Here's the little-known (but extremely powerful) natural remedy for rosacea you may not know about, along with other incredibly effective natural treatments and home remedies that give amazing results!
Article by Troy Sawyer (Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Health & Wellness Coach, Sports Nutritionist)
Updated November 26, 2024 -- This post contains affiliate links
Rosacea would have to be one of the most misdiagnosed and misunderstood conditions going around at the moment. But worse than this is the distinct lack of research into this health problem. It seems as though rosacea is not considered to be a “life threatening” disease by the medical profession, so no one is really interested in studying the causes and cures for this condition. But we believe rosacea is a potentially life threatening condition, simply because it’s a strong warning sign on what’s really going on internally for someone who suffers from it!
The fact is the skin is the body’s largest organ and it will always reveal the true state of your body’s condition and internal health.
Think about it?
If someone is anemic (which is an internal problem) their skin will go grey or yellow (warning sign). If someone sufferers from eczema or psoriasis (both of which are internal problems not external as some still believe) their skin will break out in a rash. Even acne is primarily an internal problem because when an acne sufferer cleans up their diet and takes nutritional supplements such as apple cider vinegar (improves their internal health), their acne also improves. In addition, we can even look at the herpes simplex virus. This is an internal problem (the virus resides inside the body not outside) yet you get lesions and a rash on the outside.
I could go on here but I think you get the picture. The bottom line is this… if you fix your internal health you’ll fix your external health problem... no matter what it is!
Of course, I’m well aware that most skin experts and dermatologists are going to be laughing and saying that all this internal health stuff is a complete load of baloney, but stay with me on this and I’ll explain further…
If you suffer with rosacea then you will have poor immunity, so if there’s a cold or flu virus going around… you’ll usually be the first one to get it! You will likely have multiple food sensitivities and suffer from low energy levels. You can even have other life-threatening health problems such as high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Many rosacea sufferers are also overweight and find it very difficult to shed those unwanted pounds.
So to put it bluntly… you may be about as healthy as a dead horse!
But here’s the thing - these are actually all internal health problems. Your rosacea is only showing you your true state of health!
The good news though is you can easily fix all of this and cure your rosacea for good. All you need to do is follow the top 10 natural remedies for rosacea we have listed below. If you do, we guarantee you'll see some amazing results very quickly…
If you suffer from rosacea then there’s a high probability you’ve already tried some of the orthodox therapies out their such as oral antibiotics and prescription creams. Although these may help initially, they do nothing to address the underlying cause and long term will actually do you more harm than good. So we believe it’s best to avoid these altogether.
You may have also looked into certain natural treatments and remedies for your rosacea already. What you would have found though is a lot of topical treatments and very little internal treatments. The fact is you need a combination of both to treat, cure and bring relief to your rosacea, so here we list some of the best internal and external treatments in order of importance…
Olive leaf extract (OLE) is one of the most powerful cleansers and detoxifiers on the planet. If you have an auto-immune disease such as rosacea (new research is showing that rosacea is auto-immune related) you will definitely have a build-up of pathogens and protozoa’s (hidden viruses, fungi, worms, etc) in your body. Supplementing with OLE will get rid of these harmful invaders quickly and give your body the necessary “clean out” it needs. In fact, the first benefit you'll notice from taking olive leaf extract is a substantial increase in energy after only a few short weeks!
Olive leaf extract also gives the immune system a very powerful boost, which is something every rosacea sufferer needs. The one thing that everyone agrees on when it comes to rosacea is that it’s an inflammation disorder - and it’s a known fact that low immunity causes inflammation. So it makes sense that boosting your immune system and getting it back up to the “full” mark is going to help get rid of all inflammation in your body. This is something that's considered common knowledge within the natural health field, which is why boosting your immune system is one of the very first things you should do for other inflammation type disorders (auto-immune diseases) such as osteoarthritis and psoriasis.
How Much Olive Leaf Extract Do You Need to Treat Rosacea?
Olive leaf extract comes in a variety of different potencies. We suggest you stick with the superior "super strength" varieties and avoid the weaker and cheaper brands as these are nowhere near strong enough. Make sure the brand you purchase has an Oleuropein extract content of at least 25% (250 mg's of pure oleuropein). Oleuropein is the main substance in OLE that gives it its potency so stronger is definitely better!
As far as dosages go, take at least the highest recommended amount listed on the bottle before food for the first 10 weeks, then drop back to the maintenance dose (lowest recommended dose) after that. Olive leaf extract is very safe so there's no harm in taking it this way. For some people though, they can feel a bit queasy after taking OLE and can even suffer "flue like" symptoms during the first week or two of supplementing with this food (a detoxing phenomenon known as herxheimer's reaction... Herxheimer's Reaction and What to Expect). So if this happens to you, simply drop down to the lowest recommended dose listed on the bottle and then slowly increase the amount again over a period of several days or weeks. Once you are at the highest recommended amount, stay on this for 10 weeks before dropping back to the maintenance dose.
Keep in mind that you will need to take the olive leaf extract without fail every day for at least 6 months. This is required to give your body enough time to completely cleanse itself of all parasites and carry out a full detox. After this, you can either stay on the maintenance dose indefinitely (the preferred option), or switch to a 3 month on 3 month off cycle - meaning, you take the OLE for 3 months then rest for 3 months then on again for 3 months then rest again for 3 months, and so forth.
ACV is a very potent internal cleanser, toxin eliminator and overall health tonic. The king of holistic medicine, Hippocrates, regularly gave apple cider vinegar to his sick and diseased patients. In fact, it was one of his all-time favourite remedies! (And we all know the amazing work this man did). To get your internal health back up to where it needs to be (and cure your rosacea for good), you simply can’t go wrong with ACV.
Your Friendly Gut Flora are Vital for Treating Rosacea…
ACV also helps to recolonize the digestive system with friendly bacteria, which is very important for rosacea sufferers because most have used or still use pharmaceuticals to treat this condition. And pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics kill off the good bacteria in the gut at a rapid rate! Without enough friendly bacteria in the digestive system the bad bacteria (candida albicans) are allowed to grow and thrive and take over, which then causes problems such as thrush.
But this isn't the worst of it.
Candida fungus also makes its way into the blood stream. Once there it releases toxic “candida buds” and these buds slowly poison the blood, and in turn, cause some pretty awful and severe health problems. This is why many rosacea sufferers have multiple food sensitivities. How can your body possibly digest food and nutrients properly with these internal shenanigans going on!
Choosing the Right ACV…
So your next course of action is to take a good quality organic apple cider vinegar supplement (such as one of these) every day. Be sure the product you buy still contains the all important “mother” apple (it will tell you on the bottle). This is crucial as processed ACV's do not contain the mother, nor do they have anywhere near the same health benefits as the unprocessed apple cider vinegar's.
To take, mix 1-2 tablespoons of ACV in a glass of warm filtered water and drink down. Repeat this 3 times each day, along with using it as a dressing on your salads. If you find that you don't like the taste of the ACV then simply add a teaspoon of unprocessed or Manuka honey to sweeten, or failing this, take the tablets or capsules instead.
You can also use apple cider vinegar as a topical remedy for rosacea, but you do need to be careful. Some people report excellent results from applying ACV on their rosacea but others say it aggravates it even more so you will need to test this one out. Make sure you dilute the ACV first with water (50/50 ratio) and apply twice daily.
I’ve covered some of the benefits of probiotics and why you need them already, not just for treating your rosacea, but for your overall health as well. However, one fact that most people are unaware of is that 70% of your immune system is actually located in your gut. And it's your good gut bacteria that are the prime instigators responsible for restoring and building up your immunity. Of course, gut inflammation and immunity malfunction are the main causes of rosacea, so re-establishing the digestive system with good gut bacteria (probiotics) is absolutely crucial for reversing this condition. Even well-known health advocate, Dr Josh Axe, agree's with the gut/skin disorder connection...
"Many experts recommend thinking of rosacea as a 'whole-body problem' as opposed to just one of the skin. Inflammation stemming from gut-related problems seems to be an especially important issue and root cause of skin disorders. Your skin is ultimately a reflection of your overall health, after all." 1
One of the most common signs and a dead giveaway of poor gut health and candida overload (and a probiotic deficiency) is a severe lack of energy. You may even be borderline CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). You will also suffer with digestive problems such as heartburn, reflux, foul smelling gas, bloating, and of course, poor assimilation of food and nutrients.
Best Sources of Probiotics…
Taking a high quality probiotic supplement every day is vital for a healthy gut and for destroying toxic candida fungus in the body. You should also begin fermenting your own probiotic rich foods straight away to give yourself an extra supply. Probiotics have a high turnover rate so you must constantly replenish your body's supply. And remember this important fact… you can NEVER have too many probiotics and you can NEVER overdose on them so take in as much as you possibly can!
Here’s a link to the CulturesForHealth website, which has some terrific probiotic remedies and easy-to-make recipes you’ll love.
Wheat grass, barley grass, chlorella and spirulina are all true marvels of nature. These stunning green foods contain some potent antioxidants, along with big amounts of the essential nutrients and co-factors our bodies need every day. They also contain rich amounts of chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants. Chlorophyll is known as a “blood builder” and has a similar molecular structure to hemoglobin, the substance that carries oxygen to the cells. Chlorophyll regenerates our bodies at the cellular level, where all of life is built and maintained. When you ingest chlorophyll rich foods such as the four just mentioned, the first benefit you’ll notice is a huge boost in energy. This is a powerful sign that your body is actually starting to work properly!
Chlorophyll is also a strong anti-inflammatory and has been shown in multiple studies to lessen inflammation within the body. Because rosacea is an inflammatory condition, chlorophyll helps tremendously with this condition. Another side benefit of chlorophyll is it helps to fight off candida and promotes the growth of friendly bacteria.
Rosacea sufferers are also known to be deficient in the B group vitamins, especially riboflavin. In fact, a riboflavin deficiency is thought to be one of the major causes of rosacea as this nutrient is required for healthy capillaries and normal blood flow. Thankfully, all of these green foods are rich in B vitamins, and in particular… riboflavin!
How to Get the Most Out of These Green Foods to Treat Your Rosacea…
The best and most cost effective way to take these green foods is to purchase a powdered supplement that contains all four. And when you take it, be sure to do so on an empty stomach for maximum benefit (mixed in a smoothie is okay though if you struggle with the taste). Mix 1-2 teaspoons or one scoop of the powder in a glass of filtered water or 100% fruit juice and drink 2-3 times daily. In addition, make sure you combine your green food with your probiotics for maximum effect. Healthy bacteria need a sustainable food source to grow and thrive and foods such as wheat grass, barley grass, chlorella and spirulina are all perfect for this!
If you're interested, here's the #1 selling green food supplement on the market and the one we recommend you use... Amazing Grass Green SuperFood.
Note: You can also mix up a paste using your green food (mixed with a small amount of water) and gently rub this on your rosacea (use like a face mask). Leave on for an hour then rinse off. Many people have reported excellent results from doing this and one of the benefits is it doesn’t aggravate your skin at all like some treatments do. So you can use this remedy in complete safety!
Okay, this one is not actually a direct remedy for rosacea as such, but it's still very important never the less. Your body needs at least 60 minerals and trace elements every day to cleanse, repair and regenerate itself (and this includes your skin!) The reality is that there are no longer enough minerals left in our food chain today, so to get the full spectrum, you must supplement. Liquid colloidal minerals are the best way to do this. They are highly absorbable and will complement the green food you’ll be taking quite nicely.
In addition to this, the trace mineral boron is one of the most important minerals for rosacea sufferers and helps to heal this condition very rapidly. Detoxing the body of fluoride and candida fungus is also extremely crucial for treating and curing rosacea. Sodium borate or borax is rich in boron and is incredibly effective at removing fluoride and fungus/mites from the body. On the EarthClinic website, one forum contributor had this to say about her experience...
"I began adding 1/8 tsp of borax and 1/8 tsp of natural (un-bleached) sea salt to a liter of de-chlorinated water. This regimen just happens to both neutralize the fluoride and kill the nasty mites that cause Rosacea. I began drinking 1 liter per day for 5 days. On the 2 off days, I simply drank purified, bottled spring water. The results were nothing short of MIRACULOUS. Within two weeks my face cleared, the redness faded and best of all, my temperature normalized to 98.6 and my energy levels began to steadily increase. (Do expect the break out to get worse before it gets better as the mites die off.) In just one month, without dieting or changing my daily routine (other than adding borax & sea salt to my drinking water), I dropped 4 pounds and I continue to drop weight at about a pound a week. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone that is suffering with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, TMJ or rosacea to try this simple remedy as I have had only positive results and absolutely no side effects!"
Before starting on the borax regimen, be sure to read this article in full first and pay particular attention to the "Fungi and Fluoride" and "What and How Much to Use" sections so you get the most out of this powerful rosacea treatment... The Borax Conspiracy.
Cathelicidin is an anti-microbial peptide (AMP) that has been implicated in the development and exacerbation of rosacea. The immune system normally produces low levels of cathelicidin, however, rosacea sufferers seem to have abnormal and high levels of this AMP. These high levels cause an inflammatory immune response within the body, which in turn causes the skin to become inflamed and vulnerable to infection. Vitamin D normalizes the effects of cathelicidin, so it can help greatly with this skin condition. Vitamin D is also vital for normal skin cell production and for the formation of our skins anti-infective barrier. This definitely makes it one of the "must have" remedies for all rosacea sufferers. 3, 4
Best Sources of Vitamin D…
The sun is still one of the best sources of vitamin D. However, rosacea sufferers are usually highly sensitive to sunlight, so vitamin D supplementation is the safest option. Fermented cod liver oil is rich in natural vitamin D3, along with omega-3 fatty acids (which also reduce inflammation) so make sure you take some of this powerful oil every day. You may also need to take extra vitamin D3 as well. Vitamin D expert, Dr Cedric Garland, says the minimum daily amount of vitamin D required is 4000 IU's, so you will need to make sure you're receiving this. And with any vitamin D supplement you take, make sure it contains added K2 for absorption. 5
Matcha green tea is another one of nature’s true wonders and is one of the best "overall" remedies there is. The health benefits of this amazing food really are nothing short of astonishing. Green tea been found to prevent and even cure virtually every disease and ailment in existence. And rosacea is certainly on its hit list!
Green tea contains some powerful chemicals, which all possess strong anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities. These benefits are one of the main reasons why green tea helps so well with rosacea, along with the remarkable photo-protective properties it contains. These properties help reduce sun sensitivity in rosacea sufferers, making them far less susceptible to ultra-violet light. This means sufferers are able to enjoy time out in the sun without experiencing any major pain or discomfort. Another impressive benefit of green tea is it stops the breakdown and disruption of the body’s skin barrier (protective barrier), which is what all rosacea sufferers need to preserve, along with helping to repair any damage that may have been done.
How to Get Your Matcha Green Tea…
To get the most out of green tea, it needs to be drank as well as rubbed on the skin. To drink, either add 1-2 teaspoons of Matcha green tea to a smoothie or make yourself a hot cup of tea or latte using 1-2 teaspoons of the powder. Green tea can taste slightly bitter due to it's high antioxidant levels so you may want to add a natural sweetener such as Stevia to the mix. For best results, consume 2-3 cups of tea per day.
For your skin, find a natural face cream that contains green tea and apply twice daily. And make sure it contains the green tea extract polyphenone. In a recent study by the University of California San Francisco, they found that a facial cream containing polyphenone produced a 70% improvement in rosacea compared to an inactive cream. 6
If you can’t find a natural cream containing green tea then that’s okay. Using the cold compress method works just as well. With this method you steep a handful of green tea leafs or 4-6 green tea bags in 3 cups of boiled water for 20-30 minutes then refrigerate. Anytime you need a cold compress, dip a clean cotton cloth into your green tea and apply to the skin.
If you think you can eat crap food and still cure your rosacea then you’re living in fairy land. I’m sorry if that sounds harsh but it’s the truth. Eating “sugary” foods, refined and processed foods, junk foods, fried foods and takeaway foods is not only detrimental to your health, it’s detrimental to your skin! These foods contain some shocking artificial additives, along with deadly toxins and rancid fats such as trans-fats and heterocyclic amines. And these foods make your skin look absolutely horrible!
Think about this…
When you see someone who’s a junk food addict, does their skin ever look nice and healthy?
No it doesn’t does it?
It’s usually full of pimples and blackheads and looks older than it really is. The reason for this is simple… all of that muck and garbage from the foods they're eating is trying to get out through the easiest possible exit… the skin!
So to keep your rosacea under control and your skin in tip top condition, you need to eat healthy and follow an anti-inflammatory diet. Omega-3 fatty acids (EFA's) are powerful anti-inflammatories so eat plenty of cold water fatty fish such as wild salmon, tuna, herring, sardines and mackerel, along with consuming lots of organic coconut oil. Fruits, vegetables, EFA seeds such as flax and chia, and nuts such as almonds are also highly recommended. And don't forget to drink plenty of clean filtered water every day as well. Of course, you must stay away from the toxic foods already mentioned, along with all spicy foods, corn, rice, breads, pasta, processed dairy, vegetable oils (Crisco, sunflower, canola, peanut oil, etc), gluten containing foods, margarine, peanuts, alcohol and coffee. These foods are also known to make skin conditions such as rosacea much worse and contribute significantly to those unwanted flare ups. 10
Note: We don’t want to sound like the party pooper here but eating healthy is extremely important. But this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a treat every now and then. Life still has to be enjoyed! Just try and keep your “treats” to exactly that… a treat. And at least get your rosacea completely under control first before you even think about doing this.
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. A recent study found that it works extremely well for rosacea sufferers, and according to Helen M. Torok, M.D., medical director at Trillium Creek Dermatology & Surgery in Medina, Ohio... "Niacinamide can be an effective treatment for the inflammation related to rosacea".7 Used as a topical cream, it improves the skins moisture level, improves the skin barrier and reduces skin inflammation. Look for it in any rosacea skin creams you may purchase.
Oatmeal is probably one of the least used topical remedies for rosacea, yet it’s actually one of the best. It acts as a very powerful skin anti-inflammatory and also cleanses and moisturizes. It also soothes the horrible irritation and itchiness associated with rosacea. Only ever buy colloidal oatmeal and apply it 2-3 times a day.
When it comes to external or topical treatments for rosacea, what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another. For instance, you may find you get excellent results from using tea tree oil with no side effects, yet another person’s face will flare up like a wild fire! So you will need to experiment when it comes to using topical remedies. We’ve already given you a few of the top ones, but here are some more you might want to consider (in no particular order)…
Licorice (glycyrrhizin):
This is a popular treatment for rosacea. It was first used for dermatitis (and still is) and then was found to be a viable remedy for rosacea. Licorice contains glycyrrhizinic acid, a very strong anti-inflammatory. Be sure to also look for this ingredient in any rosacea creams that you may be looking to purchase.
Rosehip Seed Oil:
Rosehip seed oil strengthens damaged capillaries and soothes and reduces redness of the skin due to its astringent qualities. It works very well on rosacea and can be bought online or from most health food stores.
Lavender:
Lavender has excellent anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, but can also be an allergen for some people so you will need to test this one out on your skin first. Simply wash your face and pat dry then apply a small amount of lavender oil and watch for any allergic reaction. If you develop any redness then discontinue its use. If not, soak a cotton ball with the lavender and gently apply to your face. Repeat every day.
Feverfew:
The feverfew herb is primarily used as an anti-inflammatory treatment for severe acne, but it can also be used for rosacea. This is another one you will need to try out for at least a period of several months. And it’s not actually a topical remedy either. You buy the herb in capsule form and follow the directions on the bottle.
Tea Tree Oil:
Tea tree oil is one of the most potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory treatments for rosacea going around. However, tea tree oil can cause mild adverse reactions in some people and make their rosacea worse so you should use this remedy with caution. If it does work for you great. If it doesn’t work or makes your skin worse, get rid of it and try something else.
Chamomile:
This herb is a terrific anti-inflammatory and skin soother. It’s also considered relatively safe and adverse reactions are rare. To use for your rosacea, simply make a cold compress the same as you would for green tea. Steep a handful of pure chamomile or 3-6 chamomile tea bags in 3 cups of boiled water for 20-30 minutes then refrigerate. To cold compress, dip a clean cotton cloth into the chamomile and apply to the face (or affected area). As an alternative, or in addition to this, you can also use a skin cream that contains chamomile.
Camphor Oil:
Camphor oil needs to be used with caution for rosacea. Even though it can help, it's also a known skin irritant so testing will be required. Dilute and use at concentrations of around 20-25%.
Azelaic Acid Cream:
Azelaic acid is derived from barley, rye and wheat. In a report published in the Archives of Dermatology back in 2006 they found that Azelaic acid, made up in 20% cream and 15% gel formulations, appeared to effective in alleviating redness of the skin, along with the bumps and pimples associated with rosacea.8
Chrysanthellum Indicum:
Chrysanthellum is a handy topical remedy that’s definitely worth considering. A study done by the Academy of Dermatology and Venereology in 2005 found that a cream containing chrysanthellum was far more effective at reducing skin redness than a placebo cream. What’s more, adverse reactions were mild and were no different to what the placebo group experienced. 9
Reduce Stress Levels:
You will definitely notice during times when you’re uptight and stressed, your rosacea will be much worse and you’ll experience flare ups. This is because stress lowers your immune response, which in turn allows inflammation to develop. Stress also raises blood pressure. And you can usually spot someone with high blood pressure…. their face is all red! So if you have rosacea and elevated blood pressure, how red and inflamed do you think your face is going to be?
There’s no easy way around this one. You absolutely must learn to control your stress levels. Meditation and yoga will definitely help. Going for a nice walk in the forest or park listening to some relaxing music can also make a big difference, along with doing some regular moderate exercise. In addition to this, I highly recommend you go out and buy the book “The Magic” by Rhonda Byrne (author of The Secret). That book has truly changed my life in so many amazing and positive ways. And it will do the same for you if you follow the principles Rhonda teaches. You will find yourself not only healthy, and more relaxed and more self-confident than you’ve ever been before, you will also start living the life you’ve always dreamed of living… I guarantee it!
Well that ends this article on natural remedies and treatments for rosacea. We firmly believe this is one of the most comprehensive articles on rosacea you will find anywhere. We do want to stress once again though that this is not just about curing your rosacea. It’s also about getting your health (and happiness) up to 100%... which is extremely important. If all you want to do is just temporarily get rid of your rosacea then go ahead and find a topical treatment that works for you and use it. However, this is only a Band-Aid solution and won’t fix any of the underlying health problems you have, nor will it fix the real causes. This is why you must go with the internal remedies as well as the external remedies. If you do, in 6 months time you’ll be truly amazed at just how good you look and feel and how much more confident and self-assured you are.
All the best and good luck with it!
P.S. As far as choosing which remedies and topical treatments to go with, we suggest you try and use as many as are financially viable for you. Cost is obviously going to be a big factor so it's best to work out a weekly budget beforehand and stick with this. And remember, you will definitely need to experiment with the topical treatments to find what works best for you.
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