Growing up in Hawaii, I would camp on the shore, hike around volcanoes, relax at the beach, swim in waterfalls, kayak and bike down beautiful trails. (It was a rough life, but someone had to do it!)

Unfortunately, despite my previous experiences, I always seemed to return home with a pink glowing aura around my burnt body. The Hawaiian summer sun is relentless! Before I could even step out of the car, my mom would fill my ears with her endless speech on the benefits of using more sunscreen. She said I didn’t use enough sunscreen to start out with and that I had neglected to reapply. Nonetheless, the damage was done.

Once I got home the “ritualistic process” would begin: My mom would start a cool shower for her burnt, crispy daughter and then I would douse myself in aloe vera.

Aloe was my number one remedy as it would soothe my skin and cease the burning sensation. What more could you ask for when you feel like you’ve been deep-fried? The miracle plant also relieves thermal burned skin and it stimulates wounds to heal quicker.

There are a plethora of aloe plants throughout Hawaii and extracting the gel is as easy as snapping off a leaf. The aloe leaf is like a hallow tube and clear gel occupies the space. If you extract aloe for skin related purposes, make sure the gel is clear and not yellow. The yellow juice is found in the resin canal cells of the plant and acts as a laxative.

Even though I currently live in Denver, I still do many of the same activities I did in Hawaii. With the high elevation and the summer sun, I still manage to get burned (regardless of the amount of sunscreen I use). Fortunately, a bottle of aloe vera is always close by. 

With my wedding coming up in less than three months, I’ve got to keep my skin moisturized, healthy and glowing. For that, I need to find the right herbs for the job.

Aloe seems to be the go-to medicinal herb for most skincare solutions. But there are many other herbs that heal skin, such as:

• Chamomile: This is used in most facial-care products and is useful in calming an irritated complexion and treating acne.
• Comfrey: This healing herb contains allantoin, a protein that speeds up cell renewal.
• Rose: This works as a gentle cleanser that has refining and softening powers.
• Witch hazel: This skin astringent contains alcohol but heals and soothes skin.

John Masters Organics has recently re-launched its line of organic skincare products. Their beauty line offers natural healing products such as the Green Tea & Rose Hydrating Face Serum, the Moroccan Clay Purifying Mask and the Rose Foaming Face Wash. But their skincare collection also offers something I have personally been on the lookout for awhile: a toning mist.

The Rose & Aloe Hydrating Toning Mist ($20) is a beauty product certified by the National Organic Program. I’ve kept this product on a shelf near my keys so that as I leave for work, I quickly mist my face with one to two sprays. I instantly feel awake, toned and ready to start the day.

The ingredients work together to create a natural toning mist combination: the essential oil of rose soothes skin by increasing blood circulation; oat kernel improves defense against pollution; white tea protects against oil-causing bacteria; aloe vera promotes healing; and aspen bark protects against harmful bacteria. 

The glass bottle is a little too heavy to tote around in my purse for a daily refresher, but so far my “front-door-solution” has worked out great.

I’ll be on the lookout for more herbal skincare treatments to keep skin fresh and healthy. But what about you? Have you ever used this beauty product? If not, what have you used and why do you or don’t you like it? And what are your favorite herbs for skincare? Drop me a comment!

Do you remember that Facebook chain letter called “25 Random Things About Me?” If you don’t, it was a popular trend to write 25 things, facts, habits or goals about yourself on Facebook then publish it so that all your friends can read it, learn something, and create their own! Well, I like the idea but I’ve decided to tweak it a bit and make my own version called "15 Herbs for Me.” In no particular order, here is a list of herbs that interest me.

Photo by Smoobs/Courtesy Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smoo 

1.) Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). There are fine hairs on the leaves and stems of stinging nettle that contain irritating chemicals that are released when the plant comes into contact with skin. Trust me, I ran through a field of this stuff when I was too young to know any beter, and it wasn’t pleasant. Despite this, nettle is often used to relieve seasonal allergies.

2.) Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). This sweet-smelling purple flowering herb is widely used in perfumes, soaps, shampoos and sachets. 

3.) Aloe (Aloe vera). The gel in the inner portion of the leaf is widely used for the treatment of minor skin conditions. I use aloe gel to sooth sunburn and razor burn. 

4.) Basil (Ocimum basilicum). The fragrant green leaves of this herb are great in salads and can be used fresh or dry to flavor pasta, stew and poultry.

5.) Artichoke leaves (Cynara). Artichoke extract is useful in support of general liver function and prevention of some digestive disorders.

6.) Chives (Allium schoenoprasum). Add flavor to virtually any dish with chives. I like chives in eggs, on my bagels and of course in baked potatoes.

7.) Alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Contains a high mineral and vitamin content; is rich in protein and calcium. Alfalfa seeds are useful in the form of sprouts. They are delicious in salads, soups and sandwiches.

8.) Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). If you’re feeling lightheaded and out of sorts, this herb is used to enhance cognitive functions and give you a little energy boost.

9.) Cayenne (Capsicum annuum). A popular spice used in different regional styles of cooking. Cayenne contains capsaicin, which may be used to reduce pain and inflammation caused by injury.

10.) Arnica (Arnica montana). Applied topically as a cream, gel, ointment, tincture or salve, arnica relieves soreness and reduces swelling. I’ve used arnica on my ankles after a good workout to reduce inflammation and relieve any pain.

11.) Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba). This herb is used to treat altitude sickness and headaches because of its ability to increase blood flow to the brain.

12.) Shiitake (Lentinula edodes). Shiitake mushrooms are packed with iron and vitamin C. I like the rich flavor of these mushrooms in a spicy stir fry or in some miso soup.

13.) Garlic (Allium sativum). It’s been called the “stinking rose” in light of its many benefits. Garlic is rich in manganese, a good source of vitamin B6 and vitamin C.

14). German chamomile (Matricaria recutita). Known for it’s mild sedating effects and widely used in herbal teas.

15.) Catnip, catmint (Nepeta cataria). Cats have a bizarre reaction to catnip. But why? According to Arthur O. Tucker and Sharon S. Tucker, authors of “Catnip and the Catnip Response,” the chemical nepetalactone in catnip is the thing that triggers the unique sequence of responses in domestic cats.

Is their a particular herb that interests you? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment!

References: 

• Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth by Dr. Sharol Marie Tilgner (Wise Acres LLC, 2009)
• Catnip and the Catnip Response by Arthur O. Tucker and Sharon S. Tucker (Springer New York, 1988)