Green tea is used by the Chinese as a traditional medicine to treat many ailments including acne and to improve general well-being. But does it provide an effective herbal alternative to acne medication?

As a herbal remedy, green tea is known to be effective in treating acne. In a recent study by Jennifer Gan-Wong, M.D. a green tea cream was trailed against a 4% benzoyl peroxide solution on people suffering with moderate to severe acne.

The results from this research study showed that green tea was just as good in treating acne as the benzoyl peroxide.

But unlike green tea that has the added advantages of natural anti-bacterial properties and antioxidants, particularly epigallocatechin gallate which is 200 times more powerful than vitamin E at fighting free radicals, benzoyl peroxide dries out skin causing itching or allergic reactions.

 

Green tea extract is an extremely versatile herbal supplement - it can be administered topically, often being used in creams, taken as a in the form of a pill or incorporated into your diet and drunk as a tea. Green tea also helps to reduce inflammation, hormonal activity and aids in detoxification - which is all good news for acne sufferers.

This last method is very popular (Green Tea with Honeysuckle is often known as Pimple Tea in many Chinese apothecaries) when drunk after a meal it aids digestion and helps to detoxify your system, getting rid of the toxins that can cause acne.

Tip: don't drink green tea with sugar, as sugar will neutralize the worthwhile effects of green tea. 

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