Clear Skin From Herbal Teas

The liver is the body's primary organ of detoxification. When the liver becomes overburdened, the other organs of detoxification - the lungs, kidneys, skin, and bowels - need to work harder to cleanse the need of the body.

Toxins are eliminated from the body through the skin, primarily by sweating and by the regular sloughing off of skin cells. When other organs of elimination are not optimally functioning, we will see skin conditions(eczema, acne, and other rashes) rise when the skin tries to compensate. If we suppress these skin eruptions, we are further hindering the body's effort to rid itself of toxins. We have not addressed the problem and are likely to experience more symptoms down the road - perhaps more skin problems, or perhaps more serious conditions.

When we see eczema, acne, and other skin eruptions we have to think about cleansing the liver to support adequate elimination of the digestive tract. By cleansing the liver we are taking the excess burden off the skin, and the eruptions generally resolve. So our first herbs in treating skin conditions are liver- and bowel-cleansing herbs.


Clear Skin Tea

Ingredients:

- 1 part Burdock root
- 1 part Yellow dock root
- 1 part Oregon grape root
- 1/2 part Ginger root, cinnamon bark, or orange peel (optional for flavor)

Instructions
Place pure cool water in a sauce pan and add 1 tablespoon of the herb mixture for every cup of water. Bring to a rolling boil. Allow the herbs to simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit for another 5 minutes. Strain out the herbs and drink the remaining liquid.

Dose /timing / duration
Drink 3-4 cups per day. These herbs are tonics for the body and can be used safely on an ongoing basis - but see cautions (below).

Benefits
Supports the elimination of metabolic wastes through the liver and supports the digestive and lymphatic systems, so the skin does not have to do all the work. These are multifunction herbs that are liver cleansing and have a specific affinity for the skin.

Indications
Acne, eczema, psoriasis, boils, carbuncles, and sties.

Cautions
- Oregon grape root and burdock should not be used during pregnancy because they contain several compounds that stimulate the uterus.

- Yellow dock should be used cautiously by individuals with a history of oxalate kidney stones.

- Remember that it is a good idea to take "vacations" from any herb that you use regularly. Consider taking a 2-week break every 3-4 months.