HEALTHY SKIN

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.infohealthy.net/?p=438)
Everyone wants clear skin. Clear skin is a key physical feature that denotes beauty and health, and people are naturally drawn to healthy looking people. A clear complexion is a great physical attribute that never goes out of style. However, there is more to this than a shallow preference for pretty people. Often skin problems denote an underlying health problem.

If you have a skin problem, it’s more than a beauty issue—it’s a health issue. Skin eruptions can mean an organ isn’t functioning properly. It could also mean a virus, infection, or food allergy. If you have problems with your skin, it’s best to get it checked out by a professional—a dermatologist who is a skin specialist. Dermatologists are qualified to diagnose all kinds of skin disorders. Because skin covers the entire body, skin disorders also include disorders related to the scalp (hair) and nails. So if you are having problems with thinning hair or brittle nails, the dermatologist can diagnose these as well.

Once you have figured out the culprit responsible for your dermatological problems, how to best treat it is your decision. If you do a little research, you may find that herbal cures are just as effective as traditional medicine, less expensive, and have fewer side effects. If you decide to go this route, you will find that herbs not only have medicinal value, but nutritional value as well.

Some great herbs for general skin health are kelp, alfalfa, and parsley. Kelp is a natural source of iron and iodine. These nutrients help regulate the thyroid which helps fight germs and bacteria. Alfalfa boosts the immune system due to its concentration of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and sodium. Parsley is much more than a garnish. It’s high in vitamins A, B, and C.

In addition to adding herbs to your diet, consider adding more fiber. Fiber helps the liver and colon filter out toxins—the same toxins that cause eruptions in the skin. A good source of fiber is fresh fruit and vegetables. Cooking them reduces the nutritional value. You can also add flax seeds to your cereal or salads for a great source of flax.

Often, in women, skin problems are a result of hormonal imbalances. Good herbs for hormonal imbalances are:

* Ginger which helps clean the colon and bowels.
* Lobelia which helps move oxygenized blood and reduce menstrual cramps.
* Red which raspberry is great for the full spectrum of female complaints related to hormonal imbalances.

Remember that there are multiple ways to use herbs—teas, soaps, lotions, and oils can all be infused with herbs. You don’t have to always take them internally as supplements.

Other than taking herbs to boost your immune system and provide nutrition, it’s important to drink water. Water is necessary to move the toxins out of your body. As you boost your immune system with herbal nutrients, your body has to have fluid to move the toxins out of your system. By not being adequately hydrated, you slow the process down and the toxins remain in your system causing skin problems.

Lastly, you can also help your skin by exercising. This speeds up your metabolism—the process that includes moving toxins out the body. Being a couch potato causes your body’s functions to be carried out at the same speed. The faster germs and bacteria are carried out of your body, the sooner your skin will reflect this.