Herbal Skin Care
Herbal Skin Health Care
The skin is a big deal, literally! It is our largest organ of the body. It is our first line of defense against radiation, pollutants and toxins. It's important in so many ways and it is one of the most attention seeking, demanding organs. Not only does the skin hold everything in, it helps with temperature regulation, immune defense, vitamin production, and sensation. With over 3000 diseases that can affect the skin it is important for us to care for and respect it.
If your skin is upset with you, It might just be trying to tell you that something is going on in your body after all your beauty isn't just skin deep. Inflammation, hormones or poor digestion or constipation are just a few things that can cause your skin to flare up. When a rash appears it can be really hard to pinpoint what is causing it. When this is the case you usually get diagnosed with Dermatitis, which literally means inflammation of the skin.
So how do you know how and what it needs? When it comes to maintaining your youthful skin the best steps you can take are eating good, plant based foods that are alkalizing, this is beneficial because it will provide you with more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and vitamin E all of which the skin needs to stay healthy.
Increasing your water intake will help with that radiant glow since water helps flush the toxins from our bodies.
Don't forget to sleep.
Make sure when choosing skin care products they are free from chemicals, often using herbs is a safe and effective way to keep the skin happy, here are just a few of our favorites.
Dandelion, a study showed that dandelion root extract increased the generation of new skin cells, which could slow the aging process . Additional research indicates that dandelion extract may reduce skin inflammation and irritation while also increasing hydration and collagen production.
Chaga, Isokauppila cites chaga as having incredible skin-protecting properties, containing “more antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD), zinc, and melanin than any other single natural source.”
Burdock Root has long been used for skin issues because of its history to purify the blood, reduce inflammation and in one study it showed significant improvement in slowing the aging of the skin.
Astaxanthin, comes from freshwater algae (Haematococcus pluvialis) it is known to help maintain the skin's elasticity and can be used as an internal sunblock.
Amla: Studies show that amla protects the skin from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, UV rays and toxic Metals.
The Key to skin care is consistency and routine and sometimes it can take awhile to appreciate the benefits, but in the end it is always worth it.
Skin Balm Recipe:
1 part Dandelion Leaf
1 part Amla
1 part Burdock Root
15-30 drops carrot seed oil, lavender, helichrysum or grapefruit essential oils
Place the herb in a glass quart jar and cover with olive oil, almond oil or avocado oil, cover the herb completely plus ½” extra, Shake the jar to ensure everything is mixed and covered, Allow the jar to sit in a cool area for two week, shaking every couple of days.
After soaking for two weeks strain the herb with cheesecloth into a double boiler or slow cooker. Add 1/2oz beeswax for each ½ cup of oil. Melt the wax down completely then add the essential oils of your choice. Transfer the liquid into glass jars and allow to cool.