Ayurvedic Treatment For Pimple: Causes, Herbs, Home Remedies
Pimples are related to both hormones and facial skin health. Ayurvedic treatment for pimple offers great benefits in both these aspects. In Ayurveda, it is called Youvana Pidaka. Youvana means youth and Pidaka means a skin eruption.
The other Ayurvedic names are – Tarunya pidaka (same meaning), Mukha dooshika (which causes harm to the beauty of face),Padmini kantaka (because of thorn like nature of acne) etc.
Most of the teenagers approach for its cure and most of the time they opt some skin care lotions, soaps, ointments or fresh herbal pastes. But important factors, which lie is in blood toxic components, metabolic waste products in blood, hormone imbalances, stress, bad skin health etc are usually neglected in such incidences.
Table of Contents
Causes
Causes for Acne as per Ayurveda –
Ayurveda points out following reasons for the manifestation of Youvana pidaka-
1. Intake of fried and junk food – vitiates Kapha and Pitta, leads to blood vitiation and acne.
2. Night awakening – leads to normal body rhythm imbalance, stress metabolism imbalance, leading to toxins and acne.
3. Over usage of cosmetics – direct impact on facial skin.
4. Stress and anxiety – leading to metabolism imbalance and toxins.
5. Physiological changes taking place during adolescence – attributed to hormonal imbalance.
6. Excess intake of non vegetarian food.
As per modern science, Acne is caused when the hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells.
It is caused
Due to over production of skin oil (sebum, which is produced by a gland at the root of hair follicle)
Irregular shedding of dead skin cells resulting in irritation of the hair follicles of your skin
Bacteria
Hormone imbalance related to menstrual cycle in females, and puberty in men causes acne. Even corticosteroids and androgen hormones used in treatment in certain conditions, causes acne.
Even pregnancy related hormone fluctuation leads to pimples.
Family history
Origin of acne
Origin of Acne as per Ayurveda – (Yuvana pidaka):
Above said reasons provoke vata and pitta dosha in the body. In turn they lead to vitiation of Rakta (blood) and Mamsa dhatu (muscle tissues).This causes constant irritation in the localized areas like face, neck, chest and back and thus multiple small elevated lesions are manifested. Such eruptions are known as Pimples (Youvana pidaka).
Features
Features of Acne as per Ayurveda :
Small reddish black or pink eruptions which are initially non itching, non burning and non painful. But in due course of the time, if it is neglected or the causative factors are continued further, the condition may worsen and itching-painful-oozing or pus filled eruptions may be found. In its severity, fever, discoloration and cystic growths may be found. Constant irritation with the cosmetics and pricking by the nails are commonly worsening factors noticed in the clinical practice.
Tips, treatment principles
Tips and treatment in Ayurveda for Pimples:
1. Thorough wash by lukewarm water for three or four times a day
2. Bloods purifying and detoxifying herbs possessing astringent and bitter tastes. Astringent taste helps to dry up the oil (cebum) and bitters like neem, turmeric etc have anti-bacterial effect, they cleanse the acne and heal it quick.
3. Complexion enhancers like turmeric, sandal wood paste etc
4. Coolants and mind soothening medicines
5. Hormone balancing therapy, if the cause lies in it.
Herbs used
Herbs used in treating acne –
1. Nimba – Neem- Well-known blood purifier and it prevents from further worsening of skin
2. Haridra-Turmeric-It helps to give luster to the face and it helps to reduce the oily nature of the skin.
3. Daruharidra – Berberis aristata-It reduces the acne scars and gives glow to the face.
4. Sariva – Hemidesmus indicus – It acts as coolant and promotes the complexion of the skin. Also a good blood purifier.
5. Chandana – Sandal wood – Soothens the skin.
6. Rakta Chandana -Red sandal – Improves the blood circulation and purifies the blood.
7. Jatiphala – Nutmeg-Application helps to reduce the scar mark.
8. Usheera – Vetiver -Acts as coolant and relieves the stress.
9. Manjishta – Rubia cordifolia – Purifies the blood and improves blood circulation.
10. Amalaki – Indian Gooseberry – Amla-Nourishes the skin and blood.
11. Khadira – Kattha-Acacia catechu-Well known blood purifier.
12. Draksha – Raisins -Acts as coolant and improves the blood circulation.
13. Shatavari, Ashwagandha, Ashoka etc – to correct hormonal imbalance
Ayurvedic medicines
Ayurvedic medicines for acne –
Oral medicines –
1. Kaishora guggulu – Useful in many disorders involving Vata and Pitta – like gout, useful in wound healing
2. Triphala guggulu – dries up the cebum, clears the channels and pores
3. Arogya Vardhini Vati – good liver enzyme booster, Pitta balancing.
4. Mahamanjishtadi kashaya – One of the best Kashaya to detoxify and cleanse blood.
5. Panchanimba choorna – Fights skin infection
6. Triphaladi kashaya – Useful in cleansing the pores.
7. Avipathi choorna – Useful in Pitta imbalance conditions. Especially if the acne is due to high sun exposure, hot weather etc.
8. Sarivadyasava – useful in blood purification and detoxification
9. Khadirarishta – blood purification, useful in wide variety of skin disorders
10. Usheerasava – blood purification, useful in wide variety of skin disorders
11. Chandanasava – Especially useful in oily skin, to dry up sebum.
12. Aravindasava – blood tonic.
External application:
Kumkumadi oil
Nalpamaradi oil
Mukhadooshikari Lepam
Panchakarma for acne
In extreme cases of Acne, Ayurvedic panchakarma treatments like Vamana (vomiting therapy) and Virechana (purgation treatment) are very effective.
Wholesome diet and habits
1. Lukewarm water intake
2. Intake of easily digestible food
3. Intake raw vegetables like carrot, cucumber etc
4. Intake of fruits like guava, apple, pear etc
5. Sleeping for at least 6-7 hours at night
6. Anti stress techniques like Pranayama – Learn how to do pranayama
7. Exposure to bright sunlight
Unwholesome diet and habits
Excess spices that increase Pitta.
Excess sun exposure
Pricking or touching the acne area repeatedly, leading to worsening of infection
Sleeping with the makeup on.
Ayurvedic Tips on How to Prevent Acnes From Recurring
Ayurvedic home remedies
Ayurvedic home remedies for Acne:
1. Prepare a fine paste of the tender leaves of guava, mango and pomegranate and apply over the lesions of acne regularly. It helps to reduce the spots of acne and enhances the glow of the face. This is more beneficial to those who have oily skin.
2. Red ixora flowers and petals of rose are crushed well and made into fine paste. To this little turmeric is added and ground well. This fine paste helps to relieve the scars caused due to acne.
3. The outer skin (obtained on juice extraction) of the lemon is dried and made into ash.This is mixed with little buttermilk and applied over the area of acne. Repeated practice of this for 10-12 days helps to reduce the lesions of acne.
4. In case of cystic acne, where there is local skin infection, applying neem leaf paste or neem – turmeric paste is very useful.
Determination of cause for acne
Do Pimples filled with Pus or Acne – vitiation (imbalance) in Blood
or Hormonal imbalance?
It could be due to blood vitiation or hormonal imbalance.
If the acne is caused after eating excess spicy foods, fried and junk foods, it is more likely because of blood vitiation.
If acne occurs during periods or in specific time of menstrual cycle. If acne subside when hormonal balancing therapy is administered, then it is decided that the cause is hormonal imbalance.
Article written by Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD (Ayu) and Dr Hebbar
32 comments on “Ayurvedic Treatment For Pimple: Causes, Herbs, Home Remedies”
Lucy
Very helpful, Thanx!!
Dr. Veena
Thank you Sir.
Dr. Anushreekarthik
thank you very usefull
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Welcome!
chandani shah
Thank you sir …
Roshan babu
sir , very useful article , if possible please include the reference for each treatment and use of herbs ..
Gaurav
Regarding:
4. Stress and anxiety – leading to metabolism imbalance and toxins.
5. Physiological changes taking place during adolescence – attributed to hormonal imbalance.
1. Are hormonal imbalance (physiological changes) most commonly induced by stress?
2. Do non-stress-induced hormonal imbalances occur only during adolescence, or are there other times too when hormones typically start acting up?
3. What is the difference between “metabolism imbalance” and “hormonal imbalance”?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
1. Stress is one of the many factors that can cause hormonal balance.
2. Metabolism imbalance means – impairment in digestion, absorption of nutrients, impairment in carrying of oxygen and nutrients in the blood vessel, etc.
Hormonal imbalance means lower or higher production of hormones.
3. Apart from stress, sleep irregularities, age, junk foods, aerated drinks, certain medications (like anti depressants, psychiatric drugs) etc can also cause hormonal imbalance.
Sayali
Iam taking a ayurvedic treatment for pimples. The doctor said that I have pimples due to acidity so she suggested me virechana . should go for it without prior vamana or will there be any side effects and my pimples will increase
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, you can undergo Virechana, without Vamana.
Gaurav
If blood is impure, wouldn’t more than just the face be affected normally? In other words, if only face acne/pimples are present, is it safe to say that the reason is not blood impurity?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Acne is one of the symptoms of blood impurity or DOsha vitiation in Rakta Dhatu. It may also appear in the form of eczema, psoriasis etc, in other parts of the body as well.
Aravindan
Hello Doctor,
This is Aravindan. I’m affected by cystic acne. Shall I apply neem turmeric paste for relief.
Or will it affect my facial hair growth??
Should I use fresh neem leaves or can neem powder be used ?
I am having an oily & sensitive skin with pitta dominating.
Dr Malini Bhat
Hello Sir, You can use Neem and turmeric paste. Either powder or leaves.
Dr Malini Bhat
Hello sir, You can use the khadi neem soap which you have mentioned. You can wash them twice a day. And avoid using hot water.
Aravindan
1.How many times to use the neem turmeric paste on pimples madam?
2.Can beard contribute to pimples directly or indirectly?
3.Is panchkarma treatment available for acne problem?
aravindan
Thank you for your guidance doctor.
If panchakarma is recommended then what will be the treatment period for that(vamana & Virechana)?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Depends on the Ayurveda center. Usually 1 – 2 weeks.
Dr Malini Bhat
Hello Madam, It could be due to blood vitiation or hormonal imbalance. Do take a blood purifier Maha Manjisthadi Kashaya.
For external application:
1. Make a paste of neem or margosa leaves and mix it with turmeric powder. Both neem and turmeric have antiseptic and antibiotic properties which reduces the inflammation and infection. Apply it on the pimples for 15 minutes and get the pimples healed the natural way.
2. Wrap some ice cubes in a piece of cloth and rub it over the pimples for 20- 30 seconds. Repeat it for several times to find a quick remedy for pimples.
3. The leaf of Aloe Vera contains a gel which helps to cure pimples.
Some do’s and don’ts:
1. Never pick or squeeze pimples.
2. Eat healthy.
3. Never pick or squeeze pimples.
4. Identify and avoid anything that aggravates acne including oily foods, lotions and make-up.
Neha
Sir,
May i knw, whether eating non-veg once in a week can also be a cause of pimples.
I have pitta dominating prakriti, should i continue to eat non-veg.
I also have frequent c/o acidity.
Thank you.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
If you are accustomed to eating non veg once a week, then it is safe to continue the same. Eating excess non veg food can cause pimples and stopping non veg altogether, helps to prevent pimples in some.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Try applying Kumkumadi lepa cream or Himalaya acne and pimple cream. If still not healed, please consult an Ayurveda doctor directly.
Nuzhat parveen
Hi Dr..mere face pr kuch time se pimple nikl rhe h to main khadirarist pi rhi hu…2month ho gye pite hue but abhi bhi pimple nikl rhe h..sirf pimple ka size chhota ho gya h….iske alavh koi cream btyiye jisse spot bhi remove ho sake..plz Dr..
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, usually it takes 2 – 3 months for good cure. I suggest to continue consulting your doctor.
Lokeshwari.s
Sir I am having oily skin and lots of acne I have been already taking ayurvedic medicine but it is not effective I have been taking Triphala gugull tab and purodil syruph and Clarins cream cream from last 4 months and also the tarini face pack but also there is no much change can u plez advice the further line of medicine
Sayali
Will virechana will be effective on pimples without vamana and will all my pimples go
Harsha
Hai sir, my skin surrounding nails area are dark. I want to apply kumkumadi tailam. Will this tailam makes my nails yellow over prolonged use ?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
No.
Dr Manisha Bagga
Very informative article. My que is can use gandhak rasayan with it.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Yes
sneha
can i use mahamanjistadi kwath+sarivadyasav along with kaishore gugullu for blood purification and darkspots?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Yes, if advised by an Ayurvedic doctor.