Hormonal Acne Natural Treatment with Ayurveda, Acupuncture, & Chinese Herbs is Safe, Effective, and Gentle.
My treatment of Acne includes Acupuncture to clear pathalogical heat from the body and to balance the hormones causing the acne. Even in teenaged boys there can be excessive adrenalin pushing testosterone. I always give herbal medicine also, antibacterial Ayurvedic and Chinese herbs that calm inflammation in the skin. In teenagers or women with clear cut hormonal acne worsening with the cycle, I give Chinese herbs to balance the hormones, and Ayuvedic herbs to clear the skin.
The choice of herbal medicines and acupuncture treatments is always based on the individual person who comes in. There are so many factors from skin type, to cofactors like insomnia, constipation, gut issues, and above all, the menstrual cycle. There is no “one size fits all” in natural medicine.
Acupuncture
Treatment for hormonal acne involves a short course of acupuncture, usually twice a month for three months. For Cystic Acne, or other severe cases, we need to do acupuncture once per week for the first 3 weeks, and after that twice a month.
I use Acupuncture to balance the hormones, which is why we do it twice a month, during the pre-ovulation and pre-menstrual phases. I also employ Acupuncture strategies to clear the pathological heat and damp that lodges in the skin during hormonal acne. And, as Acne is so often worse with stress, I find acupuncture really helpful to get your nervous system out of the stress response that can trigger hormonal imbalances.
The Acupuncture Point Selection Depends on the Location of Your Acne
Your acupuncture treatment will be based on the location of your acne. Different acupuncture channels cover different parts of the face. I choose local and distal points on the specific channel that covers the area where your acne is. This is to drain the toxic heat out of the area where the acne is.
For example, the area around the mouth, very common in hormonal acne, corresponds to the “Chong” channel. There is a point on the inside of the foot and wrist that regulate the Qi flow thru that channel. These points also regulate the menstrual cycle.
A Special Acupunture Technique for Cystica Acne Lesions–“Circle the Dragon”
In cases of cycstic acne I also do an acupuncture technique with tiny needles right into the skin….This draws out the inflammation and infection (heat) that is associated with cystic acne. If there is a large cyst I place a needle directly into its center, and also circle the cyst by needling at a 45 degree angle to a point underneath the cyst. This is “circling the dragon” which we use for minor infections, boils, cysts, even scar therapy.
Ayurveda and Chinese Herbal Medicine
Ayurvedic Herbs for Acne
Ayurvedic herbal medicine is part of my protocol for curing hormonal acne. Acne treatment in Ayurveda is based on reducing the Pitta and Kapha elevation that causes acne. So we choose ayurvedic herbs that Pacify Pitta and Kapha Dosha.
These are herbs that clear pathological heat from the body, especially from the skin. These herbs (and foods) also “decongest” the tissues and shrotas/channels, and clear pathological dampness from the skin. This is the Kapha pacifying effect.
Herbs like Neem leaf processed with Triphala lalso have a strong antibacterial effect. They are like herbal antibiotics, but are much less harmful to the gut than antibiotics, and in many cases actually detoxify the gut in a good way. My favorite brand here is Ayush.
The Ayurvedic herbs in my Neem and other formulas clear infections anywhere in the body.
Hormonal Acne in Young Women
When treating hormonal acne in young women with irregular or difficult menstruation, especially when light, rather than heavy, I may add Shatavari, the premier Ayurvedic “women’s herb” for regulating the menstrual cycle. I also might add, depending on the individual case, Chinese herbs that detoxify the skin, and are used in China to promote healthy radiant skin.
Treatment of hormonal acne with Ayurveda also includes specification of diet, lifestyle, including specific skin care products.
Chinese Herbs for Hormonal Acne
Chinese Herbs like Forsythia and Lonicera are used to bring infections in the skin to the surface. Others are used to soften cysts and can be used for boils and any kinds of cysts. They are used for swollen glands as well as for hormonal acne. My favorite Chinese herb formula here is ProBotanixx Xiao Zhen
Regulate the Menstrual Cycle with Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture
In addition to herbs that address the acne itself, Chinese Medicine always wants to treat the cause. We do that in hormonal acne by improving the menstrual cycle. It is common, but not normal, to have PMS and menstrual cramp. Chinese herbal medicine excells at helping you have a healthy, easier cycle..These herbal formulas are taken at different times in the cycle. There are four phases of your cycle that we look at. The bleeding phase, the post bleeding phase, the ovulation phase, and the pre-menstural phase. Irregular cycles, heavy, painful periods, difficult PMS involving emotional and physical symptoms all should and can be addressed when we treat hormonal acne.
Treat the Stress that Raises Adrenalin Levels
If stress is a big factor I may include herbs that have a relaxing effect…If your response to stress invovles more intensity, even irritability, then I might use Xiao Chai Hu Tang, especially with hot, cystic acne, or red acne full of pus. If your response to stress more involves nervousness, especially if you have insomnia, there are other formulas like Tien Wan Bu Xin Dan. If there is overall vacuity of the Yin, then Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan could be a good choice. Again, which Chinese herb prescription I choose depends on your overall whole presentation.
Another factor I looke at is whether you get acne on your back or chest, as well as face,
Diet Therapy
I also use Diet Therapy based on Ayurveda and Classical Chinese Medical Diet theories. This involves evaluating your existing diet and eliminating foods that worsen Acne. These depend on the person’s constitutional type, and the kind of acne they have.
It may include avoiding foods the promote excessive heat or dampness, or that weaken the digestive fire.
Diet Therapy in Ayurveda
Diet Therapy in Ayurveda will typically be a light Sattvic diet that pacifies Pitta and usually Kapha, but that also strengthens Agni and reduces Ama. I help you choose the diet the pacifies your individual dosha.
It also involves recommending foods to eat that can help clear the skin.
Ayurvedic Masks, Cleansers, and Essential Oil “Acne Magic”
What you use to clean your skin is also important. I have inexpensive natural cleansers I have had very good success with in curing hormonal acne and cystic acne. I also use Ayurveda Herbal Masks, and Original Swiss Aromatics brand “Acne Magic” and other essential oil products that detoxify the skin and promote healthy new skin growth.
Hormonal Acne and Testosterone
In a certain sense most acne is hormonal, as it is often associated with increased levels of the hormone testosterone, in both men and women.
Testosterone is made in the adrenal glands, the ovaries, and of course the testes. Its the adrenal glands that produce the adrenalin that is involved in the fight or flight stress response. Short bursts of adrenalin in moments of danger are normal. But chronic adrenalin produced by chronic stress is toxic. That is why we often see the appearance of acne during periods of high stress.
Stress Hormones and the Ovaries
The adrenal glands directly influence hormonal production in the ovaries. This is called the “Adrenal-Ovarian Axis.” Excess adrenalin has a negative effect on health progesterone and estrogen levels. This is why stress and your mental response to stress play such a large role in your menstrual cycle symptoms, from PMS to heavy bleeding, to hormonal acne. Its also why high stress increases infertility.
When you see flare-ups in acne a week to ten days before the start of your period, which is improved after bleeding, you know you have hormonal acne.
Acupuncture Channels: The Location of Your Acne Tells a Story
Acne Along the Chong Channel: Menstrual Hormonal
In Chinese medicine we look at the location of the acne in women to determine if it is associated with hormonal fluctuations. When the acne is predominant along the path of the Chong channel, which is related to both the stomach and menstrual/reproductive function, around the mouth from the cheeks to the chin, it is typically hormonally related.
When we see this pattern of acne, and when we see acne anywhere on the face or back that is dramatically worse premenstrually, or occurs only premenstrually, then this points us towards a particular pattern of acupuncture treatment to regulate the hormones, and herbal therapy that restores balance to the hormones, as well as clears damp-heat from the skin.
Acne Along the Gall Bladder Channel: Stress Hormonal
On the other hand, when you see acne along the side of the face, in front of the ears up to the temples, this is a completely different pattern, requiring a different treatment, “clearing damp-heat from the gall bladder channel”.
This pattern is more typically the result of stress hormones than progesterone/estrogen imbalance, especially if it is unchanged through the cycle. In this case I often use an herbal prescription called Long Dan Xie Gan Tang/Gentiana Decotion to Drain the Gall Bladder
How You Choose The Right Chinese Herbal Formula
There are many different Chinese Herbal formulas I use for hormonal acne. I choose the formula based on
- The Kind of Acne, mild or severe, cystic or not, painful or not, with or without whiteheads
- The type of skin you have-oily, dry, or mixed
- The location of the Acne–chin, around the mouth, temples, or T zone
- The time of month the acne is worst, before, with, or after the bleed, or just all month
- The presence or absence of PMS symptoms
- The regularity or irregularity of the cycle
- Whether the bleeding is easy or difficult
The Role of The Menstrual Cycle in Choosing the Right Chinese Herb Formula
The most important information for me when choosing your Chinese herb formula is the information about your menstrual cycle and bleeding—whether its regular or irregular, whether the bleeding is long or short, light or heavy. We also want to know the color of the blood, is it fire engine red, wine colored, like chocolate. Are there clots, is there pain?
If you do have pain with bleeding I want to know where, is it in the abdomen, the low back, or the legs. I then want to know if there is diarrhea with the bleeding.
Premenstrually I look at if you have constipation, bloating, weight gain and swelling like your rings wont come off or edema at the ankles. I ask about mood, are you irritable or emotional. Do you cry easily. Are there food cravings.
All this information, along with reading your pulse and looking at your tongue color and coat, and asking about things like your sleep and digestion help me decide the specific pattern of hormonal acne you fit into. There are about 10 different prescriptions that I can use, and its all based on your overall pattern.
Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine for Cystic Acne: Ayush Brand Neem Plus
For severe cases of cystic acne, especially if you also have acne on your chest and/or back, and/or in men, I always use Ayush Brand Neem Plus. The more red the acne, the greater the Pitta elevation. Neem is a champion Pitta pacifying herb.
Neem Plus is a product that contains Neem leaf that has been processed correctly, by cooking with Triphala. Cooking the Neem lead increases absorption and reduces natural toxicity. This is very important.
Neem strongly pacifies Pitta and Kapha, but aggravates Vata. Trifal is tri-doshic, so cooking the Neem with Trifala makes it safe to use regardless your dosha.
When you buy plain dry Neem leaf you are really getting a bogus product. No one in Ayurveda uses dried Neem leaf internally. It was always used either Raw, crushed in a mortar with other herbs, or dry roasted with Trifal powder.
In some cases of hormonal acne I also supplement with Neem, especially if I am not getting the result I want by balancing the hormones alone. Neem does not balance hormones, what it does is clear heat and reduce Pitta and Kapha, the two doshas associated with hormonal acne.
Eliminate Constipation and Improve Digestion to Treat Acne
If someone has constipation with any Acne or any kind of skin disorder, you have to address that first. I typically do this with improvements in the diet. These includes
- Increasing the use of spices
- Eating more cooked vegetables and legumes
- Increasing healthy fats
- Eliminating Cold Foods
- Eliminating Iced Beverages.
Cold Beverage Consumption and Acne
The single worst thing you can do for any gut disorder and for Acne is to drink iced cold beverages. Cold drink cause stagnation of the stomach Qi.
Stomach Qi stagnation quickly turns to heat and plays a big role in hormonal acne, especially if the acne is associated with bad breath, constipation, GERD, gastritis, oily or pasty skin, whiteheads, and a thick tongue coating or a tongue with tooth marks on the sides.
In Ayurveda this stasis in the stomach is called Ama/Digestive Toxin, and is seen as a very important root of disease. It has a key role in the development of acne of all types.
Chinese Medicine describe how when food stagnation occurs in the stomach or gut, it produces toxic heat that rise along the stomach channel into the face. Its a big part of the cause of acne. I have had one case cured completely within a few weeks, when a young man, whose large red pimples were right on the stomach channel on his face, gave up his daily big gulps.
Ayush Brand Trifal for Chronic Constipation and to Detoxify
If diet alone is not sufficient, or if we want faster results, then I prescribe Ayush Brand Trifal. Trifal, called Triphala in the ancient texts is a natural stool softener that is also very good for you. It is not a laxative. It is gentle, and helps repair tissues. I also use if with serious gut disorders like Ulcerative Colitis.
Trifal is in the category of Rejuvenative Herbs in Ayurveda, which are herbs that promote good health and longevity. Trifal is a general detoxifier.
I use Ayush brand exclusively, both because of their quality control and because I get independent laboratory tests that show their products are free of heavy metal contamination.
Detoxify the Liver with Livit 2
When someone has had hormonal acne for many years, or has taken the Birth Control Drug for a long time, or if they are a very strong Pitta type, then I often prescribe a Liver detoxifying herb formula called Livit 2, also from Ayush.
Irregular Periods and Hormonal Acne in Women Under Age 36
For young women under 36 with menstrual irregularity and acne I often use Ayush brand Young Fem, and may combine that with Neem or a Chinese herb formula, depending on the pattern.
The beauty and brilliance of Asian medicine, practiced in the classical way, is that we never treat a disease, we always treat a person. And each individual person has their own unique pattern that is manifesting at this point in time.
copyright Eyton J. Shalom, M.S., L.Ac. San Diego, CA, All Rights Reserved, Use With Permission
Ayurveda, Acupuncture, and Chinese Medicine in San Diegohttps://www.bodymindwellnesscenter.com
Dear,
I love your approach for acne. I’ve tried so many things already, also an ayurvedi clinic in the Netherlands but the approach was too general. I had the feeling that the doctor didn’t know a lot about acne. So I’m wondering if you can help me?
Thanks a lot.
Kind regards
Ellen
i would be glad to ellen. please contact me via the contact page and we can discuss your case by email or phone.
I would like to order the Ayush Trifal for my acne but it is only offered to physicians. Is this correct?
You should be able to find it on amazon.com.
I would really appreciate some advice/help! All through middle-high school I had pretty much perfect skin and then right around my second year of college I all of a sudden had terrible cystic acne! I tried so many natural solutions but nothing worked so I caved and went on birth control. The birth control has worked significantly but not 100%. I would really love to get off the birth control and get to the root of the problem. I would really appreciate any advice or help!!
i would be glad to consult with you on this. i am sure i can help. we would need to do a consultation either in person or over the phone. send me an email or call. thanks. es
i’m interested in treatment for my 15yr old daughters acne. In the last few months she has been getting pimples on her forehead. They are small and are clustered together and a few can get pustule. Her Tzone is getting congested and clogged but no pimples. Right now it is contained to her forehead area but since I have suffered with acne well into adulthood, I know she will be susceptible. I must also mention that she has not started menstruating yet either. Ayurvedic medicine has helped my skin but Im not a teenager and my issues are different from hers.
let me know if you want specifi help, thanks.
This is very helpful info…can you recommend a good Accupuncturist/TCM Practitioner in Denver/Boulder area? I would love to get a reference that I know is along the same lines with the formulas and needle treatments. Thank you!