Medicinal Herbs

Skin Problems

Disclaimer :

Please note that this is not medical advice and does not replace the advice or treatment of your medical practitioner. Do not stop your treatment and replace it with a herbal remedy without consulting with your doctor.

ACNE

• Anise - drink anise seed tea (available from your nearest health shop) once a day to treat Acne, oiliness and enlarged pores. The tea, once cooled can also be used as a face wash to help clear oiliness.

  Warning: Not to be used when pregnant.




• Dandelion - eat the Dandelion leaves to help clear up Acne and oily skin. It can also be added to salad or chopped celery and parsley with a bit of fresh lemon juice and is delicious on mashed potato.

  You can dab a little bit of the milky sap from the Dandelion plant onto the affected area.




• Strawberries - mash ripe strawberries and use it as a face mask or facial scrub. This will help clear acne and sooth rough, inflamed areas.




• Oats - mix oats with a little bit of warm water to form a smooth paste and use this as a face mask or facial scrub.




• Parsley - eat a handful of fresh parsley or add it to a salad with dandelion leaves, celery and a little bit of fresh lemon juice.

  You can also make a lotion from 1 cup of fresh chopped parsley leaves and sprigs and 5 cloves. Make the lotion by simmering the parsley and cloves in 1 litre of water for 20 minutes. Let it cool and strain the lotion.

  Dab the affected area with cotton wool dipped into the lotion and add what's left of it to your bathwater at the end of the day.




• Tea tree - Make a lotion using 1 cup of tea tree sprigs by simmering the tea tree sprigs in 1 litre of water for 20 minutes. Let it cool and add 10 drops of tea tree essential oil.

  Dab the affected area with cotton wool dipped into the lotion.

PROBLEM SKIN

• Fennel - drink fennel tea daily to help clear oily, problem skin. Dip cotton wool into the cooled tea to reduce puffiness and shadows under the eyes.

  To clear blocked pores and help refine pores, steam your face by simmering 2 cups of fennel leaves and sprigs in 2L of water for 20 minutes. Remove it from the heat and lean over the steam, while covering the back of your head with a towel - and gently steaming your face.




• Basil - for oily skin, steam your face by simmering 2 cups of basil leaves and sprigs in 2L of water for 20 minutes. Remove it from the heat and lean over the steam, while covering the back of your head with a towel - and gently steaming your face.

ANTI-AGEING

• Evening Primrose - Evening Primrose tables (available from most chemists), if taken daily will help improve your skin's elasticity and aid in general aid ageing skin.

  You can make your own evening primrose moisturiser by simmering 1 cup evening primrose leaves, flowers and seeds and 1 cup of Aqueous cream in a double boiler for 20 minutes. Strain the mixture and add 2 teaspoons of Vitamin E oil and 2 teaspoons Almond oil and pour the mixture into a suitable container and seal well.

  This cream is also good for soothing sunburnt skin and dry skin.




• Thyme - Steaming with lemon thyme is not only excellent for clogged and enlarged pores but also good for your lungs!

  Pour 1.5L of boiling water over a cup of lemon thyme sprigs and lean over the steam for 5 minutes, while covering the back of your head with a towel - and gently steaming your face.

INSECT BITES

• Basil - Crush a basil leaf and apply it directly to the bite or sting.




• Lavender - make a lavender cream by simmering 1 cup of lavender flower and 1 cup of aqueous cream in a double boiler for 20 minutes. Strain the cream and add 10 drops of lavender essential oil,2 tablespoon almond oil plus 2 teaspoons Vitamin E oil and mix it well. Pour the mixture into a suitable container and seal well.

  Use this cream on insect bites, scratches, bruises and grazed skin.




• Tea tree - crush the fresh leaves and apply it directly to the insect bites.