Oedema and swelling

There are many plants that can help to reduce oedema, but none better than horse chestnut or Aesculus hippocastanum, which contains escin or aescin. This plant is excellent for conditions like leg ulcers and varicose veins. The chemistry is complexand varied.
Oedema is a critical component of cellulitis and in Germany the plant of choice would be butcher’s broom or Rucus aculeatus, which contains an active molecule called ruscogenin or hydroxyl diosgenin. This is a really fascinating molecule, since diosgenin was used as the precursor to may steroidal preparations such as hydrocortisone and corticosteroids. It was also the precursor to the female birth control pill. Diosgenin was originally extracted from the wild yam or Dioscorea villosa, but later from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). The discussion on plant sterols is a worthy debate, especially for mature skins or menopausal skin types and the sterols from soya or Glycine max are becoming available.
In Europe we have our own plant solution to oedema and cellulite and this would be ivy or Hedera helix, which contains hederagenin. It has always been a great disappointment to the author that hederagenin and ruscogenin were not more similar chemically.
Finally, the use of witch hazel or Hamamelis virginiana from the North American herbals, should not be excluded from the discussion on oedema. This material, which is pharmaceutically licensed for the treatment of haemorrhoids, is also excellent for contusions, bruises and other swellings. The most likely chemical responsible for this effect is the hamamelitannin present, though the plant contains a wealth of other components.

Skin dryness, desquamatory skin conditions and dry eczematous conditions

The binding of water in the stratum corneum can become compromised and ineffective. In the cases it is helpful to reduce the transepidermal water loss by applying occlusive films. There is no reason why one should not use mineral oil or petrolatum, however, the benefits of a natural vegetable oil may be preferred.
Castor oil (Ricinus communis) has been the choice of paediatricians for more than a century in nappy rash creams and topical preparation where a high degree of water repellency is required. The ricinoleic acid and its many derivatives give skin smoothing and moisturising qualities that are unsurpassed.
Vegetable oils provide a broad spectrum of fascinating fatty acids like oleic, linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic and erucic – to name but a few.
In addition these oils provide triglycerides, which have good compatibility with the natural sebum in the skin, probably none better is jojoba oil (Buxus chinensis or Simmondsia chinensis), which is a liquid wax.
Evening Primrose oil (Oenothera biennis) has a great deal of research to show that it is effective in cases of mastalgia and atopic dermatitis internally, but there is also indication that topically it can contribute to solution to these problems as γ-linolenic acid (GLA) is a crucial part of the prostaglandin synthesis responsible for the inflammatory conditions of the skin.
Other oils include Brazil nut oil or Bertholettia excelsa, Sunflower oil or Helianthus annuus, Babassu oil or Orbignya oleifera, Sesame oil or Sesamum indicum and Rosehip seed oil or Rosa rubignosa. This oil in particular has created great interest and there are numerous clinical studies on this oil from South America that demonstrate that it has cicatrising activity and solutions to hyperpigmentation. The debate on whether or not the oil contains a source of retinoic acid is still in progress but it would certainly help to explain some of the excellent reported properties if a modern analysis could detect this molecule.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-erythema plants

A few examples will be given. The classic choice of herbalist may well be German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) or Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) both from the family of Compositae or Daisy family. Surprisingly the plants share a similar spectrum of chemical components, though not in the same ratios, which helps to explain why many herbals talk of them synonymously (though technically they should not!). The essential oil of both plants contains α-bisabolol, azulene derivatives and their precursor matricin. The aqueous extracts contains a flavonoid called apigenin.

All of these materials have anti-inflammatory and anti-erythema qualities, some may also add the term antiphlogistic (literally to take the heat away from the affected area). There is also good evidence to show that these materials are anti-pruritic and so reduce itching and improve the speed at which damaged skin heals.

One of the discoveries from the Far East would include Gotu kola or Centella asiatica which has at its heart a complex molecule called asiaticoside that in addition to its anti-inflammatory properties also improves wound healing and reduces oedema or swelling.

Another plant from the region, mainly China, is the Maidenhair Tree or Ginkgo biloba that has another complex molecule called Ginkgolide. This plant is also excellent for reducing oedema and also has antioxidant or free radical scavenging properties.

From the European herbals we find Self-Heal or Prunella vulgaris, which is also anti-haemorrhagic, excellent for cracked nipples and a remarkable vulnerary. The chemistry is complex and it would be difficult to assign any individual chemical to a specific property. Surprisingly this small plant has been neglected by the herbalists in recent times and yet the molecules are spectacular. It has a full range of flavonoids, namely quercetin, kaempferol, and delphinidin to name a few. It also has esculin, an anti-oedema molecule found in Aesculus hippocastanum or horse chestnut. We see aucubin, which appears in a number of other herbal plants, but which has not beenassigned any particular property, although it appears in so many beneficial plants thatit would be hard to believe it is ineffective. It also contains hyperocide an active foundin St. John’s Wort or Hypericum perforatum and is probably in part responsible for

the healing attributes of the plant.

Some plants are specifically for the care of the eye area and range from conditions like blepharitis and conjunctivitis. The favourite of many European Herbals is Cornflower or Centaurea cyanus, which amongst its portfolio of ingredients includes centaurine (a molecule identical to cnicine that is found in Blessed Thistle of Cnicus benedictus) and is likely responsible for the skin calming and soothing effects.

Another traditional plant is Eyebright, mentioned by Paracelsus in the “Doctrine of Signatures” because of the fine red lines on the corolla that were reminiscent of the fractured capillaries that can occur in the whites of the eye (especially after an overdose of alcohol refreshment the night before!). Once again the molecule aucubin is present, but interestingly there is also ferulic acid (found in rice bran Oryza sativa) which has calming, UV absorbing and free-radical scavenging properties.

There is no doubt that the skin is very fond of sugars and there could be no better source than honey. These sugars can provide not only antibacterial skin protection, but also have been proven to have exceptional skin healing and repairing properties. The use of honey on burns has shown exceptional promise.

Herbal Remedies for Age Spots And Acne

Scratches and abrasions are the most common skin problems that are faced by people at some stage of their lives. Yes, even models and actors are not spared! There are several skin problems that can make us very conscious and embarrassed. Abrasion can be defined as a superficial injury on the skin. This is not only painful but also causes damage to the texture and shine of the skin.
Epidermis is the upper layer that is above the dermis. Dermis provides flexibility and firmness to the skin whereas epidermis takes care of the dermis. Abrasion removes the epidermis layer. The abrasion can be intense if the friction that has caused abrasion has been intense. Deep abrasions can leave a scar mark and a person requires treatment to remove the mark. There are several herbal remedies that can remove these ugly scar marks. A person who has deep scars on their skin can turn to herbal remedy for effective solutions.
The skin of a person might often be affected by boils and abscesses. Boils and abscesses are infected by the pus that is filled in the skin. The skin swells up due to this infected pus. Such boils can be found in the back side of neck and on the armpits. The abscess and boils in some cases require surgery to completely remove them. The infection can be cured after the surgery but they may some marks left on the skin. At times like this, it may be a good idea to try herbal medicine which is less harsh than some chemicals found in traditional medicine.
One can use herbal skin care for the treatment of the skin. One should buy the herbal skin care kit from an authentic store. There are several skin care measures for each type of skin. The benefit of using herbal skin care therapies freely is that these do not have any side-effects. The skincare products are prepared very carefully and it can help to rejuvenate the skin of a person. Herbal pain relief is suggested for the people who have a cramp or an injury in legs or any part of the body. To relieve the pain quicker, it is worth a try.
A person may require herbal supplements for several reasons like building the immunity after a long bout of illness, infection or minor irritations.
Sometimes, there may be nothing wrong with a person, but they still take herbal supplements to maintain healthy skin and vitality.