The skin is the body's largest organ, and can easily be damaged by sun and wind. Skin can transmit contacted chemicals and toxins into the bloodstream. Natural, herbal skin creams protect your skin against elemental damage, and promote healing while minimizing exposure to artificial colors, scents and additives. A wide variety of herbal creams are available to help heal wounds and bruises, sooth irritations, or maintain soft, supple skin.
Comfrey
Comfrey, or Symphytum officinale, is an herb traditionally used to treat wounds, bruises, sprains, and even broken bones, giving rise to its other popular name, knitbone. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, comfrey leaves and roots are rich in allantoin and other substances that help new skin cells to grow while reducing inflammation associated with injury or skin irritations. Comfrey ointments and skin creams containing between 5 percent and 20 percent comfrey are available from numerous sources, including Dr. Wendy Keeney-Kennicutt's "Wrinkle Warrior" cream, which also contains soothing calendula and other herbal extracts. Peaceful Mountain's Shinglederm Rescue gel relies on comfrey along with poke, chapparal, and St. Johns Wort to diminish the impact of shingles; it's available from the Vermont Country Store Apothecary. Comfrey products should always only be used externally.
Aloe Vera
The naturally occurring gel from the inside of the succulent Aloe vera leaf has long been used as a remedy for mild kitchen burns. Aloe vera gel is now a common herbal addition to skin creams to counteract the irritating and aging effects of sunburn, wrinkles, insect bites, and scratches, according to the Union County College Biology Department. Its healing properties are so intensive, the Union County College reports, that Aloe vera is now used as a treatment for radiation burns. Many home cooks keep an Aloe vera plant on the windowsill and slice open a leaf, applying its contents directly on minor injuries as a full-strength gel. Aloe is an active ingredient, along with willow and licorice, in Dermalect Redness Rehab and Dermalect Age-Def Eye Cream herbal skin creams, available from the Vermont Country Store Apothecary.
Arnica
Arnica (Arnica montana) is a perennial herb native to the mountains of Europe. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that Arnica has been used medicinally since at least the 1500s to ease muscle aches, heal wounds and sooth skin rashes and redness. Arnica should only be used externally, and never on an open wound or cut. Arnica is a common component of herbal skin creams and treatments, including Prid's Drawing Salve, which helps to remove splinters and treat boils and acne. It's also in Suzy Chaffee All Natural Sportstick, a skin cream in stick form that soothes chapping and dry skin and treats sore muscles and minor sports injuries.
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