Natural remedies and physiotherapy have a wide scope of application for curing temporary skin disorders . In many cases, intervention with natural compounds, extracted from plants, is possible. They are both topical and oral medicines.
In the face of serious or acute diseases, we should remember that physiotherapy cannot be the only one solution, but it is simply a help that must be accompanied by the necessary medicines prescribed by the medical officer.
Remedies for skin care come from the world of plants
The main skin abrasions that people must take care of, in summer, are surely sunburn, skin reddening and insect bites. In these cases, the help of nature can be useful; some examples of the most used plants are the following.
ALOE VERA
Aloe vera is an herb known for thousands of years for its medicinal and healing properties. It has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, detoxifying and antibacterial properties. In the particular case of the skin, Aloe Vera is effectively helpful for reinvigorating the elasticity of the skin as well as lessening uncomfortable irritations like sunburn.
There are about 350 kinds of Aloe Vera and, among these, 125 are distributed in South Africa; among all, the most used one in phytotherapy is Aloe vera.
Aloe Vera properties: a lot of vitamins
The main characteristic of Aloe Vera is its fleshy leaves, which contain a gel with extraordinary properties. The Aloe juice, extracted from the leaves, contains 200 active compounds and over 75 nutrients, including mineral salts such as calcium, chromium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, zinc.
Aloe Vera contains, in addition, 18 amino acids, vitamins, including vitamins A, C, D, E and B group, enzymes, saccharides, saponins and plant sterols.
Aloe Vera benefits on the skin: nutritional and purifying properties
The main benefit of Aloe Vera comes from the large amount of its nutrients, essential for the body maintaining. In addition Aloe Vera has a purifying action, thanks to its function of detoxifying the organism from toxins.
Soothing effect: Aloe Vera gives immediate relief to mosquito, jellyfish and nettle bites. Its soothing power has positive effects also on burns (caused by too much sun or while doing housework).
Coagulant effect: Aloe Vera can rapidly repair tissues and membranes, so it is used not only for burns, but also to speed up the healing process from injuries, eczema and blisters.
Skin care: Aloe Vera protects, hydrates and soothes the skin. For this reason this herb is often used by the beauty industry for several products like soap, cream and shower gel.
CALENDULA
Calendula, or Calendula officinalis, is one of the most popular and valued herbal medicines. It is an herbaceous plant with an annual cycle, and it is characterised by long stems (up to 70 cm) and orange flowers. The healing properties derives from these flowers and are deeply useful for natural therapies of different disorders.
Calendula properties: an elixir of 45 valuable substances
The natural composition of Calendula has different healthy substances, including the most popular ones: flavonoids and carotenoid preparations, useful to alleviate different kinds of ailments. However, if we analyse the essential oil from Calendula, we count a total of 45 substances, including also triterpernoidis, plant sterols and tannins.
Calendula for the care of the skin: antibacterial and soothing effects
When we talk about skin care, Calendula is one of the first herbal medicines which come to our minds. Its antibacterial and soothing properties are deeply used for mosquito bites, burns and scalds , blotches (on the face), acne and herpes.
It is a topical medicine, and you can find it in the form of creams, lotions or compresses.
Thanks to its carotenoid preparations, Calendula helps to increase fibrin production, facilitating tissue regeneration along with wound closures.
IPERICO OIL
Iperico oil, an herb also known as Herb of San Giovanni, is an oil extract obtained by maceration of Hypericum perforatum flowers in vegetable oil. With its powerful action of healing wounds, it is very useful for burns, scalds and other injuries.
Iperico Oil: soothing and reinvigorating properties
Since ancient times Iperico Oil has been used for its properties of soothing and helping with scarring, along with stimulating cellular regeneration. It can be used in different ways: compresses, infusions, ointments and oils for external use.
In addition, Iperico Oil is a real tonic for some skin disorders such as dry skin, and it is also used as an effective anti-aging formula. If you apply Iperico Oil to your face and neck every evening, before going to sleep, you obtain great results, even better than those from the popular anti-wrinkle creams. It is highly recommended also for little scalds, injuries, dry skin, skin fungal infections, scars, stretch marks and psoriasis.
Iperico Oil: a natural relief for burns
Thanks to its soothing properties, Iperico Oil is also used to relieve pains from sunburn or burns in general.
In the case of first-degree burns such as sunburn, you need a couple of Iperico Oil applications to solve the problem. If the burning gets worse, Iperico Oil, in combination with synthetic solutions, helps with protecting and regenerating damaged tissues.
ECHINACEA
Echinacea is an herbaceous plant originating in North America, and belongs to the Asteraceae family. It has 9 different species, from which many natural remedies, with immunostimulating properties, are extracted. It is often used in preparations for curing and preventing colds.
Echinacea (or Cone Flower) properties: a help for the immune system
The Echinacea root contains polysaccharides which give immunostimulating properties. For this reason it is deeply used in physical therapy for helping body’s natural defences against infections.
The two substances that make Echinacea so highly beneficial are:
echinacoside , the major component in Echinacea which has antibiotic and bacteriostatic action and inhibits bacterial growth.
The second component is echinaceina, which gives the herb anti-inflammatory properties.
Topical use of Echinacea: the major benefits
Echinacea is used for external use and even for the preparation of ointments and lotions for the skin care. It has immunostimulating, protecting, anti-inflammatory action in the case of scars, cold sores, ulcers, dermatitis in general. Its property of helping with scarring derives from the herb, which is able to speed up tissue regeneration process and to locate an infection.
ARNICA MONTANA
Arnica Montana is a medicinal herb of the Asteraceae family. It has orange-yellow flowers which bloom between July and August in high mountain areas, particularly in North Europe. This herb presents itself as a perfect homeopathic remedy for pain.
Arnica Montana properties: a relief for injuries
Arnica Montana helps with a speedy wound healing and displays pain relief, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which come from two chemical substances within Arnica: helenalin and dihydrohelenalin.
Thanks to these components, the miracle herb of Arnica Montana is able to strengthen immune cells by killing batteria and reducing inflammation. It is also helpful for insect bites, furuncolosis and mild skin inflammation.
Arnica Montan is ideal for athletes
Arnica Montana is deeply used by athletes to facilitate muscular relief, because it acts in depth in the tissues and helps with muscular relaxation. However, it has an intense toning action.
This herb, in the form of massage oils, should be applied before sport effort (for muscular preparation) or after sport effort (for muscle recovery), in order to prevent muscle cramps and/or muscular sprains.
