138 The Complete Home Guide to Herbs, Natural Healing, and Nutrition
female’s body. He goes on to draw similarities between vaginal and penile
tissue and the hood found on both the clitoris and the penis; and he
points out that the male scrotum and the female labia majora are made of
homologous tissue.
Men produce ten times more testosterone than women. This gives
men their more muscular features, just as estrogen produces the female
curves. For the adolescent male, testosterone surges can be quite alarming
and can be refl ected in loud, reckless behavior, which is often diffi cult to
handle for them as well as for those around them. Add to this a congested
liver, and the result can indeed be explosive. Alcohol reduces testosterone
levels and may result in stunted masculine development. Just as for
women, the endocrine system is very important to male adolescent
evolution. Similarly, acne can be a problem for male teenagers and
confi dence levels can swing, but with good food and herbs, these
problems can be reduced. Good diet alleviates general growing pains and
gives vital energy.
acne treatment for both sexes
- Avoid sugar, coffee, tea, drugs, sodas, alcohol, tobacco, junk food, and
food that is devoid of freshness and variety. Drink dandelion tea in-
stead of coffee or tea. Drink plenty of water. - Eat plenty of fresh fruit and raw olive oil.
- Evening primrose oil — containing mega gamma linoleic acid
(GLA) — will help balance hormones. - Use herbs for the liver and endocrine system: chaste tree (Vitex ag-
nus-castus) berry is one suggestion for young women (check with a
herbalist), and saw palmetto berry for young men. Use milk thistle
seed (a liver herb) for both. - Use a formula containing equal parts of sarsaparilla root, nettle leaf,
barberry root bark, burdock root, cleavers leaf, and saw palmetto berry
for young men and chaste tree berry for young women. - Face wash: Mix together a few drops each of the following: witch hazel,
tea tree essential oil, and sweet fennel essential oil, adding essential
oil of geranium for women and essential oil of rosewood for men.
Mix with a cup of water. Shake before use, as the oils will fl oat on top
of the water during storage. Dab affected areas with cotton balls two
or three times a day. The oils will clean and unclog, giving antibiotic-
like protection to the skin.
life stages 138