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Acne (Acne vulgaris)

What is Acne?

Acne is the small sebum (lipid) filled boils that appear on the skin, mainly on the face where the concentration of sebaceous glands is higher. According to Ayurveda, acne is predominantly seen in those with high Pitta body composition, where breakouts on the skin are common. Ayurveda recommends several approaches to control acne, most of which are mainly to balance the pitta dosha.

What are the Symptoms of Acne?

Typical: Oily skin, skin redness, pain near the nasal area where bumps are beginning to appear, blackheads, Tenderness.

Might Experience: Uneven skin texture, Roughness, Redness.

What are the Causes of Acne?

  • Emotional stress that leads to hormonal imbalance
  • Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS
  • Lack of exercise
  • High intake of fatty foods
  • Exposure to certain chemicals in cosmetics
  • Not exfoliating the skin
  • Constipation
  • Exposure to sunlight

When to see a Doctor?

When acne is a common appearance even beyond the menstrual cycle, it is painful and breakouts do not respond to OTC medicines. Or if you feel your condition is worsening. Or if consistent, Acne is associated with sudden changes in body weight.

Regular screening: Acne can be examined by a simple visual examination of the doctor. The doctor might take a swab to rule out the cause of infection.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Acne

  • Keeping your bowel movement smooth: Keeping your colon healthy and clean is the first step to check your Acne does not aggravate. Include fibrous foods (fruits and vegetables) in your diet. Drink plenty of water. If you do not have oily skin, try castor oil supplements. Try Triphala supplement with warm water.
  • Exercise: Daily exercise and yoga postures like Lion pose and moon salutation help with Acne.
  • Facial massage: Facial massage and everyday relaxation are essential. Especially cleaning off your makeup and wiping your face with aloe vera sap is found to help relieve Acne.
  • Meditation: Emotional stress is one of the major causes of Acne. Regular meditation and Mindfulness practices will certainly help in preventing Acne.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Acne

Here are three pastes you can make at home and apply to your skin. They can be effective in reducing acne.
  • Apply Aloe Vera sap to your face, let it dry and rinse off.
  • Apply a face pack made of Sandalwood powder + Turmeric + Milk. Let it dry and Rinse off (the skin might look a tinge of yellow).
  • Apply neem leaves paste. Allow it to dry, and then wash it off.

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Kutaki | Guduchi | Shatavari

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Manjistha | Neem | Tea Tree| Calendula | Chamomile | Lavender | Rosemary | Aloe Vera

Malabar Spinach

Malabar Spinach Scientific Name

Basella alba

Malabar Spinach Other Names

English: Ceylon Spinach, Malabar Spinach, Red Malabar Spinach
Hindi: Poi
German: Malabar Spinat
French: L’épinard de Malabar
Spanish: Espinaca de Malabar
Latin: Spinach Malabar

What is Malabar Spinach?

Malabar Spinach, scientifically referred to as Basella alba, is a vegetable that originated in tropical Asia, specifically Indonesia or Sri Lanka and India. Malabar Spinach grows quickly and has a soft vine-like stem. At its maximum, it can be up to 10 feet long; however, it tends to be smaller in gardens. Its leaves are dark green, ovalular, glossy and thick. The Malabar Spinach leaves hold a mild and slightly peppery flavor. The leaves may be eaten raw, often mixed in a green salad, and steamed or boiled to be used like cooked spinach. In Ayurveda, it works to purify the blood, strengthen the body, treat cardiovascular diseases, and provide a variety of nutrients.

Common forms of Malabar Spinach

Whole, Seeds, Leaves

Malabar Spinach is commonly used for:

  • Strengthening core
  • Purifying blood
  • Rejuvenating sexual desire
  • Treating mouth ulcers
  • Healing wounds
  • Minimizing inflammation
  • Treating hives
  • Treating anemia
  • Treating malnutrition
  • Treating insomnia
  • Healing cracked feet
  • Treating piles
  • Treating bleeding disorders

Malabar Spinach Dosage

Due to a lack of scientific research, there is no clear dosage for Malabar Spinach.

Malabar Spinach Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: It contains a high amount of oxalate, that can bind with calcium and iron and cause your body to absorb less important nutrients temporarily.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Malabar Spinach contains folate, also known as vitamin B9, which ensures normal development of the baby’s nervous system.
Children: Not known.

Warning:
Consuming an excessive amount of Malabar Spinach may be harmful.

Where to Buy Malabar Spinach in the US?

Check out the Recipes that use Malabar Spinach

Kamrakh (Carambola)

Kamrakh Scientific Name

Averrhoa carambola

Kamrakh Other Names

English: Star Fruit Tree, Carambola Tree
Hindi: Karmarang, Kamarang, Kamrakh
Taiwanese: Dah Pon
Thai: Foang Tung
Malaysian: Maha
Indonesian: Demak
Sanskrit: Brihadamla

What is Kamrakh?

Kamrakh, scientifically known as Averrhoa carambola, is distinct because of its star-shaped feature. Originally from Southeast Asia, it is commonly eaten around the world. It is used as a source of Vitamin C and fiber. In Ayurveda, is commonly used to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome, cough, and cold. Additionally, juice from Kamrakh leaves helps to reduce blood pressure.

Common forms of Kamrakh

Seeds, Leaves, Fruit

Kamrakh is commonly used for:

  • Maintaining healthy bones
  • Maintaining healthy hair
  • Reducing cholesterol
  • Controlling diabetes
  • Strengthening digestive system
  • Losing weight
  • Treating fever
  • Treating skin diseases
  • Curing scurvy
  • Treating piles
  • Treating various stomach diseases
  • Treating dysentery
  • Controlling asthma

Kamrakh Dosage

Fruit juice: 10-40ml or as prescribed.
Seed powder: 1-2g or as prescribed.
Decoction of leaves: 10-20ml or as prescribed.

Kamrakh Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Not known.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Not safe during pregnancy because it may cause uterine contractions.
Children: Not known.

Warning:
Do not consume Kamrakh in large quantities. Since it contains Oxalic Acid and Caramboxin, those with kidney stones, kidney failure, and are on dialysis treatment should not take Kamrakh.

Where to Buy Kamrakh in the US?

Mugwort

Mugwort Scientific Name

Artemisia vulgaris

Mugwort Other Names

English: Indian Wormwood, Mugwort
Chinese and Singapore: Ai Cao, Ai Ye
Hindi: Douna

What is Mugwort?

Mugwort, scientifically known as Artemisia vulgaris, is a plant that commonly grows to be 1-2m tall. With leaves 5-20cm long and its woody root, Mugwort has a firm stem. In Ayurveda, it is used for respiratory diseases, constipation, treatment of skin diseases, diseases of the liver, and neuromuscular diseases. In Sanskrit, Mugwort is known as Damanaka.

Common forms of Mugwort

Tea, Leaves

Mugwort is commonly used for:

  • Supporting the heart as a cardiac toner
  • Treating skin diseases
  • Relieving clammy skin
  • Treating psychiatric disorders
  • Treating boils and blisters

Mugwort Dosage

Fresh Juice: 5-10ml or as prescribed.
Powder: ½-1g or as prescribed.

Mugwort Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Not known.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Not safe during pregnancy because it may cause uterine contractions.
Children: Not known.

Warning:
Some people might be allergic to this herb.

Where to Buy Mugwort in the US?

Gulvel (Giloy)

Gulvel Scientific Name

Tinospora cordifolia

Gulvel Other Names

English: Indian Tinospora, Bile killer, Heart Leaved Moonseed, Gulancha Tinospora, Moon Creeper, Tinospora
Hindi: Chinnaruha, Giloy, Gulunch, Gurch, Pittaghni, Jivanti, Jivantika
Sanskrit: Agnisikha, Amrta, Amrtavallari, Chadmika, Jivantika

What is Gulvel?

Gulvel, commonly known as Giloy, is an herb that has been used in Ayurveda and other forms of Indian medicine for a long time. Gulvel’s stem is known to be highly effective in healing because it is high in nutritional content. Gulvel juice can help to manage fevers and improve immunity because of its antipyretic properties. Additionally, Gulvel is commonly used by diabetteic patients because it tastes bitter and manages glucose levels. Overall, Gulvel helps to manage weight and improve metabolism.

Common forms of Gulvel

Powder, Tablets, Capsules, Juice

Gulvel is commonly used for:

Gulvel Dosage

Juice: 2-3 teaspoons of juice, once or twice a day.
Powder: ¼-½ teaspoon twice a day.
Tablet: 1-2 tablets twice a day.
Capsule: 1-2 capsules twice a day.
Extract: 1 pinch twice a day.

Gulvel Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Some may experience headache or nasal pain.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is a lack of scientific research about Gulvel during pregnancy and breast-feeding, therefore it is advisable to avoid use.
Children: Not known.

Warning:
Not known.

Where to Buy Gulvel in the US?

Kathal (Jackfruit)

Kathal Scientific Name

Artocarpus heterophyllus

Kathal Other Names

English: Jackfruit
Hindi: Kathal, Katahal
Telugu: Panasa
Tamil: Palappalam
Spanish: Jaca

What is Kathal?

Kathal, commonly known as Jackfruit, was first cultivated in Southeastern Asian countries for years. Its unique appearance is complemented by its sweet taste. Kathal does have a unique musky smell, nonetheless, it is a distinct tropical fruit. Consuming Kathal has various benefits like boosting your immunity, improving your digestion, and preventing constipation. Furthermore, it works to improve cardiovascular health along with providing protection from piles and colon cancer.

Common forms of Kathal

Raw Fruit, Seeds, Powder

Kathal is commonly used for:

  • Treating constipation
  • Treating ulcers
  • Treating Diabetes
  • Controlling high blood pressure
  • Treating skin problems

Kathal Dosage

The proper dosage depends upon several life factors like age, health and several other conditions.

Kathal Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Not known.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Not known.
Children: Not known.

Warning:
Kathal fruit may cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Where to Buy Kathal in the US?