Rosacea & Women's Health and Fitness Day!

Tomorrow is Women’s Health and Fitness day.  I always feel that is a good reminder that Women have different health issues than men do and we should take care of ourselves accordingly. And you should ask yourself What can you do to begin your own personal fitness program? Diet? Exercise? A regular daily walk? Riding your bicycle?  Taking up Yoga?  Today is a good day to begin!  I ride my bike home from the office about 10 miles almost everyday.  I love being outdoors.  Right now to help me focus on my surroundings – not just on getting home.  I am on a counting squirrels campaign.  (Since September 1 35 gray, 7 red, 4 ground.)

There is a great book on women’s health and herb healing by Rosemary Gladstar entitled Herbal Healing for Women that I think is worth looking at if you are interested in Herb-related treatments.

So, like many people with fair skin and red hair suffer from Rosacea.  Rosacea is a fairly common skin condition that is characterized by redness or flushing of the cheeks, chin, nose and forehead.  I have taken medication, used antibiotic creams and ointments, but found that nothing worked long term, so I started using herbal remedies and have had some success.  I thought in a quest for women’s health (although this is not a woman only disease since former President Clinton suffers) I would share some of those remedies.

Homemade Rosacea “Cure”

Rosacea has no cure. Even its causes are not clearly understood. Instead, it is a condition of symptoms. Rosacea sufferers experience a reddening of the face and neck and may have pimple-like bumps. The condition can be treated. The only rosacea "cure" is to reduce and manage flare-ups.

Basic Care Routine

Wash your face with lukewarm water instead of hot water as heat will bring more blood to the surface and worsen the condition. Wash with a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser. People with rosacea should not use defoliating scrubs or strong, astringent cleansers. Skin care products with aloe vera and/or vitamin E have been helpful in some cases.

Do not use clay masks for cleansing. Instead, try a homemade mask with an olive oil base mixed with calming, chamomile tea and a little oatmeal, which has anti-inflammatory properties. After washing your face, always pat it dry with a soft towel. Wash three or more times daily, depending on how oily your skin is.

Some cases of rosacea have shown improvement from washing with pine tar soap. Some recommend smoothing on a lather, letting it dry, then leaving it on throughout the night. Wash it off in the morning and follow through by applying a bag balm to your face and leaving it on for about 10 minutes.

Try mixing mineral water with apple cider vinegar for a homemade facial toner. Spray this onto the face directly and pat it dry.

Nutrition to Help

Change your diet as part of your homemade treatment. Drink apple juice, preferably brands lower in sugar and preservatives. Eat more berries. The antioxidants in blueberries, blackberries and strawberries are good for skin. Get plenty of Omega-3 fatty acid oil. Eat more leafy and green vegetables.

Drink fenugreek tea. This has been known to be especially helpful with skin disorders, most especially acne. If you cannot find the tea, buy fenugreek and steep it in boiling water to make your own tea.

Avoid chocolate, alcohol, and fatty, fried foods and spicy foods. Tomatoes, too, can trigger rosacea flare-ups and should be avoided. Now not all of these cause flairs for all people.  Alcohol and tomato sauce will do it for me.  You may be different.  Pay attention to the foods that irritate you and reduce the intake.

Lavender Skin Treatment

Lavender's antibacterial astringent and anti-inflammatory properties make it an effective treatment for Rosacea.

Things You'll Need:

• 3 drops pure lavender essential oil
• 1 tablespoon grape seed oil
• Cotton balls

Blend the lavender essential oil with the grape seed oil in a small bowl.
Cleanse and rinse your face. Gently pat your face dry with a towel. Be sure not to irritate our skin.
Apply a bit of the mixture to a small area on your face to determine whether you are allergic. Lavender contains geraniol, which may be an irritant for rosacea in some people. If you experience any redness at the test spot, don't use the mixture.
Dip your cotton ball into the lavender oil blend. Massage it gently into your skin. Avoid any contact with your eyes, nostrils and lips. Repeat until you have applied it to your entire face. Pat off any excess oil and let the rest to soak in.
Make these steps a part of your daily facial routine.