Natural treatments for rosacea
Natural treatments for rosacea focus on managing this chronic skin condition, which primarily affects the facial area, often resulting in redness, acne-like bumps, and visible blood vessels. While standard treatments include medications and laser therapy, many individuals seek natural alternatives. A notable proposed treatment is Chrysanthemum indicum, which has shown promising results in clinical studies. Other natural remedies include aloe vera, green tea, and honey, which have demonstrated varying degrees of effectiveness in reducing symptoms such as redness and inflammation.
Additionally, some practitioners suggest dietary approaches, such as avoiding food allergens and incorporating digestive aids like apple cider vinegar, although scientific support for these is limited. Lifestyle modifications, including stress reduction and following an anti-inflammatory diet, may also contribute to symptom relief. While a variety of herbs, vitamins, and supplements are frequently recommended, it is important to approach these with caution due to potential interactions with conventional treatments. Overall, individuals exploring natural treatments for rosacea should consider both evidence-based options and lifestyle changes to manage their symptoms effectively.
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Subject Terms
Natural treatments for rosacea
DEFINITION: Treatment of a chronic skin condition that primarily affects the face.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENT: Chrysanthemum indicum (topical)
OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Aloe, apple cider vinegar, aromatherapy, betaine hydrochloride, burdock, chamomile, Chinese herbal medicine, digestive enzymes, food allergen avoidance, green tea (topical), honey, lavender, methylsulfonylmethane (topical), milk thistle (topical), niacinamide (topical), oatmeal, red clover, rose hips, selenium, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, yellow dock, zinc, and others
Introduction
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects the face (generally, to the greatest extent, near the center), the eyelids, and, sometimes, the neck, upper back, and chest. Symptoms mostly occur in sun-exposed areas and consist of redness, acne-like pimples and papules (but not comedones or blackheads), visible blood vessels (telangiectasias), and swelling of the skin. Dramatic facial flushing may occur after consuming alcohol, hot drinks, spicy foods, or exposure to excessive sunlight or extremes of hot or cold. In the eye, acne rosacea produces symptoms known as blepharitis. Over time, rosacea may cause the nose to become enlarged.
Treatment of rosacea involves avoiding stimuli that worsen the disease and using oral and topical medications similar to those used for acne. Laser treatment can remove unsightly blood vessels and reduce flushing. Oral antibiotics are also used to treat rosacea.
Proposed Natural Treatments
A substantial (246-participant) twelve-week double-blind study found that a cream containing 1 percent Chrysanthellum indicum significantly improved rosacea symptoms compared with placebo. In another placebo-controlled study, a combination of milk thistle and methylsulfonylmethane topically applied by forty-six persons for one month appeared to be effective for rosacea. Weaker evidence hints that cream containing niacinamide might be helpful. One preliminary study found some evidence that a cream made from green tea may provide benefits as well. A small study published in 2008 found a cream containing 0.5% aloe vera extract was more effective than a placebo in reducing redness and inflammation. Participants in a 2015 study saw improvement with kanuka honey. While oatmeal has not specifically been studied for rosacea, it is a well-documented natural remedy for skin conditions.
Some alternative medicine practitioners believe that rosacea is caused by poor digestion and recommend the use of betaine hydrochloride or apple cider vinegar to increase stomach acid. They may also recommend digestive enzymes. However, no meaningful scientific evidence indicates that using these treatments will reduce symptoms of rosacea.
Other natural treatments that are sometimes recommended for rosacea, but that also lack scientific support, include aloe, aromatherapy, burdock, chamomile, Chinese herbal medicine, food allergen avoidance, red clover, rose hips, selenium, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, yellow dock, and zinc. Lavender, aloe vera, coconut oil, feverfew, oatmeal, raw honey, turmeric, and tea tree oil are also natural remedies recommended in the treatment of rosacea. Some herbs and supplements should be used only with caution because they could interact adversely with drugs used to treat rosacea. Lifestyle changes can also be effective in treating rosacea, and patients are encouraged to reduce stress and eat an anti-inflammatory diet.
Bibliography
Berardesca, E., et al. "Combined Effects of Silymarin and Methylsulfonylmethane in the Management of Rosacea: Clinical and Instrumental Evaluation." Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, vol. 7, 2008, pp. 8-14.
Draelos, Z. D., et al. "Niacinamide-Containing Facial Moisturizer Improves Skin Barrier and Benefits Subjects with Rosacea." Cutis, vol. 76, 2005, pp. 135-141.
Gethin, Georgina T., et al. "Randomised Controlled Trial of Topical Kanuka Honey for the Treatment of Rosacea." BMJ Open, vol. 5, no. 6, 2015, doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007960. Accessed 21 Sept. 2024.
"National Rosacea Society." National Rosacea Society, www.rosacea.org. Accessed 21 Sept. 2024.
"Natural Treatments for Rosacea." Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, 21 Mar. 2024, health.clevelandclinic.org/rosacea-natural-treatments. Accessed 21 Sept. 2024.
Rigopoulos, D., et al. "Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Flavonoid-Rich Plant Extract-Based Cream in the Treatment of Rosacea." Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, vol. 19, 2005, pp. 564-568.
"Rosacea." Mayo Clinic, 17 Oct. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rosacea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353820. Accessed 21 Sept. 2024.
Turkington, Carol, and Jeffrey S. Dover. The Encyclopedia of Skin and Skin Disorders. 3d ed. New York: Facts On File, 2007.
Wilson, Debra Rose, and Adrian White. "Home Remedies for Rosacea." Healthline, 12 Apr. 2018, www.healthline.com/health/rosacea-natural-treatments. Accessed 21 Sept. 2024.