Skin Care Follow-up

 

Medicinal Applications of Herbs:

 

Many times the skin is the manifestation of  a systemic illness.

Alteratives- herbs that gradually restore normal functioning to the body and improve overall health and vitality.

While their mode of action is not clearly understood their effect is undisputed.

They seem to alter the body’s metabolism to improve the tissue’s ability to deal with a range of body functions.

Many of the herbs with this action help the body eliminate waste through the kidneys, liver, lungs and skin.

Alteratives can be used safely as supportive therapy in many conditions. And should be considered first for cases of chronic inflammation and degenerative diseases. This includes skin  diseases and different types of arthritis.

Primary Alterative Herbs:

Garlic   Allium sativum

Burdock  Arctium lappa

Black cohosh  Cimicifuga racemose

Echinacea  Echinacea spp.

Cleavers  Galium aparine

Pasqueflower  Pulsatilla vulgaris

Yellow Dock  Rumex crispus

Red Clover  Trifolium pratense

Nettle  Urtica dioica

 

For skin care the list could include all of the herbs listed.  This is the system that alteratives are most used for.

Remember that in holistic herbalism aiding and supporting the whole body in its return to health is always more important than applying a specific remedy.

Herbs for elimination:

Kidney/diuretic  Cleavers, Red Clover, Nettle

Liver  Burdock and Yellow dock.

 

Herbs for Topical Application

These can be divided into two broad groups.

1.   Actions that exert specific actions on areas of the skin to which they are applied and include: anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antipruritic,  astringent, emollient, rubefacient and vulnerary.

2.   Actions intended for internal effect but enter the body by absorption through the skin include all herbal actions.

 

Herbs and Actions for Topical Use

 

Antipruritic—Calendula, Witch Hazel, St. Johnswort and Chickweed

Anti-inflammatory- Calendula, St. Johnswort, Chamomile and Plantain

Emollient- Marshmallow, Comfrey, Slippery Elm

Astringents- Witch hazel, Yarrow, Cranesbill Geranium

Vulnerary- Comfrey

Antimicrobial- Garlic, Goldenseal, strongly antimicrobial essential oils including Thyme, Eucalyptus and Tea Tree.

 

Topical Applications

Baths

Fomentations and Compresses

Poultices-

 Made with the herb in some solid form cut, mashed or whole leaf applied to skin and held in place with a cloth.

Lotions-

 Usually have a cooling effect due to evaporation and absorption.

Creams-

 Are suspensions of oils in water. Can be greasy or non greasy. Primarily emollient and protective. Advantage is they do not insulate the skin too much so will not cause an increase in skin temperature. Overheating can aggravate itching.

Salves/

 Ointments are semi=solid lipid based . Because they are fat based they extract plant constituents very well. The fats soften at skin temperature and make the extracted material available to the skin.  Like creams they are emollient but they remain on the skin longer and confer a warming effect.

Pastes

are a mixture of powder in an ointment base. Rarely used these days. Good for when the goal is to keep the effects of the herbs on the skin for an extended period of time.  Good for psoriasis to remove scales.

Powders

are finely powdered herbs or minerals such as oatmeal, corn starch and clays.  Primary benefit is that they absorb moisture.

 

Simple skin eruptions can be easily and safely treated by you.

Mosquito bites, bee stings, scrapes, minor burns etc.

Then with ongoing problems it is best to discuss these with an herbal practitioner to formulate an individual plan. Not all things are for all people.

Basically for the same reason that you can’t call the Dr.s office and get a prescription for an ongoing problem over the phone.

Your history is your’s and your’s alone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            

 

 

Herbs for Health and Beauty

 

There are so many things you can do from the herbs in your garden to enhance your skin care.  It is a good way to say good bye to most of the store bought preparations that say they contain herbs and essential oils and they probably do.  But be sure to read the rest of the content list to see what other goodies they have put in there to extend shelf life and keep the substance intact.  Also fragrances as opposed to real essential oils are a whole different substance.

Fragrance oils are chemically synthesized in a lab. There is nothing natural about them. And they may mimic the real thing but they are never the same.

Essential oils on the other hand are made from the actual plants.  Real live plants are cut, mashed etc and then they are steam distilled and the oil is extracted to provide us with the real therapeutic thing. The water that is left from the distillation process is also useful for some preparations.  They are called floral waters and smell lovely and have some of the qualities of the plant tho not necessarily therapeutic as are the essential oils.

 

So in discussing and learning about skin care we will be exploring the essential oils and what benefits they have for our health.

Many of the products we use for skin care can be made by you. A lot of the recipes are easy and if you invest in some of the essential oils that appeal to you or have properties that you will find useful, you will have a treasure trove of things to use for yourself and your family.

 

Herbs for Skin Care

Calendula- One of the most effective herbs for dry skin. Is antiviral, and antimicrobial. The carotenoids are great for your skin. Useful for psoriasis, age spots, dermatitis and rashes.

 

Thyme

Rosemary

Chamomile- diminishes the development of wrinkles and aids in healing and decreasing inflammation. Use as a tea and/or a face wash.

 

Aloe- Deeply moisturizes , acts as a protective barrier against environmental damage. Lots of  enzymes helps treat blemishes and acne.

Lavender- Cure for acne and eczema. Calming to the skin and helps to eliminate bacteria. The antioxidants and antimicrobial properties help curb oxidative harm which can cause premature ageing of the skin.

Ashwagandha- t is an ayurvedic herb which is very beneficial for the skin. It is full of antioxidants which help in eradicating the free radicals that can trigger dark spots, wrinkles, blemishes, and fine lines. It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties that help heal and prevent wounds and other skin irritants.

Cilantro- This unique herb with a strong aroma is also one of the best herbal remedies for skin problems, for it is jam-packed with antioxidants, iron, beta-carotene, and Vitamin C. It can give you soft and supple skin. Its juice can work like a charm for curing acne and outbreaks. It is an amazing disinfectant and a detoxifier.

 Parsley is a miraculous herb for it can balance oil production, lessen inflammation and prevent skin discolouration. This flavoursome herb can fight acne. It can also help diminish fine lines and wrinkles.

Garlic- This antifungal natural ingredient is used to treat many skin disorders. This rich spice also comprises of antibacterial properties which can purify the build-up of cellular waste that is mainly responsible for skin ailments. It is full of iron, calcium, Vitamins B6 and C, and manganese which can help thwart oxidative impairment from free radicals that contribute to premature ageing.

 

Please note that the following is an excerpt from an herb article and I have not referenced it.

It’s not a treatment, it’s a relationship—and one of life’s most meaningful ones at that. It’s a very different approach from isolating a single part or symptom, and treating it directly (and often aggressively) with a specific constituent of a plant, without regard for what else might be going in the body, or for how the symptom arrived in the first place.

Like any other friendship, the ones we form with the plants require regular communication and attention. You get to know the plants, the plants get to know you, and before long, you begin finishing each other’s sentences. 

We take herbs regularly so that they become us: their vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and other phytochemicals literally become the cells that make up every tissue, organ, and system of our bodies. Their energetic frequencies merge with those of our own thoughts and emotions so that the herbs truly help us from a scientific and spiritual perspective.

These are all herbs that I find bring soothing and beauty into any moment—and isn't that what we look for when we practice skincare or self-care? They are also incredibly versatile, as they can be taken internally as a tea, glycerite, or tincture, or you can infuse them into an oil, butter or salve.

Start with equal parts of each, and then adjust as the plants guide you.

Red rose petals (my favorite is Rosa damascena): Rose tea is known for its physical benefits to the body, for women especially. It's great for digestion, known to help create beautiful skin from the inside out because of its astringent properties and Vitamin C content (helps to promote collagen and elastin production), and is also a powerful ally to our hormones. However, it's also known to uplift the mood, and balance emotions both aromatically and energetically. Red roses are also the flower most often associated with love, and self-love is an important sister practice to self-care.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): Known to aid both sleep and digestion, this one's also known to soothe fried nerves, and adds a bright, sunny feeling and apple-like flavor to your blend. Fresh and newly dried chamomile flowers often bring a smile even to the crankiest of faces. It’s also great for irritated, sensitive skin.

Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis): Marshmallow root is a demulcent herb, meaning it brings soothing moisture into the skin and body. It also has gentle cooling properties (though I wouldn't describe it at all as cold), which is excellent for when you feel stressed or angry, or have breakouts or skin redness, because those symptoms are often accompanied by heat.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Few herbs are known for their relaxing properties more than lavender. I never used to think to drink it, because I always appreciated it first for its aromatic benefits. But when I first tried it in a tea, I've got to tell you, I felt fancy and elegant. And I like feeling that way when I'm practicing self-care. For the skin, lavender is known to help improve just about any skin condition, and is known to be well-tolerated.

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum): This powerful adaptogen is an excellent way to connect you with the Divine within yourself. It's a plant that's prayed to, in its native India, and adding it to a tea is a lovely way to bring whatever your prayer is, into yourself. It also helps your body adjust energetically, as adaptogens do—meaning if you need more energy, it gently energizes you, and if you need to rest, it helps you do that, too. I love the flavor too (the fresh leaves taste like bubble gum with a kick of black pepper, and the dried leaves still retain that mild sweet spiciness), and love how it rounds out this particular blend. It’s excellent for blood or circulation-related skin ailments, and to help flush out toxins from clogged pores.

My favorite ways to use the infusion of this blend are to drink, cleanse with, steam, or use as a compress or toner. I also love infusing these herbs in jojoba oil (absorbs easily into the skin, without contributing to clogging or leaving a greasy feeling), and then using that either as a cleansing oil, massage oil, stand-alone moisturizer, or mixing it with shea butter or beeswax to make a salve.

I hope you’re inspired to expand your relationship with Mother Nature by inviting her into your daily skincare regimen. 

And if you’re new to herbs, or have had trouble sticking with herbal regimens in the past, let herbal skincare be your gateway into all of the wonders our bounteous Earth provides.

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How do we decide what herbs to use?

Start off by asking yourself what you want an herbal skin care preparation to do.

Make a list.  Dry skin?  Dark spots?  Wrinkles?  Eczema?

My big thing this year is my all over skin. Dryness and some roughness.

After identifying what you need, how do you want to use it.

Salve, tea, wash, salt or sugar scrub, lotion, oil?

Try and decide on something that will be easy for you to use on a regular basis.  Then it will easily become part of your daily routine.

Now you can begin.

Accessing your herbs.

A good reason for a local herb collective where you can share or barter of buy locally and in the process discuss with others what you are planning and share info and experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some Recipes to Get You Going

 

Create, have fun and experiment with the herbs you have.

Winter is going to be long this year and maybe a bit lonely.

Make a skin care recipe and relax and enjoy the time we have.

 

Cleansing Grains

Can be used in place of soap on your face and even on your whole body.

Mix up a batch and store in the bathroom for easy use.

 

1 cup finely ground oats

2 cups white clay

¼ cup finely ground almonds

1/8 cup finely ground lavender

1/8 cup finely ground roses

1/8 cup poppy seeds

Combine all ingredients.

To use: Mix 1-2 tsp with water.  Stir into a paste and massage onto face. Rinse off with warm water.

 

Facial steam

Chamomile, roses, comfrey leaf, lavender, calendula

 

Use skin herbs in the bath.  Put dried herbs in a large teaball and let soak in the tub.  Or you can make a strong tea with your dried herbs and pour this into the bath water just before getting in to soak up all the goodness of the herbs.

Baths are often overlooked these days.  But the bath can be very therapeutic. Adding herbs, essential oils, salts and oats can be used to treat skin disorders, headaches, stress, anxiety and congestion.

When you bathe the pores of the skin are opened and receptive  to the healing herbs you put in the water.

Massage oils.