Wrinkles, roughness, sagging, discoloration… the sun is healthy for you, but overexposure can be rough on the skin if you’re not careful.
Can anything help?
Nature’s answer is a resounding yes.
First, studies published in the journal Alternative and Complementary Therapies shows that herbal products can cause the body to react to UV rays in a manner that reduces negative effects.
Because these herbs can be taken orally and regularly, the research suggests they could act as more effective preventives against skin cancer than conventional sunscreens.
Natural skin protectors include:
Golden Serpent Fern
An extract of the fronds of this plant has been widely studied as an oral supplement for combating the effects of excessive UV exposure. During studies where people were given doses of 480 mg to 750 mg of the extract per day orally, researchers noticed a significant decrease in sun-related skin damage.
It has been commonly used in Europe for over 30 years, but is little-known in the U.S. You can plant this beautiful fern yourself and use the natural oils, or find it in some “full spectrum” fern supplements.
Sea Buckthorn
These exotic berries and their oil can regenerate your skin. Not only that, but animal studies show that eating the berries can effectively stop the effects of UV rays on your skin. Pretty remarkable considering that sea buckthorn can also thicken your skin, help you produce more collagen (the foundation of your skin complex) and increase your body’s strongest antioxidant, called SOD.
You can now get the oil (extracted from the seeds) at local health food stores, and there are also juices, supplements and even the dry powder available, which are made from the berry pulp.
Panax Ginsing
This root has a very well-established history of battling immune system weakness. The research indicates that the botanical may effectively boost the immune system, specifically in its role as skin protector, to offset damage from UV rays.
Panax is also known as Korean red ginseng and is widely available in many forms, but the thing to remember is that it should not be confused with Siberian ginseng or American ginseng. Those are different plants.
