When it comes to herbs most people are familiar with parsley, rosemary, sage, and basil, but the world of herbs is more complex than what is usually found in your kitchen cabinet.
Two particular herbs have been used for centuries but may go unnoticed in their many ways of use. These flowering plants are Calendula and Chamomile.
Calendula officinalis is a flowering plant in the daisy family, Asteraceae. Common names of this plant include the pot marigold, ruddles, common marigold or Scotch marigold.
We have yet to tap into this amazing sunshine herb's full capabilities, but the proof of its healing ability is slowly coming to realization. The widely known gardening flower is one of the oldest plants known to medicine, and is thought to have been used in ancient Greece, Egypt, and Arabic empires.
This bright, beautiful bloom has been cultivated for external remedies to combat every manner of skin concerns. The herb is said to be antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. These significant properties allow this flowering plant to aid in skin conditions:
Chamomile is one of the oldest, most widely used and well documented plants in the world and has been recommended for a variety of healing applications (1).
A widely known herb, some commonly used species include, Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) or Chamaemelum nobile (Roman, English, or garden chamomile). It has had a long history of medicinal use. This beautiful flower has been ushered throughout many cultures for stomach ailments and as a mild sedative.
Chamomile is native to the old world and has been used in skin healing for centuries. The flower native to Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America was used by Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks to treat many conditions and illnesses such as nausea, pain, inflammations, [and] skin diseases (2).
Mostly known in western culture as a great nighttime tea, chamomiles full potential has yet to be fully realized. This lovely plant helps combat many skin concerns. Some of which include:
Herbal oils are made by infusing herbs with high quality oils. These oils should be food grade, unrefined, expeller pressed or cold pressed. Herbal oils are beneficial for soothing skin conditions like dryness, irritation, and inflammation.
Preparing herbal oils is quite easy, and after preparing an herbal-infused oil, you could also transform it into an herbal body balm or use it as a stand-alone oil.
Calendula and Chamomile are two special blooms we incorporate within our body oils and scrubs. These ancient herbs bring life and healing to the body. Find ways to explore earth's gift in more ways than one.
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I must say, as a youth, I never paid much attention to my skin and with the lack of attention came the lack of care. However, as I entered into womanhood I soon joined my sisters in the realization that hormones are real and with the fluctuation of these hormones came another realization we all must undoubtedly face; hair is the devil.
With my new found friends that proudly made their way through my skin I explored the time old ritual that was birthed in the early 1900s. You guessed it, shaving. I must say shaving was not something I enjoyed but, honestly who does? Yet, with conformity to society's beauty standard this is where we meet and do what "needs" to be done.
[2]
Throughout my years of shaving I developed little dark spots on my legs which is known as "strawberry legs". The dark spots or pores are actually open comedones, a dark semisolid plug of oxidized debris. These open comedones can have excess oil, dirt, or bacteria trapped inside. The blockage of sebum, debris, or bacteria mixes with air and melanin, and the reaction causes the opening to appear dark or black. [2]
One way I learned to combat the appearance of these spots was through exfoliation.
Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin using a chemical, granular substance, or exfoliation tool.[1]
Your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells to make room for new cells every 30 days or so.[1]
Sometimes, dead cells don’t shed completely. This can result in dry, flaky patches and clogged pores. Exfoliating can help prevent this.[1]
If you've had a pedicure, then you're familiar with the benefits of exfoliation. Foot calluses can develop over time for a number of reasons. However, after a session with a pumice stone and some specialty scrub, your feet which were once callous filled and rough, are now soft and smooth. While you wouldn't necessarily use this same method on your face, imagine the effects a scrub would have if used on the rest of your body.
The process of exfoliation rids the body of any dry, dull skin by removing dead skin cells from its surface. By removing these dead cells, exfoliation can help keep pores from becoming clogged and leave skin with a refreshed and clean feeling.[3] Although you can't reduce their actual size (genetics is the biggest factor in pore size), you can help diminish their appearance by keeping them clog-free.[3]
In addition to the immediate visual benefits of exfoliation, the removal of dead skin cells speeds up the skin renewal process, allowing smoother, healthier skin cells to take their place [3]. Not only will this help with fine lines and wrinkles, but it will help to reduce the appearance of dark spots.
When it comes to know when to exfoliate, it all comes down to personal preference and your daily routine.
For example, if you find your skin looks dull in the morning, exfoliating before you start your day may be beneficial. On the other hand, exfoliating at night can help remove any lingering makeup or other debris. [1]
If you use a medicated product for a skin condition, you should space out the time between that product and exfoliating. [1] Avoid exfoliating if you have cuts or open sores on your skin. [1]
Regular exfoliation helps keep these dark pores at bay, and so do proper shaving methods, shaving tools, and a good skin care regimen. It's recommended to exfoliate your legs on a regular basis with a body scrub that polishes away dead skin cells. [2]
If you have oily skin, you can exfoliate as often as needed. This may be daily, every other day, or less frequent. [1] For all other skin types, you should limit at-home exfoliating to once or twice a week. [1]
Here are a few DIY body scrub recipes you can create using a few ingredients you find in your home or your local grocery store.
Coconut Sugar Scrub
Coffee Scrub
Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container, such as a mason jar.
References
1 What does it mean to Exfoliate https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/meaning-of-exfoliating September 26, 2018
2 What are Strawberry Legs https://www.byrdie.com/shaving-tips-to-prevent-strawberry-legs-2442894 April 22, 2019
3 What is Exfoliation https://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/cleansing/tips/what-is-exfoliation1.htm
]]>Lavendula, commonly known as lavender, is a flowering plant native to the Old World, in places such as Africa, Europe, and Asia. It is said to be part of the mint family and is the most widely cultivated species of flowering plants. In ancient times, it was said to be used as a holy herb. Lavender derives its name from the Latin ‘lavare’ meaning ‘to wash”. The Romans used Lavender to scent their baths, beds, clothes and even hair. They also discovered its medicinal properties. [1]
A variety of essential oils are also excellent for dermatology use, including lavender. In fact, if you have acne, eczema, or skin inflammation, applying lavender oil to affected areas may play a role in treating blemishes and ease inflammation, according to a paper published in May 2017 in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. [3]
Lavender oil works to kill bacteria, and this can prevent and heal acne breakouts. It unclogs pores and reduces inflammation when you put it on your skin. To use lavender oil for acne, dilute it in coconut oil or another carrier oil and apply it to your skin after washing your face. [4]
You can also use lavender oil as a facial toner by mixing two drops of lavender oil with one teaspoon of witch hazel. Soak a cotton ball in the blend and then gently rub it over your face. For a particularly stubborn pimple, argan oil can help reduce inflammation. Mix one drop of lavender oil with a drop of argan oil and put it directly onto a pimple twice a day. [4]
Eczema can show up anywhere on your body. With eczema, your skin gets dry, itchy, and scaly. It can appear mild or chronic and in multiple locations. Since lavender has antifungal properties and reduces inflammation, it can help keep eczema at bay.[4]
Lavender oil can also be used to treat psoriasis. The lavender oil helps cleanse your skin and lessen redness and irritation. [4]
To use this essential oil for eczema, mix two drops with an equal amount of tea tree oil, along with two teaspoons of coconut oil. You can use it daily. [4]
Lavender oil is believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to heal minor burns and bug bites.
Research suggests that it may be useful for treating anxiety, insomnia, depression, and restlessness. [2]
Some studies suggest that consuming lavender as a tea can help digestive issues such as vomiting, nausea, intestinal gas, upset stomach, and abdominal swelling.[2]
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warn people to be cautious when combining lavender with the following:
If you are already taking the above, seek medical advice before adding lavender to your drug regimen. [2] Also, remember to discuss any use of essential oils, herbs, or supplements with your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
References
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