RSSGuide to the Best Herbal Remedies for Various Skin Conditions
August 11th, 2010 by admin | Filed under Education.Did you know that many, perhaps 75%, of all conventional medications are refinements of herbal medicines? One example of this is the isolation of morphine from opium in 1806. This was the first time that chemical methods were used to extract the active chemical constituents of an herb. The chemical processes used to isolate morphine led to the production of codeine, the widely used cough suppressant. There are countless examples of commonly used medications which come from various plant materials, some of which can often be found right in your own backyard.
Although you should always consult your physician for medical conditions before using any treatment, natural or synthetic, the purpose of this article is to inform you of the various botanically-derived remedies that may be considered for treating some of the most common skin problems. There are many advantages to using herbs rather than the drugs derived from them. A standard medication consists of one, or occasionally two, medically active chemical compounds, plus carrier compounds and a buffer. Herbs and herbal formulas usually contain at least dozens, and in many cases, hundreds, of active ingredients. The many active ingredients act on the body, and on one another, simultaneously. This serves to make the primary active ingredients of the herb more effective. It also serves to prevent the toxic reactions that can lead to side effects. Herbal remedies are more likely to correct conditions without creating additional problems.
Although there are many techniques for making herbal remedies, for the purpose of skin and hair treatments and to simplify the process for home remedy use, I recommend purchasing the herb in the form of its essential oil. Essential Oils are highly concentrated extracts of the herb and can be purchased in small dropper bottles at your local nutrition store or online. Just one drop of essential oil is often equal to 1 full ounce of the plant.
Before applying essential oil to skin or hair, you must ALWAYS dilute the oil first. A carrier (or base) is used for this purpose. The carrier can be a natural oil like olive, jojoba, apricot kernel or similar oil. You could also use your favorite unscented lotion or shampoo or conditioner as a carrier base. I often use organic aloe vera gel as a base for treating skin conditions because of the extraordinary healing benefits of the aloe vera plant. I also prefer the use of aloe vera gel because it is not oily or greasy on the skin.
A good rule of thumb for diluting the essential oil into the carrier base for the purpose of treating a skin ailment is to use about 8 to10 drops of essential oil to 1 full ounce of the carrier base. If you are using more than one type of essential oil, then divide the drops evenly to equal 8 to10 drops total of the various essential oils to 1 full ounce of the carrier base.
Below is a list of 40 herbs, each with its summary of healing benefits. Simply choose between 1 to 3 herbs to use for the particular ailment you are treating and add the appropriate number of drops to your carrier base as explained above. Stir it or shake it to blend the ingredients well and store in a tightly sealed container. Apply it to the affected area 2 to 3 times per day.
Aloe Vera:
Greatest natural source of alpha hydroxy acid. Hydrating, soothing, moisturizing and healing for all skin types. Aloe Vera has extraordinary healing properties, is anti-inflammatory and can soothe the skin and help heal cuts, grazes, burns, radiation burns and insect bites.
Angelica:
Good for dull, irritated, inflamed skin, psoriasis, and fungal infections.
Basil:
Conditions the hair and stimulates hair growth, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-infectious, antibiotic, very good insect repellent and also good for acne.
Bergamot:
Good for eczema, herpes, acne, psoriasis, skin infections, cold sores, blisters, shingles, and chicken pox. Antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-spasmodic, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory.
Burdock:
Excellent for boils, eczema and chronic skin and hair problems. Prevents body’s own immune system from attacking the skin, kills streptococcus bacteria and many disease-causing fungi that infect cracked skin. Add to shampoo or conditioner as a scalp treatment to improve hair strength, shine, body, and to combat hair loss, itching and/or dandruff.
Calendula:
Excellent skin healing herb, natural anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, fungicidal. Excellent for burns, cuts, eczema, oily greasy skin, bruises, soothes skin, inflammations, insect bites, rashes, wounds, cracked dry skin, stretch marks and diaper rash.
Cedarwood:
Cleansing properties, antiseptic, anti-fungal, good for oily or blemished skin, natural astringent used in acne treatments. Relieves eczema, psoriasis, skin inflammation, dandruff, insect bites, hair loss, dry or oily hair, softens the skin.
Chamomile:
Chamomile is excellent for many types of skin conditions as well as severely infected skin. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, good for hypersensitive skin, eczema, skin rashes, acne, rosacea and allergic skin reactions. Brings out natural brightness and highlights in hair when used in a shampoo.
Chickweed:
Chickweed is excellent for sores, abscesses, skin irritations and rashes. Chickweed has an anti-inflammatory action similar to cortisone.
Cinnamon:
Good for infections, antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-fungal, warts, anti-viral
Citronella:
Insect repellent, keeps away mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and other insects.
Clary Sage:
Regenerates skin cells. Good for oily skin and hair, blemishes, mature, wrinkled or inflamed skin, acne, boils and puffy skin.
Cypress:
Natural astringent and antibiotic. Good for mature skin, oily skin and acne. Stimulates cell regeneration.
Comfrey Root:
One of the most valuable plants in both cosmetics and medicine. Regenerates aging tissues.
Eucalyptus:
Antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-infectious and anti-parasitic. Regenerates skin cells. Good for insect bites and rashes.
Everlasting:
Excellent for acne, scar tissue, mature skin, stretch marks, spots, warts, old scars, dermatitis, broken veins and burns. Antibacterial properties.
Frankincense:
Good for dry, mature, aging skin, acne, scars, reduces wrinkles, balances out oily skin, healing for all skin types. Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, natural astringent.
Goldenseal:
Excellent anti-fungal with antibiotic properties that fights secondary bacterial infections.
Gotu Kola:
Good for wounds, scarring and psoriasis. Stimulates the regeneration of skin cells and underling connective tissue, beneficial effect on collagen and inhibits its excessive production in scar formation, accelerates the healing of burns and skin grafts and minimizes scarring.
Grapefruit:
Used for acne, athletes foot, tones and tightens skin, antiseptic, disinfectant, detoxifier and anti-infectious. Good astringent for oily skin and hair, aids in hair growth.
Green Tea:
Natural anti-oxidant used in cosmetics expecially to reduce the puffiness around the eyes. Also has astringent properties.
Hibiscus:
Natural source of Vitamin C and malic acid. Used by the to treat wounds, dandruff and stimulate hair growth. Has antibacterial properties.
Hyssop:
Good for acne, bruises, cuts, wounds, dermatitis, eczema, inflammations, scars, and cell regeneration.
Jasmine:
Used for sensitive, mature, aging skin and stretch marks. Beneficial for dry, greasy, irritated skin.
Lavender:
One of the most popular herbs, lavender is excellent for many skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, sunburn, insect bites, infections, rashes, infected hair follicles, pimples, black heads and light forms of acne. Antiseptic, analgesic, antispasmodic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, anti-infectious, antitoxin and anti-parasitic
Lemon Balm:
Good for infections, acne, boils, warts; increases shine and growth of hair and nails, antibiotic, astringent, and antiseptic. Beneficial for oily complexions, hair and skin blemishes.
Lemongrass:
Good for infections and acne. Natural astringent, antiseptic, anti-infectious, anti-parasitic and anti-fungal. Also good for enlarged pores.
Myrrh:
Beneficial for inflamed skin, boils, athlete’s foot, chapped skin, mature skin, wrinkles and ringworm.
Neroli:
Scar tissue, improves elasticity and reduces stretch marks. Good facial softener, great for overall skin care, regenerates skin cells and tones mature, dry, sensitive skin.
St. John’s Wort:
Excellent antibacterial and antiviral properties for the treatment of burns, cuts, scrapes, and minor skin irritations. Also may be helpful herpes breakouts.
Palmarosa:
Good for acne, scarring, blackheads, athlete’s foot, eczema and other fungal infections. Antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-infectious, antiseptic, moisturizing, regenerates skin cells, aids in regulating oil production of the skin.
Patchouli:
Natural antiseptic, anti-fungal and antibacterial. Used for dermatitis, athlete’s foot, ringworm, parasites, rejuvenates skin cells, mature and dry skin, scars, eczema, inflamed, cracked skin, acne, eliminates dandruff, repels bugs, and relieves insect bites.
Ravensara:
Natural antiseptic, antiviral, antitoxin, antibiotic and anti-infectious. Beneficial for cold sores, herpes, and shingles.
Rose:
Natural astringent, anti-infectious, antiseptic, astringent, antiviral and emollient. Regenerates cells, heals radiation burns more quickly, good for scarring and for use on all skin types especially mature, dry and sensitive skin.
Pages: 1 2
Tags: best, Conditions, Guide, Herbal, Remedies, skin, Various
Castor Oil is better…
@realangel2277 ikr …. i usually just do oil … mostly every day cuz my hair is pretty dry so ya and thanks for all the advice lol =) and i will definitely check out ur channel =)
( im a hair obsess =P)
@AquaCatClaws yes, heat is bad, i wouldn’t use the towel, sometimes they say that heat helps but the sun outside, because of its vitamin D. keep it for about 3 days? but dont shower! it’ll wash off with time, so when you do it.. make sure your not gonna go to school or any party’s for the next 3 days.. its best to do this in the summer because your hair will grow faster in the summer anyways, check out the video on my channel! go to the top and click uploads and you’ll see it!!
@harithasanthosh no olive oil has many benefits olive oil is pure they used in in ancient greece as lotion, and they used it to make there hair grow long and strong, olive oil is good for wrinkles, stretch marks, and hair, you can use it in your hair as a conditioner
how much of each and a hot or cold towel you said both
@harithasanthosh that is so not true! olive oil its one of the best natural hair care techniques for growing your hair, keeping it healty, shiny, split-ends etc.. trust me:) but then you need to wash your hair very well, ill recomend to u warm water bacause of the oil..
hi many ppl saying that olive oil is not good , is that true
i heard her say hot water but the subtitles say cold O-e which one is right?
@julians1mommy yeah true although after i finish in the shower i like to hydrate myself by splashing in a little bit cool water it feels reaaaaaaal good and i hear its good for ur hair too =P but ya =)
@AquaCatClaws no i ment that is what i do. Yes hot water can be bad for your hair it can make your hair frizzy and do much other bad things that are not too good. I said I just use the hot water because it feels good after a massage
@julians1mommy i guess in this case the heat is good for ur hair ?……although i still dont get it oh well ill ask someone else =)
@violinist881 alrighty then ill do that =) well meaning the oil thing not the treatment lol i think my mom wood tell me to leave it all alone she doesnt like my hair obsession =P although when i live myself maybe id do things like that i LUV homemade thingsssssss =D like u no exactly wat ur doing right ? so ya thanks so much and u’ve been a great help … sayyyy i put baby oil ( johnsons baby oil its actualy for ur skin =P ) on my hair and then cocunut oil and then showered and it was so soft !
@AquaCatClaws yes heat is bad for ur hair but in this case i still use hot water it feels really good after a good head massage
@AquaCatClaws or another alternative since you wash twice a week, you could give it a treatment mask. half an avocado with 1 tbl spoon of each olive oil, coconut oil and grapeseed oil and mix it up, add mayonnaise if you want:) and leave on for 20mins and rinse off:)
@AquaCatClaws I see:) well if you wash your hair twice a week, make sure the night you do this you wash of the next day:) because rancid oil isn’t good:)oh and remember to massage your scalp for blood circulation don’t use your finger nails the scrub your scalp instead use finger tips if not you will damage it:) it helps in hair growth and prevent hair loss:) it’s important for long haired people because we drop hairs easily and we need to give out hair extra care
@julians1mommy ikr lol ok thanks =) btw isnt it heat to ur hair and heat is bad for ur hair right ?
@violinist881 well ok thanks so much ( again lol ) well see i only wash my hair twice a week so ….. can i do that oiling thing oiling thing only twice a week will it work ? cuz they say u shouldnt wash vry thick curly hair alot or more than twice a week so im a pretty scared =P and then again if i took a shower every night and morning my family wood think its weird and i wood go bizarro =P ( im in the west so its not so hot we have four seasons =P but singapore i heard is beautiful )
@AquaCatClaws also don’t worry if you have some hair falling while you shower:) new hairs will grow too unless it’s very serious, then i suggest you visit a tricologist.:) and yes I do use shampoo i rotate from hair fall control to nourishing shampoo:) we have natural moisturiser here. but i don’t suggest you keep using shampoo during winter:)
@AquaCatClaws well I’m a clean freak haha and also it’s hot here in singapore because it’s south east asia. we do not have four seasons. So we will never experience winter and it’s also pretty humid here so we have natural moisturiser:P also you know while you are sleeping, your body regenerate new cells, so hairs that are suppose to fall out should fall out and same for new skin. so it’s good to shower when you wake up:) and I shower at night because i go out the wholeday and it’s humid.
You happen to be genuinely beautiful, thanks a ton for your video. it’s miserable i live in Lilesville due to the fact i can’t find high-quality cosmetics, then again i find free of charge trials through “GratisMakeupSamples”. i love Olay make-up!
@AquaCatClaws yeah thats happens i try to use really hot water lol
@julians1mommy …. alright thanks =) when u dip the towel into the warm water doesit cool off after a while =( i tried it and thats wat it did
@violinist881 thx so much =) so u have to shower evry night for that like wash ur hair every night ( plus every morning aaaah! )??? that seems kinda bad for ur hair since u loose all the natural oils of ur hair ……. but then again u put oil on again …. and do u use shampoo when u wash it off ?
@AquaCatClaws I would recommend olive oil and grapeseed oils. I have recently change to grapeseed oil and i found that it is more concentrated wheres olive oil is kinda watery. my hair has improved even better with grapeseed oil:) right after your shower. towel dry your hair still leaving it damp apply olive oil on ends and wrap it up in towel and sleep with it. and wash it off with warm water the next morning. it feels like baby’s hair:)
@AquaCatClaws yes it totally is I add the oil to my ends to because there were kinda jacked up but these oils truly help i also during weekends or when i have extra time to myself i leave it in for a couple hours, also if you want to trun this into a deep conditioner with a avacodo, which l also do im not bs u here but you have to keep doing it you cant just stop, good luck, this is definetly (sorry for miss spelling a bit lazy today) worth the effort.