Your skin registers sensation and is therefore, a great communicator. It’s the first line of your immune defences, defending against viral and bacterial invaders. And in doing this plays host to thousands of friendly microbes.
On each persons skin there are more bacteria present than people in the world.
Your skin protects against heat and cold, controls body temperature, regulates the movements of substances from inside to the outside of the body and chooses which ones, and how it’s done. As the most superficial organ of the body it’s often the first place you’ll see an expression of your internal world.
This organ, the largest organ of your body, is so efficient that it keeps you more or less, when you’re in good health, at the same even temperature.
It secretes sebum for the lubrication of hair and skin, while also containing dead skin cells. It also has the ability to absorb oil-contained products, such as those in aromatherapy.
Acne is created when the sebum gets congested and clogged.
Sebum is anti bacterial and when sunlight is added to sebum it creates vitamins A and D.
Every 27 days the skin renews itself. The base layer becomes the outer layer in 27 days.
The skin creates new cells between midnight and 4am. From 4am it goes into 8 hours of eliminating. Food should be consumed early so that at night the food can be metabolised by midnight and can rest after that. This is especially important if you have skin problems.
Good bowel action, good kidney function and good lung function all have a positive impact on skin, and breathing deeply into your diaphragm, plays its part as well.
I have the most respect for my skin because it tells me when I’m doing something that’s good for it, and it communicates very clearly when it doesn’t approve of a herb, oil, ointment, cream or whatever else I’ve used on it.
The mantle of the skin is finely balanced and reacts to anything that throws off that balance.
Healthy skin herbs
A few of my favourite herbs, those I use externally for different skin things are:
- Witch hazel – Hamamelis virginiana is a gently astringent toner that soothes and conditions the skin.Interestingly Witch hazel branches are used as divining rods to ‘witch’ water
- Aloe – Aloe vera is a gentle, hydrating and soothing skin remedy for sunburn, burns, eczema and general skin irritations.In Africa hunters rub aloe on their bodies to reduce perspiration and minimise their scent.
- Calendula – Calendula officinalis is a great remedy solution for cuts, bites, scratches and ageing skin.A most beautiful anti-ageing and skin clarifying herb, Calendula also brings out yellow and gold highlights when used as a hair rinse.
- Goldenseal – Hydrastis canadensis is a powerful herb, its magic works beautifully for skin infections and eruptions, schools sores/impetigo and skin ulcers.This most magical of herbs is used in many money spells and healing rituals.
Of course this is just the tip of the iceberg of the brilliant healing powers of these herbs, I have only touched on the powerful repair work these remedies can do, starting with the skin.
What are your favourite ‘go-to’ herbs to feed your skin?