Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine, widely practiced in India. Acne, a skin condition caused by hormones and stress, produces lesions on the face and body that can eventually lead to scarring. Remedies used in Ayurveda may help reduce scarring and prevent acne altogether. Consult with your doctor before using Ayurveda for acne.

To treat acne scars in Ayurveda, natural topical mixtures are applied directly to the skin. One way is to mix an equal amount of turmeric and sandalwood powder with just enough water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the affected area and allow it to dry fully. After 15 to 20 minutes, wash the affected area completely. Use the paste on your face three times a week until the scarring improves. You may also apply aloe vera gel to your acne scars. Aloe vera gel can stay on your skin all day.

Ayurvedic physician and director of the Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico, Dr. Vasant Lad, recommends drinking a 1/2 cup of aloe vera juice twice daily to prevent acne. Healing qualities, such as detoxification and digestive aids, is what makes aloe vera useful in preventing acne. Aloe vera juice is extracted from the leaves of an aloe vera plant and can be found for purchase at most health food stores.

Severe cases of acne are typically the ones that produce scarring. In Ayurveda, specific cleansing methods are used to treat severe cases of acne. One cleansing method is to use natural laxatives. Mix a cup of hot milk with 2 tsp. of ghee, also known as clarified butter. Drink this mixture at bedtime until the symptoms subside. Another method is blood-letting, a technique used to extract toxins out of your blood that could be causing acne. These cleansing methods should be used only under the guidance of an Ayurvedic physician.

One of the root causes of acne is extended periods of stress. During times of stress your body goes into survival mode and takes important nutrients from the skin and sends them to the organs for protection. This can eventually slow down the renewal of skin cells, resulting in acne. While remedies may help prevent and treat acne and acne scars, a longterm solution to stress, such as a regular yoga practice, is highly recommended in Ayurveda.