Out of the nearly 100 symptoms that Candida is capable of causing, the most common are skin ailments like eczema, psoriasis and acne. Candida infection should be considered as one of the causes on eruption of any skin problem. Candida isn’t always the cause of these symptoms, but it is always good to eliminate the possibility of Candida being the source of the problem.

It is not difficult to understand how Candida can take such deep roots in our bodies. Eating foods that help Candida to grow and a weak immune system are the primary causes of Candida infection. Your immune system is often tied closely to your diet, so definitely take a good look at what you are eating first.

Normally good bacteria maintains control of the Candida in your system and as long as the good bacteria are able to control adequately, Candida remains in the body in its benign form. Too much sugar, carbohydrates, processed foods, commercial foods that contain additives, and acidic foods tend to provide a healthy environment for Candida to thrive, permeate through the intestinal walls and begin to colonize in the rest of the body.

The immune system is capable of protecting the body from most of these type of infections. Your immune system uses its most defensive weapons first. Although painful, inflammation is the first symptom caused by the defenses that it uses. Along with the defensive, your body also uses its offensive tools to kill the foreign invader and the infection is usually cleared up.

Candida is a beguiling microorganism and can trick the immune system by changing its outside receptors to render ineffective the physiological response of the immune system. That is why it is important to not provide the Candida with an environment that it can grow in. You basically have to starve the Candida bacteria.

A weak immune system can not only be a cause of Candida infection, but it is also affected further by the Candida. Research reveals that immune suppressive factors taken from Candida patients fail to develop immune responses under controlled laboratory conditions. When the Candida comes in contact with the skin, the first defense begins and the skin becomes inflamed. Due to the inability of the immune cells to effectively use its offense against the condition, the inflammation remains and will often get worse if left untreated. The resulting itch is often a painful sensation produced by the feeling that some thing is there that needs to be removed.

The key to Candida treatment is to make sure that yeast is not allowed to grow beyond a certain limit in the body. Additionally, strengthening the immune system also helps in the process. Eczema, psoriasis, and chronic rashes can be treated successfully with sustained yeast infection treatment. Dietary changes and proper medication, in that order, are the two main aspects of a complete Candida cure, that is, if you wish to prevent its re-occurrence. Even anti fungal drugs like Nystatin, which are normally very effective as Candida treatments fail to work without some dietary control.

A good anti-Candida diet would involve eating foods that are sugar free and devoid of synthetic additives and chemicals like preservatives. Sugar-free also means to avoid artificial sugars, as the chemicals in those can be just as bad if not worse than actual sugar. This means that the more natural foods like fresh, repeat fresh, vegetables, meats, and fish you eat the less chance there will be of Candida developing. Beware of anything that comes in a box, bag, or bottle. Most things that come in those forms of packaging have something artificial in them. Sugar helps Candida to grow, so avoid it, and limit its consumption. Starving the Candida is a sure way to kill it off or at least regulate it to acceptable levels.

Conventional drugs can sometimes kill the yeast and clear the space, but Candida is an obstinate organism and will recur again if you give it a slightest leeway to develop. Yoghurt contains friendly bacterium and garlic has natural anti-fungal properties. Both should be consumed on regular basis as an effective remedy for eczema as well as Candida.

Article by Tess Thompson, courtesy of Native Remedies

Celebrity diets are weight loss diets that are endorsed, modeled or created by a celebrity. People are generally curious about the manner in which celebrities maintain their look, body and physique and want to emulate the various diets that are adopted by them. More often than not, this is done to be able to achieve the look that the celebrities have. The slim figures and six packs of the various celebrities endorsing the diets are normally enough to make the diets popular.

Over the years many not-so-healthy weight loss plans and diets have been associated with celebrities. There is a thin line that exists between being slim and looking good. Whether celebrity diets are targeted purely towards loosing weight or towards loosing weight in a healthy manner is today a matter that needs some thought.

Some of the most popular celebrity diets that are known are:

• Jennifer Aniston follows the Atkins Diet. This diet advocates high-protein and low carbohydrate intake. This basically means avoiding bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and other carbohydrates and concentrating on meats, poultry and fish.

• Madonna follows the Macrobiotic Diet. Even though it is not primarily a weight loss diet, its recommendations of low calorie foods and eating only when you are hungry help you to lose weight. Madonna is also known to have adopted the popcorn diet immediately after having her first child to shed the extra pounds that she had gained during pregnancy.

• Sarah-Michelle Gellar follows the Soup Diet. It is a detox diet that is primarily based on cabbage soup. The diet does not allow sugar, dairy products or fried foods and recommends living practically on soups.

• Sarah-Jessica Parker swears by the Zone Diet and ‘everyday exercise’. She prefers to walks rather than to take a cab! Similar to the Atkins Diet, the Zone Diet is a high protein and low carbohydrate diet.

• Liz Hurley was a fan of the Hay Diet before she became pregnant with her first child. The diet is based on an assumption that the body metabolizes proteins and carbohydrates in different ways and should not be taken together in the same meal.

• Lisa Kudrow follows the Weil Diet, which recommends a complete ban on commercial foods. Foods like chicken, pasta cooked al dente, salads, fish, olive oil, soy products, nuts and vegetables are allowed.

• Courteney Cox was brought up in the South where the normal diet is rich in carbohydrates and fats. She has adopted the Carbohydrate Addict Diet, which is about eating meat, seafood, butter, eggs, cheese and vegetables, but restricting carbohydrates to one ‘reward’ meal.

• Oprah Weight Loss and Bob Greene Diet are two diets that have been created by celebrities.

• South Beach Diet attained popularity simply on the basis of rumors that the former US President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hilary Clinton were using it.

For celebrities, the incentive to maintain desired weight is far higher than just health. Their financial worth depends upon how they look. The paranoia of gaining weight is so high that some celebrities have fallen seriously ill after crash diets. It is noteworthy to realize that celebrities may be able to afford a few weeks in hospital post a crash diet but such instances can leave a large hole in your pocket. Missing school, college, work or other daily commitments is far more difficult for you than missing a few dates for shooting for the celebrity.

Article by Tess Thompson, courtesy of Native Remedies

To understand whether there is a connection between emotional wellness and endorphins and serotonin at all, it is important to understand what endorphins and serotonin are. It is also important to understand their role in the functions of the body.

Endorphin is a neurochemical, an organic substance that occurs in neural activity. Serotonin, on the other hand, is a neurotransmitter, a neurochemical that transmits nerve signals across a synapse (the junction between two neurons or a neuron and a muscle).

Endorphins are produced during strenuous exercise by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in the brain that controls the autonomic nervous system, the system responsible for involuntary actions including a sense of emotional wellness. The term endorphin is derived from endogenous and morphine, implying that it is a morphine-like substance that is derived from within the body. Endorphins have analgesic properties and their action is similar to that of opiates. Its action in the body is also similar to a corticosteroid biochemical.

There are differing opinions about the level of exercise required for the release of endorphins in the body. Runner’s high, a much publicized phenomenon, is believed to occur when a person crosses a threshold, (when breathing becomes difficult). This phenomenon is known to activate the production of endorphins to deal with the stress and pain caused during arduous exercise. The contrarian’s view, however, is that the feeling of emotional wellness comes from accomplishment rather than from exertion.

Serotonin is synthesized within serotonergic (relating to serotonin) neurons in the central nervous system. It plays an important role in certain physical and emotional responses. It is actively involved in anger, aggression, mood swings, sleep, vomiting, sexuality and appetite. Serotonin also a peripheral signal mediator and is found in the gastrointestinal tract. Stimulants and antidepressants like SSRI can terminate the uptake of serotonin thus restricting its action in the body. The effect of neurotransmitters like serotonin on human moods, state of mind and consciousness is difficult to ascertain. But the therapeutic modulation caused by drugs suggests that serotonin has an affect on a large part of the brain that is responsible for overall emotional wellness.

The study of the human brain is a subject matter of neuroscientists but the human mind is a mystery that still defies all logic. Neuroscientists are involved in finding a link between brain chemicals and neurotransmitters and human behavior and emotions. Philosophers, on the other hand, have been trying for ages to rationalize and develop theories with regards to emotion. Despite scientific research and theories, moods, mood swings, emotional distress or wellness are still far from being explained completely.

Article by Tess Thompson, courtesy of Native Remedies

Women face a typical problem from the yeast, Candida albicans, which is otherwise a harmless fungus that lives in all of us. Just like there are bacteria in our mouths, Candida albicans is a part and parcel of the intestinal flora. The problem arises when the friendly bacteria that eat up the yeast are less than required for effectively combating the yeast. Reduced numbers of the friendly bacteria is one of the main causes behind a typical problem called vaginitis, inflammation of the vagina that is usually associated with candidiasis. The itch that it causes is a source of major embarrassment to women who suffer from genital candidiasis.

The healthy balance between friendly bacteria and Candida albicans is usually disturbed by the reckless use of antibiotics, birth control pills, spermicidal agents, hormones for menopause, chemical douche and nicks in the vaginal wall due to use of tampons. Pregnancy and diabetes too are commonly responsible for vaginitis.

Once the gynecologist or an obstetrician diagnoses the condition, it is normal that she will initially advise topical creams as part of Candida treatments. However, home remedies are an essential part of any Candida cure and as effective in conjunction with other treatments or as a standalone yeast infection treatment.

• Keep the area ventilated. A moist vaginal area is an invitation to yeast as it thrives in damp environments. Make sure that you take off your panties before sleeping to allow for air circulation.
• Wear fabrics that breathe. Plastic, leather and polyester fabrics do not allow for the free circulation of air. Whenever possible, prefer skirts over tight pants. If you are wearing jeans, do not wear panties under the panty hose. Remove extra layers of clothing once you reach home.
• Avoid after bath powders. Never dust powders in your panties. Most of the powders are starch- based and therefore a perfect medium for growing yeast cultures.
• Keep chemicals out. Unnecessary addition of chemicals to an already delicate situation leads to an aggravation of the problem. Avoid chemical douches, contraceptive jellies and sprays. If you must douche, use plain cool water as the vagina has natural self-cleaning properties.
• Vinegar mixed with water is another natural substitute for a douche liquid. Vinegar has practically the same acidity as the vagina.
• Keep spermicides out of the vagina and place them in the reservoir tip of the condom, which is exactly where they should be.
• Stick to cotton panties. Cotton not only allows for air circulation but also absorbs moisture and keeps your skin dry. Prefer panty hoses that have a cotton crotch. If you do not have one, use a panty liner or a mini pad instead.
• Keep yourself clean. It is always better that both partners urinate before and after an intercourse. This helps in preventing infection from each other.
• Observe a period of no sex if you have vaginitis. Sex can cause more irritation in an already itching vagina. It can also lead to the risk of re-infection from your partner.

Vaginitis is a problem faced exclusively by women but Candida can also cause rectal irritation in men. It can also affect the nervous system and cause other physiological symptoms as well. Long term prevention is better than looking for a Candida cure after it has surfaced. Avoiding too much sugar and simple carbohydrates and proper hygiene are some of the long term solutions that can keep Candida at bay.

Article by Tess Thompson, courtesy of Native Remedies

There are no quick-fix treatment options for adult or child depression. Depression is a legitimate mental disorder and it needs to be treated differently from physiological ailments. Treating child depression involves different procedures depending upon the severity of their condition, the child’s age and an understanding of what is going on in the child’s mind.

Teen depression is quickly reaching immense proportions and we are now seeing more teens suffer from clinical depression than ever before. Clinical depression is, to put it simply, a prolonged state of sadness that refuses to go away. There are treatment procedures that parents need to adopt since the child cannot be expected to go to a doctor to ask for help.

Initially you have to find a psychiatrist or a consultant who specializes in teen depression help and have their condition evaluated. General practitioners or even specialist in medicine may not be properly trained to handle cases of clinical depression.

There are various techniques that psychiatrists employ to treat child depression, but cognitive behavioral therapy is considered to be the most effective. Cognitive behavioral therapy works much faster than other treatments, such as interpersonal therapy. The psychiatrist helps the child to identify any fallacies in perception and leads the child to getting positive results from situations and events that may be feared. An effort is also made to restore the child’s self esteem so that more challenges can be met head-on.

In some cases, the specialist may feel the need to prescribe an anti-depressant medication along with behavioral therapy. However, before selecting a particular drug, the possibility of bipolar disorder has to be ruled out. Bipolar disorder consists of alternating mood changes from depression to mania, which requires strict monitoring and changing of drugs from anti-depressants to mood stabilizers, as needed.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) that block the re-uptake of serotonin so more of it is available to act on receptors in the brain are usually the preferred option of physicians. They are considered to be better than the old tricyclic drugs that are now believed to have worked earlier based on the placebo effect. However, that depends greatly upon the choice of the specialist who is in a better position to understand what the child is going through.

Antipsychotic drugs are only prescribed for children suffering from bipolar disorder, autism, schizophrenia and other severe conduct disorders. As child depression treatments, these must be administered according to the strict guidelines with regard to dosage and indications. Mood stabilizers like lithium have been found to be very effective in treating bipolar disorder in adults, but proof of their efficacy in treating children and adolescents is still being determined.

Discontinuing a medication is just as important as deciding the amount and time for the medicine. Stimulants, mood stabilizers and antidepressants are serious drugs and abrupt discontinuation can cause various withdrawal symptoms. In severe cases of depression, it may be several months or a year before these drugs can stop being taken. Moreover, there have not been enough studies conducted on the effects of these drugs on children because of the obvious moral values attached to it; children are not involved in clinical trials of these medications.

Article by Tess Thompson, courtesy of Native Remedies

Normal adolescent behavior is marked by various mood changes.  A couple of good experiences and teens can feel like everything is fine with the world.  A single episode of indifference shown by a friend, especially of the opposite sex, can make a teen feel as if the world is falling apart.  Parents are quick to shrug off such transient depressive episodes because clinical depression seems to be too big a word to be used in the context of children.  However, it is a fact that child depression does exist and the statistics indicate the makings of a nationwide phenomenon.

Teen depression is often confused with other conditions like anxiety, conduct and mood disorders.  Moreover, teens tend to hide transient episodes from parents and often take to alcohol or self medicate with drugs.  This makes it all the more difficult to diagnose the condition.  Adolescents who are low on self esteem, excessively self-critical or unable to come to terms with events in their lives are at a higher risk of developing depression.  Teenage girls are at a higher risk and more prone to develop depression than teenage boys.

Clinical depression is defined as a continuous state of low mood characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy.  It is also proven by a despondent lack of activity that lasts for at least three months.  Depression can be caused due to hereditary or physical abnormalities within the brain.  It is actually caused by a conflict – a conflict that goes on within the mind.

Outside of genetics and abnormalities in the brain structure, some of the causes of teen depression can include:

• Family dysfunction -  Easily the most common cause of child depression.  Parents often fail to realize the affect that their behavior has on the psyche of the child.  Parents find it easy to label the child as a patient and are defensive about accepting any harm that they may have caused.  Family dysfunction includes aspects of inadequate communication or independence conflicts between parents or between parents and the child.
• Stress at school – School has ceased to be an enjoyable experience in the current scene where competition is emphasized more than learning.  Children who face stress at school are more prone to develop depression.
• Unrealistic parental expectations – Well meaning parents who are concerned about their children tend to push their children over the edge without realizing that each individual has his or her own intellectual limitations.  Parents who place unrealistic expectations upon their children actually do more harm than good.
• Unresolved grief – Death, loss of a cherished relationship or a traumatic event exposes teens to a greater risk of depression.
• Emotional detachment – The adolescent mind is highly emotional and there is no guarantee of how a teenager will perceive his or her inabilities.  Many times, inability to connect with others and an excessive fear of building new relationships may be the cause behind teen depression.

Depression, as it is, is difficult to diagnose.  The condition becomes even more difficult to identify among teens.  Parents should be well informed of the signs of depression and seek teen depression help from a consultant who is a specialist in teenage problems.

Article by Tess Thompson, courtesy of Native Remedies

In the constant search for a perfect diet, the world has tried practically anything and everything.  The realization of the benefits of coconut oil is one of the results of that search.  The Coconut Oil Diet is based around the coconut rich diets of South Pacific cultures.  Coconut oil is also the standard cooking medium in the coastal areas of practically all South Asian countries.

The Coconut Oil Diet is inspired from cultures where people have stuck to their natural eating habits developed over centuries without worrying about carbohydrate or protein content.  These diets typically include a regular healthy mix of meats, fish, vegetables and dairy products.  The only difference, however, is that as coconut is readily available locally, so they use its oil as a cooking medium and fresh grated coconut to make pastes, sauces and curries.

Coconut oil is one of the healthiest fats available.  This leads us to believe that if all food is cooked in this coconut oil, there is a significant increase in the quality of fat being ingested compared to more conventional cooking oils.

The Coconut Diet is similar to a low carbohydrate diet with a few variations and coconut oil thrown in as a primary source of fat.  It claims that coconut oil helps to lose weight while also enhancing thyroid capabilities.

Since the Coconut Oil Diet is a no-carbohydrate diet, the emphasis is primarily on foods rich in protein such as chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, cheese and nuts.  The diet also suggests drinking at least ten glasses of water every day.

Like many of the other low carbohydrate diets, the Coconut Oil Diet has a strict first phase where no deviation from the recommended foods is allowed.  The focus is mostly on low carbohydrate content with two to three spoons of coconut oil added to every meal.  The next phase, over a period of four weeks, focuses on detoxification of the colon and other organs.  The last two phases are for slowly reintroducing carbohydrates and maintaining proper weight.

Due to the premium attached to slimness, we often put more stress on how to naturally lose weight fast rather than looking at all the health aspect of diets.  While evaluating any diet it is first necessary to see whether it qualifies under healthy weight loss plans or not.  And as is the rule with any diet, anything that recommends extremes, promises miraculous results and does not include exercise as part of the regimen is really a fad or crash diet.

Article by Tess Thompson, courtesy of Native Remedies

Considering all of the running around that most of us do just to make a living, it’s only natural that we are always pressed for time.  There were days when mothers made it a point that everyone had a home cooked meal, but that has practically become a thing of the past.  Apparently we hardly seem to have enough time to sit down and eat nor to pay attention to what we are eating anymore.

Our bodies were never meant to consume chemicals and toxic substances.  Despite advertisements to the contrary, we don’t know what actually goes in them that increases the shelf life of ready to eat snack bars that are touted as nutritional supplements.  The less said about commercial foods, junk foods and fast foods the better it is.  They all seem to focus on our taste buds while giving little or no regard to their effect on our health.

Another common threat comes from conventional medications.  Despite vociferous warnings that certain drugs should not be taken without a proper prescription and still only in the recommended doses, there is an alarming tendency to self medicate.  Conventional drugs are based on single compounds that bacteria can easily use to their own advantage and can become resistant to it over time.  Newer discoveries too, meet the same fate.

Herbal remedies, unlike conventional drugs, comprise of complex compounds which are difficult for bacteria to metabolize and use for colonization.  This secret of nature’s remedies was used for the benefit of mankind by ancient and traditional therapies like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Homeopathy is the more recent entrant into the field of natural remedies that uses herbs, minerals and metals to prepare remedies using a typical process of dilution without using anything that does not occur naturally.

Herbal remedies can make use of any or all components of a plant, tree or shrub including roots, flowers, fruit, bark and even branches.  They come in various formulations meant for topical applications and oral ingestion for medicinal purposes, as well as natural supplements.

Aside from being non-toxic and devoid of side effects, herbal remedies treat the sickness as well as the root cause of the condition – an attribute missing in allopathic treatments.  Along with those qualities, herbs also boost immunity and enhance the body’s defenses and increase the ability to combat invasion of foreign pathogens.

Contrary to general belief, herbs have naturally occurring antibiotic properties as well.  Goldenseal and garlic have natural antibiotic and anti-viral properties.  Licorice soothes the throat, ginger prevents blood clots that are harbingers of heart diseases, and herbal teas help soothe tension.  Similarly there are herbs that can address respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological and sexual problems also.  In many cases herbal remedies can even help in managing side effects of aggressive treatments like chemotherapy.

The only word of caution is that certain herbs can become toxic to the level of being poisonous in their undiluted or raw forms and should only be taken in specific potencies.  Because of this, homeopathy is the safest method, since it has a perfect system of dilution in place.

Article by Tess Thompson, courtesy of Native Remedies

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) diet ranks among those diets that are difficult to assess. Though the ACV diet is part of a recent diet craze, it also falls under the category of natural weight loss remedies. The apple cider vinegar diet is actually not a typical diet plan. It is just any diet that is supplemented with adequate amounts of apple cider. The diet, therefore, is actually based on the weight loss properties of only one item. The apple cider vinegar diet does not prescribe any menu. There are no allowed or disallowed food groups too. The diet only suggests moderation and avoidance of mid-meal snacks.

The ACV diet is primarily about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar, which is prepared from crushed apples. The process involves adding yeast and sugar for fermentation. This transforms the alcohol into acid and gives apple cider vinegar its incredible flavor, distinctive taste and weight loss properties (or so it is claimed).

The ACV diet requires consumption of two to three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar before every meal. The acidic taste is typically strong and difficult for many people to take it in its original form. The apple cider is equally beneficial as a salad dressing or as part of a sauce or any other manner that suits individual culinary preferences.

There are many other health benefits if the ACV diet too.

Medical trials have shown that small amounts of apple cider vinegar, added to food or taken along with a meal reduce the glycemic index of other carbohydrates being consumed.

The main benefit for weight loss that the ACV diet offers comes from the pectin content of apple cider. Pectin is used to increase viscosity and volume of stool for easy elimination as a treatment for diarrhea and constipation.

Some studies conducted on rats have also shown show that animals fed with acetic acid, the main component of vinegar, had significantly low levels of cholesterol and triacylglycerol, the main constituent of vegetable oils and animal fat.

The acidic properties of the ACV diet help to clean the digestive system and remove calcium deposits from bone joints without the risk of decalcification of teeth and bones. The pH of vinegar is typically in the range of 2.5 to 3, which is considered to be beneficial for treating cold as the body tends to become more alkaline prior to it.

Due to its acidity, the apple cider vinegar can be extremely caustic and can burn the throat. It should be diluted with fruit juice or warm water and some honey to make ingestion easy. Such a concoction is also sold as a weight loss supplement.

The benefits of apple cider vinegar are still inconclusive despite the fact that it has been used as a weight loss supplement for a long time. On the other side, it is a known fact that the best way to lose weight is through regular exercise. However, since apple cider vinegar does not involve any apparent risks there is no harm in using it.

In persistent cases of acne that do not respond to topical treatment, an antibiotic alternative is usually prescribed by most doctors.  An antibiotic is a drug, whether synthetic or natural, that kills bacterial proteins while inhibiting bacterial growth alongside.

If it was limited to this action, antibiotics would be the most preferred treatment for numerous bacterial disorders including acne.  However, antibiotics cannot tell the difference between bad bacterial proteins and cellular proteins that are part of the body natural cells.  This is what causes the various negative effects of antibiotics, commonly known as side effects.

Tetracycline is the most commonly prescribed and first-use antibiotic for acne.  It is a broad spectrum antibiotic and also one of the most inexpensive.  Tetracycline and its derivative, Doxycycline, are taken on an empty stomach or at least two to three hours after meals, since food restricts absorption of the drug.  Minocycline, another tetracycline derivative, on the other hand is easily absorbed and can be taken with food.

Tetracycline usually has the least number of side effects.  But over time, there has been an increased antibiotic resistance towards the drug and it does not seem to work as well as it once did.  This necessitated the development of its many derivatives.  Doxycycline makes the skin sensitive to the sun, requiring sun protection every time you go outside.  Both of these derivatives also tend to cause various gastrointestinal problems.

Erythromycin is a microlide antibiotic with an antimicrobial spectrum that is wider than that of penicillin.   It works on the protein synthesis of bacteria and slows bacterial growth.  The gastrointestinal upsets like flatulence, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain that it can cause are extremely disturbing and are a typical result of the bodies reduced levels of good bacteria.

Using some antibiotics over long periods of time may cause toxicity such as liver toxicity.  These antibiotics should not be taken during pregnancy.  Some antihistamines and antacids may interact with other antibiotics making it imperative to consult a doctor.  On the other hand, herbal antibiotics such as garlic, aloe and fruit based mild acids have no side effects.

Acne affects two third of all adolescents at one time or another and a considerable number of adults as well.  Oily skin or a bacterial invasion on a sensitive area is usually the main causes behind the outbreak.  Topical creams do not have the same effect on everyone due to differences in skin types.  The urgency for seeking treatment is obvious since if not prevented immediately, the infection can spread over a larger area rather quickly.

Acne is a very common inflammatory disorder of the skin.  The approach to acne treatment may either be direct or indirect.  Topical ointments and drugs are the most typical direct treatment methods.  There is a strong belief that the hormonal changes that occur at puberty are responsible for most forms of acne.

When the level of testosterone increases, the body secretes hormone like substances to fight the inflammation caused by it.  Immune system health and acne are thus interrelated and a strong immune system can effectively prevent acne.  A healthy lifestyle that avoids junk food, and includes regular exercise and herbs for strengthening immune system are natural means of preventing and fighting acne.

Article courtesy of Native Remedies