If you’ve ever been down the cosmetics aisle at the drugstore or even paid attention to the ads on your phone, you know that there are hundreds if not thousands of skin care products, supplements, and remedies out there. Most of them claim to do the same things_ repair your skin and reduce signs of aging.
But if you check the ingredients of these products, most of them contain harsh chemicals that harm your skin instead of helping it. A better way to support your skin repair is with natural herbs used in various ancient medicines for centuries.
Keep reading to learn about ten herbs that can help keep our skin looking healthy, whole, and youthful – naturally!
Collagen is the primary protein that makes up human skin and helps new skin cells grow.
Due to age, vitamin deficiencies, bad lifestyle habits (i.e., smoking and eating sugary foods), and overexposure to UV rays, our body slows down natural collagen production, leading to our skin becoming drier, saggier, and more prone to wrinkling.
If your skin shows signs of a lack of collagen, here are five herbs for collagen production.
5 Herbs That Stimulate Collagen Production
1. Ginseng
Ginseng is an herb that has become popular for skincare in Western society primarily due to K-beauty or Korean beauty. K-beauty refers to skincare products developed in South Korea and sold worldwide.
But ginseng is not a modern phenomenon. It has been used for hundreds of years in Asia to improve the appearance and health of human skin.
According to experts, ginseng not only slows down the body’s natural loss of collagen but also has the potential to support new collagen production.
2. Centella Asiatica
Centella Asiatica is an herb known by many names, including Gotu Kola and Pennywort. But, no matter what you call it, studies have shown it to be effective at building collagen and aiding in healing wounds and scars.
3. Horsetail
Horsetail grows in North America, Central America, and Europe, and it’s been used since ancient Roman and Greek times to help rebuild collagen in the skin and heal wounds.
The secret to this herb’s skincare benefits could lie in one of its main components, silica. Silica combines silicon and oxygen, and experts believe it is responsible for holding collagen together on a cellular level.
In addition, horsetail also comes with a healthy number of antioxidants, which are known to eliminate free radicals, or damaged cells, from the body.
As such, it makes perfect sense that this herb is so prevalent in skincare since it heals from the inside out.
4. Calendula
Calendula grows naturally in both Asia and southern Europe. It is a staple of Ayurvedic medicine and is often applied topically to wounds and areas of inflammation to aid skin repair.
Some scientific studies suggest that calendula, also called pot marigold and grows little golden flowers, may stimulate the skin’s collagen production.
5. Cinnamon
Cinnamon makes a beautiful flavor enhancer of tea, but did you know it’s excellent for your skin, too? According to a study in 2012, applying cinnamon extract to the skin promotes the synthesis or production of collagen. And the best part is it smells wonderful!
5 Herbs For Anti-Aging
Another common skin concern is wrinkles. Here are five herbs that reverse aging to help with those and other physical problems that come with getting older.
6. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-aging effects. There have also been scientific studies showing how this plant successfully repairs damaged DNA and helps reverse the effects of aging brought on by poor eating and exercising, stress, and bad habits like smoking and drinking.
7. Basil
Basil is not just for cooking! It's also a powerful anti-aging agent when applied topically as an extract. That's likely due to the many antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, like flavonoids, that basil contains.
8. Fo-ti
Fo-ti, also called He Shou Wu, is derived from a vine plant called Polygonum multiflorum and has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help humans with various health issues, including hair loss and skin aging. Hair loss is one side effect of a lack of collagen, so if you're experiencing this, then fo-ti could be a great option.
A note of caution about fo-ti: This herb has been shown to cause liver damage in some people who took it for an extended period. If you want to try it, take it briefly or talk to your doctor first.
9. Turmeric
Turmeric is another herb you may have in your kitchen or tea cabinet. The main active component of turmeric, which is called curcumin, is known for its anti-inflammatory as well as its anti-aging effects.
10. Ginger
We love soothing ginger tea and all its healing, anti-inflammatory effects. However, those same benefits also apply to the skin and body. Studies have shown that ginger – which is antioxidative and anti-cancer, also has the potential to prevent aging and some degenerative diseases.
It's comforting to think you’re encouraging our body's natural collagen-producing and anti-aging processes with every sip of your favorite morning, afternoon, or nighttime beverage. With every sip, your skin will thank you!
At Tea and I, we are dedicated to providing you with carefully crafted blends that yield real-world results. Our nature-inspired tea blends taste amazing and bring real benefits thanks to a combination of ancestral herbalism practices and science-backed ingredients. Browse our organic functional herbal tea blends selection and find the perfect blend that suits your unique wellness goals.