Therapeutics 2 - Skin Therapeutics

Question 1

Q1: What do many skin disorders indicate in naturopathic philosophy?

Answer 1

A1: Many skin disorders indicate a disturbance to the terrain, such as low pH or auto-toxaemia, and may be the body’s attempt to self-regulate.

Question 2

Q2: Why should skin disorders not be suppressed in treatment?

Answer 2

A2: Skin disorders should not be suppressed because it’s important to identify and address the disturbing factors, such as pharmaceutical drugs, food allergies, poor digestion, or liver congestion, instead of masking the symptoms.

Question 3

Q3: How can loss of skin barrier integrity occur?

Answer 3

A3: Loss of skin barrier integrity can be caused by nutritional deficiencies or the use of topical products that damage the skin and disrupt the microbiota.

Question 4

Q4: What is the recommended dietary approach for cleansing the terrain in skin diseases?

Answer 4

A4: The recommended dietary approach includes fasting (e.g. 1-day fasts per week), focusing on alkaline whole foods, and eliminating acidic and inflammatory foods like processed foods, refined sugar, grains, animal products, alcohol, and coffee.

Question 5

Q5: What detoxification herbs are commonly used to cleanse the blood for skin health?

Answer 5

A5: Common blood-cleansing (alterative) herbs include burdock root, yellow dock root, and red clover flower, which are especially useful for children.

Question 6

Q6: Which herbs are beneficial for liver detoxification in skin disorders?

Answer 6

A6: Herbs such as dandelion root and milk thistle are beneficial for liver detoxification. Bentonite can also be used as a poultice to draw out toxins, especially for conditions like cystic acne.

Question 7

Q7: How can the skin barrier be supported through dietary fats?

Answer 7

A7: The skin barrier can be supported by ensuring a good intake of healthy fats, such as evening primrose oil (high in anti-inflammatory GLA) and omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish, flax seeds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds.

Question 8

Q8: What should be eliminated from the diet to minimize skin inflammation?

Answer 8

A8: Processed omega-6 fats, particularly from oils like soybean, rapeseed, and sunflower oils, as well as hydrogenated fats and fried foods, should be eliminated to minimize skin inflammation.

Question 9

Q9: What is the “weed, seed, and feed” approach for addressing gut dysbiosis?

Answer 9

A9: The “weed, seed, and feed” approach involves removing pathogenic bacteria, then introducing probiotics and live foods, and nourishing the microbiome with prebiotic foods.

Question 10

Q10: What natural external treatments can be used for skin disorders?

Answer 10

A10: Natural treatments include creams, compresses, or washes made from cooled infusions of herbs like calendula flowers (for tissue repair), liquorice root (for inflammation), and chickweed (for itching and cooling).

Question 11

Q11: How should red, hot skin inflammation be treated externally?

Answer 11

A11: Red, hot skin inflammation should be treated with light creams, lotions, or washes, avoiding oily products, while very dry skin may require thicker creams or ointments.