Nature, as ever, lends a helping hand and steps in offering us a multitude of herbs with properties that help soothe, protect and moisturize the skin. What people don’t often realize is that achieving healthy-looking radiant skin often starts deep in the body where we can’t see it.
Poor diet, sluggish digestion and irregular elimination, inability to fall and stay asleep, chronic dehydration will all have a direct effect on the health of our skin. That’s why it’s It’s always important to work both internally and externally when trying to heal the distressed skin.
The good news is that herbs can help with all these challenges as contain a rich diversity of powerful natural compounds unlike anything that could be created in a lab. They are rich in nutrients that have proven benefits for promoting healthy- and youthful-looking skin.The best part of they do not harm your skin in any way and can be used regularly without having to worry about any side-effects.
Here are a few herbs and ideas how to support your skin health both topically and internally:
Hibiscus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, a natural emollient, is great for softening skin. A natural antioxidant, hibiscus firms and lifts the skin - no wonder it has a nickname of nature’s Botox as it helps smooth out wrinkles. Its high mucilage content helps hydrate skin.
You can apply powdered hibiscus flowers into your facial masks and body scrubs to have a light scrubbing, tone evening and brightening effect. Drinking hibiscus tea will bring a healthy doze of vitamin C for boosting skin collagen production, hydrate the body from inside out and help ward off colds and flus!
Rose Petals, Rosa spp, have an astringent, toning, moisture-retaining, and soothing effect on the skin. The moisturizing and nourishing qualities will give a boost to all skin types. Rose is particularly beneficial to dry, sensitive skin, it is also great for mature skin as it may help to ease wrinkles and fine lines.
Just as with hibiscus, powdered rose petals can be added to facial masks, facial steams and scrubs and combined with finely powdered oats to bring in mucilage to help bring that much needed hydration. Rose petals combined with elderflowers make a wonderfully scented face toner. Try rose petals, honey, oatmeal DIY face mask to gentle exfoliation and superior hydration!
Calendula, Calendula officinalis, is the ultimate herbal ally for the skin and is known for its calming and skin-healing properties helps decrease skin irritation and inflammation. Effective in soothing and calming acne, eczema, inflamed skin, and rashes it also nourishes and softens skin.
Calendula infused oil is my favourite way to bring its healing properties to skin. Use higher of heavier carrier oils to infuse calendula to use on face or body. You can use the calendula infused oil straight on your skin or incorporate into salves, face serums and/or moisturizes.
Calendula is known to help move lymph in the body. You can add it in small quantities to teas, broths, soups or even sprinkle some petals on your salads and other dishes.
Chamomile, Matricaria recutita, with its emollient and antioxidant properties, has a soothing and calming effect on irritated skin. It contains azulene which helps to reduce puffiness and cleanse pores of impurities. Chamomile used in a facial steam may also be useful in relieving tension headaches, and breathing due to congestion.
A strong chamomile tea infusion is my favourite way to unwind at the end of the day. Add a sprig of mint to help soothe a tummy.
Spirulina, *Spirulina platensis, is rich in phycocyanin that gives this algae its rich blue-green color. Phycocyanin helps activate antioxidant activity in the cells, thus helping body eliminate free radicals. It has been found helpful in treating acne-prone skin.
You can add spirulina to your face masks or mix in your bath water for an amazing mermaid-like experience full of benefits! Internally, spirulina can be added to smoothies, no-bake energy balls and/or other home-made treats.
Kelp, Macrocystis pyriferae, is extremely high is minerals and helps retain moisture and beneficial to skin conditions prone to flares or breakouts (e.g.: eczema, acne) High in anti-oxidants, it helps protect skin against UVA rays and maintain skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, keep it supple and more youthful.
There you have it! Pure and simple ingredients work best for the skin and help us stay away from unnecessary body care products such as synthetically scented scrubs, moisturizers, sprays, and synthetic perfumes.