1. Hawthorn, Crataegus laveigata
Hawthorn is a member of the vast Roseaceae family, many of which make wonderful skincare herbs, and their seeds can be pressed to extract beautiful oils.
While there is very little written about the use of hawthorn in skincare, it has great folk association with maintaining beautiful skin – almost as if it is believed to have magical associations. The dew (a ‘magical’ ingredient in its own right) that gathers on hawthorn is prized in creating a good complexion (‘On May Day wash in the morning dew, and you’ll be bonny the whole year through’), especially for men.
Looking at the science, there is good reason for associating the use of hawthorn with maintaining great skin. It is beneficial against wrinkles, incredible support to collagen and helpful for oily skin and acne. To learn more about this, check out the Hawthorn for Skincare video on the Field Fresh Skincare YouTube channel.
Hawthorn is however best known as an important medicinal herb, considered a nourishing and tonifying cardiac tonic as well as balancing and helpful to circulation. For this reason I would consider adding a hawthorn infusion to a handcream for those suffering from Reynard’s to encourage blood flow to the fingertips.
2. Lilac, Syringa Vulgaris
Lilac is a useful herb for soothing inflammation, it can be included in skincare to help tone irritated skin.
Gather lilac blooms mid morning, on a sunny day, when they are dry but still holding their essential oil. Infuse them in oil, it will take on their scent (though enfleurage is the traditional way to capture the heady fragrance). This can then be used in creams and lotions, or simply as a massage oil. In this way it can balance the chakras and be spiritually soothing.
It’s useful to have a water infusion of lilac handy in a spray bottle the fridge. Use this whenever a rash or minor burn needs attention. And you can also dab it on to soothe acne.
3. Red clover, Trifolium pratense
Clover attracts bees who flock to its honey-sweet nectar, you can smell the sweetness on the air. It’s this honey-content of the flowers that makes clover a soothing addition to skincare.
Clover is great for older skin, it will help increase collagen production improving elasticity and minimising wrinkles. It’s also anti-inflammatory (as are a lot of forage-able plants), which makes it a good herb for use with eczema and psoriasis.
So much to thank those joyous, globular flowers for – and that’s before I get onto to their benefits hormone balancing and helping with hot flushes.
4. Daisy, Bellis perennis
Folk names can be so helpful for understanding how plants have been used. With a common name of ‘bruisewort’ you’ll know immediately what daisy is good for.
Daisy can be more effective even than arnica for easing the heat and pain of bruises, ulcers, skin swelling and burns (without the potential toxicity or worries over it’s endangered status). Daisies are happily ubiquitous enough to trip over on most lawns – oops a daisy!
Infuse daisy in water to create an insect repellant spray, or in oil to add to ointments or salves for wounds and bleeding. Or you can simply add daisy leaves to the bath for help with general pain relief.
5. Dead Nettle, Lamium Album (white dead nettle) or Lamium purpureaum (purple dead nettle)
Dead nettle is considered to be astringent and tonifying. It’s another herb that’s good for itchy or inflamed skin. Add it to lotions or creams to help with this. In Ireland it was traditionally used for skin complaints in England, for grazes and cuts.
Maud Grieve (‘A Modern Herbal’) considered it to ‘make the heart merry, good colour in the face and to make the vital spirits more fresh and lively’. It will also work well in a salve to combat aching joints.
LIKE THE IDEA OF GATHERING YOUR OWN SKINCARE INGREDIENTS? …
… you might like to read some more.
For everything you need to know to get started with Blend-it-Yourself skincare using the plants that grow around you, see Vital Skincare by Laura Pardoe. This book takes you through the techniques and ingredients you’ll need to know to make your own natural skincare.
