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SKIN PROBLEMS: HERBS ARE THE “GREEN” ANSWER.

Herbs have cured all kinds of problems humans experienced as long back as human memory serves. Herbs are affordable, (could cost you nothing if you grow your own and make your own remedies), and reliable (tested and refined through time), and “Green” , not only the obvious reference to colour, but eco friendly, no ugly air polluting chemical plants are created to make the Herbs, no! Nature does it quietly and as a bonus used our waste air (Carbon Dioxide) to create the great Herbs we are blessed with, to use as we choose.

Evening Primrose - (Oenothera Biennis)

Skin problems are no exception, many herbs are able to relieve and cure most types of skin disorders like; Spots, eczema, zits, rashes, acne, pimples, poor skin tone, enlarged pores etc.

This article is a complete research on Herbs and skin problems. I have grouped the herbs (their function and preparation) under the headings:

EXTERNAL TREATMENTS

On the Spot Treatments

Daily cleaning with face splashes, steams and wipes

Weekly treatments with face pack’s, poultices and compresses

Weekly treatments with Astringents

Long term, twice daily treatment with cream and oils

INTERNAL TREATMENTS

Herb Teas (infusions)

Including Herbs in your daily diet

EXTERNAL TREATMENT

Bulbinlla (Bulbine Frutescens) [LEFT]

Aleo Vera [RIGHT]

Spot Treatment

A date looming and Oh No! An ugly spot! No problem, try the following:

Dandelion - (Taraxacum Officinale) has been used since the 13^th century, squeeze the juice fresh from stem. Place directly on pimple.

Nasturtium – (Tropaeolum Majus) use the petals; crush them between your fingers and place on spot. It soothes and heals.

Aloe - (Vera or Ferox) Cleopatra it is recorded, used it in her beauty treatments. The sap must be fresh because it loses its properties with age. Apply the juice (neat) squeezed straight from the leaf to the spot (acne) or for that matter any open wound, great for treatment of sunburn or irritated skin. Works best if applied twice a day.

Bulbinella - (Bulbine Frutescens) for instant relief of pimples, eczema, ulcers, cracked skin, open sores, rashes and swollen skin – squeeze the juice of the leaf onto the affected area.

Evening Primrose - (Oenothera Biennis) you can use fresh flowers or oil (bought or you can make your own, see recipe later in article), to clear up spots or rashes. Crush flowers and apply directly to spot, or rash. Leave overnight rinse off in the morning.

Garlic – (Allium Sativum) crush the clove and place directly on spot.

Lemon Juice – dab the spots with freshly squeezed lemon juice to kill germs, cool inflammation and improve blood circulation.

As a daily cleaning treatment (Face splash, steam and wipe)

Make a “infusion” (this means the herbs are added to warm or boiling water to extract the desired qualities you need to do the work) Add the herb to boiling water, let it stand for 5 minutes, strain it, and let it cool. The liquid can then be applied to the skin with cotton wool, in gentle cleaning movements all over the face, or as a face splash or a face steam. The ratios of herbs to water will be added next to each name.

Camomile – (Matricaria Chamomilla) [LEFT]

Fenugreek – (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum) [RIGHT]

Lavender – (Lavandula) a well known facial steam. Flowers and leaves can be used – It’s calming and antiseptic and anti bacterial effect is an option for acne sufferers. 1 Teaspoon dried herbs (3 teaspoon fresh herbs) to 1 cup of boiling water.

Elder – (Sambucus Nigra (European Elder)or Sambucus Canadensis (American Elder) 750 ml leaves or flowers to 1 litre of water, boil 20 min. It softens the complexion and is a great skin cleanser.

Chicory – (Cichorium Intybus) 1 Teaspoon dried herbs (3 teaspoon fresh herbs) to 1 cup of boiling water.

Especially good for inflammation, boils and septic areas.

Basil – (Ocimum Basilicum (Sweet Basil) or Ocimum Minimum (Bush Basil) flowers and leaves are used. 1 Teaspoon dried herbs (3 teaspoon fresh herbs) to 1 cup of boiling water.

Fenugreek – (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum) the seeds are recommended for oily, problem skins.1 cup boiling water to ½ cup seeds.

Lemon Grass – (Cymbopogon Citratus).1 cup fresh lemon grass to 2 cups boiling water. Excellent wash for oily skins

Celery – great as a cleanser for oily skin. Pour 2 cups of boiling water over 1 cup of leaves

Marigold - (Calendula).1 cup boiling of water to 1 teaspoon fresh flowers, leave to draw for15 min.

Camomile – (Matricaria Chamomilla) add 1 cup of Camomile petals to 1 litre boiling water, steam the face with this to Purify, soften and make supple.

Chickweed – (Stellaria Media) also known as starflower. A native to Europe, common weed in most gardens and chickens love eating the leaves hence the name. Add 1 cup water to ¼ cup of leaves. Chickweed has antiseptic qualities that are great for spotty, problem skins and eczema.

Rose – (Rosa species) 2 cups of petals in 2 cups of water, let it stand for 15 min. keep excess in the fridge. Has an antiseptic, soothing quality and is best for sensitive and inflamed skins. Use twice to 3 times a day.

Patchouli –1 Teaspoon dried herbs (3 teaspoon fresh herbs) to 1 cup of boiling water. Powerful to regenerate skin cells, has antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti bacterial properties.

Bergamot – (Monarda Didyma) [LEFT]

Rosa [RIGHT]

Bergamot – (Monarda Didyma)

1 Teaspoon dried herbs (3 teaspoon fresh herbs) to 1 cup of boiling water.

An anti bacterial herb also known as Bee Balm, as bees are attracted to its scent.

Parsley – (Petroselinum Crispum) 1 Teaspoon dried herbs (3 teaspoon fresh herbs) to 1 cup of boiling water makes a great face steam.

A few times a week, or when the problem is really troubling (Face Pac’s, Poultices and compresses)

Make a face Pack (like a mask) or a paste (known as a poultice) or a compress (cloth or cotton wool soaked in liquid and placed on face); to make a paste, the rule is generally: the plant is crushed and a little water is added to make it easy to apply, leave on until dry, and then wash off. When this is not the case I will give the alternative method next to the name.

Horseradish – (Armoracia Rusticana) has an antibiotic quality. Make a paste, but mix with a little milk in place of water. Place on affected area, it also improves skin clarity.

Stinging Nettle – (Urtica Dioica) make paste and use as a great eczema and acne remedy.

Comfrey – (Boraginaceae) make a simple paste and apply to pimples. Do not make more paste than you will be using as it does not keep.

Marigold - (Calendula) crush the flower petals to make a paste – this has been used for centuries as long ago as the Aztecs in Mexico, the Hindus in their Temples in India and the Egyptians, for its soothing and antiseptic properties. Clears and softens the skin, also great for sunburn.

Aloe - (Vera or Ferox) crush leaves (no need to add water) place on affected area. Besides its healing properties it prevents scaring. Use fresh sap as old sap deteriorates rapidly.

Basil – (Ocimum Basilicum (Sweet Basil) or Ocimum Minimum (Bush Basil) it draws out puss. Apply paste (no need to add water) over affected area.

Camomile – (Matricaria Chamomilla) a tea bag soaked in warm water placed over inflamed area reduces inflammation.

Borage – (Borago Officinalis)

Chickweed – (Stellaria Media) also known as starflower. As a poultice it relieves inflammation and brings boils to a head.

Fenugreek – (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum) (Methi) Use the leaves as a paste, apply to the face, leave on for 10 – 15 min.

Coriander – (Coriandrum Sativum) has been cultivated as a medicinal and culinary herb for at least 3,000 years. Especially soothing for oily and spotty skin – Make a poultice by adding ½ cup of flowers to 1 cup of oats and 2 cups of worm water. Apply to skin for 10 min, rinse off.

Borage – (Borago Officinalis) add the finely minced leaf to a Face Pack made up with cooked barley and bran, to soften and cleanse dry skin. Just using the crushed leaf paste will reduce swelling

Twice a week or before that great date, to look great. (astringents)

Use as an astringent to tighten the pores, to prevent sagging and to reduce the tired look. Make an infusion, the standard quantities are; 1 cup of leaves to 1 litre boiling water. Place herb in boiling water, let it stand until cool. Apply to face with cotton wool.

Evening Primrose - (Oenothera Biennis) use the leaves as a soothing astringent lotion for greasy, spotty skin, eczema and rashes. Make standard infusion.

Myrtle – (Myrtus Communis) a powerful antiseptic astringent to tighten pores and to tone the complexion. 1 cupful of dried or fresh berries to 2 litres of boiling water, save and store in fridge.

Camomile – (Matricaria Chamomilla) use petals to make the standard brew. This tones clears, purifies, softens and makes the skin supple.

Horsetail – (Equisetum Arveanse) (Bottlebrush) the standard infusion, clears tones and purifies skin.

Scented Geraniums - (Pelargonium Species) – an infusion (standard) can be used as a mild astringent to cleanse and improve circulation of the skin.

Long term, twice daily treatment with cream and oils

Face Cream:

Make your own face cream with the herb u need to improve your skin; Use twice a day for good results. The basic recipe is as follows: Use as a basis pure petroleum jelly or a combination of honey, lanolin, glycerine and almond oil in equal proportions. Slowly heat in a pan, when melted, add crushed herbs in the ratio 1/5 herbs to 4/5 basis and stir until the mixture is boiling. Simmer gently for 20 minutes, then strain, whisk the mixture until thick and creamy and quite cold. Pour into pots and cover.

Bulbinella - (Bulbine Frutescens) its main claim to fame is it soothes all skin problems, eczema, pimples, ulcers, cracked skin, open sores, rashes & swollen skin.

Aloe - (Vera or Ferox) use the leaf sap to make a soothing and healing moisturizing cream, especially good for dry skin.

Myrtle – (Myrtus Communis) for blemishes.

Marigold - (Calendula) for dry skin

Comfrey – (Boraginaceae) for dry skin

Camomile – (Matricaria Chamomilla) for oily skin.

Salad Burnet – (Poterium Sanguisorba) refines the skin especially for dry skin.

Face Oils

Make your own oil.

(Most oils are made in the following way): Dry the herb (by hanging upside down or placing on a newspaper and turning daily) – Add to a basic oil like Almond, Jojoba or Sweet oil (fennel or Basil) (the ratio is ½ herb and ½ oil) Place in a closed jar, let it stand in a warm place (shake daily) after 10 days strain through muslin cloth. Discard herbs, repeat process with fresh (dried) herbs until you have the strength you desire. This should be at about 4 to 5 weeks. The greater the proportion of herb to oil, the more effective the mixture will become.

Marigold - (Calendula) – oil extracted from flower petals soothes inflammation has antiseptic properties, heals and softens skin

Tea Tree – is an antibacterial, soothes irritated skin. This herb has been known for these properties for hundreds of years. Even more effective if mixed with Witch Hazel.

Rose – (Rosa species) in the form of oil, clears tones and purifies the skin.

Evening Primrose - (Oenothera Biennis) helps clear up spots. Apply directly to spot. Leave overnight wash off in the morning.

Witch Hazel – (Hamamelis Virginiana) reduces swelling especially if combined with Tea Tree oil and sweet fennel oils, apply a few times a day.

Scented Geraniums - (Pelargonium Species)

Scented Geraniums - (Pelargonium Species) – the essential oil can be added to face creams, and is useful in balancing the sebum in oily and dry or inflamed skin.

INTERNAL TREATMENTS

To solve a skin problem, applying products to the face is not enough, the body has to be cleared form the inside too. The purpose is to clear the blood; blood removes impurities and transports necessary nutrients to the skin. There are two different ways to do this. The first to drink an infusion (tea) the second is to eat herbs fresh.

Herb Teas (infusions)

A tip: most herbs do not react well with metal teapots, use ceramic cups and teapots when brewing tea.

The general rule is 1 teaspoon dried herb (or 3 teaspoon fresh herbs) per cup of boiling water. Let it stand for 5 minutes, strain and drink, sweeten by adding honey or liven up with lemon. – Ice tea is a good alternative – use same method let cool, place in fridge and drink as a refreshing cool drink.

Chicory – (Cichorium Intybus) rich in vitamins, 1/2 cup leaves to 500ml boiling water store in fridge, drink a few times a day.

Comfrey – (Boraginaceae) make the standard recipe; only make what you will be using as it does not keep well.

Parsley – (Petroseliunum Crispum) the tea brew is a known tonic.

Marigold - (Calendula) 1 cup boiling water to only1 teaspoon of fresh petals let it stand for 15 min. It has a rather insipid taste so add lemon juice to enhance.

Borage – (Borago Officinalis) the word “Borrach” means courage. Research has shown that borage works on the adrenal cortex of the kidneys, helping it to produce its own cortisone. It has great medical qualities because of its high content of Calcium, potassium and mineral salts. Make the standard tea brew.

Camomile – (Matricaria Chamomilla) the Egyptians dedicated it to the sun and worshipped it for its healing properties also known as the eczema plan doctor, as well as a great blood tonic and “pick-me-up”. Ad 1 teaspoon flowers only to 1 cup of boiling water let it stand for no more than 3 min. Add honey for a delicious tea.

Chervil - (Anthriscus Cerefolium) has an interesting parsley-like flavour. Full of vitamin C, carotene & minerals especially iron and magnesium. A blood cleanser of note: Use ½ cup of fresh leaves to 1 cup boiling water.

Evening Primrose - (Oenothera Biennis) make the standard tea from petals and drink regularly.

Salad Burnet – (Poterium Sanguisorba) a tonic tea that has a fresh cucumber taste. Make the standard brew.

Tarragon - (Artemisia Dranunculus) leaves are rich in iodine, mineral salts, vitamins A and C. Infuse as an appetite stimulant, and general tonic. In the past it was used against scurvy. Make the standard brew.

Include in your daily diet

Cooking is not the best way to get all the benefits of Herbs as heat destroys many of the sought after qualities, Eat as is, in salads, fruit salads, on bread as a filling etc.

Garlic – (Allium Sativum) use fresh in salads or cooked in any form. Take as a dietary supplement, 2 cloves a day.

Chicory – (Cichorium Intybus) use as tonic. (Remember it is very bitter, but the whole plant is edible)

Nasturtium – (Tropaeolum Majus) all parts of the plant from the leaves, stems, and flowers to seeds are usable. Has a strong peppery flavour similar to cress, best used in salads, they are high in Vitamin C and Iron.

Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale) use the leaves that are rich in Vitamins and minerals, super for the treatment of eczemas, use sparingly as it has slight bitter taste. Use in salads, stews, soups and vegetable dishes.

Elder – (Sambucus Nigra (European Elder) or Sambucus Canadensis (American Elder). Add the flowers to fruit salad for a surprising taste.

Stinging Nettle – (Urtica Dioica) despite its “stinging” reputation it is a good blood tonic and a great remedy for lowering blood sugar levels.

Salad Burnet – (Poterium Sanguisorba) native to Mediterranean region. Drink if you suffer from eczema, pimples or bad skin.

Parsley – (Petroselinum Crispum) a known blood cleanser, super form of Vitamin C.

Watercress – (Nasturtium Officinale) rich in iron and vitamin C, has a pleasant, slight peppery taste, great in salads, makes a great sandwich filling.

Celery – eat as is, in a salad or soup, stews etc.

Chervil - (Anthriscus Cerefolium)

Chervil - (Anthriscus Cerefolium) full of vitamin C, carotene & minerals – eat raw in salads or just fresh. Has a refreshing spicy flavour (belongs to the carrot family) The Romans used it for its blood cleansing qualities.

Rocket – (Eruca Vesicaria) is a digestive which helps cleanse the body of pollutants.

Borage – (Borago Officinalis) has great medical qualities because of its high content of Calcium, potassium and mineral salts. Chop finely in salads, yogurt, soft cheese, pickles and sandwiches.

Comfrey – (Boraginaceae) good in salads, only use the fresh new leaves.

Avocado - an excellent skin food with high vitamin E and A.

For a wider opinion on all the possible treatments to cure acne and skin ailments please visit http://www.hester-lynne.com/acne/