Natural Remedies For Age Spots

Age spots, otherwise known as liver spots, commonly appear as flat, brown circular areas on the neck, face, shoulders and back of hands. Caused by aging or overexposure to sunlight, you can minimize the unsightly spots by avoiding morning and afternoon sunlight, wearing protective clothing and applying sunscreen, according to the Mayo Clinic. If your age spots do not respond to natural treatments, or if they bleed, itch or change in color, then you should consult a doctor. Otherwise, there are a variety of home remedies that warrant a try.

Gotu Kola

According to Dr. C. Norman Shealy, author of "Healing Remedies," Sri Lankan natives were the first people to use the herb gotu kola. They observed that elephants, animals renowned for longevity, often ate the leaves. Today the people of India, China and Europe commonly use gotu kola for all manner of skin disorders, including age spots.
The major ingredient in gotu kola are saponins, agents that support wound healing and may reduce scarring. According to the University of Michigan Health System, two French studies conducted in the mid-1980s found that topical application of the herb can improve healing of infected wounds and burns. Although further research is necessary to make a recommendation, Colorado-based herbalist Brigitte Mars points out that the marriage of historical and scientific evidence indicates that gotu kola may help improve age spots by supporting the production of collagen, the protein that connects skin tissue, and by accelerating new skin growth.
You can take 60mg of gotu kola daily or make a tea to apply the herb topically. Pour two cups of boiling water over 1 tsp. gotu kola leaves, and let it steep for 10 minutes. Soak a washcloth in the tea, and place it over your age spots as a hot compress for 10 minutes twice a day.

Honey and Yogurt

Look no further than your kitchen cupboard and refrigerator for another natural remedy that warrants a try. According to the book "Alternative Cures," by Dr. Pratima Raichur, a naturopathic physician in Manhattan, states that a combination of honey and yogurt creates a natural bleach that can improve the appearance of age spots.
Anecdotal evidence shows that mixing 1 tsp. honey with 1 tsp. plain yogurt may fade age spots. Apply the moisturizing mixture to your affected areas, and rinse off after 30 minutes.

Lemon Juice

Used as a folk remedy for generations for a variety of health problems, lemon juice provides antifungal, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Herbalists contend that the fruit contains alpha hydroxy acids that work to exfoliate the skin, sloughing off dead skin cells and promoting new cell growth and skin elasticity.
According to Health911.com, consistent topical use of lemon juice for two or three months can help fade age spots. The website recommends applying the juice directly on your age spots twice a day. Do not expose yourself to sunlight until the lemon juice dries.