3 Natural Ways to Diminish Rosacea
By Jacob Levine
Rosacea is a persistent, often life-disrupting disorder in which the facial skin and other effected areas begin to exhibit a rash-like redness or inflammation. The condition appears in varying degrees and is known to fluctuate both in intensity and symptomatically. Unfortunately, while there is yet no known cause or cure, there has been significant progress made in determining the disorder’s key stressors, as well as some potential alleviators, such as not wearing makeup. Below, we have listed a few of the most reasonable and effective substances and regimens which have been shown to diminish the symptoms of rosacea.
Olive Leaf Extract
Recent studies have begun to show a correlation between rosacea and auto-immune disorders, and as such, some believe the best solution is treating one’s immune system rather than the inflammation itself. Olive leaf extract has long been known as a powerful detoxicant and immune cleanser.
It is great for clearing out all those pathogens or protozoans that could be building up inside your body. Additionally, it acts to strengthen your immune system and reduce the effects of inflammation disorders, the one classification for the disease that has become generally accepted amongst medical professionals.
If you consider going this route, you will want to look for superior strength brands, as this substance comes in varying potencies. Ideally, you would want 25% Oleuropein extract, or 250 mg Oleuropein, which is the main determinant of olive leaf extract’s strength. As far as dosage goes, you will want to follow the instructions on the bottle, taking the max for the first 10 weeks and then dropping back to the lowest thereafter.
Like most effective solutions, this one takes some time; roughly six continuous months of active use may be required for your body to successfully rid yourself of all those unwanted pests and microorganisms, leaving you with your desired result. From then on, you may either continue a low maintenance dose indefinitely, or switch to a three month on/off cycle—both are considered acceptable for maintaining results.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar, another internally-based holistic healing agent—often proclaimed a cure-all by some—is an excellent digestive stimulant, as well as powerful toxin eliminator. This is specifically useful to rosacea sufferers, as most are instructed to utilize antibiotics in order to heal their ailments. The problem with this is that antibiotics tends to kill off a lot of your digestive tract’s good bacteria as well, allowing the bad to grow and causing additional problems such as thrush.
In order to restore the bacterium levels in your body, all it takes is about one to two tablespoons of ACV and a glass of warm water about three times a day. However, when buying ACV, you want to make sure you get the high-quality stuff. There’s two things you want to look for when purchasing apple cider vinegar. First, you want the kind that says “mother” on the bottle; mother is all of the of proteins, enzymes, and good bacteria found in unfiltered ACV and stripped within the refined version, rendering it pretty much holistically-useless. Secondly, you want to buy organic—just for the simple reason that you’re putting it in your body to heal yourself.
Foods High in Chlorophyll
Recent studies have begun to show correlations between ATP’s role in the nervous system and rosacea symptoms associated with to blood flow. The thought is, that the ATP in those suffering from Rosasea triggers a faulty blood fluctuation when specific Rosacea triggers, ex. Sunlight, stress, & alcohol use, are introduced to the body.
Chlorophyll, sometimes referred to as the “blood builder,” has a molecular structure very similar to that of hemoglobin, the protein which carries oxygen to and from the cells. The key difference is that while hemoglobin carries iron, chlorophyll transports magnesium, which serves a variety of heart-healthy functions, such increasing the efficiency of red blood cells. As such, when you ingest chlorophyll, it helps your body to aid and restore your red blood cells, allowing for better blood flow. In addition, it also contains a wealth of live enzymes which work to clean the blood, allowing it to carry more oxygen.
While there are a ton of healthy foods high in chlorophyll, there are four very specific ones deemed most beneficial to the rosacea sufferer: wheat grass, barley grass, chlorella, and spirulina. This is because these foods have been shown to encompass many powerful antioxidants, B group vitamins, and riboflavin. The antioxidants are great for the immune system, the b vitamins are good for energy, and the riboflavin is very important for maintaining healthy capillaries and blood flow.
I hope you found this post informative and helpful. If you have found any of these solutions to be helpful in alleviating the symptoms of rosacea, please let us know!
Jacob Levine is a writer and content specialist for the Skin & Vein Center, a leading Michigan dermatology center. For more information, visit our site today.
Photo credit: mbtphoto (away a lot) via Visualhunt / CC BY-ND