How homeopathy helps skin health

Your skin is the largest organ of your body, playing many vital roles. The skin: 

1. Protects your internal organs by being a natural barrier.
2. Regulates internal body temperature both via sweating and creation of goosebumps.
3. Eliminates toxins via pores and perspiration.
4. Is the largest organ of perception (understanding and responding to the environment).

Because of the skin’s constant exposure to the environment, its’ function can be disrupted.

Skin damage

The fine, natural outer layer of your skin (the acid mantle) helps prevent bacterial infection and can easily be washed off with harsh soaps and detergents. These, and other environmental chemicals, can dry and disrupt the skin’s ability to prevent water loss, resulting in conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. 

Environmental chemicals can damage the skin and therefore cause sensitivity and allergic reactions resulting in dermatitis. The issue is that any harsh product, medical or cosmetic, can interfere with the skin’s ability to perceive. 

Perception is the skin’s response to chemicals and pressure changes in the environment – anything that may cause a threat to the organ. The skin responds using multiple sensory neurons (chemo and baroreceptors), so products that create a heavy barrier or numb the skin can’t prevent these receptors from functioning. 

As the skin is such a finely tuned organ with so many functions, the gentle approach of homeopathy is often the best solution for many skin conditions. 

Homeopathy for skin health 

Very often inflammation, dermatitis or allergic skin reactions like rashes or hives are treated conventionally with steroids. These steroids, while giving temporary relief can cause thinning of the skin which exacerbates the sensitivity reactions over time. Here, homeopathy is able to offer a very gentle and effective alternative. 

Homeopathy is the system of healing based on the principle ‘like cures like’. What this means is that anything that causes a reaction can be used to cure it, if used in small doses and in the appropriate manner. This idea is very similar to the rationale behind vaccines. With vaccines, a small dose of a virus or bacterium is given to the person in an attenuated (less harmful) form. This enables the person’s immune system to form an immune response to the virus, hence if there is a larger exposure to the actual virus, the person would have some immunity. 

The homeopathic remedy is used in a similar manner to decrease skin sensitivity and allergic responses. 

Popular remedies for stress-induced breakouts, skin sensitivities including sun sensitivity or allergies include:

Silicea: If you experience occasional breakouts, or you struggle with stress or anxiety which causes breakouts or acne, Silicea is an effective remedy to calm the breakouts. This remedy is also really helpful for calming headaches and improving concentration.

Belladonna: This remedy is suitable when the skin appears red, dry and hot, is swollen, sensitive and burns. It may also be used for eruptions like scarlet spots on the skin that start suddenly and spread – much like a heat rash or poison ivy irritation.  

Apis mellifica: This remedy is suitable for bee stings or any swelling on the skin which looks red, rosy, puffy and skin looks and feels to be under tension.

In a similar manner, homeopathic remedies can be used to treat eczema and psoriasis which may be due to allergies or an underlying chronic condition. The practice has long been successful in alleviating chronic symptoms. A 2005 study completed over six years at Bristol Homeopathic Hospital, showed that over 70% of patients with chronic diseases reported positive health changes following homeopathic treatment. Problems treated were arthritis, eczema and asthma amongst others.1

Furthermore, a 2006 Japanese study found that homeopathy provided a good response in patients with chronic skin diseases.2 

This form of therapy may also be useful in treating skin conditions, because of its gentle nature. Remedies are diluted down so that the smallest possible dose is given, this means that medicines can be used long term on patients with chronic conditions or with very sensitive skin. The aim of this method is to encourage the skin and the body to find an inner balance that encourages healing. 

There are skincare products that also harness these benefits of homeopathy to bring about natural healing and radiance to the skin. Organic Apoteke products utilise the concepts of the minimal dose and similia similibus curantur – ‘like cures like’ to encourage inner healing and skin radiance. 

If you’re looking for help with your skincare and are interested in homeopathy, use the advanced search function to find a qualified practitioner in your local area, or a therapist who provides online services. 

References

• Spence DS, Thompson EA, Barron SJ. Homeopathic treatment for chronic disease: a 6-year, university-hospital outpatient observational study. J Altern Complement Med. 2005;11(5):793‐798. doi:10.1089/acm.2005.11.793
• Itamura R. Effect of homeopathic treatment of 60 Japanese patients with chronic skin disease. Complement Ther Med. 2007;15(2):115‐120. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2006.04.005
  

  ---

Dr Nitasha Buldeo, Founder of Organic Apoteke is a Doctor of Skin, Medical Expert and Ayurvedic Healer.