Greetings from India! As you may know, Luke and I have been traveling in India for the past two months… the Indian part of our adventure is about to come to a close now – we are headed to Nepal for three weeks for some trekking and white water rafting. Then back to Canada!
India has been a blast; I will update with a wrap up of my experiences when I get home. For now if you are interested Luke has been keeping up a travel blog which relays in pics and beautiful prose what we’ve been up to on this adventure. Check it out.
In the mean time, I wanted to write a post about Indian remedies for acne!
India has an ancient natural health system called Ayurveda. Unlike Western medicine (which diagnoses the disease and then tries to kill it), it sees disease as a symptom of an imbalance and therefore aims to treat the imbalance. It looks at the health of the whole person instead of just the part that is sick.
Therefore, Indians are very open to natural remedies (I suppose it’s not a surprise I have many Indian Love Vitamin followers!), and I wanted to list a few of their remedies for acne for you. If any of my Indian readers have tried these, please let us know how they work!
Triphala
Triphala is a powerful Ayurvedic remedy containing a mixture of three Indian superfruits – Amalaki, Haritaki, and Biphitaki. The fruits are dried and powdered and usually made into capsule supplements.
This may be the most famous acne cure from India, as I had known of it prior to visiting India and have heard good things about it. Even us Westerners are using it!
Why it works:
For many people, acne can be a result of poor digestion creating inflammation, toxins, and contributing to an overloaded liver and hormonal imbalances. The powdered fruits used contain powerful protective antioxidants and have properties that tone and strengthen the digestive system, leading to much healthier skin.
Turmeric
Turmeric is that bright yellow spice (stains everything yellow!) that Indians love to use in their cooking. Most western people probably wouldn’t think twice from the next spice, but it is a very powerful anti-inflammatory and liver aid.
Aside from adding it to their food, many people take turmeric in capsule form as a supplement, and some people love to use it as an ingredient in a face mask. I even wrote a blog post about turmeric a long time ago!
Why it works:
Acne is inflammation; it’s inflammation in the body that could turn a benign clogged pore into a raging volcano. Turmeric can help sooth that inflammation as well as get your liver working tip top (it is often found alongside milk thistle in liver support supplements). A clogged liver is a huge contributor to hormonal acne so helping it out is going to go a long way toward clear skin.
Bitter Gourd
Bitter gourd (called karela in Hindi) is a funny looking little vegetable that I have seen around in the markets here in India and wondered what the heck it was. Who knew it was a powerful acne cure!
To use, Indians drink the juice or eat the flesh of the gourd, or they put it on their faces as a mask or spot treatment. Unfortunately true to its name I hear it is horribly bitter! Luckily you can also take it in supplement form if you wish, although it’s probably not as powerful as the real thing.
Why it works:
Bitter gourd is said to cleanse the blood and regenerate the liver. As we’ve already said, a congested liver can have trouble with regulating the toxins and hormones in the bloodstream so bitter gourd is helpful for cleaning up both.
It is also said to have a very powerful impact on blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels lead to the release of the male androgen hormones which have a big role in creating acne!
Other Indian Acne Remedies
According to an Indian Love Vitamin reader named Dipika, other Indian remedies for acne include:
Used Externally: sandalwood paste, nutmeg (both typically rubbed on stone in a few drops of water), garlic, mud packs (red mud), multani mitti (fuller’s earth) with rosewater, besan (gram flour), ghee as a moisturizer
Used Internally: white gourd (called Dudhi), tulsi, amla (indian gooseberry), a yogic breathing exercise called Kapalbhati
So, Indians and Westerners alike – have you ever tried any of these, or any other Indian or Ayurvedic acne remedies? Share your thoughts and how they worked in the comments below.
Katherine says
March 12, 2014 at 12:53 pmHey! so happy to hear you’re having a great time in India. I love how everyone seems so zen there. I have tried Turmeric and Triphala. Turmeric is great and it just makes you feel good and healthy all over. I don’t think I gave it enough time (took it for like a month). But your post has inspired me to take it again 🙂 Thanks for another great post! Lots of love!
Tracy says
March 14, 2014 at 7:30 amGood luck, hope it works 🙂 I forgot to mention that tumeric is also in the Liv-tox liver supplement that I have been recommending since forever (if anyone is reading this who is wondering about it, Liv-tox has been discontinued, and my replacement reco is Thorne Research’s SAT liver support which also contains turmeric!)
Vita @ VitaLivesFree says
March 12, 2014 at 1:20 pmLove this post! You’re so lucky to be in India. If I go there again, I’ll come back with a suitcase full of spices and herbs! What a coincidence – I’ve posted an Ayurvedic health and beauty blog on my blog this afternoon. 🙂 I’m obsessed with Ayurvedic herbs right now. I’m trying all kinds in my hair care right now. I’m also using turmeric and I love it. I put in my tea, use it when cooking or mix it with mustard oil and massage my gums. It makes them healthy and prevents/heals gum recession. Indian ancient remedies are seriously miraculous!
Tracy says
March 14, 2014 at 7:31 amhey Vita, so you’ve been to India before? Anyway – post the link to your Ayurveda article here so we can read it! 🙂
Vita @ VitaLivesFree says
March 14, 2014 at 7:45 amOops, I don’t even know why I wrote “again”. I meant to say “If I ever go there”. 🙂 I think my subconscious mind gave me a hint in this way that it’s time to go there! 🙂 I’d love to!
Here’s the link to my Ayurvedic haul:
http://vitalivesfree.com/ayurvedic-health-beauty-haul.
I’m a huge fan of soap nuts, on the fence about neutral henna (just because I used it with coconut oil and it’s impossible to wash).
P.S. I’ve been using oil pulling for a year. It’s fantastic! While you do it, you can take a shower or check your email, and it doesn’t interfere with your schedule or life at all.
I also love chewing a clove after every meal (just rinse my mouth with water before).
Yeah, I think I’m really obsessed with Indian remedies. Can’t stop talking about them! 🙂
sandeep says
July 23, 2014 at 11:14 pmHi vita…..
If u ever come to india…..I can help u with ayurvedic herbs…..I know many people who deal ayur herbs and me myself hav a good knowledge about herbs…I knw many places which grow ayur herbs too….
My name is sandeep by the way…..
Vita @ VitaLivesFree says
July 24, 2014 at 8:24 amThat’s cool! Thanks Sandeep. 🙂
Mattie says
March 12, 2014 at 1:27 pmHi Tracy! Heard anything about oil-pulling- an ancient Indian Ayurvedic practice? I just started a few days ago in the mornings and heard it’s great for various skin conditions including acne…I hope it helps my acne problems. I guess only time will tell!
Tracy says
March 14, 2014 at 7:34 amHey Mattie,
I have definitely heard about oil pulling, and I’ve even had a couple people email me to say they swear up and down that after a detox period it’s made a huge difference to their skin. Personally I have tried it for a short period twice, but in honesty, I thought it was a pain in the butt so I knew it was never going to be a sustainable practice for me.
Either way – I should probably write an article about it – I’ve had a few other people ask me about it recently, and two more people in the comments below are also interested!
masha says
March 12, 2014 at 2:44 pmCool! I’ve been experimenting with neem powder, both in- and externally. Actually I have it on my pimples right now – it dries them out pretty fast.
Tracy says
March 14, 2014 at 7:35 amAh yeah, neem! Indian’s apparently like it for stomach troubles, as well as brushing their teeth. So it works as a spot treatment too?
Heather says
March 12, 2014 at 2:51 pmI’ve had the bitter gourd before (but referred to it as a bitter melon). It’s pretty good actually- a lot like a green pepper. I imagine the fresher it is the more potent the flavour, but once it’s shipped and sold in Canada, it’s not so bad tasting. Try it, I had mine in an omelette 🙂
Tracy says
March 14, 2014 at 7:36 amSo they do sell it in Canada! What sort of store or market? I definitely don’t think I’ve ever seen in my town!
Sid says
March 13, 2014 at 4:25 amHi Tracy,
I am from India, but I am not living there at the moment, You are absolutely right about the remedies you listed though I have never heard about Triphala, I will check that out.
Bitter gourd is ridiculously cheap, its best to juice it.
So happy to know you are discovering India and moving on soon too.
Cheers,
Sid
Tracy says
March 14, 2014 at 7:37 amHi Sid, is bitter gourd as bitter as they say? haha I can’t imagine the juice tasting too good!
Tracy says
March 14, 2014 at 7:38 amHi Sid, is bitter gourd as bitter as they say? haha I can’t imagine the juice tasting too good! And yes India’s been great 🙂 We’re in are in Nepal now, at Chitwan National Park
Eliz says
May 10, 2016 at 7:19 pmHi Tracy,
I have been following your posts since the last few years. I have had moderate acne for the last few years. Recently, I did try bitter melon/ gourd juice (I bought it at a local Indian store) and my skin started clearing so fast! The taste is terrible, but I mask it with lemon, black salt and some apple. It is pretty tolerable. I also take Saw Palmetto. I figured that since acne is caused due to peaks in blood sugar and hormone imbalance, why not target both together. I can’t be certain if this is a long time solution, I am pretty clear for 2 weeks so far.
I realize this is an old post, but just wanted to share this about bitter melon.
Tracy Raftl says
May 11, 2016 at 8:12 amInteresting, thanks for sharing that Eliz! I like hearing success stories for interesting remedies 🙂 Let’s hope the results continue!
Abbey says
March 13, 2014 at 7:30 amHey Tracy! Speaking of Ayurvedic remedies, there’s a lot of buzz right now about Oil Pulling, especially with Coconut Oil for acne. Have you ever posted on it? I would love to hear your thoughts. I did it this morning for the first time!
Abbey
Christen says
March 13, 2014 at 4:20 pmIt’s so great that you’re able to travel, good for you lady! Great post- I hate to be off topic but it seems like I’m not the only one interested in oil pulling. I, too, would love to hear your thoughts on that! But back to Indian remedies, I started using turmeric more because of your previous post about it. I have a pretty big bag of it from the health food store…I think it’s time to make more Indian food again! & I’m totally gonna try that powdered fruit! Thanks for the inspiration!! xoxo (btw I found you several months ago & my skin has made leaps & bounds following your advice. Thank you So much❤️❤️)
Tracy says
March 14, 2014 at 7:39 am@Abbey & Christina – see my reply to Mattie above about the oil pulling! Sounds like it definitely needs its own post 🙂
Vanessa says
March 15, 2014 at 12:25 amHi Tracy!
I did not know that bitter gourd (called “Ampalaya” here in the Philippines) is an amazing acne treatment. I will definitely try to incorporate more of it in my diet 🙂 I will also try to make sauerkraut for my daily dose of good bacteria XD
Thank you so much Tracy for sharing everything!
Tracy says
March 15, 2014 at 8:40 amNice, I hope it helps! 🙂
Daybreak says
March 16, 2014 at 12:33 pmHi Tracy,
I’ve had acne for 10 years but In the past 2 years I’ve changed my eating habits and no longer break out.. however I feel just as insecure as I did when I was breaking out all the time. I have this lingering rash that WILL NOT GO! It’s so depressing and I still hide away because of it. My regime is a hot flannel at night only, and aloe vera gel If my skin is feeling dry.
The pictures are here http://curezone.org/forums/am.asp?i=2157715
If you could have a quick look and suggest anything I would appreciate it!!
Tracy says
March 16, 2014 at 9:15 pmHey Daybreak, terribly sorry to hear you’re suffering with a rash! sorry I don’t know what it is though (can’t really diagnose it), but it might be some other skin condition unrelated to acne.. like a fungal infection or something?
Daybreak says
March 17, 2014 at 5:20 amThanks for your reply Tracy,
Yeah I have no idea… I went to dermatologists for the hell of it, and they wanted to put me on accutane!!!! even though I don’t have spots, just bad skin. Drives me crazy! Is there anything you could recommend to look for? I was thinking of trying vegetables/fruit only for a month because I’m desperate 🙁
thanks
Tracy says
March 17, 2014 at 6:26 pmSo the dermatologist didn’t even tell you what it was?? Did he say the rash was acne? – I wouldn’t recommend any extreme diet like that. I would say go to a different doctor and get them to tell you exactly what it is
Daria says
May 19, 2014 at 12:23 pmDear Daybreak,
your skin condition reminds me of mine. a while ago. I had the same, but mostly after the shower. Then a bit later the red colour is fading a bit. After I tried the caveman regimen, all these redness dissapear.spots as well. but in contact with water, or any chemicals it appears again. So try buy a filter for your shower. maybe the water is too harsh for you. As well, you can try to avoid any chemical soaps or gels. just use plain filtered water for a while. i am trying to use just filtered water now. And now the skin is much better. Hope it might be helpful.
Maria says
March 23, 2014 at 7:46 amI have been to India and Nepal too 🙂
Have a great time!
Thomas Lartin says
March 23, 2014 at 3:33 pmMakes sense that Bitter Gourd would work by the function you’re saying, I know that NAC is known to work by a very similar function.
karth says
April 7, 2014 at 8:48 amI love this article tracy and btw I’m from india. Its good to know that you had a great time here. I heard of oil pulling recently from my employee. Its a great cure for acne and all skin disordes esp when you try with sesame oil. After a month of oil pulling , all my acne started to vanish and I have to admit that I still have its leftover marks. I am confident that even marks will disappear in coming days.
Tracy says
April 7, 2014 at 8:51 amHey Karth! Yeah India was amazing! 😀 – anyway, thank you for your input about oil pulling… so far it’s definitely had positive reviews for helping with acne, so I will do a blog post about it soon! Thanks!
karth says
April 7, 2014 at 9:02 am@ DAYBREAK.
I would suggest you to start oil pulling esp with sesame oil. I had a lot of problems with acne cuz IM a junkie lover. I have tried everything from aloe vera to turmeric and bitter gourd but to no vain. It only gives temporary relief. After I oil pulled for about a month , I started noticing that my acne were slowley disappearing.
Hey tracy love your article . . Cheers from INDIA.
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