Soothing Herb
If you’ve been caught out by the sun, turn to herbs for relief
When it comes to sun damage, prevention is the key. You know the drill – slip, slop,slap and wrap. But even with the best intentions, our skin is often exposed to the sun’s harmful rays. Sun spots and
actinic keratoses (pre-cancerous skin lesions) are signs of sun damage, and skin cancer is usually a result of too much ultraviolet radiation from the sun too. Thousands of years ago, plants were all we had to treat diseases and skin lesions. Herbs were used for their healing and antimutagenic (ability to reduce the rate of mutation) properties and their ability to support the immune system. Think of all the plants out there that can protect themselves from intense heat and UV radiation, and it makes perfect sense to use them for skincare. Medical herbalist Karina Hilterman, of Lavender Hill Herbals, thinks so too, especially for treating actinic keratoses.
“Plants are complex chemical cocktails,” she says. “Each specific chemical has a specific therapeutic
action. There has been some research conducted to assess a number of the individual constituents. Particular attention has been focused on a large class of phytochemicals (plant chemicals) broadly known as antioxidants. There is a group of phytochemicals called polyphenols. They have been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties, all of which are relevant therapeutic actions for treating actinic keratoses.”
Flavonoids are another significant group of chemical compounds in plants that have been referred to as “biological stress modifiers”, says Karina. “They have been shown to protect cellular function
against environmental stressors. They assist in stabilising cellular membranes and they have antioxidant and antiinflammatory actions. These actions help to counter ultraviolet radiation
damage on human skin.”
When considering which herbs to use to blend into a formula for treating skin conditions, says Karina, you must first consider the therapeutic action required to treat the condition.
“For actinic keratoses, for example, the main requirement is to ‘normalise’ the aberrant cell formation in the dermal layer. For this, herbs with alterative (restoring to normal health) and antineoplastic (helping to prevent the growth and spread of tumours or malignant cells) actions would be chosen that also have vulnerary (woundhealing) and demulcent (soothing) actions to assist reducing inflammation and nourish the dermal layer.”
Calendula (Calendula officinalis), for example, has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and vulnerary properties among others. Traditionally it’s used for its healing and tissue-regenerating properties, especially where cell regeneration is required, such as in the case of sunburn and sores, slow-healing
wounds, cuts and burns.
“This herb certainly exhibits the necessary therapeutic activity that would indicate it as having potential for assessment as a possible treatment for actinic keratoses, preferably included
in a formula with other herbs that have actions to complement it for treating actinic keratoses, or other sun-induced skin damage,” says Karina.
Aloe vera is well known for its cooling and soothing properties, but it also helps to improve fibroblast cell structure and accelerate the collagen-production process. It has vulnerary, tonic, demulcent, sedative and nutritive properties, among others.
Cleavers (Galium aparine) is alterative, anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic. “For skin conditions, a strong infusion (tea) of cleavers can be used externally for grazes, psoriasis and other skin inflammations,” says Karina. “It’s also used as a wash for burns and scalds, including sunburn. The same infusion taken internally can be used to treat underlying causes of such conditions and support the healing function of the body.” Chickweed (Stellaria media) is another useful herb.
“The metabolism-enhancing, demulcent and anti-inflammatory properties of chickweed will assist in
soothing digestive problems, and it is useful for treating colitis, gastric ulceration and constipation. These properties also make it a primary herb for skin conditions or wounds, especially eczema, burns, itching or stings.” Red clover (Trifolium pratense), sweet violet (Viola odorata) and heartsease (Viola
tricolor) are all anti-inflammatory, as well as having other therapeutic properties beneficial for skin conditions. Burdock (Arctium lappa) has alterative actions. While herbal use for sun damage is an interesting topic, it doesn’t mean you should be lax when it comes to protection from UV rays. Sun protection is by far the most critical factor in keeping your skin healthy. But herbs may help soothe
your sunburnt skin if you do get caught out this summer.
