(English)
(English)
The skin is one of the most fascinating systems of the body. Known as the integumentary system, the skin is the largest organ of the body, stretching two square meters and weighing over 10 pounds! Waterproof yet permeable, protective yet sensitive, our skin may best be described as the outer expression of our inner health. So when our inner health is out of balance, it can manifest on the skin through all sorts of reactions, from outbreaks and rashes to everything in between. But skin health means so much more than outer beauty; a good skincare regime should help you glow from the inside out. With skin, as with all systems of the body in herbalism, you need to think holistically, by considering other areas of the body. Introducing skin-supporting herbal teas into your daily wellness routines can set you on the right path.
“Our skin is a mirror of our health and plays many important roles in the body. It protects us against dirt, infection, extremes of temperature and climate, sunlight, pollution and physical injury.” –Anne McIntyre
Glow from the Inside Out
Maintaining healthy skin should start with a healthy diet of whole, organic foods. But sometimes, eating well isn’t enough, and we need to dive deeper to get to the bottom of our imbalances. If you’ve tried topical creams and ointments that don’t work, we recommend focusing on what’s going inside your body first. Some people even like to try an elimination diet first to help uncover any food sensitivities.
If your food intake seems to be working for you, an easy way to start a skincare regimen is by supporting your digestive, lymphatic, and immune systems with spring tonic herbs. So many of your bodily functions involve those areas of the body—hormones, digestion, and immunity—so keeping your digestive system healthy is often the best first line of defense. After digestion, we recommend supporting your lymphatic system and your nervous system to keep your stress levels and immunity balanced.*
Author and Traditional Medicinals Medical Herbalist David Hoffmann draws an important link between skin health and the nervous system. More and more scientific evidence points to the correlation between our stress levels and our health, and the skin is no exception. David writes, “This common origin points to the close relationship between skin and nervous system, a relationship that can be seen as a physical manifestation of the close connection between our inner being and the way it is reflected in the world.”
Best Herbs and Teas for Skin Health
EveryDay Detox® Lemon tea: This traditional, European combination of spring tonic herbs helps support the lymphatic system, gently stimulating the body’s natural detoxification process.* Burdock root, nettle, cleavers, and dandelion work to break down fats in your liver, promote the flushing of the kidneys, and support your body’s ability to carry away wastes.* Light, bright and lemony, this tasty spring tonic is gentle enough to use every day, all year long.
Red Clover tea: This pea family perennial graces sunny meadows and has been used in many different herbal traditions throughout history. Traditionally used as an alterative to support your skin health,* this tea is gently fruity and floral, and also tastes great on ice.
“This common origin points to the close relationship between skin and nervous system, a relationship that can be seen as a physical manifestation of the close connection between our inner being and the way it is reflected in the world.”—David Hoffmann
Other Teas to Keep you Glowing from the Inside Out
Spearmint tea: Used throughout history in foods and body care products, spearmint is valued for being lively, aromatic, refreshing and enlivening to the spirit. When used with our other skin-supporting teas, this tasty and healthy tea keeps you looking and feeling your best.* Grow your own or try it out in our organic Spearmint tea.
Dandelion Leaf & Root tea: Light and mildly sweet, this gentle tonic supports healthy kidney function and digestion.* We recommend drinking this tea regularly for two weeks, followed by a break before resuming. For more continued use of dandelion, you can always try our organic Roasted Dandelion Root tea.
Nettle Leaf tea: Refreshing, hay-like and pleasantly bitter, nettle is considered the mother of all spring tonics. In the Middle Ages, this was traditionally used for skin support. Today, it is known for its ability to support the whole body as well as joint health.* We love this tea to help you kick-start your body when it feels stagnated, particularly in the spring after a long winter. This is a great herb to forage in the spring if you have access to it, or stock up on our organic Nettle Leaf tea for year-round support.
Tulsi with Ginger: Tulsi, also known as “Holy Basil,” is a staple in Ayurvedic medicine. Traditionally used to balance the body, it is no surprise that mounting evidence confirms tulsi’s ability to help the body address various manifestations of stress through a variety of actions.* That’s why we think it’s a keeper to incorporate into your regular daily wellness rituals.
How to Use Herbal Teas for Supporting Skin Health
Teas are a great way to introduce herbs into your self-care routines. For the skin-supporting teas mentioned above, we recommend taking them regularly, for two weeks straight, as directed on the carton. With some teas, you’ll feel the effects quickly, but alteratives may take longer to make an impact. It’s always best to work with your healthcare practitioner to find out which herbs and what protocol is best for you and your body. But once you find your routine and remove any triggers that may be aggravating it, you’ll find that your body will start helping your skin find balance again.
Skin health is a dynamic relationship with the entire body. Find out how you can consider your wellness holistically by creating a self-care practice.
