Condition
Dry Skin
Dry skin (xerosis) occurs when the skin's outermost barrier — the stratum corneum, composed of skin cells held together by lipids including ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids — loses its ability to retain water, allowing transepidermal water loss to increase and the skin to become rough, flaky, and tight. This barrier lipid content naturally declines with age, cold or low-humidity weather, and frequent hot showers that strip natural oils, while reduced sebum production from the skin's oil glands further compounds the loss of the protective surface film. Because the barrier's job is to hold moisture in rather than skin needing moisture added from outside, effective care focuses on both replenishing lipids and sealing in existing hydration. Holistic support: omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (evening primrose oil and flaxseed both supply essential fatty acids that support ceramide production) taken internally, humectants such as aloe vera and glycerin applied topically to draw water into the skin, oatmeal baths to soothe and reduce associated itching, occlusive natural oils (jojoba, shea butter) applied to damp skin to seal in moisture, and adequate daily water intake alongside reduced hot-water shower exposure.
Safety notice — LOW
Sunaras provides educational wellness content only. This is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual responses to herbs vary. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for personalised guidance.
Omega-3 Rich Foods (Salmon, Walnuts, Flaxseed)
Essential fats that reduce skin inflammation and support the skin barrier.
Preparation:
- Include fatty fish 2–3×/week; add 1 tbsp flaxseed or walnuts to daily diet.
Dosage:
- Daily
Mediterranean
Zinc-Rich Foods (Pumpkin Seeds, Oysters)
Zinc is essential for wound healing, sebum regulation, and skin immunity.
Preparation:
- Eat pumpkin seeds as a daily snack or add to salads; include shellfish 2×/week.
Dosage:
- Daily
Western Herbalism
Fermented Foods
Gut microbiome directly impacts skin health via the gut-skin axis.
Preparation:
- Eat kimchi, miso, or yogurt daily with meals.
Dosage:
- ½ cup daily
Korean Traditional Medicine (Hanbang)
Turmeric
Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial spice applied topically and taken internally.
Preparation:
- Mix ½ tsp turmeric with honey for a face mask; add to warm milk and diet.
Dosage:
- 1 tsp daily in food
Ayurveda
Full profileGreen Tea
EGCG polyphenols protect skin from oxidative damage and reduce sebum.
Preparation:
- Drink 2–3 cups of high-quality green tea daily.
- Avoid milk in green tea.
Dosage:
- 2–3 cups daily
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Full profileSweet Potato & Orange Vegetables
Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A — essential for skin cell turnover.
Preparation:
- Eat baked sweet potato, carrots, or butternut squash with a healthy fat for absorption.
Dosage:
- 1 serving daily
Indigenous/Native American Medicine
Ghee
A traditional Ayurveda food used for digestive issues, inflammation, fatigue.
Preparation:
- Use as a cooking medium on low heat, or drizzle raw over finished dishes to preserve beneficial fatty acids.
Dosage:
- 1–2 tbsp daily
Ayurveda
Full profileAnti-Acne Elimination Diet
Western Herbalism
- This elimination protocol removes known dietary acne triggers (high-glycaemic foods, dairy, and processed foods) while loading beneficial skin nutrients: zinc, vitamin A, omega-3s, and probiotics.
Foods:
- Wild salmon
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sweet potato
- Kale
- Green tea
- Blueberries
- Coconut yogurt
- Spearmint
- Burdock root
- Nettle
- Elderberry
- Peppermint
- Lemon Balm
- Hawthorn
- Oregon Grape
- Linden (Lime Blossom)
Timing:
- Breakfast: Coconut yogurt with berries, pumpkin seeds, and matcha powder — no dairy or sugar
- Lunch: Large salad with salmon, avocado, mixed greens, cucumber, and olive oil and lemon dressing
- Dinner: Baked sweet potato with steamed kale and stir-fried prawns with garlic and ginger
Korean Beauty Diet (Pibu Diet)
Korean Traditional Medicine (Hanbang)
- Korean traditional medicine and modern Korean beauty culture emphasise a diet rich in fermented foods, seaweed, collagen-supporting foods, and mild anti-inflammatory ingredients for luminous skin.
Foods:
- Kimchi
- Miyeok (seaweed)
- Tofu
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Green tea
- Bone broth
- Sesame seeds
- Ginseng
- Perilla leaf
- Korean pear
Timing:
- Breakfast: Warm barley tea with steamed rice, a soft egg, kimchi, and a small portion of seaweed salad
- Lunch: Doenjang (miso) soup with tofu, shiitake mushrooms, zucchini, and a side of fermented vegetables
- Dinner: Clear bone broth with rice noodles, leafy greens, sesame seeds, and a sheet of toasted gim (seaweed)
Jamu Kulit (Skin Beauty) Diet
Jamu
- Jamu skin tradition uses turmeric, tamarind, and tropical fruits both internally and externally to achieve the radiant skin ('kulit bersih') prized in Indonesian healing culture.
Foods:
- Turmeric (kunir)
- Tamarind
- Papaya
- Cucumber
- Aloe vera
- Coconut water
- Pandan leaf
- Soursop
- Mangosteen
- Dragon fruit
- Turmeric (Kunyit)
- Ginger (Jahe)
- Lemongrass (Sereh)
- Nutmeg (Pala)
- Cinnamon (Kayu Manis)
- Javanese Turmeric (Temulawak)
Timing:
- Breakfast: Fresh coconut water with papaya and a small jamu shot (turmeric, tamarind, ginger, honey)
- Lunch: Gado-gado (vegetable salad) with tempeh, tofu, cucumber, and light peanut sauce
- Dinner: Steamed fish with turmeric and coconut, side of young papaya salad, and tamarind broth
Māori Rongoa Skin Healing Diet
Māori Rongoa
- Māori Rongoa (medicine) emphasises whole, unprocessed native foods from the land and sea — rich in omega-3s, minerals, and antioxidants that nourish the skin from within.
Foods:
- Kūmara (sweet potato)
- Kawakawa leaf
- Horopito berry
- Mānuka honey
- Seafood (kaimoana)
- Puha (sow thistle)
- Watercress
- Flaxseed
- Harakeke seed
- Rewena (sourdough bread)
- Harakeke (New Zealand Flax)
- Horopito (Pepper Tree)
- Tī Kōuka (Cabbage Tree)
- Hinau Berry
- Kiekie Fruit
- Kawakawa Berry
Timing:
- Breakfast: Rewena (Māori sourdough) with mānuka honey and a cup of kawakawa leaf tea
- Lunch: Hāngī-style kūmara and vegetable feast with watercress and puha salad
- Dinner: Fresh seafood (mussels, fish) with kawakawa broth, kūmara, and steamed greens
16:8 Intermittent Fasting Protocol
Western Integrative Medicine
- The most researched fasting protocol — eating within an 8-hour window and fasting for 16 hours daily.
- During the fasting window, the body depletes glycogen and switches to fat oxidation, increasing AMPK activity, insulin sensitivity, and autophagy.
- Benefits include reduced fasting insulin, improved metabolic flexibility, reduced inflammation markers (CRP, IL-6), and weight management.
- The eating window is typically 10 am–6 pm or 12 pm–8 pm depending on lifestyle.
Foods:
- Fasting window (16 hours): water only, black coffee, plain herbal tea, sparkling water
- Breaking the fast: start with protein and fat — not carbohydrates (blunts the insulin spike after fasting)
- Eating window (8 hours): normal anti-inflammatory whole foods
- Avoid: fruit juice, BCAA supplements, bone broth with calories during fasting window — these partially break the fast
- Electrolytes during fasting window: pinch of sea salt + a few drops of lemon juice if hunger is severe
Timing:
- 12 pm (break fast): Wild salmon + 2 eggs + spinach + avocado — protein-fat first meal
- 3 pm: Main nourishing meal — baked chicken + sweet potato + roasted vegetables
- 6 pm (final meal): Light protein dinner — fish or chicken + non-starchy vegetables only
12 pm — Breaking the Fast
Salmon & Egg Break-Fast Plate
- Break your fast with protein and fat — not carbohydrates. This prevents the sharp insulin spike from carbohydrates after a 16-hour fast, maintaining the metabolic benefits.
- Scramble eggs slowly in butter on low heat until creamy.
- Sauté spinach in olive oil 1–2 minutes. Plate everything with sliced avocado.
- Eat slowly. After 16 hours of fasting, the digestive system needs gentle reintroduction — avoid large portions immediately.
3 pm — Main Meal
Herb-Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potato & Vegetables
- Preheat oven to 200°C. Toss sweet potato and vegetables with 2 tbsp olive oil, garlic, and herbs.
- Rub chicken with remaining olive oil and herbs. Place on tray with vegetables.
- Roast 22–25 minutes until chicken is cooked and vegetables have caramelised edges.
- Squeeze lemon over everything before serving.
6 pm — Final Meal (fasting window begins after this)
Light Fish Dinner with Green Vegetables
- Pan-sear fish in olive oil 3–4 minutes per side over medium heat.
- Steam or roast asparagus and courgette alongside. Wilt spinach in the pan.
- Plate and squeeze lemon over everything. Keep the meal light — you want digestion complete before sleep for better overnight autophagy.
- Drink herbal tea 30 minutes after. After this, fasting window begins — water, black tea, and herbal tea only until 12 pm tomorrow.
5:2 Modified Fasting Protocol
Western Integrative Medicine
- Five days of normal eating and two non-consecutive restricted days (500 kcal for women, 600 kcal for men) per week.
- The calorie-restricted days trigger the same metabolic benefits as full fasting — AMPK activation, reduced IGF-1, increased autophagy — but are more sustainable for most people.
- The two fasting days should not be consecutive (e.g.
- Monday and Thursday).
- On fasting days, the goal is maximum nutrient density within the calorie limit.
Foods:
- Fasting days: 500–600 total calories divided between 2 small meals
- Fasting day proteins: eggs (70 kcal each), white fish (120 kcal per 150g), tofu (80 kcal per 100g)
- Fasting day vegetables: unlimited non-starchy — broccoli, spinach, courgette, cucumber, celery
- Non-fasting days: normal anti-inflammatory Mediterranean eating — no restriction
- All days: minimum 2L water, black coffee and herbal tea allowed without breaking fast
- Avoid: fasting on consecutive days, exercising strenuously on fasting days
Timing:
- Fasting day breakfast (~150 kcal): 2 eggs any style (140 kcal) + unlimited herbal tea
- Fasting day dinner (~350–450 kcal): white fish + steamed broccoli + leafy salad with lemon dressing
- Normal day template: full Mediterranean anti-inflammatory meals without calorie restriction
Fasting Day — Breakfast (~150 kcal)
Two-Egg Fasting Breakfast
- Boil, poach, or scramble eggs without added oil or butter on a fasting day.
- Season lightly with sea salt. Drink plenty of water.
- Black coffee can be taken before this meal — it extends the fasting window's metabolic benefit.
- Total: approximately 140–150 kcal. Remaining 350–450 kcal budget is for dinner.
Fasting Day — Dinner (~400 kcal)
Fasting Day White Fish Plate
- Steam or bake fish in foil with lemon, herbs, and a tiny amount of olive oil. 15 minutes at 180°C.
- Steam broccoli and courgette 5–7 minutes until tender but not mushy.
- Dress salad with lemon juice only (no oil) to keep calories low.
- Total plate: approximately 335–370 kcal. Well within the 500 kcal fasting day budget.
Non-Fasting Day — Dinner (unrestricted)
Mediterranean Salmon with Legumes
- Roast vegetables with 2 tbsp olive oil at 200°C for 20 minutes.
- Pan-sear salmon in remaining olive oil 3–4 minutes per side.
- Toss chickpeas or lentils through the roasted vegetables.
- Plate and squeeze lemon over. Normal day — eat to comfortable fullness.
Circadian Rhythm Eating (Solar Fasting Protocol)
Ayurveda
- Aligned with Ayurvedic principles of Agni (digestive fire) and modern circadian biology — the digestive system is strongest between 10 am and 2 pm (peak sun, peak metabolic enzyme activity) and weakest after sunset.
- Eating after dark suppresses melatonin, increases insulin resistance by 20–30%, and disrupts circadian-regulated metabolic processes.
- This protocol concentrates the largest meal at midday, uses a light early breakfast (or skips it), and ends all eating by 6–7 pm for a 14–16 hour overnight fast.
Foods:
- Morning (optional, light): small amount of soaked nuts or fruit — never a heavy meal before 9 am when Agni is still awakening
- Midday (main meal, 11 am–2 pm): largest meal of the day — all food groups, full nutrition
- Evening (before 6 pm, very light): easily digestible — soup, cooked vegetables, small amount of protein
- After 6–7 pm: only herbal tea, water — fasting window begins with sunset
- Avoid: eating after 7 pm (reverses circadian metabolic benefits), heavy breakfast
- Turmeric
- Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
- Licorice Root (Yashtimadhu)
- Pippali (Long Pepper)
- Cardamom
- Bitter Melon
Timing:
- Morning 8 am (optional, very light): 30g soaked almonds + 1 small banana + ginger herbal tea
- Midday 12–1 pm (main meal): Substantial kitchari or grilled fish + rice + roasted vegetables + ghee
- Evening before 6 pm (light): Clear vegetable soup or congee — never a heavy meal
Morning (8 am) — Optional Light Breakfast
Soaked Almond & Ginger Awakening
- The night before: place almonds in a bowl, cover with water, soak overnight at room temperature.
- In the morning: drain almonds and peel the skins off (they slide off easily after soaking — peel is astringent).
- Eat almonds slowly and chew thoroughly. Digestive enzyme activity is still low at 8 am.
- Drink ginger tea alongside — ginger gently awakens Agni without overstimulating digestion.
- Keep this meal very small — the purpose is to gently start digestion, not to fully feed.
Midday (12–1 pm) — Main Meal at Peak Agni
Golden Kitchari — Ayurvedic Complete Meal
- Rinse mung dal and rice until water runs clear.
- Heat ghee in a pot over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add ginger, turmeric, and coriander. Stir 30 seconds.
- Add dal and rice, stir to coat in ghee and spices. Pour in water or broth.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and cook 25–30 minutes until dal breaks down into a thick, porridge-like consistency.
- Stir in cooked vegetables 5 minutes before end. Season with sea salt.
- Eat this as the main meal of the day, mindfully, sitting down, without screens. Agni is strongest now.
Evening (before 6 pm) — Light Closing Meal
Light Vegetable Broth Soup
- Simmer vegetables in broth with spices 15–20 minutes until very soft.
- Blend half or all for a smooth soup if desired. Stir in ghee at the end.
- Eat before 6 pm. This should be light and easy to digest — the digestive system is slowing down.
- After this meal: only herbal tea and water. The 14–16 hour overnight fast begins here.
72-Hour Autophagy Reset Fast
Western Integrative Medicine
- An extended 72-hour fast activates deep cellular autophagy (cellular self-cleaning) — the process in which cells break down and recycle damaged organelles, misfolded proteins, and dysfunctional mitochondria.
- The first 16–24 hours triggers glycogen depletion and ketogenesis; hours 24–72 see peak autophagy and a significant reduction in circulating IGF-1 and inflammatory cytokines.
- After 72 hours, the immune system undergoes partial renewal (Valter Longo stem cell research).
- This is an intensive protocol — not for weekly use.
- Once per month or per quarter for immune reset is appropriate.
Foods:
- During fast (72 hours): water only, electrolytes (sea salt + potassium from lemon), plain black coffee, plain herbal tea
- No calories during the fast — bone broth, BCAA supplements, and sweetened teas partially break autophagy
- Electrolyte maintenance: ½ tsp sea salt + squeeze of lemon in 1L water each day prevents low sodium, headache, and heart palpitation
- Breaking the fast correctly is critical — refeeding syndrome is a risk after extended fasting. Start with bone broth, not a large meal
- Not appropriate for: pregnant women, diabetics on insulin, anyone underweight, or anyone with a history of eating disorders
Timing:
- Evening before Day 1 (pre-fast final meal): high-fat, high-protein — sustains energy into the fast
- During fast (Days 1–3): water + herbal teas + black coffee + sea salt electrolyte water
- Breaking the fast (end of Day 3): bone broth first, then 2 hours later soft scrambled eggs and avocado
Evening Before the Fast — Final Pre-Fast Meal
High-Fat, High-Protein Pre-Fast Plate
- This meal should be substantial but not overly large. Eat until satisfied, not stuffed.
- Roast salmon and vegetables at 200°C for 20 minutes with olive oil.
- Scramble eggs in remaining olive oil. Serve everything together.
- After this meal: stop eating. The fast begins now. Last coffee or herbal tea allowed until bedtime.
During the Fast (Days 1–3) — Fasting Drink Protocol
Electrolyte Fasting Water
- Mix electrolyte water each morning. Drink at least 2.5–3L of fluid daily during the fast.
- Sip throughout the day rather than drinking large volumes at once.
- Hunger peaks at hours 16–20 and again at hour 36 — these are temporary. After hour 48, many people experience a significant reduction in hunger.
- If feeling weak, dizzy, or experiencing heart palpitations: increase sea salt immediately — this is low sodium, not low blood sugar.
- Do not exercise intensely during hours 24–48 — light walking only. Light exercise is fine after hour 48.
Breaking the Fast (End of Hour 72) — Refeeding Protocol
Bone Broth Refeeding Sequence
- CRITICAL: Do not break an extended fast with a large meal. Refeeding syndrome is a medical risk with electrolyte imbalance.
- Start with 200ml warm bone broth. Sip slowly over 20 minutes.
- Wait at least 2 hours before eating anything else. Let the digestive system re-activate gently.
- First solid meal: 2 scrambled eggs + ¼ avocado + a little cooked spinach. Small portion.
- Wait 4 hours before eating a fuller meal. Eat only until moderately satisfied — do not eat a large meal to 'make up' for the fast.
- Day after the fast: normal eating resumes. The cells have completed their autophagy cycle.
OMAD — One Meal A Day Protocol
Western Integrative Medicine
- The most condensed fasting protocol — all daily nutrition consumed within a single 1–2 hour eating window.
- The 22–23 hour fasting window maximises autophagy, ketogenesis, and AMPK activation.
- Requires careful nutritional planning to deliver complete macro and micronutrients in a single meal.
- Best suited to people who have already adapted to 16:8 or 5:2 fasting.
- Not recommended as a starting point — build up to it over several weeks.
- Ideal eating window: 5–7 pm (dinner) to preserve social eating and performance throughout the day.
Foods:
- The single meal must contain: 1.6–2g protein per kg bodyweight, 50–80g healthy fat, adequate fibre (25g minimum), all major micronutrients
- Start with bone broth (10–15 minutes before the main meal) — re-engages digestive enzymes, provides collagen and electrolytes
- Main protein: 250–350g salmon, chicken thighs, beef, or eggs
- Healthy fat: 2–3 tbsp olive oil, ½ avocado, nuts/seeds
- Complex carbohydrates (optional, especially for active people): 150–200g sweet potato, 1 cup legumes
- Vegetables: minimum 400g — 4+ different colours
- Finish: 20–30g dark chocolate + herbal tea
Timing:
- Pre-meal (10–15 min before): 200ml bone broth — re-activates digestive enzymes, begins appetite signal
- Main OMAD meal (5–7 pm): complete nutrient-dense plate — protein + fat + vegetables + optional complex carb
- Post-meal: 20g dark chocolate + herbal tea — antioxidants + gentle digestive support
Pre-Meal (10 minutes before eating)
Digestive Activation Bone Broth
- Warm broth gently. Do not boil.
- Drink 10–15 minutes before the main OMAD meal.
- This re-activates the digestive enzyme cascade that has been dormant for 22+ hours, preventing the digestive distress that can come from eating a large meal after a long fast.
Main OMAD Meal (5–7 pm) — Complete Nutrition in One Plate
Complete OMAD Nourishment Plate
- Preheat oven to 200°C. Bake sweet potato whole 40 minutes (or use pre-cooked from the day before).
- Toss broccoli and capsicum with 2 tbsp olive oil, garlic, herbs. Roast 20 minutes alongside the potato.
- Pan-sear salmon or chicken in remaining oil, 4 minutes per side for salmon, 6 minutes for chicken. Finish chicken in oven if needed.
- Wilt spinach/kale in the hot pan 1 minute.
- Assemble the full plate: protein, roasted vegetables, leafy greens, avocado, pumpkin seeds. Squeeze lemon over everything.
- Eat slowly over 45–60 minutes. Chew thoroughly — digestive enzyme activity needs this time after a 22-hour fast.
- Serve yoghurt or kefir alongside for probiotics.
Post-Meal (30 minutes after eating)
Dark Chocolate & Chamomile Digestive Close
- Wait 20–30 minutes after the main meal before eating chocolate — this is a digestive rest period, not an extended eating window.
- Eat chocolate slowly, letting it melt.
- Sip chamomile tea. The eating window closes after this.
- The 22–23 hour fasting window now begins again.
Burdock Root & Nettle Skin-Cleansing Tea
Traditional blood-purifying blend for acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Preparation:
- Decoct 1 tsp burdock root + 1 tsp nettle leaf in 2 cups water for 15 min.
- Strain.
Dosage:
- 2–3 cups daily
Western Herbalism
Calendula & Red Clover Beauty Tea
Skin-healing blend rich in flavonoids and isoflavones.
Preparation:
- Steep 1 tsp dried calendula flowers + 1 tsp red clover blossoms in just-boiled water for 8 min.
- Strain.
Dosage:
- 2 cups daily
Western Herbalism
Green Tea & Spearmint Anti-Androgen Blend
Used for hormonal acne and excess sebum production.
Preparation:
- Brew 1 tsp green tea + 1 tsp spearmint in water at 80°C for 4 min.
- Do not overstep.
Dosage:
- 2 cups daily
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Dandelion & Milk Thistle Liver-Skin Blend
Liver-clearing blend for skin conditions driven by sluggish detoxification.
Preparation:
- Decoct 1 tsp dandelion root + ½ tsp milk thistle seed in 2 cups water for 20 min.
- Strain.
Dosage:
- 2 cups daily
Western Herbalism
Carrot, Beet & Turmeric Glow Juice
Beta-carotene-rich blend for skin cell turnover and anti-inflammatory glow.
Preparation:
- Juice: 3 carrots + 1 beet + 1 inch turmeric + 1 inch ginger + 1 orange + ½ lemon.
Dosage:
- 200 ml daily
Ayurveda
Cucumber, Aloe & Green Apple Skin Hydration Juice
Hydrating and cooling juice for dry, inflamed, and sensitive skin.
Preparation:
- Blend: 1 large cucumber + 2 tbsp aloe vera gel + 1 green apple + ½ lime + handful mint.
- Strain.
Dosage:
- 200–250 ml daily
Korean Traditional Medicine (Hanbang)
Dandelion & Nettle Blood-Purifying Juice
Traditional skin-cleansing tonic for acne and eczema.
Preparation:
- Juice: 1 cup dandelion greens + 1 cup nettle leaves (or steep as strong tea) + 2 green apples + ½ lemon + 1 cucumber.
Dosage:
- 200 ml daily
Western Herbalism
Neem & Tea Tree Clarifying Soap
A traditional Ayurvedic cleansing bar combining neem's antibacterial properties with tea tree oil to purify skin, reduce blemishes, and control excess sebum without stripping the skin's natural barrier.
How to make:
- Melt castile soap base in a double boiler over low heat until fully liquid.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool to 50°C (do not let it solidify).
- Stir in neem oil, neem leaf powder, and activated charcoal until combined.
- Add essential oils and stir gently — do not whisk to avoid bubbles.
- Pour into silicone soap moulds and tap gently to release air bubbles.
- Allow to set at room temperature for 24–48 hours before unmoulding.
- Cure for an additional 1 week before use for best results.
Apply: Wet skin, lather soap between hands, apply to face or body, massage gently for 30–60 seconds, and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Pat dry. — Once or twice daily — morning and evening
Ayurveda
Calendula & Oat Soothing Cream
A deeply soothing Western herbal cream that combines calendula's renowned skin-healing properties with colloidal oatmeal to calm inflammation, relieve itch, and restore the skin barrier — ideal for eczema, dermatitis, and reactive skin.
How to make:
- Melt beeswax and shea butter together in a double boiler.
- Add calendula-infused coconut oil and stir until combined.
- Remove from heat and let cool to 40°C — mixture should begin to thicken.
- In a separate bowl, combine aloe vera gel and colloidal oatmeal.
- Slowly pour the oil mixture into the aloe mixture while blending with a hand mixer.
- Blend until a thick, creamy emulsion forms.
- Add essential oils and stir gently to incorporate.
- Spoon into sterilised glass jars and seal.
Apply: Apply a small amount to clean, dry skin using gentle upward circular motions. Allow to absorb fully before dressing. — 2–3 times daily, or after bathing while skin is still slightly damp
Western Herbalism
- Lymphatic drainage massage: gentle manual technique targeting neck, armpit, and groin lymph nodes to support immune clearance and detoxification — 20–30 min session, 2–3x/week or monthly with a trained therapist
- Acupuncture: TCM needle therapy at condition-specific meridian points to restore Qi flow and reduce systemic inflammation — 6–12 weekly sessions recommended initially
- Sauna therapy: infrared sauna at 50–60°C for 20–30 min, 3–4x/week — promotes detoxification through sweat, reduces inflammatory markers, and supports immune function
- Cold plunge / contrast hydrotherapy: 30–60 seconds cold shower or cold plunge after sauna — activates the vagus nerve, reduces inflammation, and boosts circulation
- Yoga: 30–45 min daily practice of poses suited to your condition — combines breathwork, stretching, and mindfulness to regulate the nervous system and reduce stress hormones
- Meditation: 20 min daily — body scan, breath awareness, or loving-kindness practice to lower cortisol and support the mind-body healing response
- Breathwork: diaphragmatic breathing or pranayama (e.g. alternate nostril, 4-7-8) for 10–15 min daily — regulates the autonomic nervous system and reduces systemic inflammation
- Grounding / earthing: 20–30 min of barefoot contact with grass, soil, or sand daily — shown to reduce cortisol, normalise circadian rhythm, and lower inflammatory markers
- Forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku): 60–90 min slow, mindful walk in a forested or green environment weekly — clinically shown to reduce stress hormones and blood pressure
- Sleep hygiene: maintain a consistent sleep/wake time, keep bedroom dark and cool (18–20°C), avoid screens 1 hour before bed — 7–9 hours of quality sleep is foundational to all healing
- Morning sunlight: 10–20 min of direct sunlight exposure before 10am daily — anchors circadian rhythm, boosts vitamin D synthesis, and regulates serotonin
- Journaling: 10–15 min daily reflective writing — symptom tracking, emotional processing, and gratitude practice to reduce psychological stress load
- Dry brushing: daily gentle brushing of dry skin before showering with a natural bristle brush — stimulates lymphatic drainage and removes dead skin cells to support skin renewal
- Cold water rinse: end each shower with 30 seconds of cold water — tightens pores, reduces skin inflammation, and improves circulation
When to see a doctor
Consult a healthcare provider if your symptoms are severe, persistent, or worsening, or before starting any herbal protocol.
Sunaras provides holistic health education. Always work with a qualified healthcare practitioner.
Related conditions may also be relevant — browse all conditions or search again.

