Herbs and plants are used as ingredients in various dishes. While these herbs provide a delicious taste to your food, they also offer several benefits to your skin health. These herbs are a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, and you can add them to your daily skincare routine.
Here, we have compiled for you a list of herbs and plants that help to treat various skin lesions, smoothen wrinkles, reduce swelling and redness, and help you end up with youthful and subtle skin. Read on to know more.
1. Turmeric
Turmeric is a herb that has long been used as a spice in almost every food. It is widely known for its benefits for skin as well as overall wellbeing.
The herb is also known to have strong anti-inflammatory properties and contain curcumin, as an antioxidant, in high concentration.
A study has shown that turmeric is beneficial for treating melanoma when used topically. As a potent anti-inflammatory agent, turmeric improves skin health and is used to combat skin aging.
Turmeric can be used in the following ways:
- Added to hot milk to make gold milk
- It can be added to salads, pasta, soups, etc.
- Made into tea along with ginger and green tea
- Supplements, e.g., Organic Turmeric Curcumin Supplement
2. Moringa Leaf
Moringa leaves come from the Moringa Oleifera plant, which is native to Asia and Africa. It is very popular for its immense health benefits. Commonly used in the form of oil, Moringa is also found as a component of various skincare products such as creams, shampoos, perfumes, and conditioners.
It is rich in vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids. Vitamin A, present in Moringa, helps in the building up of collagen, vitamin C helps to combat skin aging, and vitamin E is a potent anti-inflammatory agent, thereby, reduces skin inflammation.
The benefits of Moringa include delay in the process of aging, keeping your skin and lips moisturized, and help in treating acne and dark spots.
You can make a face mask at home from Moringa for your skin by mixing one tablespoon of moringa powder with one tablespoon honey and lemon each, and mashed avocado. Apply this mixture to your face and leave it for about 20 minutes before washing it off with warm water. However, if you don’t want to undergo all the hassle and mess, Moringa Leaf Supplement is just the right product for you.
3. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a unique herb that has one unique flavor and smell. It is a popular ingredient added to cookies, baked stuff, and even drinks.
Packed with antioxidants, cinnamon has colossal benefits on skin health as well. Antioxidants help cinnamon combat damaged skin and skin lesions.
The author of The O2 Diet, Keri Glassman, a nutritionist, states that cinnamon has an antioxidant value greater than half a cup of blueberries.
You can top up your coffee with a pinch of cinnamon powder while brewing for a quick effect. Adding half a teaspoon cinnamon powder to porridge taken with honey also makes up a tasty and healthy breakfast.
4. Aloe Vera
Who doesn’t know about aloe vera? It is a plant that comes right on top when the subject is skin health.
The gel from its leaves is used topically and can be taken orally for numerous skin benefits in particular and various other health benefits as well.
Obtained from the leaf’s core, aloe vera gel has been used since ancient times for the treatment of burns and wounds.
Aloe vera has immense benefits when it comes to its anti-inflammatory potential.
Studies have shown that using aloe vera reduces itching, burning, and scarring accompanied by radiation dermatitis. It is found to bring about its effects by decreasing vasoconstriction and platelet aggregation, combatting skin inflammation.
Also, salicylic acid found in aloe vera is said to serve as a potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory substance. Aloe vera also exhibits antibacterial and antifungal activity. It is considered safe for oral consumption.
5. Saffron
Red-colored spice, saffron, is a vivacious herb that is obtained from the plant Crocus sativus. It comes from the top of the female part of the plant; flower’s stigmas in their dried form.
Indigenous to Greece, saffron is now grown in various countries, including China, Iran, and Spain. It is widely used to add flavor and color to food and is utilized as a herbal remedy for several skin lesions, wounds, and abscesses.
Oxidative stress in the skin produces skin inflammation, which becomes the cause of inflammatory conditions.
The active ingredient in saffron crocin combats oxidative stress and inflammation.
A 2018 lab study reported that crocin inhibits the stimulation of various inflammatory proteins.
Golden Saffron Extract can be used as a supplement to reap the benefits of the benevolent plant stigma.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is nature’s bounty that offers a plethora of health and skin benefits. It comes from fermented apple cider. It is believed to balance the skin’s acidity levels, heal eczema, and reduce the risk of infection.
Furthermore, research has found that apple cider vinegar can decrease inflammation and infection. When it is applied to the skin, it reduces skin inflammation, swelling, and redness. It also helps to prevent the risk of infection in the broken skin.
While apple cider vinegar is highly beneficial for your health, it is acidic in nature and can harm the body. It can cause chemical burns to your skin if overused. Research has shown that apple cider vinegar caused burns in an adolescent who attempted to apply apple cider vinegar to remove facial moles.
Thus, it is important to consult your healthcare provider prior to consuming vinegar for use as a natural remedy concerning skin conditions.
You can take apple cider vinegar as follows:
- Topically application to treat skin lesions
- Adding 2 cups to a warm bath and soaking yourself in it for 15 minutes, then rinsing off your body with cold water.
- Beherbal’s Supplement
7. Hot Pepper
Hot peppers, including chili, jalapeño, paprika, and cayenne, do not just set your taste buds on fire; they also have a role in your skin health.
According to experts, vitamins A and C are found in peppers, which help to scavenge free radicals and maintain the skin’s healthy state by inhibiting collagen breakdown.
The peppers consisting of capsaicin serve as a sunscreen to provide protection against the skin from the sun’s UV rays.
Meals are incomplete without peppers. You can add any type of pepper from their wide variety in your food and enjoy their flavor along with health benefits.
While peppers work wonders when it comes to your skin, they can give a burning sensation if used topically, so peppers are just not applying as a concoction.
8. Chlorella
Chlorella is a single cell, nutrient-rich algae that live in freshwater. It is becoming popular due to its health benefits.
Out of its 30 different species, two types, including Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Chlorella Vulgaris, are the most commonly used.
A study has shown chlorella supplements increase the level of antioxidant levels. It is abundant in vitamin C, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene, which serve as potent antioxidants.
The antioxidant effect curbs oxidative stress and has various merits, including skin benefits, combats several chronic diseases, and potentially decreases the risk of several complications in diabetes.
Due to the presence of a cell wall around chlorella, it is not properly digested by the human gut, so it should be taken as a supplement.
One such effective supplement is Beherbal’s Clean Superfood, which removes body toxins, making the skin rejuvenated and improving cholesterol levels.
9. Chamomile
Chamomile is another plant famous for use because of its unique aroma as tea. It possesses natural anti-inflammatory properties, making it a soothing herb that can potentially heal damaged skin rapidly.
Chamomile can decrease itchiness, redness, and swelling, and according to MD and professor at the University of Southern California, Jessica Wu, chamomile serves as an excellent alternative to cortisone.
For the treatment of skin inflammation and burns, immerse a chamomile tea bag in hot water for a few minutes. Remove the tea bag, place it into the refrigerator to cool. Apply the cold tea bag to the red and itchy area for instant relief.
10. Green Tea
Green tea is very popular globally for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These effects come from an active ingredient in green tea, catechin. It also enables green tea to potentially combat early skin aging.
Experts opine that apply green tea topically can facilitate wound healing and reduce pigmentation and sunspots. It is also believed to prevent sunburn if applied to skin half an hour before going out in the sun.
11. Acai Berry
Acai berry is increasingly being accepted for its benefits exhibited in organic skincare products.
It is found in the Amazon rainforest and has been for its healing potential for ages. It possesses antioxidant properties that help fight skin injury. It further offers an anti-inflammatory effect that helps treat several skin lesions.
Known as the Beauty Berry in Brazil, acai berry also potentially delays skin aging. The amino acids and immune system enhancers present in acai repair and rejuvenate skin health.
When eaten, acai berry provides an array of minerals and vitamins, serving as nutritious food, enhancing energy levels and therapeutic remedy for skin inflammation.
Brazilian natives first used acai berry for its nutritional worth, but it was also revealed to possess skin healing properties. Present is far greater concentration than other herbs and plants; the antioxidants in acai help to make your skin more youthful and subtle.
Your skin is protected by eradicating the free radicals and toxins produced locally. Furthermore, the essential fatty acids in the berry play a role in improving skin texture.
You can use Detox Complex supplement to get an instant boost of energy and maintain healthy skin for a longer period.
12. Garlic
Garlic is a plant that is added to most foods and cooking recipes. It is also popular for its medicinal properties since ancient times.
Garlic serves as a potential antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiseptic agent.
These properties come from its characteristic component known as allicin. Allicin is believed to kill bacteria that causes acne. It is also said to decrease swelling, fight inflammation, and enhance blood circulation.
Many people have reported improvement in their skin health after regular use of garlic.
Garlic is a rich source of vitamins, including vitamin C, B-6, and minerals such as zinc, copper, and selenium. All these help it to treat acne and other skin lesions as well as wound healing.
It has been reported in studies that garlic possesses anti-inflammatory properties that also soothe skin inflammation and acne.
Conclusion
Your skin is a protective barrier that protects your body from the external environment. Thus, it is crucial to keep the skin nutrient level in check. In order for your skin to look and feel good, make sure to keep it hydrated by drinking sufficient amounts of water and applying moisturizer.
According to experts, avoid using very old products as they may have become stale and have lost their potential effects. Store the herbs in a dry and cool place to keep them fresh for longer.
These herbs are not only beneficial for your skin but also replenish your body’s nutrients when consumed. Add most of the herbs and plants in your diet and apply them topically. Follow a healthy skincare routine for better results.
References:
- Jennings K-A. 9 Impressive Health Benefits of Chlorella. Healthline. April, 2017. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-chlorella#TOC_TITLE_HDR_14
- Nutrients for Healthy Skin. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/nutrients-for-healthy-skin#1
- Gold G. These 7 Herbs and Spices Can Save Your Skin. Everyday health. Nov, 2014. https://www.everydayhealth.com/beauty-pictures/these-herbs-and-spices-can-save-your-skin.aspx.
- Shenefelt PD. Herbal Treatment for Dermatologic Disorders. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 18. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92761/
- Budannia R. 3 Amazing Benefits Of Moringa For Your Skin! PharmEasy. https://pharmeasy.in/blog/benefits-of-moringa-for-skin/
- Perkins S. Are There Any Medically Proven Benefits of Saffron for Skin Health? Healthline. Sept, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/benefits-of-saffron-for-skin
- Sullivan D. Can apple cider vinegar help with eczema?
- Sept, 2018. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323160#summary
- Wilson D R. How to Treat Acne and Some Other Skin Conditions with Garlic. Healthline. Jun, 2018. https://www.healthline.com/health/garlic-for-acne#how-it-works
- 10. Follano JJ. Acai Berry for Beauty and Incredible Skin Treatment. EMStore. Jan, 2020. https://emstore.com/blogs/skincare/acai-berry-for-beauty-and-incredible-skin-treatment
