What do you see when you see yourself? Or another? Our perception of “self” and “others” often comes from the myriad ways we view our largest organ – our home – the skin. The concept of who we are and where we end and the rest of the world begins is defined by our skin. How our skin looks to us when we look in the mirror reflects a large part of our story, including societal conditioning, the environment we’ve been in, and what we have or have not used for fuel and nourishment.
Instead of heeding the siren call of the multi-billion dollar skin care industry that tells you the lie that your skin needs chemicals and expensive procedures to look radiant and attractive, show some loving kindness and awe for your most beautiful organ! Your skin radiates your inner self to the world. Your light glows – especially when you are happy, grateful, in love and excited. Your skin also provides clues to imbalances – disturbances in the self – whether it’s a battle in the mind, heart or physical body. When that happens, the glow dims, our pigmentation under our eyes begins to darken, and puffiness can rise like waves over our bodies in bursts, begging our attention to turn inward.
Fortunately, help is never further away than our mother, the earth. Wherever you are, what skin you are in and whatever your perception of yourself is, put your feet on the ground to find what you need. The kaleidoscope of humanity’s diversity is reflected in the flora of our planet. Look at your friends in the plant kingdom; they are waiting to deeply nourish all parts of you, allowing your truly radiant self to shine through the magical organ we call our skin.
Traditional herbs for radiant skin
Do you ever wonder how your skin is able to perform the miraculous task of keeping you intact on a daily basis and over time, without you even thinking about it? Your skin’s innate ability to protect you from damage with the help of its acid mantle, absorb life-giving sunlight, stretch and hold you as you mature, and continually replenish itself is phenomenal! And for those on the journey to motherhood, the skin’s ability to transform your body in the miracle of reproduction… it’s amazing!
So why do we look in the mirror and believe the lies we are sold about our skin? The human body is meant to be nourished and nurtured from within because of the uniqueness inherent in everyone. Let’s celebrate our phenomenal skins, with all their unique pigmentations and characteristics. Because what they hold is sacred: our irreplaceable and divine spark of life.
As I’ve said before, self-care is a lifestyle. We can improve skin health and clarity by letting our plant-based allies help our integumentary system with hydration, cell turnover, and detoxification.
With our Clear Complexion: The Blemish Buster daily tonic and spot remedy, WishGarden Herbs has rounded up a few of our favorite skin-loving plants to help us out.
We have learned from the wisdom of herbalists from an older age, such as Nicolas Culpeper, who wrote about the virtues of burdock root in The complete herbal remedy“the roots… help the… loosen from the skin… and cleanse the skin… is extremely strengthening for the liver, and ensures good blood… aids the action of the reins and the bladder. “¹
Many herbalists know that when burdock root is invoked, things can seem worse before they get better. This means that more skin breakouts may occur as the herb helps clear away any excesses and restore deeper organ function. You have to see it to believe it, right? That’s why we rely on Burdock to help clear detox pathways, especially the skin.
Another traditional ally in this formula is Yellow Dock root. Medical herbalist David Hoffman believes that Geeldok “is widely used in the treatment of chronic skin complaints… Geeldok promotes bile flow… through its influence on the gallbladder it plays a role in relieving skin congestion.”² And he is not alone. Yellow Dock root is included in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as “indicated for the treatment of many skin problems.”³
Because both of these deeply restorative roots lend a hand in clearing out toxins and supporting our elimination pathways, we further their support by synergizing with the roots of both Dandelion and Echinacea Purpurea. All together they make a formidable team of movers, helping ourselves identify intruders and ushering out guests who have overstayed their welcome in our bodies.
Our final two teammates in this dynamic formula, Calendula and Red Clover, probably need no introduction. Herbal experts and the skin care industry rely heavily on their merits for promoting skin hydration, supporting free radical elimination, supporting a healthy inflammatory response, and supporting collagen.⁴ The art of modern herbal formulation involves blending ancient traditions with the best science of our time. A great example of how science is catching up with the age-old wisdom of plant managers is the research into Red Clover’s potential to support the inflammatory response and oxidative stress, as observed in a recent study published last year in Nutrientsa peer-reviewed journal on human nutrition.⁵
Finally, it is worth noting that if you are cooperating with herbal remedies, keep in mind that you can get rid of puffy eyes by getting enough sleep and eating. Heal the heart with loving kindness. Soothe bruising and any physiological damage to your body’s musculoskeletal structure with rest, replenishment and strengthening movements. Mend the rifts of the mind with meditation and reconciliation. And, as always, get outside. Mother Nature is waiting for you with wide open arms.
References
- Culpeper N., MD, The complete herbal remedy1847, London, Thomas Kelly, pp. 64, 219, 258.
- Hofman D., Medical herbal medicineThe Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine, 2003, Vermont, Healing Arts Press, pp. 578-579.
- Evans WC, The pharmacy acgnosis of Trasee and Evans16th edition, 2009, St. Louis, Elsevier, p.25
- Circosta C., De Pasquale R., Palumbo DR, Samperi S., Occhiuto F., Effects of isoflavones from red clover (Trifolium pretentiousness) on skin changes caused by ovariectomized rats, Phytotherapy Research, 2006; 20(12):1096-1099.
- Lee, S.G.; Brownmiller, C.R.; Lee, S.-O.; Kang, HW Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of anthocyanins from Trifolium pratense (red clover) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW-267.4 macrophages. Nutrients 12, 1089 2020.
Dawn Amber Miller has apprenticed and studied in the United States of America and has received certifications in traditional and medical herbalism from the Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism, the Commonwealth Center for Holistic Herbalism, and the Hawthorn Institute. She is a passionate steward of the sacred realm of nature and moves with the wildflowers, providing the rituals of wild crafting with heart and hand. She is currently a customer journey representative and researcher at WishGarden Herbs.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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