Acne is a skin ailment in which the sebaceous glands become inflamed.  Acne generally begins to manifest during adolescence and is caused by over-activity of the sebaceous glands.  The sebum produced by the glands cannot escape because the hair follicles become blocked by keratin.  The Keratin blockage becomes black, forming blackheads. 85% of the population aged between 12 and 25 are affected by acne. The most commonly afflicted group is pubescent boys. The second most commonly afflicted group is women aged 20 – 40.

• Acne can be caused by environmental and genetic factors, but genetics seems to predominate.
• The role of hormones in the development of acne is apparent at puberty, when there is a surge in the production of male hormones, present in both males and females. Female-hormone estrogens have a beneficial effect on acne, which is why some girls get on birth control pills. But when a woman’s estrogen levels decline as in just before the beginning of a menstrual cycle, acne may worsen.
• Excessive consumption of animal fats, trans-fatty acids, or margarine may cause acne.
• Hypochlorhydria (insufficient production of hydrochloric acid) may be the underlying cause of some cases of acne.
• Intestinal Permeability may be the underlying cause of some cases of acne.
• Mature age acne may occur as a result of malfunctions of the liver.
• Tea Tree oil contains chemicals known as terpenoids which kill bacteria has been successful as a topical application.
• Zinc helps reduce inflammation; kills propionibacterium acnes, the main bacteria associated with acne, and improves the skin environment that makes it more hostile to this bacterium.
• Progesterone cream applied topically may alleviate acne in adult women by counteracting the excessive production of androgens that causes most cases of adult acne in women.
• Vitex and saw palmetto can alleviate hormone related acne.
• Burdock has been very useful in alleviating acne.
• Overexposure to the sun can worsen acne.

Bleeding / Bruising Under the Skin

• Vitamin C foods with bioflavonoids
• Eat fermented foods
• 3000 mg of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
• Vitamin K2 at 1,000 mcg a day
• Bilberry – The usual therapeutic dosage of Bilberry tincture/liquid extract is 2 – 4 ml per day.  The usual therapeutic dosage of Bilberry fresh berries is 20 – 60 grams per day.

Boils are a type of pus-filled abscess that initially affect the hair follicles of the epidermis of the skin.  The infection then spreads to the skin’s deeper layers.  The pus in boils consists of dead white blood cells and detrimental bacteria (usually Staphylococcus aureus). Boils occur most often on the scalp, buttocks, face or underarms.  They are tender, red and painful and generally occur suddenly.

• Silver (applied topically) may alleviate boils (by destroying Staphylococcus aureus, the detrimental bacteria that causes boils).  (Smart Silver from Desbio is a structured silver that will kill staphylococcus aureus.)
• Chaparral and/or Tea Tree Oil (applied topically) may accelerate the healing of boils.
• Recurring boils may occur as a result of zinc deficiency and people who suffer from recurrent boils may respond to 25 – 50 mg supplemental zinc per day.  This level of zinc supplementation may also prevent future occurrences of boils.

Burns

• Aloe Vera to soothe and heal
• Honey as anti-biotic and to promote healing
• Vitamin E to stop scarring
• Emu Oil (applied topically) will accelerate the healing of (first and second degree) burns and will minimize the pain (usually within 2 – 3 minutes of application), scarring and blistering associated with burns is also minimized. 
• Lavender essential oil (25 drops) mixed with witch hazel (2 oz) mixed with water (2 oz)

Canker Sores or mouth ulcers are small, white or yellow-white, superficial painful ulcers that involve the inflammation or destruction of the mucous membranes that line the mouth.  They usually afflict the movable parts of the inside of the mouth (the tongue or the lining of the inner cheeks or lips). Mouth ulcers are usually painful for three to four days and symptoms generally diminish in seven to ten days. Mouth ulcers are more common in women than in men. 

• Take zinc and B vitamins and lysine to help prevent canker sores.
• At first sign, place an activated charcoal tablet on the sore till the sensation goes away (about 15 to 20 minutes). It stops the virus and stops the eruption.
• Deglycyrrhizinated (DGL) licorice – two tablets, chewed about 20 minutes before meals three times a day; it must be mixed with saliva. Licorice has anti-viral properties and healing properties.
• Bee propolis applied directly may stop eruption and will heal the outbreak.

Cold Sores – Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 is a type of herpes simplex virus characterized by cold sores, usually on and around the lips.  HSV1 is characterized by the appearance of single or multiple clusters of small blisters filled with a clear fluid on a reddened base.  These blisters eventually burst, leaving small, painful ulcers that heal in 10 – 21 days.  This phase of the virus is known as an outbreak.  The virus then reverts to its’ dormant state. Although HSV1 usually affects the lips, it can also infect the genitals (in which case it can be confused with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2). Up to 90% of the world’s population is infected with HSV1. Approximately 40% of persons who have had one HSV1 outbreak never suffer from a second outbreak, while others may suffer from up to six attacks per year for several years following the first outbreak. HSV1which is dormant in most people, but activated in some by stress, physical irritation, and the sun. Lysine inhibits the virus’ ability to replicate itself. In a study of 1,543 people with herpes simplex, 88 percent of the people who took an average of 936 mg a day of supplemental lysine showed an improvement in symptoms, with lesions healing in an average of five days or less in 83 percent of those people. If you are prone to cold sores, take a preventive daily dose of 750 to 1,500 mg of lysine a day, and increase it to 3,000 mg when an outbreak is imminent.

• Topical bee propolis (tincture applied topically twice per day or ointment applied topically four times per day to the affected area) may effectively treat the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1. Propolis may alleviate the Pain associated with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 in almost 100% of cases. Propolis may alleviate the Itching associated with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 in up to 85% of cases. Propolis may accelerate the healing of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 lesions and may prevent their recurrence in 90% of cases.
• If a cold sore has already erupted, try the garlic/vitamin E paste.
• Lysine inhibits the virus’ ability to replicate itself.
• Zinc to accelerate healing.
• Fight it with Cat’s Claw, olive leaf, or oregano oil.

Dandruff is a condition in which the scalp is covered in flakes of dead skin. Dandruff occurs as the result of acceleration of the normal growing process of the skin cells of the scalp.  Normally, all of the (dead) skin cell cells of the scalp are shed every 24 days.  With dandruff, this process is accelerated.  In a normal scalp, the process of sloughing off old Cells and the production of their replacements is orderly and complete.  With dandruff, disorder occurs and often the sloughed cells are not dead before they are shed.

• Get sufficient essential fatty acids
• Selenium deficiency could be a cause – take 200 mcg/day
• Zinc at 15 to 30mg/day will usually clear it up (Zinc Pyrithione shampoo is effective)
• Getting sufficient B vitamins and/or sulfur may clear it up.
• Add to your 8 oz bottle of shampoo – 10 drops of tea tree oil (antiseptic), and 4 drops of clary sage oil (regulates oil production)

Dry skin is a condition characterized by lack of water/sebum in the stratum corneum layer of the skin. 77% of people over the age of 64 experience dry skin.

• Dry skin is a usual condition of low thyroid function (get plenty of iodine)
• Optimal DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) levels may help to prevent dry skin (due to DHEA’s involvement in the production of sebum by the sebaceous glands).  supplemental dhea (administered either orally or applied topically via dhea skin cream) may alleviate dry skin where dry skin is caused by depleted DHEA levels).
• Sufficient levels of essential fatty acids may alleviate dry skin.
• Rough or cracked skin may occur as a result of zinc deficiency.
• Topically use coconut oil or emu oil.

Fungal Nail Infection

• Usually need to deal with the fungus in the body while dealing with it on the nail
• Topical applications include:                

                           Grapefruit seed extract
                           Cajeput oil
                           DMSO with potassium iodide: mix equal parts of each and rub on and under the nail a couple of times a day.

Eczema or atopic dermatitis, is a very common, painful skin condition, which usually comes on in early childhood. It is characterized by itching with a red rash often accompanied by small blisters that weep and become blistered.

• Food allergies are a common cause. Not having the enzyme to be able to convert linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid and alpha-linolenic acid to stearidonic acid may be the principle cause. Colon, liver, and kidney issues (organs of elimination) are many times behind skin issues.
• Eliminate food allergens. The primary culprits are dairy products, wheat, eggs, citrus, corn, and peanut butter.
• Alpha-linolenic acid found in flax seed oil may alleviate eczema in approximately 50% of the time.
• Essential fatty acids – DHA and EPA (fish oil), and GLA (borage seed oil or evening primrose oil)
• Probiotics may eliminate dermatitis
• Selenium at 200 mg/day (most children afflicted with eczema have low glutathione peroxidase levels – selenium helps to restore those levels)
• Vitamin B12 (1000 mcg/day) may alleviate approximately 60% of cases. Vitamin B12 cream applied topically may also be an effective treatment.
• Vitamin E and zinc to support skin health
• Nettle can be safely used with children.
• Burdock root, which is a blood cleanser, has history of being effective.
• Topical Neem oil has also been used successfully.

Hives are an acute or chronic allergic reaction in which red, raised lumps (whelts) develop on the skin – these lumps itch intensely and may last for hours or days.  Each lump typically has a whitish, raised patch of skin surrounded by a reddish halo.  The lumps may be tiny or large, and may occur all over the body or be confined to one area.  The individual whelts usually subside within 48 hours, although new ones may continue to appear and disappear for an extended period of time. Anti-histamines are commonly prescribed for the treatment of hives.

• Supplemental Hydrochloric Acid may be useful for the treatment of Hives (as many cases of Hives are believed to occur as a result of Food Allergies resulting from insufficient endogenous production of Hydrochloric Acid).
• Vitamin B12 (at least 1000 mcg per day) may alleviate many (up to 90% of) cases of Hives.
• Nettle is a natural anti-histamine that may be helpful.
   

Liver Spots or Age Spots – Liver spots are light brown to black hyper-pigmented lesions that occur on areas of the skin that have been exposed to light in older persons.  The liver (organ) plays no role in the onset of liver spots. Liver Spots occur primarily on the exposed skin of older caucasians.

• Glucosamine (NAG form applied topically) may help to remove liver spots (by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme that stimulates the production of excessive melanin in liver spots).
• Mix a salve/lotion with:
  o Coconut oil – 2 parts (will fade and reduce age spots when used long enough)
  o Emu oil – 2 parts (will fade and reduce age spots when used long enough)
  o Lemon juice – 1 part (will lighten the spots)
  o Calendula extract – 1 part (works toward removing the hyper-pigmentation)
  o Solomon’s Seal extract – 1 part (works toward removing the hyper-pigmentation)
   

Moles – Blood Root (paste applied topically and covered with a bandaid) may help to remove Moles (many anecdotal reports claim that patients’ moles disappear after approximately 30 days of topical Blood Root paste treatment). Try topically formula SKC-ML from Good Herbs.

Poison Ivy / Oak

• Jewelweed works well as a topical application
• Plantain or grindelia or sassafras may help – topical application
• Bill’s Poison Ivy Remedy: Mix together: (this will dry it out)
  o   1 tablespoon of salt
  o   1/8 teaspoon of peppermint oil
  o   1 tablespoon of lime or lemon juice
  o   1 tablespoon of baking soda
  o   2 tablespoons of cool coffee
  o   1 tablespoon of Burdock root extract or Turmeric extract

Psoriasis is a type of chronic skin condition in which itchy scaly red patches form on the elbows, forearms, knees, legs or scalp that are characterized by thickening of the epidermis. The underlying cause is uncontrolled cell growth. It is regarded as an autoimmune condition.

• Advanced Cellular Silver (ACS 200 from www.resultsrna.com) – internal and topically
• Olive leaf extract
• Neem oil or oregano oil – internal and topically
• Progesterone cream has shown significant benefit
• Vitamin D3 (4000 IU/day)
• Zinc – start with 90 mg/day and reduce to 30mg/day for maintenance
• Flax seed oil – 2 tablespoons to start and eventually reduce to 1 for maintenance
• Blue Cap (known to work very well) – a spray that contains zinc pyrithione (http://www.blue-cap.us)

Rashes that itch – topically apply thyme extract or thyme oil
 

Ringworm is a highly infectious fungal disease, characterized by itching, red, scaly skin on the afflicted areas.

• Clinical studies have demonstrated that topical application of Neem oil may cure 75% of cases of ringworm within three days.
• Coconut oil topically has been very effective for many people
• You may also try one of the following herbs topically:
  o   sanguinaria (blood root)
  o   usnea
  o   Amargosa
  o   black walnut
  o   cajeput oil.
   

Rosacea  is a chronic skin condition characterized by redness on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and/or chin. Rosacea is most prevalent in women over the age of thirty. Those that suffer from rosacea are often found to be deficient in lipase. Other items known to provide significant benefit are:

• Progesterone cream 
• Vitamin C cream
• Lipase
•  Zinc

Seborrhea Dermatitis is a type of Dermatitis that occurs as a result of Seborrhea (the production of excessive amounts of Sebum by the Sebaceous Glands). Seborrheic Dermatitis usually occurs during infancy (especially between the ages of 2 – 12 weeks when it is known as Cradle Cap) and in the middle-aged or elderly.

• The most common cause of Seborrheic Dermatitis is Biotin deficiency.
• In infants Biotin supplementation alone often cures Seborrheic Dermatitis, while in adults, supplemental Biotin must be administered concurrently with the other “B” Vitamins in order to effect a cure for this condition.
• Borage oil (0-5 ml) was applied to the nappy region twice daily.  Within 10-12 days all the children were free from skin lesions, even in areas not treated with the oil.  When treatment was discontinued, the lesions recurred within 1 week.  With intermittent therapy 2-3 times/week, there were no recurrences.  Treatment was stopped at about 6-7 months of age, and there were no relapses thereafter.
• Patchouli oil has been used to treat Seborrhea.

Skin cancer – Overall, skin cancer is the sixth most common type of cancer to affect men and the seventh most common type of cancer to affect women. Approximately 50% of persons in western nations who reach the age of 65 will develop some form of skin cancer at some stage.

• Black Salve is very effective.
• Sanguinarine (Blood Root) (applied topically) is effective.
• Try SKC-ML formula from Good Herbs.
   

Skin tag is a small tag of skin which may have a peduncle (stalk) – they look like a small piece of soft, hanging skin. They can appear on any part of the surface of the body (skin), but most typically exist in areas where skin may rub against skin.

• Bayberry is known to remove skin tags.  Apply topically and take orally.
• Wheat Germ topically
• Laetrile or apricot seeds
• SKC-ML formula from Good Herbs
• Nail polish on skin tags 2-3 times a day. They eventually dry up and fall off.
• There is an over the counter item called “liquid bandage”. You put it on top of each skin tag (completely cover it) 2 times a day. After about 3 – 4 weeks they fall off. There is no scar and just a little pink mark for about a week.

Shingles is caused by the same virus as chicken pox (Herpes zoster). It involves the appearance of lesions on the skin along the paths of the nerves infected with the virus.  These lesions take the form of crops of small blisters (vesicles) which usually set in on just one side of the chest, back or face and are accompanied by intense pain and Itching. It is characterized by burning, tingling pain or numbness in the skin followed by a rash with fluid-filled blisters.

• Propolis applied topically to lesions eliminates the pain in 100% of cases, eliminates the itching in 85% of cases, and accelerates the healing in 90% of cases.
• DMSO with capsicum topically will reduce/remove the pain.
• MSM (2000 mg 2 times a day) will reduce/remove pain.
• Neem oil taken internally and topically may alleviate shingles.
• B12 as methylcobalamin (1000 mcg every hour) sublingual tablets will accelerate recovery.
• Olive leaf with cat’s claw will disrupt the virus and boost immune system.
• L-lysine curbs outbreaks of shingles (3,000 mg/day).
•  Zinc with selenium supplementation reduces the number of infections by nearly two-thirds.

Spider Veins – (Telangiectasias) are broken or ruptured Capillaries that leak Blood which then travels along the exterior of the surrounding Capillaries.  When this Blood dries on the outside of the Capillaries, it becomes visible through the Skin.  Most people find this cosmetically unappealing.

• Marine Fish Extract (Brands are: Vivida, Imedeen, Nourelle) has been shown to reduce spider veins. Marine Fish Extract is a proprietary formula of Proteins and Polysaccharides (including glycosaminoglycans) extracted from a species of fish. The usual therapeutic dosage of Marine Fish Extract is 500 mg per day (two tablets of a Marine Fish Extract product). Manufacturers of Marine Fish Extract products recommend the concomitant use of oral Marine Fish Extract tablets with topical application of Marine Fish Extract-containing products.  The oral products are claimed to mainly improve the Dermis, while the topical products are claimed to mainly improve the Epidermis. The manufacturers of Marine Fish Extract products claim that the therapeutic effects of Marine Fish Extract do not become discernable for at least two months after the commencement of daily use of Marine Fish Extract.
• Citrus bioflavonoids that have hesperidin, rutin, and diosmin will help reduce spider veins by strengthening the walls of veins. You can also get citrus bioflavonoids from oranges and grapefruits.

Thinning of Skin involves the loss of endogenous Fats from the subcutaneous layer of the Skin, usually accompanied by transparency of the Skin.  Thin Skin can also occur from the age-associated thinning of the Dermis.

•  Vivida (natural polysaccharides (brand name Vivida) from fish cartilage)
•  Emu oil
•  yü InfiniSerum from Desbio (increases good estrogen-like actions in the skin)
   

Vaginal Dryness

• The root cause of vaginal dryness is declining estrogen production, which leads to thinning and drying of the vaginal wall.
• Progesterone is a precursor to estrogen. Supplementing with transdermal progesterone cream may resolve vaginal dryness.
• Dong quai has produced good results and when added to chasteberry may be even better.
• Estriol cream (requires a prescription)
• DHEA supplementation may raise estrogen enough to help resolve the condition.

Varicose Veins are a disorder in which the veins (usually in the legs) become distended, lengthened and tortuous.  The underlying cause is a lack of tone in the tissues supporting the vein and subsequent failure in the preceding valves

• Three proven herbs for healthy veins: horse chestnut (for symptoms), gotu kola (for circulation), and butcher’s broom (can be taken orally or applied topically) as an herbal extract have been shown to:
  o   reduce cramps and tingling in legs
  o   help circulation on long flights
  o   alleviate heaviness and pain in the calves
  o   improve micro-circulation and improve capillary flow
  o   improve vascular tone and strengthen connective tissue
• Bromelain extract (from pineapples) supplement helps to break down fibrin which is what collects around the varicose veins causing lumps and bumps.
• Bilberry has also been used to alleviate varicose veins by strengthening the capillaries. The usual therapeutic dosage of Bilberry tincture/liquid extract is 2 – 4 ml per day. The usual therapeutic dosage of Bilberry fresh berries is 20 – 60 grams per day.
•  Vitamin K2 deficiencies have been linked to varicose veins. Take 1000 mcg/day.
•  Inclined bed therapy (Google it) Head of bed at least 6 inches above foot of bed.
•  Serrapeptase enzymes will improve circulation by removing of scar tissue and adhesions in the arteries.
   

Vitiligo is a physically harmless (but cosmetically unappealing) depigmentation (characterized by smooth, irregular white patches) of areas of the skin that have lost the ability to produce the natural skin pigment melanin. 

• Vitiligo patients are often found to have sub-optimal levels of hydrochloric acid in their stomachs and replenishment of hydrochloric acid (15 cc with each meal) may result in the cure of some cases of vitiligo.
• Picrorrhiza (herb native to the north-western Himalayan region) may alleviate vitiligo (it causes a significant reduction in depigmented patches in approximately 90% of vitiligo patients)
   

Warts are common benign skin eruptions caused by any of several papilloma viruses.  Up to 30% of warts disappear by themselves within six months.  Most warts disappear without any treatment within three years. Warts are most common in children and occur between the ages 12 – 16 years.

• Take Olive Leaf extract along with zinc to beat the virus
• Blood Root applied topically
• Garlic oil applied topically
• Black walnut hull extract internal and topical
• Buckthorn applied topically
• Thuja extract internal and topically
• Homeopathic remedies thuja occidentalis along with antimonium crudum
• Neem oil internal and topically
• Tape the inside of a banana peel to the wart
   

Wrinkles
Ten Things You Can do to Prevent and Remove Wrinkles
1. Limit intense sun exposure
2. Avoid cycle of gaining and losing weight that stretches your skin
3. Consume and use coconut oil as a lotion
4. Use emu oil as a lotion
5. Get plenty of omega-3
6. Get sufficient Vitamin E and zinc
7. Avoid cigarette smoke
8. Avoid hydrogenated and rancid oils
9. Consume plenty of anti-oxidants
10. Take aloe vera gel at 1/4 tsp per day
11. Use Nerium AD or yü InfiniSerum
12. Take Vivida or polysaccharides from fish cartilage