Spot the Problem

by Alison Cullen

HEALTHY WAY MAGAZINE WEBISSUE 45 ARTICLE 4

When you're a teenager, you have enough to cope with without your skin and/or your periods giving you grief. Here's how to kick the problems into touch.

Spot the Problem

Get to the root of the problem to sort out zits and blotchy skin.

Have the problems surfaced since your hormones started pushing you into puberty?

This would mean (for girls) since your periods started or (for boys) since your voice broke and your testicles rearranged themselves. If so, then you will probably have quite angry, red and obvious spots, which break out not just on your face but also on your back. The answer to this is a remedy called Agnus castus, which balances both male and female teenage hormones, to stop them causing the inflammatory acne that makes your skin (and life) miserable. For girls, this herb will also make your periods better if they are heavy and painful, and will reduce the angry, irritable type of PMS, which will just make you a better person to have around! Please note that girls can't take Agnus castus if they are using hormonal contraceptives such as the Pill.

Is the skin affected mainly around the chin and jaw line?

If so, then it is often connected to your digestive system, and will improve if you get your bowel working better. The additional benefit of this is that your stomach flattens out and you lose a few surplus pounds. If your bowel isn't working every day, start drinking more water (at least 1.5 litres daily of still, plain water, not fizzy and not flavoured), cut down on fizzy pop, and take a complex containing Frangula until your bowel moves daily. For even more improvements, in your digestive system, your skin and your general well being, cut down on refined sugar (chocolate, cakes, sweets, biscuits...) and eat dried fruit like mango, pineapple, dates, papaya, raisins, etc., instead. This gives you heaps of energy, is great for your gut and your skin, and slims you down too!

Is the skin blemished all over and quite sensitive and prone to flaking and flare-ups?

You may be sensitive to dairy products, especially if you've ever had eczema or psoriasis. Try cutting back on your dairy intake (milk, cheese, cream, ice cream, milk chocolate, butter) and swapping them for the dairy-free alternatives available in all the health stores and supermarkets. Ask at the information desk at your supermarket, or ask any of the staff in your nearest health store, and they'll help you out. Also, start taking a supplement of Evening Primrose Oil, about 3,000mg daily, which can help the skin to heal if it's very dry and sensitive.

Generally speaking, the skin will benefit from more water, less caffeine and fizzy drinks, less sugar and dairy products, and more fruit and vegetables.

There is an excellent herb called Viola tricolor, which helps to nourish the skin and reduce inflammation, so that's always worth trying too. It can be taken by anyone, for any length of time.