Is Your Stomach Causing Your Skin Problems?

 I have always believed that beauty goes much deeper than your skin. I have found that when I feel run down, stressed, or just plain yucky, my skin definitely reflects that feeling. I have been plagued with skin maladies most of my life. Call it my thorn in the flesh, I guess. Skin problems can be a combination of genetics (thanks dad for the zit!), hormonal causes and external factors like bacteria from touching your face, but one of the biggest causes of lackluster skin is the food we eat. Beauty certainly begins from within.

Despite the fact that they didn't have supermarkets, microwaves, food processors, and preservatives, Adam and Eve probably ate better and consumed more nutrients in their diets than we do today. We know so little today about how to give our bodies the nutrients they need.

It wasn't until I had my son that I really began eating not just to feed my cravings but to actually give my body the nutrients it needs for energy and healthy functioning. What a concept, eating to give your body nutrients? It seems to be lost to our American way of life.

All your body's organs, including your skin, depend upon the "fuel" you put in it, and a sluggish digestive system can lead to many skin problems. If the digestive system fails to do its job, fermentation and toxin production can result, giving rise to things like acne, eczema and psoriasis.

One of the best ways I have found to keep our bodies running efficiently without a lot of mumbling from my pickiest eater, my husband, is to use a variety of herbs and spices in my cooking that aid in digestion.

My pantry is always stocked with all kinds of dried herbs from my local supermarket, but the best way to eat them is right from your own garden. It is also much cheaper to grow your own herbs. You can spend upwards of $20 at your local grocery store just pick up a few staple herbs. At places like  MountainRoseHerbs.com you can buy herb seeds to plant in your garden or in pots in your home.

Balm - Used to treat and prevent indigestion. It is also a mood lifter since it can be used to treat mild depression. It can be used in salads or in herbal tea.

Angelica - Contains both vitamin A and B can be used to treat anemia and liver disorders. It also brings relief from menstrual discomfort. It is best eaten as a decoration for cakes.

Mint - Soothes the stomach and is great for the digestive system. Mint tea also relieves stress headaches and a peppermint oil rub can relieve tire, aching muscles. It is best eaten as a sauce with lamb or drunk as a tea.

Bay - Used in recipes to stimulate the digestive juices and improve the absorption of nutrients from your food. Bay leaves in your bath can even relieve aches and pains, if you don't mind feeling like a human soup. It is best in soups and stews.

Borage - Used as a steam for dry, scaly skin. Place your head under a towel and over a bowl with 10 cups of boiling water and a couple handfuls of borage leaves. Steam for 10 minutes then rinse with cool water. It is best in soups and salads and can also be used to treat PMS, rheumatoid arthritis and eczema.

Basil - Contains volatile oils which help digestion, and its antiseptic properties are great for the treatment of acne. Basil can be used in everything from casseroles to sandwiches.

Rosemary - Has antinflammatory properties and it increases the flow of bile, aiding in fat digestion. Rosemary is also an excellent remedy for headaches. Rosemary, in my opinion, is good in almost everything from hamburger casseroles to chicken, lamb and even pork. I especially love rosemary as a seasoning for italian meatballs and spaghetti.

A supplement that can be taken to rid the body of toxins that may be causing conditions such as acne is Spanish Black Radish. It is a detoxifying herb for the lymphatics and the bowel. It can be picked up at most natural pharmacies and an herbalist or natural pharmacist can better tell if it is right for you.

Comments

[Mary]

This is a wonderful list and using 'nature' versus medications is so much better for our bodies in the long run.

I'm going to print this list off and tape it inside my kitchen cabinet:-)

[Chris D]

That is a great idea, printing the list. I love cooking but some of these herbs I have never used. I have bay leaves and rosemary.

[Kate@From a Desperate Housewife]

That is a good idea to print out the list, I should do that myself. Some of this stuff I forget and then I have to go back to my books on the subject.

[Meredith]

This is good stuff! Thanks, Kate!