the chest and back, most have blemishes exclusively on the face.

The good news is that this type of acne is usually very moderate and limited to inflammatory
papules and small inflammatory nodules as well as occasional comedones (blackheads). So how does it start? Well, Puberty is where it all begins. Starting sometime before adolescence (around the age of nine or ten) the adrenal glands begin to produce dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), an androgen. Other androgens – the “male” hormones at work in a woman’s body – such as testosterone and dehydrotestosterone (DHT), join in at the onset of puberty. These hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands to secrete more of the skin’s natural oil, or sebum. Naturally, since boys have more “male” hormones, teen acne tends to be more severe in males.

For teenagers acne treatment can be very challenging. This is because their hormones are in a constant state of flux. They may initially respond very well to first-line treatments, such as topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide, perhaps accompanied by an oral antibiotic. As their bodies develop, however, they may undergo severe hormonal shifts – and stop responding to the current medications. Courses of acne treatment may need to be adjusted more often with teenagers to accommodate these hormonal changes.

There are many women pass into adulthood without “outgrowing” their acne. Others may not develop it until their 20s or 30s, experiencing persistent breakouts the week before their period. Why does this happen? During the course of a normal menstrual cycle (if a woman is not taking any kind of hormonal birth control pill), estrogen levels peak at mid-cycle, then decline as she nears her period. After ovulation, the ovaries begin to produce progesterone, another hormone which stimulates the sebaceous glands. And with the extra oil comes acne.

It is recognized that hormones are usually responsible for acne in a percentage of pregnant women. The sebaceous glands go into high gear during the third trimester, causing oily skin and frequent breakouts. Some women who even experience acne after menopause, when estrogen levels begin to taper off and testosterone becomes the dominant hormone.

What can be done? According to Dr. Shalita, the “wait and see” attitude is particularly ineffective for hormonal breakouts: “Acne that worsens during a woman’s monthly cycle isn’t something that women will grow out of as they get older. Seeing your dermatologist to determine the best treatment plan for acne flare-ups is recommended for the most successful result.

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Tags: hormonally-influenced acne, topical antibiotics, Acneiform eruptions, facial oiliness Hirsutism, jaw line

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