The purposes of prostaglandins include lowering blood pressure, reducing risks of blood clotting, stimulating the immune system, and regulating brain function. Animal studies at the University of Pennsylvania have also shown them to prevent arthritis. This is also being studied in humans trials in Europe with similar results. The source of EFA’s in these studies has been Evening Primrose Oil.

Preliminary studies in Sweden are relating Evening Primrose Oil to an anti-oxidant in that it also counter acts the formation of free radicals. Free radicals are most often associated with the aging process. Maintaining health is just one of the benefits of Evening Primrose Oil. It is also being studied extensively in England and Europe for its pain reduction in association with arthritis, controlling complications of diabetes, controlling liver and kidney damage due to alcohol, depression, Multiple sclerosis, skin/hair/nail repair, and most impressively, controlling sever symptoms of PMS.  It is extremely effective as a natural skincare ingredient to treat dry skin and eczema.

A study at St. Thomas Hospital in London found that when PMS suffers were given evening primrose oil three times daily, 67% of the participants were symptom-free and 22% achieved partial relief. (In all total, 89% had positive results with the evening primrose oil.) Although not as popular in the United States, Evening Primrose Oil is available at most health food stores and nutrition centers. And, as more studies become available, we will find why Evening Primrose Oil was commonly called the “King’s Cure All” in 17th Century England.

But please be aware, even a topical ointment or detoxification treatment is only a temporary remedy. If you continue with unhealthy lifestyle choices, new toxins will soon appear.

FRECKLES
Imbalance: Pitta.
Aggravated by: Sun.
Treatment:
• To bleach, rub on cottonseed oil or crushed pumpkin seed kernels + olive oil.
• Mix 1 tsp yogurt + 2-3 drops honey to make a natural bleach. Apply, leave on for 4 hours, then rinse.

W H I T E SPOTS AND LEUCODERMA
Imbalance: This condition is usually hereditary.
Aggravated by: Small white spots are caused by stress, excess salt. Leucoderma, or large white patches, is hereditary.
Treatment:
• Internal cleansing.
• Sunlight.
• Apply a few drops each neem & bakuchi herbal oils directly to spots to reduce external symptoms.

AGE SPOTS
Imbalance: Vata or Pitta.
Aggravated by: Old age, cold weather.
Treatment:
• Do internal cleansing treatment at change of season.
• Massage with Vata-pacifying oils or Tej Saffron Oil.

BLACKHEADS
Imbalance: Kapha.
Aggravated by: Excessive oil secretions.
Treatment:
• To loosen, add a pinch of Epsom salts to a cup water. Dip cotton ball in mixture and wash face.
• ‘Apply a mask of ground fresh parsley on oily area. Lie down for 10- 15 minutes, then cleanse, nourish, and moisturize as usual.

PSORIASIS
Desrription: Silvery flakes mostly on scalp but may appear on any part of body. Characterized by chronic and excessive dryness and irritation.
Imbalance: Vata 8c Pitta.
Aggravated by: Liver dysfunction, anxiety, stress, ungroundedness.
Treatment:
• Bathe with horsetail herbs wrapped in cheesecloth in your tub. After bath, apply neem oil + ghee or karanj oil twice a day.
• Do daily self-massage
• Do yoga or other non-aerobic exercise until you are sweating mildly (good for detoxification, stress reduction).
• Supplements: Take recommended daily dosage of primrose oil, cod liver oil, lecithin, vitamin E, and zinc.

ECZEMA
Description: There are three types of eczema: Dry patches (dry eczema) or moist, burning, inflamed red patches (burning eczema) typically appear around the joints but may appear anywhere on the body. Pussy, oozing patches (wet eczema) or dry itchy patches typically appear around eyes, brows, nose, or scalp, but also may be anywhere on the body.

DRY PATCHES
• Mix 10 drops sandalwood oil + 1 oz castor oil and apply to dry area.
Imbalance: Vata (dry). Pitta (moist, inflamed, red, burning). Kapha (pussy if moist, itchy if dry).
Aggravated by: Improper diet, blood toxicity, constipation, stress, undigested emotions, excessive sun, saltwater.
Treatment:
• Mix equal parts neem + brahmi + basil herbal oils (all available from Tej), and apply.
• Mix 1/2 tsp camphor + 2 tsp zinc oxide + 7-8 tsp corn or potato starch, and apply.
• Apply a light compress of rose petals + nettle + comfrey in water.
• Cut an aloe leaf and apply sap directly to skin.
• Add a few drops of chamomile, geranium, juniper, or lavender essential oil to coconut oil, and apply.
• Take baths with comfrey and nettle decoctions.
• Massage feet and scalp at night with brahmi oil.
• Supplements: Daily take 1-2 tsp cod liver oil or primrose oil, 800 units vitamin E, 30 mgs zinc, recommended daily dosage of vitamin B-complex and lecithin. Take 1/2 tsp triphala at bedtime as laxative. Avoid salt, sugar, fats, onions, garlic, radishes; eat carrots and musk melon.

To repair your natural skin barrier, you must first take active steps to build it up by eating healthy fats – like olives, avocados and raw nuts or butters and engaging in a natural organic healthy diet to start. To further help your condition, review the dermatological list below to identify, and where possible, eliminate allergy-causing ingredients. Whether what you experience is merely a sensitivity or full-blown allergic reaction, try to eliminate anything that causes inflammation and can degrade your skin barrier – and its ability to protect you from harmful irritants. Give your skin a chance to heal by protecting it from things that may cause a reaction.

1. Eliminate chemical ingredients in skin care and perfumes – including parabens and all manner of chemical substances until you have narrowed down your reactions.

2. Eliminate problem ingredients in soaps, shampoo, bath, body care, dental, shaving, and conditioning products and medications. Avoid products that foam or contain detergents. Always rinse thoroughly after cleansing and shampooing. Protect your skin with moisturizer afterwards.

3. Avoid direct contact with dish and laundry detergents, household cleansing products, paints, strippers, furniture polishes, and other ingredients containing harsh chemicals. Wear gloves, moisturize, or avoid altogether. Studies show that residual detergent remaining in laundry clothing may be a prime contributor to eczema. Rinse your clothing twice if your washing machine allows.

4. Notice whether fabrics in clothing, furniture, or bedding are irritating your skin due to their rough texture or chemicals treating them. Use hypoallergenic protectors on mattresses and large furniture if this is the case.

5. Pay attention to contact allergies from jewelry, flatware, and coins or metals containing nickel, a common allergen. Some are allergic to gold, so always be aware of unsuspecting culprits.

6. Only use quality filtered water and avoid hard water when possible. Chlorinated water, excessively hot water, or long soaks in baths, showers, or hot tubs, can strip precious oils from your skin.

If you consider all these factors and use them diligently, your skin barrier can be restored and you may be able to withstand common irritants and practices. But for now, notice what chemicals irritate you and avoid contact with them at all costs in order to give your skin a chance to rebuild itself. If you are unable to address your symptom on your own, ask a professional dermatologist about patch testing, which can help you determine exactly what your allergies may be.

Vibrant healthy skin has a youthful glow, good coloring, and a smooth, unblemished look. However, unhealthy skin can look shallow, tired, wrinkled, and older than its actual age. No one wants unhealthy skin, but since so many people fail to understand its causes far too many people are suffering from it.

According to a leading Ayurvedic practitioner, the type of toxic skin manifestations will depend upon each person’s constitution. In general, skin disorders fall into six categories:

Disorders of the sebaceous glands – which include seborrhea, which is a Vata or Pitta imbalance, and blackheads, whiteheads, cystic acne, sebaceous cysts and excessive oiliness, which are Kapha imbalances.

Disorders of the sweat glands include excessive sweat, prickly heat, and red rash, which are Pitta problems; lack of sweat, which is a Vata problem; and abnormal foul-smelling perspiration, which is an imbalance of all three doshas.

Pigmentation problems include blackish discolorations (Vata); brown or reddish discolorations (Pitta); and whitish pigmentation (Kapha).

Skin allergies include psoriasis (Vata), dermatitis (Pitta), and eczema (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha).

Infections (fungal, bacterial, or viral) are due to low immunity (depleted ojas) and occur in all skin types.

Changes in tissue growth, which include dandruff (Vata or Pitta); moles, acne rosacea, and birthmarks (all Pitta imbalances); and cysts and tumors, which are Kapha imbalances.

As you can see, there are numerous explanations for unhealthy skin but the main causes tend to be an unhealthy diet, an ineffectual cleansing routine, and poor lifestyle choices.

Poor Diet
Your skin is a living, breathing organ of the body and it needs proper nourishment and hydration to look and feel its best. When your skin is deprived of the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that it needs it is unable to functional at optimal levels and the structure slowly begins to break down. This breakdown results in dry skin, blemishes, discoloration, wrinkles, and premature aging.

In order to avoid this breakdown you need to feed your skin a varied mix of important nutrients each day preferably organic. Ingesting sufficient amounts of vitamin A, a nutrient that can be found in citrus fruits and orange vegetables, can help you avoid dry skin and blemishes. Eating foods rich in the vitamin B group like brewer’s yeast or breads, or taking a vitamin B group supplement, can help you ward of skin discoloration, dry skin, dermatitis, shallow skin, and premature ageing.

To help discourage wrinkles, pale skin, sun damage, blemishes, and other unhealthy skin symptoms, nutrients like calcium, protein, iodine, niacin, folic acid, iron, and copper are very important to a healthy diet. Get these effective skin helpers by enjoying natural foods like mild, eggs, cheese, chicken, fish, leafy vegetables, fruits, and grains.

Poor Hygiene
Another common cause of unhealthy skin is poor hygiene. Whether this involves the failure to clean your skin often enough or the use of an ineffective cleansing routine, built-up dirt and grime can lead to blemishes, premature ageing, shallowness, dry skin, and wrinkles.

When your skin is not properly cleaned on a regular basis, dirt, pollution and other harmful substances are allowed to build up on your skin and clog the pores. Clogged pores result in breakouts, dry skin, and the reduction of cell renewal.

To get the most out of your cleansing routine make sure that you wash your skin twice a day, everyday. Also, make sure that you are using an effective cleanser like a soap that is specially formulated for deep cleansing. Make sure that you use gentle pressure when cleaning the skin, do not scrub or pull on the skin since this can result in tiny tears that are susceptible to irritation and infection. Finally, always follow your cleansing routine with a hydrating moisturizer that also contains a sunscreen in order to hydrate your skin and protect it from sun damage.

Bad Lifestyle Habits
Even if you enjoy a healthy diet and pay special attention to your skin care regime you can still be sabotaging the health of your skin by indulging in unhealthy habits. Habits like sun tanning, smoking, choosing fizzy drinks or sodas over water, and wearing heavy makeup can lead to the development of unhealthy skin. Avoid excessive sun exposure, always wear sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15, stop smoking and avoid those who smoke, drink plenty of water, and choose light cosmetics if you want your skin to stay young and healthy looking for years to come.