Stephanie L. Tourles - Herbal Remedies for a Lifetime of Healthy Skin: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-222

Excerpted from Naturally Healthy Skin, by Stephanie Tourles

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Edited by Dale Gelfand and Nancy Ringer
Cover design and illustration by Carol J. Jessop (Black Trout Design)
Text illustrations by Laura Tedeschi, except pages 14 and 16 by Alison Kolesar, page 18 by Brigita Fuhrmann, and page 21 by Mary Rich
Text production by Nancy Ringer

Copyright 1999 by Storey Publishing, LLC

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Tourles, Stephanie L., 1962

Herbal remedies for a lifetime of healthy skin / Stephanie Tourles.
p. cm. (A Storey country wisdom bulletin; A-222)

ISBN 1-58017-272-5 (pb : alk. paper)

1. SkinCare and hygiene. 2. Herbal cosmetics. I. Title. II. Series.

RL87.T677 1999

646.726dc21

99-058053

Smoother, younger-looking skin in seven days. Guaranteed or your money back. How many times have you fallen for that marketing ploy? Most cosmetic companies are adept at knowing which buttons to push to entice you to purchase their merchandise and empty your wallet in a flash, with promises of restored youth. These companies prey on your emotions and insecurities, all in the guise of making you look and feel better about yourself. But the cosmetics and body-care industry is in business solely to make money and skin-care products have one of the highest price markups of any commodity on the market.

In contrast, Herbal Remedies for a Lifetime of Healthy Skin takes a holistic approach to skin care. Healthy skin is directly related to proper skin care, sound nutrition, and a sensible wellness program. While we often dont consider our skin as a functioning part of our bodies, it is in fact the bodys largest organ. Your skin is constantly transmitting and receiving information. If something is amiss, your skin displays signs of distress. If all is well, it displays radiance. Natural and herbal remedies can enhance your overall health as well as treat the more specific conditions of the skin. However, you must keep in mind that at any age, health within is reflected by beautiful skin without. To age gracefully, you must first live healthfully.

Good skin care begins with good nutrition what you put in your body is reflected on your face. The following information explains how to nourish the very foundation of your skin and improve your well-being with the essential vitamins and minerals most important for healthy, vibrant skin.

Powerhouse vitamins provide a potent combination of antioxidants and healing agents that boost your skins ability to make you look your glowing best.

Description: Fat-soluble antioxidant

Skin-Care Benefits: Essential for growth and maintenance of epithelial (skin) tissue and proper functioning of mucous membranes. Helps prevent dry, rough skin and premature aging. Speeds healing, especially of acne, impetigo, and vision problems. Boosts immunity. Aids against premature wrinkles, acne, blackheads, psoriasis, and dry, rough, thick, itchy, scaly, cracked skin.

Outstanding Sources: Liver (fish liver oil, especially), blue-green algae, pumpkins and winter squashes, alfalfa, carrots, cayenne pepper, dandelion greens, parsley, spinach, apricots, beet greens, broccoli, sweet potatoes, kale, lettuce, endive, cantaloupe, watermelon, tomatoes.

Description: Water-soluble nutrients. The B vitamins thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B5, B12, folate, pantothenate, PABA, inositol, biotin, and choline are grouped together as a complex because when naturally occurring, they are always found together. If you must supplement, be sure to take one that supplies the entire complex.

Skin-Care Benefits: The antistress vitamin helps prevent premature aging and acne and promotes healthy circulation and metabolism. Essential for wound healing (sunburn, bruises, infections). Aids new cell growth. Increases vitality. Helps against eczema, skin lesions, dandruff, pale complexion, pigmentation problems, premature wrinkles.

Outstanding Sources: Lean beef, chicken, egg yolks, liver, milk, brewers yeast, whole grains, alfalfa, almonds, sunflower seeds, soy products, green leafy vegetables, blue-green algae, fresh wheat germ, molasses, peas, beans.

Description: Water-soluble antioxidant

Skin-Care Benefits: Helps produce collagen in connective tissue. Strengthens capillary walls, speeds healing, and helps battle environmental stress and toxins. Aids against wrinkles, sagging skin, premature aging.

Outstanding Sources: Rose hips, citrus fruits, tomatoes, berries, pineapple, apples, persimmons, acerola cherries, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, potatoes, bell and hot peppers, currants, papayas.

Description: Fat-soluble nutrient

Skin-Care Benefits: Combined with vitamin A, helps treat acne and herpes simplex, slows premature aging, enhances bone mineralization and calcium absorption.

Outstanding Sources: Fish liver oils, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, tuna, fortified milk, fortified soy milk, alfalfa, watercress, egg yolks, organ meats, sunshine.

Description: Fat-soluble antioxidant

Skin-Care Benefits: Oxygenates tissues, increases bodys stores of vitamin A, protects tissues of skin and eyes, slows premature aging, speeds healing of severe burns and chronic skin lesions. May decrease scarring.

Outstanding Sources: Cold-pressed vegetable oils, whole grains, eggs, alfalfa, parsley, sprouted seeds and nuts, fresh wheat germ, green leafy vegetables.