Skin ~ Topical Therapies

Lecture Notes ~ Module 3

Tissue relationships — in Ayurveda  Bhrajaka Pitta rules skin.  Liver, skin, and eye — all pitta organs.  They have similar nutritional requirements and closely related pathology.

Survival priority order — Liver is 1st for resources, skin is next (mid), then eyes.  Liver gets energy before skin.  Liver will respond first, but may not be noticed, while skin still has symptoms.  Diseases/issues develop in reverse order, i.e. eye issues/problems 1st, skin next, liver last.

“Toxicity” plays a big role.  Historically, detoxification is a large part of skin treatment.  Treat the liver to treat the skin.

Supplements that are generally helpful for the skin:

  • Vitamin C to bowel tolerance
  • Vitamin E — 4,000 IU/day for acute treatment.  This is a short term dose.  Use natural vitamin E from mixed Tocopherols
  • Vitamin A — 100,000 IU/day for 2 to 3 months.  Maintenance dose:  25,000 IU
  • Zinc — 100mg or more (capsule) Gluconate or amino chelate forms.  30mg/day for maintenance.
  • Antioxidents across the board for skin (1) nourish connective tissue, (2) reduce oxidation, (3) support protein structures and elasticity

Herbs:  

Gotu Kola leaf.  Maybe the best herb there is for connective tissue.   Use for:

Wounds
Cellulite
Varicose veins
Dermatitis
Stimulates hair/nails
Increases blood supply to connective tissue.     Formation connective tissue structural constituents
Promotes skin tensile integrity
Increases keratinization
Scleroderma
Dose:  Tea 30-90 grams (dry herb weight, brewed) per day

Triphala.  Amla, haritaki, bibitaki (“three fruits”).  General tonic with an affinity for the skin.  Dose:  2 grams/day, long term.  Increase to bowel tolerance for acute conditions.

Ginkgo leaf.  Antioxidant.  General benefit.  Promotes circulation.  Supports “ground substance” basis of skin integrity

Chinese Violet.  Viola yedoensis   Main herb in TCM for inflammatory skin disease.
Zi Hua Di Ding
Leaf (entire plant including root)
Bitter, cold
Clears heat, expels toxins
Ascending liver yang
Inflammatory skin disease
Detoxify, soften and dissolve hard nodules
Appropriate for use in Children
Standard Dose:  9-15 g/day.    Large dose up to 30 g
Leaves quite edible steamed as food.

Wild Pansy    Viola tricolor (Europe)
Leaf used
Usually tincture form
Contains Salicylates and rutin
Good for Eczema, psoriasis and acne
Appropriate for use in Children
Standard dose:  30 ml

Topical treatments

Vulneraries ~ Heal skin trauma/injury.  Topical application, wound healers.  Examples:  Comfrey root and leaf, Mullein leaf, Plantain leaf, Aloe leaf.

Tissue Healers.  Heal skin trauma/injury, Some of these herbs can be used both externally and internally.  These herbs often contain cell proliferant constituents.  i.e.,  Comfrey root and leaf (external and internal) , Dipsacus root, Aloe leaf  (external and internal).

Alteratives ~ taken internally to detoxify the skin.  Examples:
Burdock root, Yellow dock root, Sarsaparilla root, Barberry root, Oregon grape root (close relative of barberry), Chaparral leaf.

Anti-inflammatory ~ taken internally to reduce skin inflammation.  Examples:    Turmeric, Violet leaf both Viola yedoensis (Chinese) and Viola tricolor (European), Amla (slow acting), Bringraj leaf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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