Popular Herbs Used in Skin Care and Their Benefits

Popular Herbs Used in Skin Care and Their Benefits: Chamomile, Aloe Vera, Lavender and Rosemary

Today skin care and cosmetics are increasingly going natural. You may have heard that herbs and oils are commonly used in skin care and cosmetics; but, you may not know why or what purpose they serve. why, and what do the do? Four very common and popular herbs that are used in the form of oil or gels are chamomile, Aloe Vera, lavender, and rosemary. All provide unique benefits for the skin and body.

The benefits of chamomile for the skin and body range from calming effects to healing. Recent and on-going research has identified chamomile’s

chamomile herb

specific benefits as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-allergenic. Chamomile is most often recognized as an herbal tea; however, chamomile is present in many skin care products. Chamomile’s active ingredients extracted from the flower are essential oils and flavonoids. Essential oils help to calm and relax irritated skin. Essential oils have also been found to be beneficial to treat and sooth acne prone skin. Flavonoids – or plant metabolites- are rich in anti oxidants that help the body repair and heal damaged skin, as well as fight free radicals, which create damage to bodily cells. Chamomile has few side effects and is effective and beneficial to the skin topically or if ingested.

Aloe Vera contains numerous, minerals, vitamin, enzymes, and natural sugars that help with inflammation. Aloe Vera is commonly known for its healing properties, which explains its popular use in skin care. Aloe Vera aids in the healing of skin burns and cuts and moisturizes and softens skin. Aloe Vera is used in skin care products to help with dry sensitive skin as the plant has unique healing and soothing properties. Taken internally, Aloe Vera has been found to regulate digestion, which in turn builds healthy skin from the inside out. Aloe Vera is available as a gel, spray, lotion, juice, cream and in the form of a capsule. Aloe Vera is most commonly found in skin care gels or creams.

Lavender has many uses in skin care that include aiding skin repair, stimulating cell growth, reducing inflammation, preventing scarring and pigmentation, regulating oil production, and reducing pain. Lavender also works as antiseptic or antibacterial agent and is considered an essential oil. Due to its extensive benefits to the skin, lavender is often found in skin care formulated to treat acne prone skin.

Rosemary can be used as an essential oil just like chamomile and lavender. Rosemary and lavender are actually found in the same herbal family.

rosemary skin care

Rosemary tones the skin, helping to even out skin tone and texture, while reliving dryness. Rosemary strengthens capillaries and is good to use on aging skin. Rosemary is found in skin care cleansers, toners and creams.

There are many other herbs used in skin care and cosmetics today-most in the form of essential oils or extracts- and all can have different or positive effects on the skin and body. Herbs and oils have been used to heal for many centuries and now are being utilized for safe, natural ways to treat skin conditions and maintain a healthy complexion.

by Tiffany Oney

Natural Facial Skin Care and Tips for Dry Skin

A contributing factor to dry, flaky, skin in winter is a drop in temperature. Although winter sometimes feels damp, there is usually less water in the air than on your skin and that creates a moisture vapour loss from the skin. As skin becomes drier, its surface layer stops producing the natural lipids which prevent moisture loss, and water cannot be retained so easily. Dry skin will also show wrinkles more easlit and contribute to an aging appearance.

Herbalist Greta Breedlove came up with this natural homemade skin care recipes face utilizing the seed of the avocado. It makes a moisturizing face scrub, especially for dry skin.

AVOCADO FACE SCRUB

Let an avocado dry a few days until you can remove the skin easily. Chop, then pulverize in a blender or food mill. Moisten with a little milk and smooth over your face, throat.

AVOCADO FACIAL CLEANSER

One egg yolk, beaten until light and frothy
1/2 cup milk
1/2 avacado, peeled and mashed

Beat the mixture with a fork until you have a thin cream or lotion consistency. Apply with cotton balls as you would a cleanser.

As a result of all these factors, sometimes skin on the face and body tends to be in worse condition in the winter months than at other times of the year. In extreme cases, a constant drying effect can even lead to cracking, flaking and redness.

These four tips for helping to keep dry skin at bay during the colder months come from Dr. Kucy Pon, Olay dermatologist.

1. A moisturizer is essential - A moisturizer performs several important functions, including replacing lost water. Water-binding ingredients, such as glycerin, help keep it in the skin.

2. Create an oasis - Put some moisture back into the air by using a humidifier in your home or office. It will counteract the drying effects of indoor heat.

3. Drink lots of water - Increase your body’s natural moisture level by staying hydrated throughout the day.

4. Keep wrapped up - Dress for the season and try to limit your skin’s exposure to harsh temperatures and damaging winds.

If you have dry skin, then you probably already know it can be really difficult to care for. When you don’t look after it properly, it can become flaky, and if it gets really bad, may even become irritated and red. Although it’s possible to find plenty of products that claim to be able to solve dry skin problems, unfortunately most of their claims are sales hype.

Although most over the counter products don’t do much to combat dry skin, there are a number of things you can do to improve the condition of your skin. It’s mostly a question of making some basic changes to your daily skincare routine. It won’t take long for your skin to appear more healthy and vibrant.

With dry skin, you have completely the opposite problem to someone with oily skin. Basically, your skin is suffering from a lack of sebum, the oil that helps to keep the skin moist and supple. People with oily skin produce far too much sebum. Sebum is actually made from skin cells, and is an essential ingredient in healthy, supple skin. Because dry skin has insufficient oil, you need to replace it from both inside and outside.

5.  Moisturize

One of the best things you can do for your skin is to use a good quality moisturizer. Choose a cream that is rich, but not heavy. Consider choosing a natural cream with aloe vera and chamomile. Both these ingredients are very soothing, as well as helping to reduce dryness and improve the skin’s healing abilities.

6. Choose Healthy Foods

You also need to look at the type of foods you eat. It’s important to choose healthy foods, because the healthier your body, the healthier your skin will be. You may not realize this, but your skin is actually the largest organ of your body. So it needs to be nourished just like all the other organs in your body.

7.  Supplement

Depending on the types of food you already eat, you might need to consider taking a supplement, such as Vitamin E, Omega-3 oils and B-Complex vitamins. Making sure you get enough of these important nutrients is a great way to improve the condition of your skin.

By nourishing your skin in all these ways, you should soon a marked reduction in the level of dryness. Helping your skin to be more supple and moist also helps to slow down the process of aging, so you’re the winner in two ways.

By Tom Turner

How To Fight Back Against Cold Sores & Herpes Naturally

Great article I read from “Wellness with Rose”

via “How To Fight Back Against Cold Sores & Genital Herpes… All Naturally” « Wellness With Rose.

Cold sores suck. You get that tingle in your lip and you know it’s coming. The dread sets in waiting for that
week of pain and embarrassment that comes with the outbreak.

Having a cold sore is a miserable process, but what are you going to do? Western Medicine insists that there is no cure for Herpes Simplex 1, the virus that causes cold sore outbreaks.

With all due respect to the Western Medicine Community, I disagree. I believe, and this is just my belief, that the body can heal from ANYTHING.

And, for those of you who carry the Herpes virus, there is hope! Your body is an incredible machine that is capable of fighting and healing any malady that comes its way. It’s just a matter of finding the right key to unlock the chemical changes needed for your biology to heal itself.

Over 60% of the population are carriers of Herpes 1, the virus that causes cold sores and 40% are carriers of Herpes 2, the virus that causes genital herpes. When carriers experience outbreaks of either cold sores or genital herpes, they are displaying outer signs of an inner war being waged between the viral infection that has taken up host and the body’s immune system.

Cold sores and genital herpes outbreaks tend to increase in colder weather because your body is using extra energy just to keep your body’s temperature up, dealing with added stressors that accompany the winter holidays, and coping with the increased sugar intake from all those seasonal treats. This leaves your forces weakened, and opens the door for viral troops to break through and break out.

You can fight back. By taking a holistic approach and analyzing the body’s entire system, you can reinforce your Immunity Army’s troops and kill off the foreign invaders once and for all! Here are some recommendations for doing just that:

Boost your immune system by taking Astragalus. Available in pill form or as a tea, this herb increases your natural T-Cell levels. Your T-Cells are like the Navy SEALs of your immune system, providing a highly intelligent, extensively trained front line of defense against any foreign bacteria or viral invaders. Also, increase your levels of Vitamin C and Zinc as these minerals further reinforce your immunity, equipping your T-Cell warriors with armor and ammunition.

Add a 300mg L-lysine supplement to your daily regimen. An essential amino acid, L-lysine affects the virus’ RNA and shuts down its ability to replicate itself in the body. L-lysine won’t kill the existing virus, but it will inhibit the viral army from adding any more troops. Protein-rich foods are good sources of L-lysine.

Watch out for foods high in L- Arginine. This amino acid will betray your Immunity Army by providing support for the foreign forces. Say no to chocolate, almonds and walnuts – all high in L-Arginine, and say yes to foods like soybeans, spinach and lentils which are low in L-Arginine and high in L-lysine. Finding the proper balance of these two amino acids is essential in wiping out the Herpes Simplex viruses.

Liquid Colloidal Silver

Discover the wonders of colloidal silver! Extensively used to treat maladies prior to the creation of antibiotics, colloidal silver is a bacteria killing machine that can be taken internally or applied directly to the sore outbreaks. Once I had a wart that wouldn’t go away. I used colloidal silver on it for two days, it disappeared and I haven’t seen a sign of it since! It is important to note that colloidal silver doesn’t discriminate and it will destroy your good bacteria as well as the bad, so be sure to reinforce your system with probiotics. I recommend taking Acidophilus in pill form because other methods aren’t as strong and you want to be certain you’re getting enough.

Also, the use of topical oils can be used on outbreaks until the virus is defeated. Essential oils such as lavender oil and lemon balm are highly effective in soothing Herpes outbreaks and will work well until your Immunity Army ousts the viral invaders. Simply dab a bit of the oil directly onto your sores using a cotton swab and experience instant relief.

Taking this multi-pronged approach and fighting viral infections from every angle is your Immunity Army’s best bet in conquering foreign invaders. You can triumph over Herpes Simplex viruses, all it takes is a little internal biological warfare. Go. Fight. Win!

Why Natural Facial Skincare is Best for You

Our skin is the largest organ of the body and protects the rest of our organs from outside elements and harm. We have all been taught to take care of our skin not only to look good, but also to be healthy.

The benefits of eating organic, whole foods have been getting a lot of press in recent years. If you want beautiful skin, a healthy inside will reflect a healthy outside. Today, natural and organic skin care is the fastest growing area in the skin care and beauty industry.

Why natural? Some facial cleansers and  products have been known to contain many chemicals such as parabens, to preserve their shelf life. Parabens are actually harmful to the skin, and overall health. Organic skin care products are all natural and do not contain any chemicals or preservatives. “Natural skin care” can and might contain some chemical constituents, but strives to be as natural as possible. The key ingredients used to make these products contain few if any toxins or chemicals.

You may then ask, “Do natural or organic skin care products expire more quickly than others?” The answer is no. In order to extend the product’s shelf life, manufacturers recommend you use something sanitary–such as a spatula–to remove products from containers and always close containers directly after use. It is widely agreed upon that once skin care products of any kind are opened and exposed to air, they should be used or thrown out after 6 months.

When natural facial masks and treatments are used to treat skin disorders such as eczema and acne, they are much less likely to cause irritation to sensitive skin. Choosing natural is a beneficial and safe way to take care of your skin and overall health. Today there are many organic and natural soaps and cleansers to choose from, including cleansers, toners, moisturizers, make-up and even anti-aging serums. Some organic ingredients you may already have at home are: essential oils like ginger and tea tree, natural plant oils such as grape seed and almond oil, and herbs such as lavender and green tea. You can use these in your bath or make fabulous natural, facial treatments. The internet or your local library has hundreds of great recipes to choose.

Organic fruits such as papaya, apples, citrus and cucumbers are proven to have a healthy effect on the skin, due to the absence of toxic pesticides. As you can imagine, there are many great organic and natural soaps and cleansers available for retail, if you’re not interested in making your own home remedies. However, “natural” doesn’t always mean organic and labels can be deceiving; do some research on ingredients that seem skeptical.

The intent of this article is to help you be aware what you are putting on your skin and what harmful ingredients may be looming in your favorite skin care products. Now that you know more about natural, organic skin care follow the below home recipe for a great glow!

Make sure that your at home ingredients are certified organic.

Moisturizing Avocado Mask:

1 avocado, 1 teaspoon of apple vinegar, 1 egg white, 3 teaspoons of olive oil. Peel and mash avocado. Separate and beat egg white, add to mashed avocado along with other ingredients. Apply to face and wash off after 20 minutes.