Dr. Nancy Lonsdorf, an integrative physician and recognized Ayurvedic expert, board-certified in Integrative and Holistic Medicine (ABIHM) discusses the importance of natural skincare and recommends Ayurvedic herbal formulas.

So, unfortunately today most of us women rely on modern cosmetics to help ourselves look the best we can. Unfortunately, they tend to be filled with chemicals and ingredients which actually are damaging to our skin and, many dermatologists believe, actually contribute to aging of the skin, dryness, and even skin problems like acne and rosacea.

So what can we do? We can, of course, number one, choose a natural cosmetic. Don't just put any foundation on; use a natural mineral powder that will nourish your skin and not create these same problems. But, the other even more important key to looking our best — and healthy glowing skin — is nourishing our skin and cleansing it from inside our body. Whereas cosmetics actually introduce toxins through the skin into our bloodstream, which then irritates our liver and can then cause some kind of skin breakout, it turns out that the skin has many of the same enzymes the liver has. So, if we have a toxic diet filled with unhealthy fats, too much sugar, too much salt, hormones from non-organic animal products, all of these unnatural substances are a stress on our liver and can actually promote skin problems. So, the first important thing is to really clean up our diet and have as pure a food and as pure a water as we possibly can.

The second thing is we want to reduce stress, because stress also plays havoc with our hormones — our female hormones as well as cortisol — and cortisol is known to promote acne. Cortisol has been shown to inhibit collagen synthesis, which means — translate that — early wrinkles. So, forget the stress, we've got to take care of that. Actually, recent research also showed, unfortunately for those who rely on it to get their work done, caffeine actually inhibits collagen synthesis. So when you reach for that coffee or tea, you might actually be causing wrinkles.

So, it just boils down to healthy lifestyle; try to get enough sleep, go to bed early, so that you wake up fresh and don't need to have all that caffeine, and you'll feel less stressed during the day. Now I’ll give you a couple of tips. One thing that we can do to help the body cleanse itself and cool the liver and blood, which — according to Ayurveda, the natural system of medicine of India — the liver and skin are very connected, so we want to cleanse and cool the liver and the blood. That will help to keep the skin really clear and glowing. There is a particular herb that is best for cooling and non- or de-inflaming the skin, and that is called Manjistha. Manjistha is Rubia Cordifolia; it can usually be found in a red powder — it's the root of that plant — and if you put it in some hot water and maybe add a little fennel seed and maybe some slippery elm to help moisturize your skin, and maybe a rose which is good for your mood, and drink that as a tea during the day when you're having any skin breakout tendency, you'll probably find, within a few days — you will find out that your skin is looking more clear; calms down beautifully. I also like that, for those who don't have the time or don’t want to fuss with making an herbal water like that, I have a favorite herbal that is called Elim-Tox-O — it's got to have the O at the end — this is the one that cools down the liver and the blood and therefore clears up the skin, usually very quickly.

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Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these videos is to provide information about the tradition of ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease. If you have any serious acute or chronic health concern, please consult a trained health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. If you are seeking the medical advice of a trained ayurvedic expert, call or e-mail us for the number of a physician in your area. Check with your doctor before taking herbs when pregnant or nursing.

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