Home Remedies For Skin Problems

1. Aloe Vera- Several controlled scientific studies have shown statistically significant antibacterial benefits of aloe vera. Other studies have shown statistically significant improvement in skin symptoms when aloe vera has been used in the treatment of radiation ulcers, burns, and frostbite injuries in animals. In 1953, Drs. C.C. Lushbaugh and D.S. Hale found that treatment with aloe vera sped up the repair of skin ulcers caused by radiation in rabbits. It took less than half the time for the aloe-treated ulcers to heal as compared with the untreated group. Drs. S. Goff and I. Levenstein in 1964 found that aloe vera helps surgical wounds in mice to heal more quickly for the first two weeks after surgery. In a related study in 1994, Dr. EM. Strickland and colleagues at the Department of Immunology of the University of Texas and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, found that aloe vera gel extract spread on the skin of mice exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation lessened the degree of UV-induced immune suppression. In 1964, Dr. L.J. Lorenzetti and others found that aloe juice significantly inhibited the growth of four strains of virulent bacteria in the lab. Similarly, in 1982, Dr. M.C. Robson and others found that aloe vera extract killed two strains of clinically important bacteria.
2. In 1982, Dr. Robson and Dr. J.P. Heggers found that aloe vera increases the blood supply to the second layer of skin, the dermis. This speeds healing by bringing in vital nutrients and removing dangerous toxins. The researchers also found that aloe vera decreases tissue destruction after a burn and that it can increase survival in white rabbits with frostbite injuries by a statistically significant amount. In seven independent studies done from 1968 to 1982, four pharmacologically active ingredients were identified in aloe vera that together reduces the pain, itching, and inflammation of a rash.
3. Thus, aloe vera has been proven to be an important antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent that speeds the healing of all kinds of wounds, burns, and ulcers. Aloe vera gel is one of the most common botanical additions to first-aid creams, moisturizers, and shampoos.
4. Caligula Fern and Pine Tar Products-Calaguala fern, known to the Mayan people since 350 BC for its use in dry, itchy skin and scalp problems, has been combined with pine tar, a European remedy with similar uses. Skin creams, bath products, soaps, shampoos, and conditioners have been made from this combination and are very helpful for dry, itchy skin and scalp problems.
5. Calendula-Calendula (or pot marigold), with its deep yellow and orange flowers, is one of the best all-around skin remedies, good for minor cuts and burns, insect bites, dry skin, and acne. Calendula blossoms have antibacterial and antiviral properties, soothe inflammation, and speed wound healing. Therefore, it is simultaneously potent and gentle, which makes it very useful for all skin types. Calendula tea can be used as an astringent facial rinse two or three times a day for acne. More convenient preparations are available over the counter as salves, creams, oils, and lotions.
6. Chamomile-Chamomile is an anti-inflammatory agent that soothes the skin when used topically and soothes the bowels when taken internally. It also has a gentle tranquilizing effect on the central nervous system and soothes nervous tension and irritability. It is often used for eczema and psoriasis. Generally, it is best taken three times a day as a great-tasting apple-scented herbal tea made from its flowers. Or a clean cloth can be soaked in the chamomile tea and applied to the areas of inflamed skin for fifteen minutes four to six times a day. Chamomile also forms the base for many moisturizers, under-eye therapies for puffiness and dark circles, and many soaps and shampoo combinations.
7. Comfrey-The leaves and roots of comfrey have been used for centuries to treat cuts, burns, and other wounds. Comfrey contains allantoin, a compound that is quickly absorbed through the skin to stimulate healthy cell growth. It also has astringent and soothing actions. Comfrey is a very common ingredient in over-the-counter and prescription skin-healing salves and ointments. Comfrey poultices, made from powdered comfrey root and hot water mixed to make a thin paste that is spread on a cloth, can be applied on a surface wound. If left on overnight, there is very fast healing by morning. However, since some of the alkaloid compounds comfrey contains can cause serious liver damage if the plant is ingested, comfrey should never be taken by mouth. Also, you should not use comfrey on deep wounds, as an abscess may form if surface healing occurs faster than deep tissue healing.
8. Emu Oil-Advertisers are using the Internet to sing the praises of emu oil. Not only do they say that it’s great for cuts, bites, burns, and the itch of poison ivy, but they also claim that it promotes hair growth by rejuvenating skin and hair cells. It has been combined with other ingredients to make cleansers, masques, shampoos, conditioners, shaving creams, body lotions, and lip balms.
9. Flaxseed-Flaxseed comes from the herb flax and contains those omega-3 essential fatty acids necessary for the proper synthesis of immune and anti-inflammatory compounds. It is useful in the management of skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis, which are associated with inflammatory processes. One to two tablespoons of cold-pressed flaxseed oil should be taken daily, preferably with other foods.

Herbs and Skin Care.

From the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra to the Japanese geishas, all used herbs to protect and rejuvenate their skin, and until the end of the 19th century, for women, herbs were the most important part of the process of looking young and healthy. Their cosmetic tools were natural oils extracted carefully from plants that their mothers had used for the same purpose. You too can make your own homemade skin care products with natural ingredients to reduce aging effects on your skin. Try some of my recipes to make homemade skincare creams and you’ll be surprised by the results.

By the middle of the 20th century, the use of herbs was regarded as old-fashioned, and we were told that the best products to use for the care of our skin were the ones made in a chemical laboratory. Petrochemicals were blossoming and big corporations started to bombard the public with clever advertising, making them believe that their new synthetic and chemical fill creams were the most effective way of skin care. That’s how we forgot that plants were used for hundreds of years to treat skin disorders and to keep it beautiful and healthy.

Looking at the labels of some of these products manufactured by chemists makes me wonder who in their right mind would dare to open the container and spread the content on their faces. Some moisturizers and lotions contain Propylene, glycol, isopropyl, and myristate as active ingredients, and that’s not all, to get rid of the nasty smell of these chemicals. The manufacturer adds fragrances made from petroleum, the same substance that makes your car run.

You may be using a shampoo or cream that contains herbs and the label reads “natural.” Here is a tip, never believe the front label, believe what they are obligated by law to show on the label placed on the back of the container. All ingredients must be listed in descending order, for example, if the front label reads “Primrose Shampoo” and the back label lists primrose near the bottom, then that product contains very little of the essential oil and chances are that chemicals like hexachlorophene, Diazolidinyl and polyquaternium-10, nullify the effectiveness of any botanical substance they may contain. In addition, it has been shown that these chemicals produce wrinkles, but don’t worry they also sell creams for that too.

Many people are becoming wary of the adverse effects of chemically produced cosmetics, and you are one of them, that’s why you are reading this book, you want to find an alternative. The idea of chemicals in your body is getting old and outdated and since they came to the market there has not been a change for the better. On the contrary, cosmetic surgeries are on the rise. If these products are so amazingly perfectly designed to protect and prevent, why do we need so much cosmetic surgery?

A cleanser for Dry Skin

• 2 ounces of aloe vera gel.
• 1 tsp. Vegetable oil or jojoba oil or Saint John’s Wort oil.
• 1 tsp. Glycerin.
• ½ tsp. Grapefruit seed extract.
• 8 drops of Sandalwood essential oil.
• 4 drops of rosemary essential oil.
• Mix all ingredients and shake well before use. Apply with cotton balls and rinse with warm

Homemade Toner for Dry Skin

Toners are used to improve the appearance of the skin, soothe and nourish. Men can use toners as aftershaves.

• 2 ounces of aloe vera gel.
• 2 ounces orange blossom water.
• 1 tsp. wine vinegar.
• 6 drops of rose geranium essential oil.
• 4 drops of sandalwood essential oil.
• 1 drop of chamomile essential oil.
• 800 UI vitamin E oil. (Puncture a gel capsule with a needle)
• Mix all ingredients and shake well before use.

Homemade Cream for Dry Skin.

• 3/4 ounces beeswax, shaved. (do not use paraffin)
• 1 cup vegetable oil.
• 1 cup of distilled water.
• 800 UI vitamin E (from a liquid gel)
• 24 drops of rose geranium essential oil.
• Heat beeswax and oil in a pot until beeswax melts (it should be warm enough to the touch but without discomfort). In a separate pot heat water until is warm to the touch. Remove the center part of your blender’s lid and pour the water in. Turn the blender on high speed and slowly but steadily add the oil and wax mixture. The whole concoction should begin to solidify. Keep adding oil until the mixture does not take any more. Turn off the blender and using a spatula, place the cream in a wide-mouthed container.

A cleanser for Oily Skin.

• 2 ounces witch hazel.
• 1 tsp. vinegar.
• 1 tsp. glycerin.
• ½ tsp. grapefruit seed extract.
• 6 drops of lemon essential oil.
• 2 drops of cypress essential oil.
• Mix all ingredients and shake well before use. Apply with cotton balls and rinse with warm water.

Facial Steam for Oily Skin.

• 3 cups of water.
• 1 drop of chamomile essential oil.
• 1 drop of lemongrass essential oil.
• 1 drop of lavender essential oil.
• 1 drop of rosemary essential oil.
• Boil water, turn off the heat, and add essential oils. Place a towel over your head and over the pot, close your eyes and let the steam warm your face. After 15 minutes splash your face with cool water.

Toner for Oily Skin.

• 2 ounces witch hazel.
• 1 tbsp. aloe vera gel.
• 5 drops of cedarwood essential oil.
• 3 drops of lemon essential oil.
• 1 drop of ylang-ylang essential oil.
• Mix ingredients. Shake well before using.

Age Spot Remover

The question is, why does skin wrinkle? As you grow older, your body produces fewer of the hormones that keep skin healthy and supplies less oil, protein, and natural moisturizing factors which attract and hold water in the skin. This process tends to make the skin drier. As time goes by, collagen and elastin (fibers arranged in a mesh-like pattern) eventually lose their strength, leaving the skin without underlying support and causing it to wrinkle and sag.

Any person over 25 years of age has mature skin, lines start to form around age 30, if you smoke or spend too much time in the sun your skin will look older. Since mature skin does not produce as much oil and natural moisturizers, you will need to follow many of the treatments for dry skin. Herbs can be very important contributors to the development of new cells and several herbs like lavender, neroli, rosemary, rose, and fennel, have been nicknamed centuries ago “anti-aging herbs”.

Antioxidants are also very important. They prevent the production of free radicals. These free radicals play an important role in all aspects of aging including the hardening of the arteries. They are unstable, quickly multiplying molecules, which are increased by cigarette smoking and other pollutants. Many herbs and vitamins have antioxidant properties and are very powerful in stopping free radicals on their tracks. Some antioxidant herbs are ginkgo, witch hazel, and essential oil of rosemary, marjoram, and lavender.

Age Spot Remover

• 1 tsp. grated horseradish root.
• ½ tsp. lemon juice.
• ½ tsp. vinegar.
• 3 drops rosemary essential oil.
• Mix ingredients. Keep away from eyes. Apply as needed on affected areas.

Toner for Mature Skin

• 2 ounces of aloe vera gel.
• 2 ounces orange blossom water.
• 1 tsp. vinegar.
• 6 drops of rose geranium essential oil.
• 4 drops of frankincense essential oil.
• 4 drops of carrot seed essential oil.
• 800 IU vitamin E oil.
• Mix ingredients, and apply as needed.

Skin Blemish Remover

• 1/4 cup of water.
• 1 tsp. Epson salts.
• 4 drops of lavender essential oil.
• Small cloth.
• Mix water and salts, once the salts have dissolved, add lavender. Soak a cotton cloth and compress the affected area. When the cloth cools soak it again and repeat several times.

Author: Dr Izharul Hasan

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