The skin fulfills many important functions for the body and in particular its health:
protective function: against temperature changes, and defends against microorganisms that surround the body
elimination function: by perspiration through the secretion of sweat, the skin eliminates toxins and substances due to metabolism
sensory function: as the skin has nerve endings, the state of the nervous system influences the health of the skin
The health and beauty of the skin depends on the human diet (a diet rich in protein and animal fats causes pimples and acnes or black pimples), nervous balance (a nervous imbalance is seen on the skin) and the cleanliness of the blood (“dirty” blood, that is to say blood loaded with impurities, promotes dermatitis and other skin conditions)
Phytotherapy, in order to remedy dermatological problems, recommends:
- purifying medicinal plants
- plants that improve drainage function
- plant laxatives
Purifying plants, which facilitate the elimination of blood waste through urine
Example: dandelion, saxifrage, birch
Herbs that improve liver function and help liver drainage function
Example: artichoke
Laxative plants that eliminate waste and avoid intoxication in case of chronic constipation
Example: tamarind, apple
Oligotherapy recommends the consumption of silicon, the skin’s trace element par excellence.
The medicinal plants recommended either for the health of the skin (the various affections which can affect the skin) or for the beauty of the skin are numerous and among them are:
– Agrimony (decoction with the flowers and leaves of the plant) which is healing
– Watercress (poultice of fresh leaves or lotion with juice)
– Walnut (washing with leaf infusion) which is both astringent, healing and antiseptic
– Rosemary (infusion and decoction of flowering tops) which is antiseptic, healing
– Ivy (leaf decoction) which is healing
– Coneflower (root decoction) which is anti-infectious, healing and regenerative
– Aloe (juice) which revitalizes the skin and gives it resistance and beauty
– Linden (infusion of flowers) is anti-inflammatory and softens the skin
– Olive (oil) protects and softens the skin
– Horsetail (decoction) promotes the regeneration of skin tissues
There are indeed many skin-related diseases, but various medicinal plants treat them successfully:
– wounds of all kinds (rudbeckia)
– ulcers (fig in the form of poultices)
– calluses (the latex of the fig)
– warts (the latex of the fig)
– warts and papillomas (podophyllum)
– the cracks of the skin (aloe juice, ivy)
– eczema, psoriasis, acne… (aloe juice, coneflower, pansy…)
The plant world does not lack a remedy for our ills and precisely for the dermatological problems encountered.
It is advisable knowingly to use the medicinal plants appropriate to the dermal affections apprehended or noted.