According to the Mayo Clinic, dark circles under the eyes usually don't signify exhaustion or serious illness, contrary to popular belief. Instead, dark circles most commonly occur due to aging, heredity, sun exposure, thinning skin, pigmentation irregularities, or lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol and smoking. Regardless of the cause, these dark circles can make an individual look tired or unhealthy. While getting rid of them completely may be impossible, you can minimize the appearance of dark circles under the eyes using herbal remedies.
Witch Hazel Compress
Witch hazel extract, a natural astringent, may help reduce dark circles under eyes, puffiness and swelling. Soak two clean cotton pads or cotton balls in witch hazel extract and squeeze out any excess. Lie down in a comfortable position, close your eyes and place the soaked cotton pads under your eyes. Allow them to remain for at least 15 minutes before removing, for the best results. Witch hazel contains large concentrations of tannins, which may contribute to the herb's ability to tighten tissue and reduce swelling under the eyes. You can purchase witch hazel extract at most natural health stores and drugstores.
Chamomile Tea Bags
Chamomile, another popular herbal remedy for dark circles under eyes, improves the condition by constricting the blood vessels underneath the eyes. In her book "Natural Prescriptions for Women," Susan Berg recommends moistening two chamomile tea bags, chilling them in the freezer for about five minutes, then applying under the eyes. Allow the tea bags to remain for at least 10 minutes before removing. Look for chamomile tea bags at your local supermarket or natural health store. If you suffer from allergies to flowers in the daisy family, do not use chamomile.
Grated Potatoes
A simple home remedy, grated potatoes may help reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. In her book "Passport to Beauty," Shalini Vadhera suggests grating one medium-sized potato in a food processor, then stuffing the shreds into a piece of cheesecloth to make an eye pack. Apply the pack directly to the area under the eye, being careful not to allow the potato juice to come into contact with the eye itself. Allow the pack to remain for 15 to 20 minutes, then wipe away any remaining starchy residue. If you don't have access to a food processor, shred the potato manually using a cheese grater.
Herbal Mask for Under-Eye Circles
Sandi Brenner, author of "Beauty and the Budget," recommends using a mixture of tomato juice, cornmeal, lemon juice and turmeric powder to make an herbal mask for reducing dark under-eye circles. Combine 8 tbsp. fresh tomato juice, 4 tbsp. fine cornmeal, 1 tsp. lemon juice and 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder to make a thick paste. If the mixture runs down the back of a spoon, add a bit more cornmeal to thicken. Apply the mask directly under the eyes and allow it to remain for 10 to 20 minutes once per day for the best results. Herbalists value turmeric for its anti-inflammatory activity, which may contribute to the efficacy of this treatment.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Dark Circles Under Eyes
- "Natural Prescriptions for Women"; Susan Berg; 2000
- "Passport to Beauty"; Shalini Vadhera; 2006
- "Beauty and the Budget"; Sandi Brenner; 2006
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