How to Treat Rosacea: Can Herbal Remedies Help?

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posted on 15 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness and small bumps on your face. While it’s a common condition, it can be extremely frustrating because it’s difficult to treat. Many people naturally look for alternative treatments when medical advice hasn’t worked. Fortunately, there are some herbal treatments that show promise in alleviating rosacea symptoms. While more studies are needed to confirm which treatments are most effective, you can definitely incorporate some of these herbs into your rosacea management regimen. The main thing to remember is that herbal remedies can’t cure rosacea. In fact, nothing can actually cure rosacea. Rather, these treatments can help alleviate the redness and discomfort that occurs when rosacea flares up.

Steps

Herbal Treatments Effective for Rosacea

Apply a cream derived from Indian chrysanthemum to your face. The largest study of herbal remedies showed that Indian chrysanthemum cream, also called chrysanthemum indicum, was effective in treating moderate rosacea.

Use milk thistle combined with sulfur extract. While not entirely an herbal treatment, another study showed that milk thistle mixed with a type of sulfur (methylsulfonylmethane) was also an effective rosacea remedy.

Reduce inflammation with a topical niacinamide cream. Niacinamide, a type of vitamin B, helps the skin heal itself. It’s been shown to reduce the redness and inflammation associated with rosacea outbreaks.

Try a cream derived from green tea. This study was much smaller, but it did demonstrate that green tea cream could also alleviate rosacea symptoms. However, it’s best to wait for a larger study to confirm these findings.

Swallow licorice root extract for a systemic rosacea treatment. Licorice root is currently the only oral herbal treatment that’s shown success for treating rosacea systemically. Follow all of the dosing instructions to avoid an upset stomach.

Natural Treatments that Could Reduce Inflammation

Apply aloe vera to moisturize your skin. While it doesn’t directly treat rosacea, aloe vera extract soothes the skin and reduces some of the inflammation from rosacea outbreaks.

Use feverfew cream to treat redness and swelling. Feverfew is a natural anti-inflammatory like aloe. It can reduce redness and also stop the itching and burning from rosacea.

Get products with chamomile extract. Many skincare products include chamomile as a soothing agent. They may not be as effective as aloe or feverfew, but chamomile products show some success in reducing rosacea symptoms.

Try a colloidal oatmeal mask to fight inflammation. While not exactly an herbal remedy, this is still a natural treatment that helps the itching and inflammation from rosacea. Get some finely-ground oatmeal, soak it in water, rub it on your face, and then wash it off after 15 minutes.

Lifestyle Changes to Treat Rosacea Naturally

Apply sunscreen to your face whenever you go outside. Sun is a major trigger of rosacea, so always make sure your face is protected with at least SPF 30 sunblock. If it’s very sunny, try wearing a hat or spending as much time in the shade as possible.

Cover your face when it’s cold outside. Cold air is also a common trigger for rosacea. When you go outside in the winter, cover your face with a scarf to protect your skin.

Be gentle when you wash your face. Friction can aggravate rosacea, especially when you wash your face. Always use a light touch with your fingers and pat your face dry with a soft towel.

Use facial cleansers that are free of alcohol or fragrances. These ingredients can irritate and dry out your skin, making rosacea symptoms worse. Look for hypoallergenic products designed for sensitive skin instead.

Avoid any triggers that make your rosacea worse. Triggers can vary from person to person. Try to keep track of what makes your rosacea worse and try to avoid those triggers.