Liver spots, commonly called age spots, are known medically as lentigines, and are flat brown oval spots on the skin. Liver spots are caused by sun exposure and appear on the hands and face. As we age, our skin loses protecting melatonin and age spots appear. Liver spots are non-cancerous, and can be removed either medically or with herbal remedies.
Dandelion
Dandelion is one herb you can ingest or apply to the skin to protect yourself from sun exposure. Full of antioxidants and vitamins A and C, dandelion helps stabilize cell membranes and fights free radicals. Tea made from dandelion is available in natural food stores, and drinking one to two cups a day helps provide skin with some much-needed protection.
Creams containing dandelion root applied directly to liver spots promote circulation, provide protection and help to fade liver spots.
Gotu Kola
Gotu kola, also known as Indian pennywort, is a plant from Indian wetlands used in Ayurvedic medicines for skin. According to Charles Kane, author of Herbal Medicine, gotu kola was used in the early 1800s as a particular favorite herb of the French for leprosy. Gotu kola is a well-tolerated herb, reducing inflammation of skin irritations.
Gotu kola's antioxidant properties, added to its healing properties, promote tissue healing and make it a strong herbal remedy for liver spots.
Gotu kola ointment is used topically and available in herbal or natural food stores and should be applied as needed.
Calendula
Calendula's use as a topical healing herb is due to its ability to reduce inflammation and increase tissue healing. A plant native to the Mediterranean, calendula's popularity as a tissue stimulant is most likely due to the large amounts of flavonoids and antioxidants. According to Steven Foster and Rebecca Johnson, authors of National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine, calendula use is recorded in Egyptian documents as a remedy for skin sores, burns and other wounds.
Applications of calendula go directly onto the skin and come in salve form. Apply to the skin three to four times daily.
References
- National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine; Steven Foster & Rebecca L. Johnson; 2006
- Herbal Medicine Trends and Traditions (1st Ed) Charles W. Kane (2009)
- The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook; Merck Research Laboratories; 2009
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