Nikki Hawkes

Medical Herbalist & IBS specialist

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Skin health

Can acupuncture improve acne?

by Leave a Comment

This 2018 review discusses the treatment of acne vulgaris, usually known as acne. Comparing acupuncture with conventional drug treatments, for this common, chronic skin condition.

What causes acne?

Researchers believe that four main factors influence acne formation:

  • follicular keratinisation, in which cells lining the hair follicles, instead of being shed onto the skin’s surface, clump together and block the follicle
  • increased skin sebum production, or a change in the sebum composition, possibly as a result of hormonal influences
  • infection with acne causing bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes, which promotes inflammation
  • release of immune system compounds that promote and perpetuate inflammation, which causes follicular keratinisation.

[Read more…] about Can acupuncture improve acne?

Topical herbal and natural treatments for psoriasis

by Leave a Comment

Psoriasis is the chronic skin condition that causes red and crusty patches of skin with silvery scales. These often occur on the elbows or knees but can appear anywhere on the body. This recent systematic review in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology discusses natural treatments for psoriasis. Here, I summarise the findings for some of the remedies in the review.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera gel is often used for inflammatory skin conditions, including psoriasis. It has superb wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

I have written previously about Aloe vera here and here.

Avocado oil

A combination product of avocado oil with vitamin B12 showed similar symptomatic improvement to calcipotriol for psoriasis after 12 weeks. Skin levels of vitamin B12 is lower than normal in psoriatic skin, and even in apparently healthy skin of psoriasis patients. Participants said the avocado oil and B12 combination was more tolerable than the calcipotriol treatment. Though some people did report some local itching from the B12 avocado ointment. [Read more…] about Topical herbal and natural treatments for psoriasis

Stop cold sores coming back

by 2 Comments

Cold sores are the result of a very common and persistent infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. We recognise the infection as small blisters that usually occur on the lips or around the mouth. These blisters or sores can be painful, with burning or itching, and may last up to three weeks without treatment. Though the immune system can fight the virus it can not remove it from the body. So, once someone has the virus they have the infection for life. The virus can remain dormant in nerve cells until the immune system is off guard and then it reactivates, travels to the skin, lips or mouth and causes symptoms. Though most people never have a recurrence of cold sores after their initial infection, many people do. If you are one of these people read on for ways to stop cold sores coming back. [Read more…] about Stop cold sores coming back

Herbal remedies to heal skin ulcers

by Leave a Comment

Venous leg ulcers are a chronic wound that can take months to heal. They cause pain, itching, swelling and feelings of being unwell. They can also have a dramatic impact on quality of life. Yet conventional medicine has few options for treatment of skin ulcers.

The standard care combines cleaning and dressing of the wound. Plus compression stockings or bandaging to improve blood flow to the area. Antibiotics may be prescribed in some cases.

Though many leg ulcers are colonised by bacteria. Only those with active infection should be treated with antibiotics due to the threat of antibiotic resistance.

One theory is that in chronic wounds bacteria protect themselves by forming bacterial biofilms. These biofilms help to make the bacteria resistant to antibiotics. They may also be a cause of the slowed healing rate of ulcers. In any case, antibiotics do nothing to help heal the ulcer. [Read more…] about Herbal remedies to heal skin ulcers

Pomegranate fights acne causing bacteria

by Leave a Comment

Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition. More than 85% of teenagers are affected. As well as an increasing number of adult women. I have previously written about the dietary changes that can help to reduce the problem. In this post, I discuss some recent research about pomegranate and acne causing bacteria.

See my post The acne free diet plan – 30 days to clearer skin

Acne is a condition that usually affects the skin of the face. The neck and upper back are also commonly affected. These areas of skin have greater numbers of sebaceous glands. Typically, acne occurs when the sebaceous glands make too much sebum. Often a result of hormonal stimulation. [Read more…] about Pomegranate fights acne causing bacteria

The acne free diet plan – 30 days to clearer skin

by Leave a Comment

Acne is a very common and chronic skin condition in the UK. In fact, it is common in many modern westernised societies. With almost all adolescents and around half of adults affected. And, the numbers of affected people appears to be increasing.

Acne affects areas of the skin with the most sebaceous glands. Typically these are the face, back and chest. The condition ranges from mild, with just one or two occasional spots or pimples. To severe, with inflamed skin, cysts and scarring. Though acne affects men and women equally, men are more likely to have the severe form. [Read more…] about The acne free diet plan – 30 days to clearer skin