Hormonal acne

I get blemishes on the right side of my chin. Many sources claim that this area is associated with the health of the reproductive organs? Any ideas?

A face to face consultation with a Naturopath is required to gain a holistic view of your overall condition. A naturopathic consultation takes into account many signs, symptoms, environmental influences, personal, family and medical history and lifestyle. One diagnostic technique is Traditional Facial Diagnosis which maps the chin area as being associated with the health of the reproductive organs.

Hormonal acne and the chin area

In Chinese Medicine, fundamental disturbances in the flow of blood and energy, predispose many women to menstrual irregularity, premenstrual symptoms, heavy bleeding and painful periods. Herbs such as Paeony, Dong Quai, Bupleurum, St Marys Thistle, Evening Primrose oil and Rheumannia may address symptoms of reproductive congestion, liver stasis and menstrual rregularities as well as reducing hormonal acne by balancing the hormones which contribute to this complaint.

Vitex and herbs for the health of reproduction

Vitex is a herb that has been used with great success for women’s menstrual symptoms (physical, psychological and behavioural) of low progesterone in the luteal phase of a cycle (depression, crying, despondency, mood swings, hormonal acne, nervousness and anxiety) and high oestrogen levels (pain, tender breasts, heavy periods, bloating). In Chinese Medicine Vitex helps to harmonise the energetic flow to the reproductive organs and helps the Pituitary and Hypothalamus to modulate these hormones thereby reducing pre-menstrual symptoms. Taking the herb Vitex first thing in the morning between 7-8am is the optimal time as this is when the Pituitary and Hypothalamus glands are most active to regulate female sex hormones.

Most women find that the longer that they take herbs to normalise a cycle then the better the results they receive. With each monthly cycle you should find that your menstrual blood will become less congested and heavy and the quality of the blood improved (cleaner, lighter and brighter in colour). When this occurs we know that the cycle is becoming better regulated, however, this may take at least 3 months to occur so please persist with taking these tablets for at least 3-6 months.

Diet tips for hormonal acne

Ensure you drink plenty of liquids, at least 2 litres per day
Start the day with a small warm glass of water with ½ lemon squeeze into it. This promotes digestion and cleanses the liver and bowel
Reduce saturated fats and sugars from the diet and this will contribute to dirty blood and skin
Increase fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet to help alkalise and clean the blood
Have a vegetable juice each day, some suggestions are carrot, celery, beetroot, ginger, parsley and apple. Vegetable juices nourish the blood, contain anti-oxidants and help to detoxify wastes

Lifestyle factors for hormonal acne

Address hormone imbalances
Address liver and bowel function to remove more wastes from the body and cleanse the skin

Natural remedies for hormonal acne

Vitex and other hormonal modulating herbs such as Paeony
Blood cleansing herbs Rhubarb, Yellow Dock, Dandelion and Rehmannia
Liver herbs may help to remove excessive wastes from the liver and improve lymphatic circulation also. Liver herbs also act as anti-oxidants, promote liver and lymphatic function (waste removal), improve digestion and are anti-inflammatory, helping the body to expel excess wastes via the kidney and bowels instead of through the skin. Herbs which may be of assistance are Bupleurum, Dandelion, St Marys and Burdock
Antioxidants such as Selenium, Vitamin A, Zinc, Vitamin C and Bioflavinoids may help to reduce inflammation