What Natural Supplements Are Good For The Skin?

Certain dietary supplements may be helpful in improving the appearance and health of your skin. According to the Kids Health website, your skin is one of your body's largest organs and performs many important functions, including protection, temperature regulation and sensation. An unhealthy lifestyle and certain medical conditions can decrease the health of your skin. Before taking natural supplements to help treat your skin, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential side effects.

Burdock

Burdock, also known as Arctium lappa, is a natural supplement that may be helpful in treating your skin. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, burdock, a member of the Aster family, has been used for centuries to help treat numerous health problems, including skin problems such as eczema, acne and psoriasis. Burdock is a biennial plant native to Europe and Northern Asia, although it now grows throughout the United States. Burdock has a sweet, bitter and mucilaginous taste and cooling properties. The root of the plant is used for medicinal purposes. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that burdock is helpful in treating numerous skin maladies, including boils, hives and sebaceous cysts. Smith warns that excessive doses of burdock may cause kidney pain and lower back discomfort in some individuals.

Horsetail

Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that horsetail, also known Equisetum arvense, is a diuretic, astringent, styptic and vulnerary, or a substance that promotes healing of wounds or irritated tissue. Horsetail, notes Tilgner, increases your connective tissue tone and resiliency and contains silica. Silica helps you build strong bones and encourages the healthy growth of your skin and nails. Horsetail belongs to the Equisetaceae family, has a bland and slightly sweetish taste and possesses cooling and drying tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the sterile spring stems of the plant for many purposes, including improving the health and appearance of your skin. If you are a pregnant women, avoid natural supplements containing horsetail. Horsetail should not be consumed for long periods of time.

Sarsaparilla

Sarsaparilla, a member of the Lily family, is a perennial trailing vine native to Central America. Sarsaparilla, also known as Smilax officinalis, has a long slender root and short, thick underground stems and possesses a soapy taste and drying tendencies. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center states that the root of the plant is used medicinally to help treat numerous health problems, including skin infections, dermatitis, arthritis, liver disease and urinary tract infections. According to Tilgner, sarsaparilla is an alterative, diuretic and diaphoretic, or a substance that induces perspiration. Dr. Michael T. Murray, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "The Healing Power of Herbs," states that sarsaparilla may be particularly helpful in treating eczema and psoriasis, two common skin conditions that affect many Americans. Natural supplements containing sarsaparilla may cause allergic reactions.