T from Baltimore wrote: "I'm 33 and am slightly underweight, have bad acne (pretty much always have) and also often suffer from insomnia. My main concern is actually the acne - over the years I've tried the gamut of drugs and topical medications and over-the-counter stuff. It has no impact. I really feel it comes from the inside out - hormones? stress? connection with being underweight (I'm working on this) and not getting rest (related to several stressors including grief, transistion and a chaotic living environment). Anyway, for a long time I've been hoping and wondering if there was not something that would help improve my skin naturally be it diet or herbs or some other natural remedies. "

Both the acne and the insomnia can stem from your lifestyle, as well as from a hormonal imbalance. When our body begins showing symptoms on the outside, it is only an insight into what is going on inside. If you are not eliminating after every meal, you are constipated. This leads to auto intoxication. As your eliminating organs (liver, kidney..) filter from the inside, if there is no eliminating channel open through the bowel, the toxins begin eliminating through our skin. A detox would begin by cleaning out your colon, allowing an elimination channel for the toxins and then to begin to clean up your liver-gall bladder, kidneys, and your blood stream. Cleaning is the first step, nourishing is the next step.
Begin by drinking pure water. Most of us are dehydrated, complicating the constipation. Begin by taking your weight and dividing by two. The number left represents the ounces you need to drink pure water daily for your weight. Juicing is a great way to nourish your body on a cellular level without over burdening your digestive tract, which is in gear to clean and is working very hard at this time. Only eating fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds (preferably organic) at this time will give your body the foundation of nutrition while it cleans.

This means you will stop eating the typical American diet of white flour, sugar, dairy, processed foods, carbonated beverages, caffeine, and for the time of detoxing, no animal proteins.

Topically for the acne, to wash with a natural soap, such as pure Castile soap, followed by some witch hazel. While the face is still damp, dab tea tree oil on. Tea Tree oil has been found to kill any bacteria and fungus which causes acne. Sunshine is also a great healer of acne, just begin slowly-)begin with 5 min and increase by 5 min every day-15-30 min )will give you a good dose of vitamin D.
As for the insomnia, I could write a whole article just on this topic alone. There are herbs which can relax you, and things to look for, like...are you sleeping in a totally dark space? This will allow your body to naturally manufacture the melatonin needed. That means no night lights. Exposing yourself to natural sunlight during the day and then in the evening begin to dim the lights in your house, causing the natural cycle of the body to begin winding down for a nights rest.
In your own words "not getting rest (related to several stressors including grief, transistion and a chaotic living environment" can bring us to such a degree of stress, that we are on a dangerous road, mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. In the middle of a busy life, if we do not learn to take the time for ourselves, we will be of no use for others. Exercise, and diet will help bring balance, but until we learn to turn to our creator and lay our burdens at the foot of the cross, and learn the joy of life from receiving His love and acceptance, we may face burnout on every level.
I hope this is a beginning point for a new you.

God bless,
Melody