Contracts tissue; mainly the skin, and may also reduce the discharge of blood or mucous. Astringent herbs help with tissue toning and tightening. Witch hazel and meadowsweet are examples.
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RESEARCH
The listings of research below represents a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study. This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.
CALENDULA
- The use of plants to treat skin conditions was reviewed. Plants identified included Calendula officinalis, Chamomilla recutita, Glycyrrhiza (licorice), Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel), Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), and Plantago major (plantain). Conditions included acne, dermatitis, herpes simplex, and psoriasis. From: Brown, D. J., & Dattner, A. M. (1998). Phytotherapeutic approaches to common dermatologic conditions. Archives of dermatology, 134(11), 1401-1404.
- Calendula improved skin elasticity, tightness, and hydration. From: Akhtar, N., Zaman, S. U., Khan, B. A., Amir, M. N., & Ebrahimzadeh, M. A. (2011). Calendula extract: effects on mechanical parameters of human skin. Acta Pol. Pharm, 68(5), 693-701.
CHAMOMILE
- The use of plants to treat skin conditions was reviewed. Plants identified included Calendula officinalis, Chamomilla recutita, Glycyrrhiza (licorice), Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel), Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), and Plantago major (plantain). Conditions included acne, dermatitis, herpes simplex, and psoriasis. From: Brown, D. J., & Dattner, A. M. (1998). Phytotherapeutic approaches to common dermatologic conditions. Archives of dermatology, 134(11), 1401-1404.
GERANIUM
- The chemotype variation of geranium based on environmental conditions related to the astringent tannin content was discussed. From: Bate-Smith, E. C. (1981). Astringent tannins of the leaves of Geranium species. Phytochemistry, 20(2), 211-216.
LEMON / LIME
- Lemon juice is commonly used as a skin astringent. From: Goswami, S., Sharma, P., & Shivhare, Y. (2011). Phytopharmaceuticals as Cosmetic Agents: A Review. Research Journal of Topical and Cosmetic Sciences, 2(1), 11.
- In a review of research, lime has been used as an antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal, anti-parasite, astringent, diuretic, insect repellent, for digestive upset, headaches, arthritis, and respiratory complaints. From: Enejoh, O. S., Ogunyemi, I. O., Bala, M. S., Oruene, I. S., Suleiman, M. M., & Ambali, S. F. (2015). Ethnomedical importance of Citrus aurantifolia (christm) swingle. The Pharma Innovation, 4(8, Part A), 1.
LICORICE
- The use of plants to treat skin conditions was reviewed. Plants identified included Calendula officinalis, Chamomilla recutita, Glycyrrhiza (licorice), Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel), Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), and Plantago major (plantain). Conditions included acne, dermatitis, herpes simplex, and psoriasis. From: Brown, D. J., & Dattner, A. M. (1998). Phytotherapeutic approaches to common dermatologic conditions. Archives of dermatology, 134(11), 1401-1404.
MEADOWSWEET
- An extract using meadowsweet to reverse aging in skin and hair was developed. From: Scancarella, N., Reinhart, G., & Russ, J. (2005). U.S. Patent Application No. 11/070,631.
MELISSA
- The use of plants to treat skin conditions was reviewed. Plants identified included Calendula officinalis, Chamomilla recutita, Glycyrrhiza (licorice), Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel), Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), and Plantago major (plantain). Conditions included acne, dermatitis, herpes simplex, and psoriasis. From: Brown, D. J., & Dattner, A. M. (1998). Phytotherapeutic approaches to common dermatologic conditions. Archives of dermatology, 134(11), 1401-1404.
PLANTAIN
- The use of plants to treat skin conditions was reviewed. Plants identified included Calendula officinalis, Chamomilla recutita, Glycyrrhiza (licorice), Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel), Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), and Plantago major (plantain). Conditions included acne, dermatitis, herpes simplex, and psoriasis. From: Brown, D. J., & Dattner, A. M. (1998). Phytotherapeutic approaches to common dermatologic conditions. Archives of dermatology, 134(11), 1401-1404.
ROSE
- Extracts of white tea, rose, and witch hazel had a protective effect on human dermal fibroblast cells against hydrogen peroxide induced damage. From: Thring, T. S., Hili, P., & Naughton, D. P. (2011). Antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and formulations of white tea, rose, and witch hazel on primary human dermal fibroblast cells. Journal of Inflammation, 8(1), 27.
WHITE TEA
- Extracts of white tea, rose, and witch hazel had a protective effect on human dermal fibroblast cells against hydrogen peroxide induced damage. From: Thring, T. S., Hili, P., & Naughton, D. P. (2011). Antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and formulations of white tea, rose, and witch hazel on primary human dermal fibroblast cells. Journal of Inflammation, 8(1), 27.
WITCH HAZEL
- Extracts of white tea, rose, and witch hazel had a protective effect on human dermal fibroblast cells against hydrogen peroxide induced damage. From: Thring, T. S., Hili, P., & Naughton, D. P. (2011). Antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and formulations of white tea, rose, and witch hazel on primary human dermal fibroblast cells. Journal of Inflammation, 8(1), 27.
- Anti-inflammatory activity of witch hazel applied topically to the skin was demonstrated. From: Korting, H. C., Schäfer-Korting, M., Hart, H., Laux, P., & Schmid, M. (1993). Anti-inflammatory activity of hamamelis distillate applied topically to the skin. European journal of clinical pharmacology, 44(4), 315-318.
- Witch hazel applied topically to the skin after sun exposure was anti-inflammatory. From: Hughes-Formella, B. J., Filbry, A., Gassmueller, J., & Rippke, F. (2002). Anti-inflammatory efficacy of topical preparations with 10% hamamelis distillate in a UV erythema test. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 15(2), 125-132.
- A witch hazel ointment was an effective and safe treatment for certain skin disorders in young children. From: Wolff, H. H., & Kieser, M. (2007). Hamamelis in children with skin disorders and skin injuries: results of an observational study. European journal of pediatrics, 166(9), 943-948.
- The use of plants to treat skin conditions was reviewed. Plants identified included Calendula officinalis, Chamomilla recutita, Glycyrrhiza (licorice), Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel), Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), and Plantago major (plantain). Conditions included acne, dermatitis, herpes simplex, and psoriasis. From: Brown, D. J., & Dattner, A. M. (1998). Phytotherapeutic approaches to common dermatologic conditions. Archives of dermatology, 134(11), 1401-1404
Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski
Last Updated: 11/11/19
