One of the most common problems I treat in teenagers (and some adults) is acne. This skin condition typically occurs in people between the ages of 12 to 20 and is a result of many factors: changing hormones, diet choices, hygiene, sleep patterns, liver function and lymph flow. To resolve this problem without using a pharmaceutical drug, we need to look at all these factors and change what is out of balance.

The first step is to work on balancing hormones. When we go through puberty or into menopause, the hormones are fluctuating and sometimes swing too widely. It is important that they are brought back to balance with herbs such as: Angelica (Dong Quai), Vitex (Chaste Berry), Glycyrrhiza (licorice), Serenoa (Saw palmetto) for example. They all help to regulate the proper release of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. When the hormones flow smoothly, the liver has a much easier job at regulating them and can break down their metabolites much more effectively.

The second step is to analyze your diet. Food and water is the key to wellness! I always tell folks that we have a shower/bath everyday to keep our outside clean, drinking water or herbal tea flushes our insides clean. You should be drinking half your body weight in ounces. So, if you are 140 pounds, you should be drinking 70 ounces a day. By drinking water, you are continually flushing toxins and metabolites out of the body. Minimize any acidic drinks, such as coffee, tea and pop. Not only do they make the system too acidic, but they also have other naturally occurring chemicals that the liver has to detoxify. Try to drink them as a treat on the weekend.

Eat at least four to five servings of veggies, especially green leafy veggies and raw seeds and almonds. Fruits should be two to three servings a day. Minimize acidic foods such as citrus & tomatoes. Eat only whole grain cereals, breads, pastas, crackers and flour. This keeps the system alkaline, which helps detoxify and rid your body of byproducts. Proteins are primarily acidic, so you want to always balance your protein (fish, chicken, turkey, beans, legumes, lamb, buffalo) with the veggies and grains on your plate. This keeps the overall pH neutral or slightly alkaline. As always, you want to minimize processed, packaged and canned foods. They typically have a lot of additives that put a load on the liver. If the liver is overloaded, toxins are sent out through the skin, the next biggest elimination organ.

The third step is hygiene. Having a shower or bath every day to rinse off the skin of released metabolites allows the skin to breathe and let the pores release toxins on a regular basis. If pores become blocked, residue and bacteria can build up and form acne, boils and rashes. The same is true of the scalp. Always try to rinse the scalp and give it a good massage in the shower to minimize dandruff.


Dr. Brenda Gill, ND, The Natural Path Clinic
1995 Columbia Ave., Suite 1,  Rossland, BC, (250)362-5035
601 Lake St.  Nelson, BC, (250) 352-3150

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