There are a lot of "natural" cures and home remedies for acne but 7 herbal remedies for acne stand out as particularly interesting because they have at least some scientific evidence behind them:
1. Tea Tree Oil. Of all the herbal remedies for acne you'll see bandied about on online forums, topically applied tea tree oil is among the most scientifically-supported. Tea tree oil, which is made by distilling the leaves from a tree known as Melaleuca alternifolia, has long been used to treat infections. Legend tells us that the Aboriginal people of Australia used it to treat coughs, colds, and other illnesses. And a 2007 study from Iran seems to prove that tea tree oil, applied in a 5% gel, is--in the words of the study's authors--"an effective treatment for mild to moderate acne". In this randomized, double-blind study, the tea tree gel was more than 3 times more effective at reducing total acne lesions and nearly 6 times more effective at reducing the severity of the volunteers' acne.
2. Guggul. Guggul is an Ayurvedic remedy from India that's made from a shrubby little tree that botanists call Commiphora wightii or C. mukul. A 1994 study from India gave this herb orally to study volunteers and found it slightly better at reducing acne lesions than the prescription drug tetracycline. After 3 months, 4 volunteers on tetracycline had "relapsed" while only 2 on the gugulipid had. Interestingly, the guggul patients also found the oiliness of their skin improved while taking the herb.
3. Flaxseed Oil. While no major studies on flaxseed and acne have yet been published, a 2007 study published in the journal Ophthalmology produced some interesting results. While this study was intended to look at a non-acne medical condition, the anti-inflammatory actions demonstrated by flaxseed oil was significant enough to to make the study's authors specifically mention it as, "an effective anti-inflammatory (sic) nutritional therapy alternative to long-term antibiotics".
4. Evening Primrose Oil. Another seed oil known to support skin health is evening primrose oil. Made from the seeds of a native American plant known as Oenothera biennis, evening primrose oil, or EPO, may help acne patients whose acne is related to essential fatty acid deficiencies or who have problems metabolizing essential fatty acids. To date though, no significant scientific studies have looked at evening primrose specifically for acne.
5. Goldenseal. Goldenseal is regarded as something of a cure-all by many American herbalists and for good reason. Not only is it anti-microbial; it also works against some otherwise resistant strains of antibiotics. It's used both orally and topically and is sold in a variety of forms. While no significant scientific studies have specifically studied goldenseal for use in acne, it is a among the most-recommended of all the herbal remedies for acne.
6. Oregon Grape Root. Like its botanical neighbor, goldenseal, oregon grape root is a rich source of berberine, which has been proven to kill a large number of pathogens, including those germs that may contribute to acne. Because it's more widely available than goldenseal, extracts of oregon grape root are often substituted. Oregon grape root extract is made from Mahonia aquifolium.
7. Chamomile. Chamomile has not been exhaustively studied for medicinal use in humans but animal studies suggest that chamomile has significant anti-inflammatory properties--most likely due to its rich flavonoid content. Chamomile has also been shown to have antioxidant, antimicrobial and antispasmotic actions in humans.
References:
Enshaieh, S., et al. (2007). The efficacy of 5% topical tea tree oil gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology.
Thappa, D., et al. (1994). Nodulocystic acne: oral gugulipid versus tetracycline. Journal of Dermatology.
Jones, S. et al. (2007). Visual outcome and corneal changes in children with chronic blepharokeratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology.
Horrobin, D. (1989). Essential fatty acids in clinical dermatology. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Dattner, A. (2003). From medical herbalism to phytotherapy in dermatology: back to the future. Dermatologic Therapy.
Weber, H., et al. (2003). Method validation for determination of alkaloid content in goldenseal root powder. Journal of AOAC International.
McKay, D., (2006). A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.). Phytotherapy Research.
