All-Natural Herbal Remedies to Soothe and Reduce Rosacea

Rosacea is very common skin condition in which the blood vessels in the face become enlarged or dilated (due to a number of factors), giving the face a reddened appearance.

(For a more detailed breakdown on why rosacea occurs, please see the sister article: Causes and Treatments for Rosacea.

Below are some natural herbal rosacea treatments that you can use in the comfort of your own home. See what methods work best to soothe your skin and reduce your symptoms of rosacea.

Both in the East and the West the properties of licorice root have been used to treat a variety of illnesses for thousands of years. Glycyrrhiza glabra is the scientific name for licorice and is a small perennial plant whose leaves and roots possess immense medicinal value. The herb is highly valued for its ability to soothe and coat inflamed membranes and get rid of rosacea. An ingredient present in the licorice plant known as licochalcone can reduce facial redness. The ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves of the licorice plant possess significant anti-inflammatory activity Inflamed skin and redness can be soothed by the active properties of glycyrrhizin in licorice. A study published in 2004 showed that licorice helps to suppress the production of reactive oxygen species that can cause inflamed skin. You can find the beneficial properties of licorice captured in teas and capsules in any store. To help get rid of rosacea you should start taking 500 to 1000 mg of licorice root extract every day. Try adding licorice powder to facial creams as well to help reduce redness and inflammation.

Camphor is a substance derived from the tree cinnamomum camphora and is native to Vietnam, China, and Japan. When used properly, camphor provides a cooling sensation that relieves redness. It also stimulates nerve endings that relieve symptoms such as pain and itching when applied to the skin. The skin changes present in rosacea may also contain parasitic mites known as demodicoses. These hair follicle mites can be eliminated with camphor oil, and consequently the inflammation will be reduced. You can use camphor oil as a topical treatment and place it directly on your skin, but first be sure to dilute it as large doses can lead to skin irritation. Do not ingest camphor products directly as they can lead to poisoning and even death. While ingestion is dangerous it is safe for most adults to inhale the medicinal vapors of camphor. One spoonful of camphor oil solution per quart of hot water can be placed in a bowl to inhale and is safe to use up to three times a day.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is an annual plant with prominent with white and yellow flowers that can be used for treating various health issues. Chamomile has been approved as an herbal medicine for reducing swelling on the skin, and applying chamomile tea topically on the skin has been found to soothe rosacea. The flowers contain the compounds alpha-bisabolol and chamazulene which are responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as being potent antioxidants. Levomenol is another active agent in chamomile that can help your skin retain moisture and improve elasticity and texture. Simply washing the face with chamomile tea is one of the most popular natural remedies for rosacea rashes.

You can also make a cold compress with chamomile tea. To make a cold compress, first make a strong brew of chamomile tea using chamomile seeds, or if they are not available just use a few bags of chamomile tea. Take your seeds or bags of tea and steep them in boiling water until the liquid is dark yellow. Then place the chamomile mixture the freezer or the refrigerator to chill. When you need a cool compress , take a cotton cloth or towel, soak it in the chilled chamomile mixture and apply to your face. There are minimal adverse reactions to chamomile but if you know you are allergice to chrysanthemum or ragweed you should avoid using these chamomile treatments.

Feverfew calms and soothes inflammation and redness associated with rosacea. This amazing herb is also an antioxidant that protects the skin against free radicals. Studies have shown that feverfew is the most effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant among 2,000 other botanicals. Oftentimes, Rosacea can appear when too much serotonin is release from blood platelets and as they start to accumulate they will show redness. Feverfew works because its primary active component of parthenolide inhibits serotonin release from platelets. There are many different forms of feverfew which can be used, and you should be able to find your preferred method (cream, cleansers, etc) in any natural foods store. It is possible to grow feverfew in your home and to use its leaves to make tea or apply to your skin. Simply add extract or a powdered tablet of feverfew to your usual lotion to help reduce redness topically. Also, you can ingest feverfew tea to also reduce inflammation and to get rid of rosacea from the inside out.

Drinking green tea for its amazing medicinal properties has been a common practice for centuries, and research has shown that the strong anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of green tea may help to get rid of rosacea. Green tea can reduce sun damage to skin because of its photo protective property. The lessening of reactivity to ultraviolet light helps those with rosacea as sun sensitivity is a hallmark of the disease.

A recent Case Western Reserve University study showed that the tea’s main polyphenol component (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) also prevents the pustules that can sometimes form because of rosacea. Start by drinking three to five cups a day and see how you feel but take care as it does contain caffeine. In order to use it topically, buy green tea extract or you can add brewed green tea to a lotion. You can also rinse your face with brewed green tea to help soothe inflammation. Green tea extract and teas are safe to use internally and externally with almost no side effects.

Probiotics like acidophilus are microorganisms naturally found in your digestive tract, which help to regulate digestion. If your digestive system becomes overrun with harmful bacteria, diseases and immune problems can start in your body. When your digestive system is working properly your body can get rid of toxins and increase its immunity, and once your immunity is increased and inflammation is decreased your rosacea will improve.

Other scientific observations have connected the problem of rosacea with the stomach germ helicobacter pylori. By taking a probiotic regularly you can help diminish the presence of this organism in the gastrointestinal track. Find probiotics at any health food store or natural foods market in the refrigerated section. Simply follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. Probiotics are also plentiful in certain foods such as kefir and yogurt.

While these natural and herbal remedies have shown to reduce and soothe rosacea, keep in mind there is still no definable cure nor cause for rosacea. Always be safe with your skin and talk first with a healthcare professional before starting any treatment program.

For additional rosacea treatments, keep reading, "Rosacea Triggers--What to Avoid," and "Causes and Treatments for Rosacea."