There's Anti-aging Skin Care Magic in Old Folk Remedies

• Core Facts

Skin care and cosmeceuticals have become billion dollar industries because we’re always on the lookout for products that can turn back the years or cure dry skin conditions. While 21st century research has given us amazing new skin care treatments, there is still some magic in grandma’s book of herbal remedies and perhaps a combination of these two ages of wisdom is what we need.

Cleavers, an edible and medicinal herb, has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples on many continents. This helpful herb grows in the wet areas of Australia, Britain, France, Mexico and the US. It is usually found growing in hedgerows, woods and fields. The stems and leaves are covered with little hooked bristles and it has white, tiny and star-like flowers that appear from April through September.

One of its uses is to treat dry, aging skin. A skin wash made from Cleavers tea improves the complexion and is often used as a remedy for dry, aging skin. The recommended treatment is to lay a wet compress of Cleavers tea on the dry, wrinkled skin three times a day for ten minutes. Herbalists say it takes at least two weeks to see the results.

Cleavers is a valuable tonic for the lymph system, the body’s mechanism to eliminate toxins from the tissues and a diuretic which helps the body get rid of water retention. It’s this cleansing action that makes the herb useful for treating conditions like psoriasis and eczema. If you live in the city and are wondering where on earth you can find Cleavers, turn to the Internet. There are many places that supply the herb. Look for organic, seasonal Cleavers that can be made into a tea.

Once you’ve applied the wet compress to your skin protect it with a shielding lotion – one of the new skin care products developed with 21st century research. A shielding lotion allows the skin to use its own oils and moisture to heal itself. Dermatologists say a shielding lotion is a must for dry, aging skin.

“A fundamental difference between shielding lotions and traditional lotions is that shielding lotions enhance the skin's own natural protective abilities by turning the outer layer of skin into what could be described as a hydrating invisible shield making them many times more effective than mere protective lotions and moisturizing crèmes,” says Dr. Brian Zogg, a board-certified dermatologist in Minnesota. "When you protect your skin and prevent irritation it’s certainly going to maintain its healthy tissue much longer than it normally would."

For more information about shielding lotion visit http://www.skinmdnatural.com
 

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