Health Living Tips

Herbal Medicine is a form of alternative medicine based on the use of plants in the form of herbal supplements, raw herbs, herbal extracts, herbal tinctures, and other herbal remedies such as tablets, ointments, and capsules. Herbal medicine use is on the rise. Many health enthusiasts are turning to this natural, plant-based form of medicine as opposed to the chemical, pharmaceutical choice. A natural form of medicine, herbal medicine is the most ancient form of medicine on the planet. Many modern day prescriptions and conventional medicines are based on a form of herbal medicine.

What Is Herbal Medicine?

Herbal medicine is the use of plants to treat disease. Oftentimes called herbalism, herbology, or botanical medicine, herbal medicine is considered ‘alternative’ in the modern day, though it has an extensive and esteemed history. Many herbalists use the entire plant, from the flowers, stems, leaves, and roots, in the form of everything from teas to tablets. These plants contain natural, chemical substances that can treat the body for various ailments.

The History of Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine dates back to prehistoric times. Primitive man used plants for everything from shelter and food, to clothing and medicine. Herbal medicine evolved over time, with observation and experimentation. Each village and tribe throughout the world observed and experimented with the natural plant world around them and developed a knowledge base of regional herbs and herbal medicines. Many of these primitive herbal experimentations hold true today, with many conventional medicines stemming from herbal origins. For instance, morphine originated from the use of the opium poppy herb, while Echinacea was the common herbal treatment to fight off infection prior to the creation of antibiotics.

Modern Day Herbal Medicine

While some people feel that herbal remedies are an ‘alternative’ form of holistic medicine, they are actually the bases of at least one-fourth of all conventional medicines. Today, many plants are synthesized for pharmaceutical use, stemming from ancient, healing traditions of herbal medicine. If you are seeking to find a more natural and gentle form of medicine, you may want to visit a local health food store or try to find a local herbalist. Tinctures, extracts, teas, lozenges, ointments, salves, rubs, tablets, and capsules, are available at most health food stores and can be wonderful, natural alternatives to conventional medicines.

If using herbal medicine it is recommended that you let you doctor know each and every herb that you ingest to prevent a reaction between the herbs and any allopathic medicines that you may be using.

MenScience gives the inside scoop on myths and facts about men’s acne and acne treatments. How much do you really know about breakouts? Take our quiz and see for yourself!

1. Popping acne pimples makes them go away faster.

• True

• False

2. You should wash your face several times a day if you have acne.

• True

• False

3. Eating greasy or oily foods causes acne.

• True

• False

4. Tanning clears up acne in men’s skin.

• True

• False

5. Where you work can affect your skin and cause acne.

• True

• False

6. Benzoyl Peroxide is the most effective ingredient for acne treatment.

• True

• False

7. Glycolic and Salicylic Acids are effective against acne.

• True

• False

8. If an acne medication causes your skin to get worse, you should stop using the acne product.

• True

• False

9. It takes 28 days for new cells to appear on the surface of men’s skin.

• True

• False

10. Acne-prone men should use noncomedogenic products.

• True

• False

11. Perspiration cleanses skin.

• True

• False

12. Teenagers (not real men) get acne.

• True

• False

13. Only men with oily skin get acne.

• True

• False

14. Acne is caused by bacteria.

• True

• False

15. Using a face scrub can control acne.

• True

• False

16. Acne is no big deal.

• True

• False

ANSWER KEY:

1. FALSE: Popping pimples may seem to reduce their size, but it can actually aggravate blemishes by spreading bacteria, causing them to take longer to heal. Not only that, but popping or picking at pimples causes scars and dark spots to form.

2. FALSE: It’s important to have a clean face, but washing your face with force several times a day can cause your skin to produce more oil to make up for the moisture being washed away. Not to mention skin will become red and irritated. Your best bet is to wash once or twice a day with a gentle liquid cleanser that contains Salicylic Acid and Tea Tree extract.

3. FALSE: Pizza, chocolate and junk food have long been labeled “acne magnets,” but there’s very little scientific evidence to back up this claim. However, men should aim to eat a balanced diet full of vitamins from fruits and vegetables, and drink a lot of water for overall well-being.

4. FALSE: When you tan, dead cells build up on your skin’s surface. This can often cause your pores to look tighter and the surface to look smoother. Tanning also masks redness caused by acne. However, once the tan disappears, you’ll be left with greater outbreaks and darker acne scars and marks. Protect skin exposed to direct sunlight by regularly applying sunscreen (especially if using a treatment containing Benzoyl Peroxide).

5. TRUE: Men who work in places that put them in constant contact with grease and oil (restaurants and garages, for example) may find themselves breaking out more because oil creates an ideal environment for bacteria to reproduce. Although there’s no simple way to rectify this, they should clean skin gently at least twice a day and try to keep their hands from their faces at all times.

6. TRUE: Benzoyl Peroxide is an antibacterial ingredient prescribed by dermatologists as the preferred topical medicine for safe treatment for acne. It clears acne-causing bacteria on the surface, absorbs excessive oils and clear pores, while promoting greater cell exfoliation and renewal. Doctors also prescribe Green Tea, Urea and Allantoin to help soothe acne-irritated skin. Because Benzoyl Peroxide has powerful antibacterial and exfoliating qualities, it may take some time for skin to get used to the treatment. Once skin has become accustomed to the treatment however, irritation, redness or dryness usually disappears. The best bet is to apply a small amount only once a day, and then increase frequency gradually over 5 – 6 days. If too much dryness occurs, decrease frequency and gradually increase again.

7. TRUE: Glycolic and Salicylic Acids work very effectively to exfoliate dead skin cells and clear pores. By reducing pore blockage, acne has less of a chance to form and breakouts are reduced. Exfoliation with gentle products that contain Glycolic and Salicylic Acids helps smooth and clean skin, while also reducing instances of ingrown hairs as well.

8. FALSE: During acne treatment, skin often seems to take a turn for the worse before it begins getting better. This is due in part to the need to become accustomed to a treatment and the exfoliating process of shedding dead skin cells. The important thing is to keep usage regular. If, however, skin remains irritated for a long period of time, stop acne treatment and consult a doctor.

9. TRUE: It takes new cells 28 days to form and move through the epidermal layer of skin to finally appear on the surface. This is why results are not always immediately apparent. Using a product with Glycolic Acid may accelerate this process and help clear away dead skin cells.

10. TRUE: Noncomedogenic means ingredients in the product do not clog pores or provoke acne. Although it’s definitely recommended for men with oily skin, you should use non-irritating, noncomedogenic products no matter what skin type you have. All MenScience products have been developed by doctors and are noncomedogenic.

11. FALSE: Perspiration helps flush toxins from the body and maintains body temperature, but it does not cleanse skin at all. In fact, leaving sweat on your body can actually cause acne breakouts. Because of this, remember to take a shower or wash your face immediately after sweating heavily with a gentle cleanser several times a day.

12. FALSE: If only this were true! While acne outbreaks are often strongest during teen years (due to hormonal imbalances and improper skincare), acne can affect men their entire lives. Good skin health needs to be regularly maintained to avoid falling prey to blemishes.

13. FALSE: Acne can affect guys with any skin type, from dry to combination and even normal. Men with oily skin might be more susceptible to outbreaks, but they are by no means alone.

14. TRUE: Bacteria (P. acnes) play a big part in the creation of acne. Once a skin pore becomes clogged, acne bacteria begin to grow, causing blemishes to form. Benzoyl Peroxide is the most effective treatment for acne because it introduces oxygen into the bacteria, which kills it.

15. TRUE: Using a gentle exfoliating face scrub that contains Salicylic and Glycolic Acids can help clear pores of dirt and blockage, cutting down on the instances of acne. However, do not use a scrub if your acne is severe; it could aggravate your skin further.

16. TRUE….and FALSE: Acne is a painful, annoying condition, but it doesn’t need to negatively affect your lifestyle. While healthy skin is something we should all aim for, an occasional pimple or breakout is nothing to freak out about and can be treated with the right acne products. Remember: almost everyone is affected by acne. By using the most effective acne products and skincare techniques, there’s nothing to stop you from attaining a clear, healthy complexion.

SCORING:

13-16 Answers Correct: Acne Expert

9-12 Answers Correct: Good job! Add to your acne know-how with more tips.

5-8 Answers Correct: Knowledgeable, but check out our articles for more info.

0-4 Answers Correct: Needs work. Discover how to treat acne with our expert advice.

Nutrition is the basis of health and anti aging, but there are a lot of other issues that you need to take into consideration here as well. There are literally thousands of different best anti aging products available on the market today that you can choose from, a few in particular which are especially worthwhile. You want to find anti aging solutions that work, that are effective and safe, high quality, natural, and which are best suited to your own specific needs.

Tips

There are a few tips that are going to help you pick out the best anti aging products. For one, you want to remember that there are certain naturally safe and effective anti aging ingredients that you will want to look for in any anti aging products you are considering.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids are derived from plant source or milk and are going to be effective in any anti aging product. They work by breaking down the intercellular glue that holds dead skin cells together, thereby helping to increase skin cell turnover rate and revealing brighter, smoother and softer skin.

Glucosamine is basically an alternative to these AHAs and is also important to look for in the best anti aging products. Glucosamine is a molecule that is made of glucose and amine, and which is produced naturally in the body. Glucosamine works by stimulating cartilage cells to produce two particular proteins that help to hold joint tissue together, thereby helping the skin to retain its young and youthful appearance.

When shopping for the best anti aging products you should also be looking for essential oils as ingredients, and in any anti aging product essential oils work fabulously by cleansing, healing, balancing and are also antifungal. The stimulating properties of these essential oils work by oxygenating the blood and energizing cells.

Vitamin C is also incredibly effective as an anti aging ingredient, and potentially Vitamin C can benefit the skin in two important ways, one for the synthesis of collagen and secondly it is an antioxidant which can help to reduce skin damage caused by free radicals.

It is important when choosing the best anti aging products that you choose ones that are going to be effective and best suited for your skin, which will largely depend on the particular skin type that you have. By taking a bit of time and browsing around at your options you will be able to find the perfect anti aging product and keep yourself looking youthful and fresh.