It may surprise you to know that the skin is the largest organ of the body, both in weight and surface area. As a structural barrier designed to separate our body from the outside world, it is our first line of defence against potentially harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses. An important part of sensing our external environment, the skin contains receptors which allow us to sense temperature, touch and pain. The skin is involved in regulating body temperature, causing the hairs on the skin to stand up and trap a layer of warm air when we feel cool, and producing sweat to cool the body when we feel hot.  As well, the skin controls the movement of substances including toxins in and out of the body.
 

Dry skin

Treating Skin Conditions Naturopathically:

From a naturopathic view, skin conditions are usually seen as being manifestations of an internal disorder. In various traditions of herbal medicine across the world, skin conditions have universally been regarded as signs of inner toxicity. Treatment therefore focuses on correcting the internal dysfunction and improving elimination of toxins and wastes. External preparations may also be useful for the relief of itching, dryness, infection and to promote healing, however these are generally recommended in conjunction with internal treatment.  Providing symptomatic relief with topical treatments in the absence of treating the underlying cause, will usually give results that are less than optimal.  

It is good to be aware that when treating skin conditions, sometimes an exacerbation of symptoms can occur, referred to as a ‘healing crisis’. Whilst uncomfortable for the sufferer, a healing crisis is thought to be a positive sign that toxins are being released from the body.

Diet & Lifestyle:

To reduce the toxin load on the body, eat a healthy diet rich in fibre, ensure adequate hydration, limit alcohol, avoid smoking and participate in regular exercise. A detox program can be a useful way to start clearing the body of toxins and initiate a cleaner diet.  

As stress is implicated in many skin conditions, good stress management is essential. Make adequate time for rest and relaxation and use stress relieving products such as Rhodiola Relax if extra support is needed.  

If allergies are suspected, avoid the offending substances where possible. This can mean changing washing detergents, soaps, cleaning agents and cosmetic products.

Supplements:

Depurative herbs, also known as alteratives or blood cleansers, help cleanse the body of waste products and toxins by supporting the natural cleansing functions of the kidneys, bowel and lymphatic system.  Using depurative herbs can assist with purifying the body of toxins and is an essential step in traditional methods of treating skin disorders.

Liver & bowel function are also primary areas that need to be addressed in all skin conditions. The liver is responsible for breaking down toxins which are then eliminated by the bowels. If either of these two processes are over burdened for example through accumulation of wastes due to constipation, skin problems can result.  Making the above mentioned changes in diet and lifestyle can help ease the burden on these two organs, and appropriate supplementation can further aid in improving their function.

Other nutrients important for skin health include zinc, Vitamin A, silica and essential fatty acids such as those found in fish oil, flaxseed oil and evening primrose oil.

Some of the most useful Nature’s Sunshine products for treating these common skin conditions are listed in the tables below:

To assist blood and lymphatic cleansing:

To improve liver and bowel function:

Topical Help:

To relieve itching and discomfort and aid healing of the skin, topical preparations can be used. Aloe Vera gel can soothe red, itchy skin and Silver Shield Skin and Hand Gel can be used for antiseptic purposes. Miracell Skin Relief contains botanical oils, vitamins and herbs that can nourish the skin and may help relieve dryness and promote skin healing.