Herbs for your skin and hair

Herbs for breakouts

If you are suffering from breakouts it could be related to hormonal imbalance, excess stress or liver stagnation. There are some incredible herbs that support liver function, which is the major organ responsible for breaking down and excreting excess fat-soluble hormones, such as oestrogen.

If liver function is poor, hormones will build up in the bloodstream and play havoc with skin health.

Some of our favourite liver-supportive herbs are dandelion, turmeric and lemon, as well as matcha green tea for breaking down fats more effectively and providing essential antioxidants to neutralize free radicals. Pukka teas to try: Clean Matcha Green tea

Herbs for healthy hair

Any herbal tea containing nettle is wonderful for healthy hair. Nettle is rich in the mineral silica, which naturally helps to strengthen the keratin (a compound in hair) in the hair and nails, allowing stronger growth.

Castor oil has been traditionally used to stimulate hair growth for thousands of years in the Ayurvedic tradition. This effect is thought to be due to it containing ricinoleic acid, a type of fatty acid. Recently, more and more people have begun to experience its benefits as a natural remedy to encourage healthy hair growth, moisturise the scalp, ease dandruff and leave hair smooth and shiny. Massage a little castor oil into the roots of your hair once a week. If your hair is prone to getting greasy, use sparingly and be sure to shampoo twice to rinse the oil out thoroughly.

If your hormones are out of balance and you’re feeling stressed, this can sometimes cause hair to become fine and brittle.

To help reduce stress and balance hormones, the Ayurvedic herb shatavari nourishes the body and helps support a healthy hormonal cycle. It is also an adaptogenic herb, which means it is able to help the body cope and adapt when it is going through periods of stress.

Herbs for clear skin

While completely clear skin may not be a realistic goal, it is important to have a liver that functions effectively to help your skin. A healthy liver helps to keep the body clear of toxins that may originate from our diet or from the environment. These toxins can cause breakouts and unwanted skin troubles. Ensuring you have enough antioxidants in the diet also is a must for radiant, glowing skin.

The bright yellow spice turmeric is known as ‘the golden goddess’ in India thanks to its beautifying properties. Not only does turmeric help to support a healthy liver function, but it is jam-packed full of antioxidants that protect the skin cells from ageing. This also improves the appearance of skin so you can sport a healthy glow from the inside out.

Pukka teas to try: Radiance tea, Turmeric Gold tea

Herbs for beauty sleep

We all know that getting enough sleep at night is one of the best ways to stay healthy. Lack of sleep can impact on your appearance, with poor sleepers often suffering from dark circles around the eyes and tired-looking skin.

Herbs such as valerian, oat straw and chamomile have been used for centuries as a natural relaxant and sleep aid and can greatly benefit those who have problems falling asleep or staying asleep. They also help the mind and body to relax and unwind before bed.

Pukka teas to try: Night Time berry tea, Night Time tea

Herbs for hair growth

Stinging nettle is one of the best possible plants you can take to stimulate hair growth. It does so by balancing the hormones that are responsible for hair loss. Nettle is also nutritive, containing many important compounds required for repair and optimal body function.

Ginseng is a popular herb for its tonic effects. A tonic helps to support the body when it is tired, overworked or depleted and therefore will help restore normal vigour. Once a body is balanced and retains equilibrium, growth processes such as hair will function better.