Here’s a list of herbs and flowers that are helpful in fighting acne:

Aloe Vera is cooling and soothing. It is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic. It helps heals acne scars.

Basil is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory and can help control oil and reduce acne.

Bergamot Oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce acne and scars. However, it is phototoxic so don’t use it on your face if you are going out in the sunlight.

German Chamomile is anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic. It can help soothe irritated skin and reduce redness.

Calendula is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory and is good for reducing redness, itching and topical inflammation. It helps to soothe and repair the skin and reduces injury recovery time. Infused oils with calendula have been used for many years for a variety of skin conditions including acne, eczema and psoriasis. 

Clary Sage Oil balances oil production and reduces inflammation. To balance oily or combination skin use a mix of clary sage, geranium, and mandarin to your skin nightly.

Dandelion contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, which may help soothe and calm irritated skin. It can be beneficial for conditions such as acne, eczema, or dermatitis.

Echinacea is anti-inflammatory and can help speed up the healing of acne. According to WebMD, a recent study suggests that taking a supplement which includes echinacea may help reduce acne when used together with other treatments.

Eucalyptus oil is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory and helps balance sebum and clear clogged pores.

Frankincense oil reduces inflammation and is antiseptic and astringent. It is one of the best essential oils to use for skincare as it promotes skin regeneration and helps prevent wrinkles.

Green Tea is rich in antioxidants and has antibacterial qualities. While it can’t clear acne on its own, it may help when drank or used topically with other treatments. For more information, click here.

Geranium oil helps to balances sebum production and soothe inflamed skin.

Hibiscus is a natural source of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) which can help exfoliate and unclog pores.

Lavender is antibacterial and can help soothe inflammation and reduces acne-causing bacteria.

Lemongrass oil is astringent and antibacterial. It helps eliminate blackhead by unclogging pores. Make a scrub by mixing baking soda, honey, and lemongrass essential oil. Lemongrass helps reduce excess oil and kill bacteria. Try a mask of 1 tablespoon colloidal oatmeal, 2 teaspoons honey, and a drop of lemongrass oil.

Neem is antibacterial and antifungal. It is effective in treating acne and preventing future breakouts. It contains quercetin that helps fade scars and tighten skin. It also contains salicylic acid which is a known ingredient to help acne.

Rosemary is antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and reduces excess oil and helps clear clogged pores.

Tea tree oil is a powerful antimicrobial and antifungal essential oil. It’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties reduce acne breakouts. For oily skin, skin with acne or combination skin, mix tea tree, lemon, and geranium in your skincare recipe.

Thyme has strong antibacterial properties and is effective against acne-causing bacteria.

Turmeric may help acne due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It may reduce acne and prevents future breakouts.

Wild Violet is gentle on skin and works wonderfully to soothe dry, itchy skin.  It can also help acne and rashes as it contains salicylic acid. Violets are antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. You can get a wild violet essential oil, but it is often hard to find and expensive. I prefer to infuse my own oil.

Witch Hazel is a natural astringent. Use it to reduce inflammation and help with excess oil production.

Using Herbs and Flowers in Your Skincare Routine

How Can I use these plants in my skincare routine?

Herbal Steam

This is one of my favorite ways to use herbs and flowers. It’s so relaxing and warms me up when I’m cold. The steam will open up pores which allows the plant’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of herbs to penetrate the skin.

Directions:

Boil water and pour into a large bowl. Add a cup of cold water. Be careful not to burn yourself. Add a handful of dried herbs or flowers such as chamomile, calendula, lavender, rosemary, or thyme. Cover your head with a towel and lean over the bowl for 5 to 10 minutes. When you are finished, apply your toner and moisturizer.

Herbal Toner

You can create your own toner by infusing herbs and flowers into water or witch hazel.

Directions:

Either – Boil 1 cup of water and steep 1 tablespoon of your choice of dried botanicals for 20 minutes.

Or – Fill a jar 3/4 of the way full of dried botanicals, cover with witch hazel and let it soak in a cool dark place for a week, shaking it every day.

• Strain the mixture and let it cool.
• Add 1 tablespoon of witch hazel (optional if you used a base of water).
• Store in a spray bottle or use with a cotton pad after cleansing.

Herbal Facial Mask

Directions:

Mix 1 teaspoon of dried and powdered herbs or flowers with 1 tablespoon of honey or aloe vera. Add a little water if you need to and form a paste. Apply the mixture to your face. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water.

Herbal Facial Oil

An herbal infused facial oil.

Directions:

Fill a jar at least half full of dried herbs and flowers. Cover the dried botanicals completely with a carrier oil like jojoba or grapeseed oil. Let the jar sit in a sunny spot for 4 to 6 weeks, stirring occasionally. Strain the oil and store it in a dark glass bottle. To use, apply a few drops to your skin nightly.

Herbal Face Wash

Directions:

Boil 1 cup of water and steep 1 tablespoon of your choice of dried botanicals for 20 minutes. Strain the decoction and mix with 1 tablespoon of castile soap. Pour into a container with a pump.

Spot Treatment

Directions:

Mix powdered neem or turmeric with a little water and form a paste. Apply the paste to pimples and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes then rinse off with warm water.

Herbal Ice Cubes

Help soothe your inflamed skin and reduce redness with these herbal-infused ice cubes.

Directions:

Boil 1 cup of water and steep 1 tablespoon of your choice of dried botanicals for 20 minutes. Let your concoction cool and pour it into an ice cube tray. Freeze the herbal ice cubes and use them to gently massage your skin in the morning or after you cleanse.

Acne-Fighting Moisturizer Recipe

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel (soothes inflammation, hydrates)

1 tablespoon Jojoba Oil (balances sebum, non-comedogenic)

1 teaspoon Hemp Seed Oil (anti-inflammatory, balances oil)

1 teaspoon Rosehip Oil (heals scars, rich in antioxidants)

3 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil (antibacterial, anti-inflammatory)

2 drops Lavender Essential Oil (soothes skin, antibacterial)

1 teaspoon Green Tea Extract (reduces redness, antioxidant)

1/4 teaspoon Vitamin E Oil (heals and protects the skin)

Directions:

Mix together all of the oils in a small bowl until well combined. Add in the essential oils, extract, and vitamin E oil. Pour the oil into an airtight jar.

To Use:

Apply a few drops after cleansing, toning and applying serums.

For more skincare tips and recipes, find me on substack or check out my podcast on Spotify or YouTube

Photo by Barbara Krysztofiak on Unsplash

The post Green Beauty – Acne-Fighting Power of Plants appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

Traditional remedies for hay fever are herbs that have an anti-catarrhal action and include plants such as elderflower, eyebright, goldenrod and ribwort plantain. Anti-allergic herbs are also used and common examples are German chamomile, nettle, and ribwort plantain. Sometimes herbs are used to help support liver function with a hepatic herbal remedy such as milk thistle or with a bitter remedy such as dandelion root. It may also be a good idea to use a probiotic supplement and maintain a diet high in soluble fibre to help promote a healthy bacterial population in the digestive system.

Herbalists may also employ a variety of herbs with the aim of normalising immune function, improving digestion and supporting the detoxification processes. Where stress plays a role in worsening the symptoms, herbs would be included to help with relaxation.

It is generally recommended to use herbs for two or three months prior to the onset of symptoms. For some, a simple blend of dried herbs to be consumed as a tea can be enough but where symptoms are more severe or harder to manage then it may be beneficial to see a qualified Medical Herbalist.

At Brighton Apothecary the herbalists are able to advise you further and help to select the most appropriate remedies for you. You can drop in at any time and have a free 10 minute consultation for minor health complaints and have your remedy tailor made.

Brighton Apothecary
Unit 6, The Open Market
Marshalls Row
Brighton
BN1 4JU

Contact us on 07477 886 777 or by email brightonapothecary @gmail.com
Connect with us on Facebook or twitter @BrightonApoth or visit our website

The post Herbs for Hay fever appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

Everyone has a different reaction to stress, and often it involves an increase in inflammation. For some it affects their digestion, others find skin conditions flare up, and other common signs of being stressed out include feeling tired or weak, insomnia or anxiety, high blood pressure, lower immunity or PMS.

To help your body cope a little better, a multi-pronged approach is needed. Eating healthily should be the first step, with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Anti-inflammatory herbs that are used in cooking include, ginger, turmeric, and garlic. Foods that are inflammatory and should be avoided or reduced, include, animal protein, junk food, and refined sugars and grains.

Herbal remedies can also help the body deal with the effects of stress. A group of herbs known as adaptogens have the specific effect of helping the body deal with stress. They are tonic herbs, which are generally good for debilitated people, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on the body.

At Brighton Apothecary, the qualified herbalists are on hand to advise which of the adaptogens are best for you: calming ashwaganda; liver-protecting schisandra; energising Siberian ginseng; or immune-boosting astragalus. Other herbs may help alongside an adaptogen, for example, oats to help with the nervous system or liquorice to support the adrenals.

Sarah, Maud and Marion offer free mini herbal consultations for minor health problems and can tailor make herbal remedies to help you stay healthy over a busy summer.

Brighton Apothecary
The Open Market
Marshalls Row
Brighton
BN1 4JU
brightonapothecary.co.uk
brightonapothecary @gmail.com
07447 886777
Twitter
Facebook

The post Herbal remedies for stress appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

“We are passionate about the benefits of herbal medicine and in using herbs to help support health and wellbeing.”

Herbal Medicine is a traditional and sustainable form of natural medicine. Herbalists take a holistic approach incorporating dietary and lifestyle advice and using herbs to gently ease your body back to good health. There is an ever increasing amount of scientific evidence to support the use of herbal medicine for many minor and chronic health com- plaints, including irritable bowel syndrome, mild depression, migraine, pre-menstrual syndrome and colds and ‘flu.
For many people herbal remedies are a first choice though it can be difficult to know which remedy is the most suitable. Our expertise allows us to help people make an effective and safe choice. Within the shop we offer health advice and have a free drop-in mini-consultation service. We can help you to select a remedy or supplement, and can even mix a tailor-made herbal remedy specifically for you. For complex health problems full consultations are available from our herbalists at their private clinics.

We stock high quality herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, herbal teas, essential oils, and natural skin care products. Brands stocked include Pukka, Salus, BioCare, Bio-Health and Lamberts because we believe in the quality that they offer and they are the products that we use ourselves. In addition to the products available to buy in the shop we also run a regular programme of educational workshops. Learning how to use herbs can be both fun and fulfilling. Check out the What’s On pages for forthcoming workshops.

The Open Market is a growing community of old and new ventures with a variety of interesting stalls, shops and cafes to visit. We find it a fun and vibrant place to be. When you visit our shop you can expect a friendly and professional service, safe in the knowledge that you can always see a fully trained Medical Herbalist. For further information please contact us, visit the website or pop down to the Open Market for a visit. Brighton Apothecary, Unit 6 The Open Market, Marshalls Row, Brighton, BN1 4JU – 07477 886777 – brightonapothecary @gmail.com Brighton Apothecary

The post Herbal remedies with Brighton Apothecary appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.