Do you strive to eat healthily and maintain a good skin care regime, yet for some unknown reason you just can't get rid of your acne?

About 85% of adolescents and young adults between the ages of 12 and 25 are affected by acne. Because this condition is especially common in Western countries, many believe that it's often caused by the average Western diet and its impact on the gut microbiome and overall health.

Indeed, ongoing research increasingly suggests a connection between poor gut health and poor skin health that many of us do not consider.

Your gut microbiome is made up of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes. A well-balanced gut microbiome is crucial to aiding digestion and supporting the immune system, and is a vital component of your overall health, including mental health. Thus an unbalanced microbiome can lead to many health issues including chronic constipation, hormonal imbalances, mood disorders, reduced immunity to viruses, and much more.

Your skin also has a microbiome, made up of bacteria and other microorganisms, and this microbiome is an extremely important part of skin health, including acting as a barrier against infections and environmental toxins and pollutants.

Just like the gut, it's important for your skin's microbiome to remain balanced and include a good amount of healthy bacteria. Using cleansers, toners, antibiotics, or other skin care products that are too harsh and kill off all bacteria in the skin, including those that are beneficial, will harm your skin microbiome.

Following a diet that supports the health of your gut microbiome can have a direct impact on both your gut and skin health. One such diet is the Ten Days to Optimal Health diet, which includes consuming good amounts of probiotic-rich foods and healthy fruits, proteins, and fats and avoiding processed foods and refined sugars.

Consuming foods that increase inflammation in the gut, such as alcohol, sugar, and artificial or processed foods, can cause systemic inflammation in your body, including in the skin....

There are some essential oils that are very beneficial for skin health and will not harm the skin's microbiome. Helichrysum is one I've especially seen great results with among my clients and would recommend....

▶︎ READ FULL ARTICLE

▶︎ Ten Days to Optimal Health Diet: Learn More

▶︎ How the Health of Your Microbiome Supports Your Overall Health

Labels: acne, bacteria, gut microbiome, gut-brain-skin axis, inflammation, skin microbiome, viruses

You may primarily think of oregano as a culinary spice to jazz up your Italian dinner. However, essential oil derived from the leaves and shoots of the oregano herb can serve as a potent antimicrobial and antioxidant agent, and may offer other powerful health benefits, including helping your body's immune system fight off viruses such as herpes.

Oregano essential oil contains two important compounds: carvacrol and thymol. These monoterpenoid phenols are the force behind oregano oil's fragrance as well as its powerful antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In a 2011 study, both of these phenols, but especially carvacrol, were shown to "permeabilize and depolarize the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, resulting in cell death." In other words, kill bacteria.

The same study, which was specifically related to the swine industry but findings of which have far wider implications, also found that the high antioxidant activity of oregano essential oil may protect cells against inflammatory damage. The antioxidant properties of oregano can also help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals, which can build up in your body and lead to serious long-term health problems.

Impact on the Herpes Virus

A 1996 study tested the antiviral effects of oregano essential oil on enveloped viruses (such as herpes virus type 1), and found that the oil disintegrates the viral envelope, thus having a significant impact on enveloped viruses.

Research has also been done on the effects of oregano essential oil on strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as E.coli, and found that oregano oil inhibits the growth of E.coli and therefore may be an effective tool to fight this type of bacterial infection, in addition to viral infections such as herpes.

The potential health benefits of oregano essential oil are numerous, and if you're suffering from herpes or other viral infection or bacterial issue, oregano oil could help your body fight it off, or help strengthen your immune system to prevent you from getting sick in the first place.

We recommend using about 1-2 drops of Oregano Essential Oil or 4-10 drops of OHN Herpes Support Essential Oil Blend in a coconut oil suppository one to seven times a week to help fight herpes outbreaks.

The close proximity of the rectum to the sacrum contributes to the effectiveness of this treatment. The herpes virus attacks nerve cells and lies dormant within the sensory nerve ganglia in the sacral spine.

Cautions: Due to its potency, start with the smallest dose possible of oregano essential oil or a blend including it. Possible skin sensitivity. Oregano oil should be diluted with a carrier oil when applied to the skin. High in phenols, oregano may irritate the nasal membranes or skin if inhaled directly from diffuser or bottle. If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid using it if you're allergic to mint, sage, basil, or lavender. If you're allergic to any of these, you're likely allergic to oregano as well. Don't take oregano oil if you have a bleeding disorder or are on any medications that alter clotting of your blood.

▶︎ How To Make Coconut Oil Suppositories

▶︎ Buy OHN Herpes Support Essential Oil Blend

▶︎ Buy Oregano Essential Oil

Labels: antiviral, essential oils, herpes, oregano, suppository, viruses