By Dr. Nicole Sundene
Author of "The Hormonal Acne Diet"
"My skin has lost its healthy glow with menopause. What do you recommend to help with anti-aging that I can drink as an herbal tea?"
Susie M, Scottsdale, AZ
What happens to be bubbling in today’s cauldron you ask?
MY #1 Dermatology Anti-Aging Tea Recipe:
Doc’s Secret Dermatology Potion: Licorice Root, Ginger and Blackberries! The secret to having beautiful healthy glowing skin free of acne, eczema, dermatitis, Rosacea, hives and psoriasis is finding creative ways to get more berries and antioxidants such as licorice and ginger into your diet. Today I will share my secret "Anti-Aging Dermatology Potion" and explain the benefits of each herb for the skin.
Berries are important for that rosy glow as they are high in flavonoids and vitamin C that help protect our skin from damage by free radicals. Vitamin C and flavonoids also strengthen our cardiovascular system and prevent poor circulation to the skin. Anti-oxidants are also important to prevent the loss of collagen, the layer behind our skin that helps our skin to look plump and youthful. With menopause we generally have lower estrogen and thyroid function which can result in less collagen production aka "thin skin."
Collagen is what women pay a lot of money to their Dermatologist to inject under their skin but you can build it naturally with herbal medicine and collagen peptides.
In 2013 a Dermatologist published a research study in The Journal of Preventive Medicine, that concluded ginger provides anti-inflammatory benefits to the skin via its active ingredient gingerol. This is why my Dermatology patients notice how much better their skin appears when using my “Gingerberry Blaster.”
We can use herbal medicine to blast up inflammation naturally rather than rely on a steroid cream that thins the skin over time or god forbid even worse oral steroids or medrol dose pack!
Researching the best anti-inflammatory herbs for my autoimmune condition is what led me to finding this research about the benefits of ginger for the skin! So of course I have to brag more about natural medicine benefits of ginger now on my blog because this is exciting news for patients with dermatology issues or just annoying, aging, inflamed, or itchy skin issues!
Using ginger regularly helps the skin’s appearance and ability to heal faster as ginger is also a “Vulnerary Herb” or wound healer. A 2017 Dermatology research study from The Journal of Phytochemistry demonstrated that 6-shogaol a component of ginger actually helped protect skin cells from UVB light and aids skin regeneration once damaged by free radicals.
This is amazing news for Dermatology patients that struggle with skin cancer and those that want to prevent skin cancer. Instead of just relying on putting sunscreen on the skin we can also improve the skin by internally taking ginger. Berries also have been found to provide a natural sunscreen effect thanks to their proanthocyanidins or the pink and purple pigments in berries.
Ginger is an excellent blood thinning agent and therefore should not be taken by those on blood thinning medications. However I prescribe it to my patients with Factor 5 Leiden, along with Fish Oil and other clotting disorders that need a mild blood thinner like a baby aspirin 81mg type of equivalent.
Otherwise, ginger is safe and gentle enough to use in pregnancy and with children. Naturopaths often prescribe it for nausea and stomach aches, and I did even find a research study confirming "Ginger for Weight Loss."
I think the warm feeling ginger gives your stomach helps you feel full longer from drinking the tea!
Another 2020 Dermatology study on ginger concluded that 6-shogaol may be protective against damage to melanocytes and a potential therapeutic agent for Vitiligo as well as Skin Cancer Prevention (I do not treat Skin Cancer in my Holistic Dermatology practice.)
If you are constantly out in the sun or live in Arizona, my Anti-aging Tea Recipe is an excellent “Daily Dermatology Ritual.”
It's BERRY delicious hot or iced. I like it as an iced tea or an after dinner hot tea treat with lots of Stevia so I don't snack. Once I have my tea, then I brush my teeth and apply my hyaluronic acid lip mask while telling my body we are done eating for the day as my best "Weight Loss Doctor" tip to stop night time snacking.
Did you know that licorice was also found successful in improving acne and Rosacea vs a 0.02% Triamcinalone cream in a 2018 randomized Dermatology trial published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. Please do not use licorice if you have High Blood Pressure and of course work with a Naturopathic Doctor (preferably me) when using herbal medicine. Although licorice is great for my patients with low blood pressure, chronic fatigue, weak immunity, heartburn, constipation, and depression.
Many people do not believe I am 50, and I attribute that to relying on herbal medicine to treat my own acne and eczema along with clean eating! My skin looks better now than it did at age 20. Patients always ask me how my skin glows and looks so healthy. Well here you go... Naturopathic Medicine FOR THE WIN!
In hindsight, having annoying acne and itchy skin issues actually is a good thing because it forced me to go into a better clean eating and herbal medicine direction and off of fast food and prescription dermatology drugs! After all, my most highly motivated Holistic Dermatology patients are teen girls with acne. They always want to eat the right nutrition and take the right supplements to help clear their complexion.
Once I began to notice my skin clear I also felt even more motivated to do the right things by it and make it as healthy as possible. Check out my own Hormonal Acne story and photos to see how I use Naturopathy and hormone balancing to treat many chronic Dermatology conditions at the "Root Cause."
Need my Holistic Dermatology help to achieve that clear confident complexion you deserve? Simply visit my SCHEDULE page to begin the Naturopathic process!
Dr. Nicole Sundene
(480) 837-0900
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions.
In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor and Dermatologist prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 25 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease.
She has been an Herbalist for over 30 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones.
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Now I know the secret why we are the same age and you look so much younger than me. I am driving to the store to get the ingredients right now. Love you Doc!!!