If blemishes, acne, and other skin problems are making you uncomfortable in your skin, natural remedies can help.

Although we may say, "Don't judge a book by its cover," the truth is that most of the time it's the book's cover that makes us curious to learn what's inside. Without a good cover, a book is less likely to be opened and read.
The skin is the cover for the body and while we say, "Beauty is only skin deep," having healthy skin gives us more confidence to "face" life. Like the cover of a book, our skin represents us to the world. Blemishes, pimples, rashes and other skin problems can leave us feeling less confident and cause embarrassment and a loss of self-esteem. Unfortunately, most people try to solve skin problems only by working directly on the skin. They apply various creams, lotions and cosmetics or get skin treatments. They don't realize that the beauty (and health) of the skin isn't "skin deep" at all. It is a reflection of the health of our body as a whole.

By improving the health of internal organs like the colon, liver, kidneys and thyroid, skin problems can be cleared up, leaving a person feeling more comfortable in his or her own skin. In this issue, we provide you with important tips on holistic care for the skin. We also provide basic suggestions for natural remedies for common skin problems.

A Holistic View At Healthy Skin
To understand how to properly care for our skin, we need to take a closer look at the skin and its many functions. This will serve as a guide to general health practices that promote radiant and beautiful skin. We'll start with something very few people consider beautiful, the sweat glands.

Under the regulation of the hypothalamus, the sweat glands in our skin help to regulate body temperature. When the body is too hot, tiny muscles in the sweat glands open to secrete moisture onto the skin. As this moisture evaporates, it cools us down. The sweat glands are also a channel of elimination.

The body can use sweat to eliminate irritating substances when other eliminative organs (particularly the kidneys) are overloaded. Inducing perspiration through the use of diaphoretic herbs, saunas, sweat lodges and steam baths has long been used as a therapy for easing acute illnesses such as colds, flu, fevers and skin eruptive diseases like measles and chicken pox. Sweating has also been used to improve general health. Working up a "good sweat" whether through exercise or sweat therapies, usually makes us feel better.

This points to the first general practice we need to adopt for healthy skin and that is drinking enough water. Just drinking adequate amounts of pure water will improve skin health because it will dilute irritating substances and make it easier for the kidneys, sweat glands and other eliminative organs to do their jobs.

The skin also helps protect us, which is why we talk about very guarded people as having a "thick skin" and people who are easily hurt as being "thin skinned." In this protective function, we actually have two "skins," the outer skin we see and the inner skin we don't see. The inner skin is the mucus membranes that line our respiratory, digestive and urinary passages.

The skin and the mucus membranes are linked in their immune functions, which also means that the health of the internal skin will affect the health of the external skin. Many skin problems are actually a sign of poor health in the digestive tract, particularly the colon and liver. Constipation, sluggish liver function and the overgrowth of yeast or harmful bacteria in the colon will all adversely affect the health of the skin.

Internal Cleansing Keeps Skin Healthy

This is why the second basic health practice that keeps your skin glowing with good health is to "clean up" your internal skin by doing some cleansing. Make sure you're getting adequate fiber by eating fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. You may also want to use a fiber supplement like Psyllium Hulls Combination.

Traditionally, herbalists have used blood purifiers or alteratives to help clear up skin conditions like acne, rashes and skin eruptive diseases. If you have a lot of skin problems it may help to take good blood purifier such as Chinese Liver Balance or Skin Detox. It may also be helpful to do the 14-day Tiao He Cleanse program.

Some skin conditions may be due to yeast overgrowth in the intestines. Yeast overgrowth occurs when antibiotics and other drugs destroy the friendly bacteria living in the colon, allowing yeast to proliferate in their place. Signs of yeast overgrowth include cravings for sugar, fuzzy thinking, fungal infections and reduced immunity (catching colds and flu easily). If yeast overgrowth is a problem, doing the Candida Clear program may help clear up your skin problems. It may also help to take Probiotic Eleven to build healthy intestinal flora.

Underneath the skin is a layer of fat which helps insulate the body and keep us warm. The skin also contains oil ducts called sebaceous glands that secrete a waxy oily substance called sebum. Sebum may help protect the skin and the fats and oils in the skin are part of what keeps skin feeling soft and smooth.

This is why disturbances in fat metabolism or the presence of fat-soluble irritants can cause skin problems. The liver and thyroid are important organs of fat metabolism, so disturbances in the function of the liver and thyroid often result in skin problems such as oily skin, dry skin, acne and itching. This is another way that blood purifiers, especially herbs like burdock, can help to clear up skin problems. Seaweeds, such as Liquid Dulse, feed the thyroid and aid fat metabolism, so they are also helpful for many skin problems.

Watch What You Wash With
The skin shields the body from harmful microbes and dirt. We also wash our skin to keep it clean, but what many people don't realize is that washing with the wrong kind of soap actually compromises the skin's role in our immune system. Just like we have friendly bacteria growing on our inner skin, we also have friendly microbes on our outer skin. The overuse of chemical disinfectants and harsh cleansers alters the pH of the skin and destroys the friendly microbes living there. This makes a person more prone to skin infections.

So, another practice that promotes healthy skin is to be careful what we put on our skin, starting with what we wash it with. Using mild natural soaps that don't disturb the pH balance of the skin or destroy the friendly microbes on the surface of the skin leads to healthy skin.

Remember that the skin (and scalp) absorb what is applied to them. So carefully read the labels of cosmetics and other skin and hair care products. Avoid products that are laden with chemicals and opt for products with more natural ingredients. Nature's Enzymes Spray and Silver Shield Gel, applied topically to the skin after washing or bathing can really improve skin health. The enzymes in Nature's Fresh help regenerate skin and the patented silver in Silver Shield Gel kills harmful bacteria without disrupting friendly flora.

The Mind-Skin Connection
The skin is the largest sensory organ in the body. Loaded with nerves that allow us to sense heat, cold, texture, pressure and pain, the skin allows us to "touch" the outside world. The fact that the skin is so connected with our nervous system is also revealed by how our skin communicates what is going on inside of us mentally and emotionally.

Through our skin we flush from excitement, we blush when we're embarrassed, we grow pale because of fear and we sweat over the "small stuff" that sometimes makes us feel overwhelmed and nervous. It is why we say that a person who is confident is "comfortable in their own skin." This strong connection to our emotions suggests we shouldn't discount the importance of positive mental attitudes and emotional healing work in keeping the skin healthy.

Thanks to Steven Horne and his staff for this excellent article:  Vol 22, No.2. For more info on his educational tools, go to www.treelite.com

Solving Specific Skin Problems
Reprinted from Sunshine Sharing

Note from Four Winds Nutrition: check this page (for very serious skin issues)

Please remember that the following suggestions are not the last word on solutions to your problems. Use care in using any suggestion, and unless you are competent, see a health professional for solving serious problems.

Abrasions/cuts/irritations
Grate carrot or potato and apply. Bind with bandage. You could also use a little cornstarch with a few tsp. of castor oil and apply as poultice.
Also useful is PLS, Pau D'Arco lotion, Tei Fu Lotion.

Abscess
Activated charcoal can perform miracles and is non-toxic. Apply liberally into any infected wound. Sometimes a drawing poultice will bring out the morbid matter. This can be made from bentonite clay, applied and left to dry. Wash off carefully, remembering that it is highly communicable. Take high amounts of vitamins A and C.

Acne
Suspect certain drugs. Stress can alter hormones. Lavender oil sniffed or applied externally may help calm nerves. Eruptions on chin may indicate sex hormone imbalance as the cause.
Need zinc, vitamin A, B-complex (especially B6), brewers yeast.
Homeopathic Acne should be tried. You can apply crushed zinc tablet or brewers yeast to the eruption.

Age spots
Check for low thyroid.
Rub on aloe vera gel or comfrey ointment. If caused by free radical damage, use antioxidants like vitamin E, C and Ginkgo-hawthorn. Also, Liver Cleanse (LIV-A), LIV-J, pau darco, Immune Stimulator, Barley Green, and chlorophyll.
Even acidophilus has helped some people. You can also rub in castor oil morning and evening. Fasting will hasten skin clearing.

Blackheads
Heated honey applied externally. Allow to stay to draw out impurities and wash off. To loosen blackheads, make a paste of honey, oatmeal and the white of an egg. Apply to skin, massage for a few minutes and remove with lukewarm water. Take lecithin internally to disperse oils.

Boils
Apply fig poultice.
If open or infected use activated charcoal and bentonite to cleanse.
Blood needs to be quickly cleansed: BP-X, chlorophyll,
After draining, apply Tea Tree Oil and Golden Salve. Take IN-X to help prevent blood poisoning and build blood (include vitamin A, E, iron, and zinc).

Burning feet
May be lack of pantothenic acid plus B complex.

Burns
Cool tissue immediately without freezing cells. Bath in aloe vera or fresh carrot juice until pain is diminished.
Apply vitamin E or aloe vera for fast healing. Increase internal zinc supplies. Take vitamin Seletal Strength and HSN-W to help body repair damage.
Lecithin internally helps dissolve scar tissue.
Remember injuries, infections and especially burns cause the formation of many free radicals; your need for antioxidants is high.

Calluses
Apply vitamin E and take internally.

Cracked skin
Vitamin A, Beta-Carotene, Cod liver oil; Zinc, 30-50 mg./day.
Apply castor oil packs or olive oil.
Rub in well; also for fingernails that are brittle or cracking.

Dandruff
Cut down on sugar intake, take B-complex supplements, especially PABA. After washing hair, put 2 tsp. of vinegar on scalp, or you can rub in castor oil.
A decoction of thyme should be rubbed into scalp. You can also experiment with yogurt.
Sometimes fungus and bacteria cause itching and more flaking (antibiotics could therefore cause dandruff by killing off bacteria that control fungus on the scalp).
Stress is another cause.
Olive oil, walnut oil, sage tea or willow leaf tea can be used on the scalp. Also jojoba oil and HSN Complex.
Support thyroid with TS II.

Dermatitis
Eat more fish oils (cod-liver, omega-3 EPA).
B-complex, especially biotin is important, especially for infants. For this reason, acidophilus is useful, taken internally. These bacteria manufacture biotin. Bee Pollen, acidophilous, Natures Three, vitamins A, D, E, zinc, Vitamin Calcium w/Magnesium and SKL will help the body heal.

Eczema
May be related to weak thyroid or adrenals (licorice root and B-complex should help). Eating a raw potato every day may help. Include brewers yeast. Zinc, magnesium, B-complex, blackstrap molasses (2 tsp./ day) safflower oil (for linoleic acid), garlic, carrot, celery and lemon juice, vitamin C (up to 10,000 mg./day).

Erythema nodosum (red bumps)
Could be an allergy to a wide variety of infections or drugs. For pain and swelling, potassium iodide (by prescription) may work (see your doctor). Use large amounts of vitamin C, eat only natural, chemical-free foods if possible. Cleanse liver, bowels, blood.

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) (light-sensitive skin)
Vitamin E up to 400 I.U./day, plus large amounts of beta-carotene..

Fungus infection
Pau darco lotion
Acidophilus external/internal.
Tea Tree Oil ext.,
Zinc and B-complex all help immensely.
Be faithful in applying at least twice daily.
Homeopathic Candida may be helpful.
C-Herb Internal

Goose Pimples (permanent)
Possibly Vitamin A (beta-carotene) deficiency. (See Ichthyosis below)

Hives
Suspect drugs, nerves, rancid oil, shell fish or even unripe fruit.
This is usually caused by toxic blood overload.
Use BP-X, chlorophyll, vitamin C,
Could be a deficiency of vitamin B12 and C.

Try 1 tsp. of cream of tartar in half a glass of water 2-3 times daily for 2 days.
Take bath with 3 tbsp. of ginger in water, or dip bag of oatmeal in warm water and dab affected skin with water, allowing to dry. Apply pau darco lotion.

Ichthyosis (dry, rough, scaly skin)
Vitamin A internally and externally, and vitamin E.
Apply, rub in, and bandage. Reapply each day. Then use aloe vera juice int./ext.
Tie Fu Massage Lotion, Jojoba Oil are healing.

Impetigo
Apply Tea Tree oil, black walnut extract, garlic oil, lobelia extract or Golden salve.
Then use IN-X internally.
This is highly contagious. Keep skin open to air. For a temporary healing poultice, use burdock and sage. External garlic may allay itching.

Inflammation
Poultice of comfrey or plantain leaves (keep them damp).
Vinegar and witch hazel may also be applied.
Homeopathic remedy Inflammation may also be helpful.
Take yucca, IF-C and horsetail, vitamin C and zinc supplements.
Licorice helps adrenals produce anti-inflammatory hormone.

Itching
May be iron deficiency.
Often an application of vinegar will stop it immediately. In other cases, cornstarch or baking soda.
Capsicum extract should stop itching on contact.
Bentonite helps draw out and neutralize irritants.
Take extra pantothenic acid and yellow dock.
If caused by parasites, use Para-Cleanse ten day program.

Keratoma (horny growth)
Apply 400 I.U. vitamin E under bandaid.
Change every two days.

Liver Spots
B-complex, vitamin E internally.
Cleanse blood with chlorophyll and both liver herb combinations (Liver Balance or Milk Thistle Combination) and for the blood (BP-X).

Moles (FWN: We recommend C-Herb external)
Apply castor oil daily.

Oily Skin
Eat lemons, mint (peppermint, spearmint, catnip), apply poultices or masks of same.
A facial mask of crush strawberries or lettuce in a blender, or a weekly brewers yeast mask will help.
Dont forget bentonite clay to absorb oils and impurities. Then cut down on greasy foods.

Papillomas
(see Skin tags)

Prickly Heat
Take lukewarm baths and apply cornstarch to relieve itching.
Large amounts of vitamin C are needed.

Psoriasis
(Could be caused by hypothyroidism.)
Take B complex, especially folic acid.
Black currant oil (6/day), garlic, BP-X to cleanse blood, aloe vera juice (6 oz./day), vitamin A & D and zinc in high amounts to build up these elements in the body along with B-complex and lecithin.
Oatmeal packs to reduce skin inflammation.
Drink lemon juice daily. Emphasize fruits and vegetables.
Stress is a major cause.

Rashes
Suspect drugs.
Sometimes caused by fungus.
Pau darco lotion, zinc, acidophilus (int./ext.)
Tea Tree Oil (ext.) or grape-fruit seed extract should help alleviate.
To heal, apply vitamin E or aloe vera gel.

If stress caused, it requires BP-X to cleanse blood, loads of vitamin C (unless rash gets worse from over-acid condition of the body), and plenty of mineral water.

Red blotches
May be iron deficiency, or reaction to drugs, even oral contraceptives, antibiotics.
Try fenugreek and vitamin B6 with B complex.

Scaly Dermatitis
Cod-liver Oil, Vitamin A, Beta-carotene, PABA (150 mg./day), Omega-3 fish oils.

Scars
Lecithin helps dissolve, also Vitamin E and B vitamin Choline (its in lecithin). Glycolic acid, a compound from sugar cane.

Scratches
(see Abrasions above)

Seborrheic dermatitis
Suspect biotin deficiency.
Biotin can be manufactured by friendly bacteria in the bowel, which are encouraged by talking acidophilus. PABA (150 mg./daily) important.

Sensitivity
Apply mashed raw carrots (blender) or potatoes.
In some cases, cornstarch will help and either lemon juice or baking soda, depending on your skins pH problem. Also look for food allergy and nervous stress as causes.
Could be a B-complex need, especially biotin.

Shingles
Apply vitamin E and take internally.
Caused by latent chicken pox virus. Take Nervous Fatigue Formula, Nerve Control, grapefruit seed extract.
Take 2 cap. of yellow dock to stop itching. Soothe skin with pau darco lotion.
Take L-Lysine to diminish the virus, B-complex, Vitamin Calcium w/Magnesium.
VS-C TCM

Skin tags
Relationship between these and polyps of colon.
Clean up the colon by eating more fiber and antioxidant vitamins/minerals/herbs.
Apply C-Herb external once a day for 2 days. Use a toothpick and apply a tiny bit of C-Herb in the center of a BandAid then apply over the skin tag.

Sores
(see Abscesses, Abrasions. above)

Spots
Pantothenic acid helps maintain normal pigmentation. (see Red blotches, Vitiligo and White spots)

Stretch Marks
Aloe vera Gel and Vitamin E topically.
May be the result of poor protein assimilation and lack of vitamin C and calcium.
Also try HSN-Complex, Skeletal Strength.

Sunburn
Vitamin A and E help protect and heal, as well as B-complex, especially PABA and Pantothenic acid.
Aloe vera great for all burns.
Lavender is also excellent

Tattoos (removing)
Rub with table salt.

Thin Skin
Apply vitamin E topically to injuries that have weakened skin area. Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids help to rebuild collagen. HSN-Complex, Skeletal Strength.

Tinea versicolor (fungus)
Take zinc internally and apply externally with pau darco lotion, or acidophilus (which eats some types of fungus), Tea Tree oil.

Ulcer
Pack with honey or grapes (raisin mash). Apply comfrey to heal.

Urticaria (rash)
Suspect drugs.
Often associated with food allergies. Increase your ability to digest with PDA or Food Enzymes. Ginger, Anti Gas Formula, etc. Vitiligo B-complex, especially PABA, and Pantothenic acid.
May be associated with underactive thyroid.

Warts (FWN: We recommend C-Herb external)
Many remedies work: apply grated carrot, change twice daily, dandelion (fresh sap), castor oil night/morning, raw potato directly on wart for several days, or vitamin E on bandage.
Taking zinc internally has also proven effective.

White spots
Sometimes applying mayonnaise will help for light patches of skin. Pantothenic

Wrinkles
Keep feeding skin with plenty of beta-carotene (vitamin A), vitamin C w/ bioflavonoids, vitamin E (400 I.U./day), Skeletal Strength (SKL) and HSN-W. Massage area for better circulation.

Yellow skin
Extreme case of hypothyroidism may cause it, or the liver/ gall bladder are toxic and bile acids are building up in the skin (Jaundice).
BP-X, Liver Balance, chlorophyll, B complex, Oregon Grape Extract.

Copyright 1990 by Robinson & Horne, L.C., P.O. Box 1028, Roosevelt, UT 84066. This material may be duplicated for educational purposes only (not for resale) provided it is not altered in any way. Distributed by: Four Winds Inc.