What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Hyperpigmentation is a condition that results in too much skin pigment, called melanin, in certain areas of your skin. Hyperpigmentation can be the result of previous inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne, medications you take or diseases that affect other vital organs. Ayurveda, an ancient medical philosophy that originated in India, focuses on holistic healing. Ayurvedic remedies for hyperpigmentation can include both internal and external treatments to help your skin return to its normal pigmentation. Consult a medical professional before using Ayurvedic medicine for your skin condition 1.
Water
The Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians explains in a 2001 issue of "Skin Inc." that skin pigmentation issues, including hyperpigmentation, can come from an imbalance in the layers of skin. A variety of water therapies can help get rid of toxins in the body, called ama, which can contribute to hyperpigmentation or an undesired mottling of the complexion.
The Ayurvedic practice called usnodaka is defined as drinking water that's been boiled. The theory behind this remedy is that boiling water for a period of five minutes prior to drinking helps stimulate your digestive fire, which can help your body expel toxins that harm your skin and lead to hyperpigmentation. The Council of Maharisha Ayurveda Physicians suggests drinking between 6 and 8 cups of boiled water daily.
- The Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians explains in a 2001 issue of "Skin Inc." that skin pigmentation issues, including hyperpigmentation, can come from an imbalance in the layers of skin.
Herbs
Herbal Tea & Eczema
Learn More
Herbal remedies are a large part of Ayurvedic medicine, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine 1. Herbal medicine is seen as complementary, not conventional in the United States and you should always check with your doctor to be sure that the herbs you are taking are safe for consumption. The Ayurvedic practice called aushadhi combines usnodaka, drinking boiled water, with herbal preparations. The herbs vary depending on your body type, or dosha. The pitta dosha is the group of people most apt to suffer from skin problems and possible hyperpigmentation as a result of acne or rashes, according to Holistic-Online.com 2. People with a pitta constitution can consider adding small pinches of Indian sarsaparilla, cumin, fennel seeds, coriander and licorice to their boiled water to draw out toxins that compromise skin pigmentation. The herbs can also be added to your bath water to create an aromatic steam bath, also effective in releasing ama that can be causing redness and too much melanin.
Cleansing
Hyperpigmentation that is the result of acne might also respond to topical treatments in the Ayurvedic tradition. Holistic-Online.com suggests several facial pastes that can help restore balance to the skin of people of the pitta dosha 2. Daily treatments of pastes made of chickpeas and water, or almond powder and goat's milk can nourish your skin to reduce inflammation, sensitivity and spots of too much pigment. As your skin responds to the natural cleansers, you may notice over time that darkened spots fade.
- Hyperpigmentation that is the result of acne might also respond to topical treatments in the Ayurvedic tradition.
- Daily treatments of pastes made of chickpeas and water, or almond powder and goat's milk can nourish your skin to reduce inflammation, sensitivity and spots of too much pigment.
TCM
Are There Herbs That Can Help Ice-Pick Scars?
Learn More
Traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and yoga, consists of holistic, Ayurvedic remedies that can reduce hyperpigmentation and overall improve the appearance of your skin 1. Acupuncture is a form of complementary and alternative medicine--CAM--that realigns your body's energy and life force through the manipulation of pressure points. Yoga is a type of body-mind exercise that can increase blood flow throughout your body, delivering nutrients to your skin, which might help resolve age spots, acne and other forms of hyperpigmentation.
Related Articles
References
- NCCAM: Ayurvedic Medicine: An Introduction
- Holistic-online.com: Panchakarma
- Holistic-online.com: Conventional, Holistic and Integrative Treatments for Acne
- Conboy L, Edshteyn I, Garivaltis H. Ayurveda and Panchakarma: measuring the effects of a holistic health intervention. ScientificWorldJournal. 2009;9:272-280. doi:10.1100/tsw.2009.35
- Braun TD, Park CL, Gorin AA, Garivaltis H, Noggle JJ, Conboy LA. Group-Based Yogic Weight Loss with Ayurveda-Inspired Components: A Pilot Investigation of Female Yoga Practitioners and Novices. Int J Yoga Therap. 2016;26(1):55-72. doi:10.17761/1531-2054-26.1.55
- Niemi M, Ståhle G. The use of ayurvedic medicine in the context of health promotion—a mixed methods case study of an ayurvedic centre in Sweden. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016;16:62. doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1042-z
- Pittler MH, Ernst E. Complementary therapies for reducing body weight: a systematic review. Int J Obes. 2005;29(9):1030-1038. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803008
- Rioux J, Thomson C, Howerter A. A Pilot Feasibility Study of Whole-systems Ayurvedic Medicine and Yoga Therapy for Weight Loss. Glob Adv Health Med. 2014;3(1):28-35. doi:10.7453/gahmj.2013.084
- Dubroff R, Lad V, Murray-Krezan C. A prospective trial of Ayurveda for coronary heart disease: A pilot study. Altern Ther Health Med. 2015;21(5):52-62.
- Sharma R, Prajapati P. Diet and Lifestyle Guidelines for Diabetes: Evidence-Based Ayurvedic Perspective. Rom J Diabetes Nutr Metab Dis. 2014;21.4:335-346. doi:10.2478/rjdnmd-2014-0041
- Telles S, Pathak S, Kumar A, Mishra P, Balkrishna A. Ayurvedic doshas as predictors of sleep quality. Med Sci Monit. 2015;21:1421-7. doi:10.12659/MSM.893302
Writer Bio
Erica Roth has been a writer since 2007. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and was a college reference librarian for eight years. Roth earned a Bachelor of Arts in French literature from Brandeis University and Master of Library Science from Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science. Her articles appear on various websites.