🌿 Medicinal Plants for Skin Issues
With skin complaints, external use is what counts: compresses, ointments, baths. Tannin-rich plants act astringently and dry weeping patches, mucilage soothes tight skin, and some oils restore the lipid barrier. Whatever goes on the skin should be tested on a small area first — herbal does not automatically mean well tolerated.
40 plants from our database are traditionally associated with Skin Issues – each with a profile, active compounds, safety notes and sources. Poisonous and legally controlled species are deliberately left out of this list; they remain reachable through the search and the plant index.
These plants are traditionally used for the listed conditions. Not medical advice — consult a doctor or pharmacist for persistent symptoms.
Folk birch-leaf full bath for skin conditions and joint complaints — mildly astringent, traditional use without clinical study evidence.
Loss of appetite and dyspeptic complaints (bloating, flatulence, mild digestive weakness) and as adjuvant in disturbances of bile flow - bitter the…
Extracts from Dipsacus species (mainly D.
Fresh plant juice or a poultice of the bruised herb was traditionally applied to wounds, minor burns, and skin inflammations.
Poorly healing wounds, ulcers, suppurating skin lesions (external); cough support (internal, traditional)
External bath infusion from dried walnut leaves — Kommission E positive monograph for mild superficial skin inflammation and excessive perspiration.
Traditional internal herbal tea from flowering wild pansy herb for seborrhoeic skin disorders and cradle cap (infant seborrhoeic dermatitis) — list…
In folk medicine, an infusion or decoction of field elm bark was applied as a moist compress to skin eczema, inflamed areas, and poorly healing wou…
Borage seed oil is largely PA-free (unlike the herb) and rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).
In Aztec folk medicine (Nahuatl: Cuetlaxochitl), the milky latex was applied to burns and inflammatory skin irritations.
Traditional witch hazel leaf compress (EMA-recognised) for minor skin inflammations, bruises and small wounds — astringent action via tannins.
Traditional external use as red oil for minor skin inflammations (sunburn) and minor wounds.
Compresses soaked in a strong tea from the flowering herb were applied externally to wounds, ulcers, eczema, and skin infections (impetigo).
Blue chamomile essential oil (rich in chamazulene and alpha-bisabolol oxides) — anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing externally; Kommission E positi…
Historical external use (OBSOLETE, documentation only): in medieval and early modern folk medicine, crushed fresh bingelkraut leaves were applied a…
A 2% decoction (2 g bark per 100 ml water) is suitable for gargling in mild inflammation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa, and as a mouthwash for…
Chickweed is a nutritious wild vegetable with a taste reminiscent of young raw corn; about 50 g of salad roughly covers an adult's daily vitamin C…
Closed fractures, post-fracture support (traditional name 'Wallwurz' = wound-healer)
Folk medicine compress with marshmallow root for skin irritations, minor inflammations, insect stings and first-degree burns.
Caution note: the plant sap contains calcium oxalate raphides and can cause skin irritation, redness and itching rashes on contact.
Bark extract for circulatory and skin problems: the bark contains high levels of hydrolyzable tannins (ellagitannins: castalagin, vescalagin) with…
The essential oil from coriander seeds (linalool-dominated) shows antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in vitro.
Turmeric paste applied externally — folk remedy for skin inflammations, eczema and minor wounds in Ayurveda and Asian folk medicine.
Quince seed mucilage is incorporated into salves and creams for external use on cracked skin, sore nipples, and minor burns.
External salve or cream with expressed juice for superficial wounds, abrasions and mild skin inflammation — EMA traditional use.
Young beech leaves were applied in folk medicine as moist compresses to inflamed skin, boils, and poorly healing wounds.
Fresh, crushed leaves are applied in Asian folk medicine to inflamed skin areas, boils, snake bites, and poorly healing wounds.
The essential oil (main constituents linalool and eugenol) shows pronounced antibacterial and antifungal activity in vitro.
External use for chronic skin conditions and poorly healing wounds.
Fresh leaf juice or halved succulent leaves are applied directly to minor wounds, burns, insect stings, and sunburn.
Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest (Salish, Okanagan, Stl'atl'imx, Nlaka'pamux) historically used crushed berries and bark decoctions exte…
Kommission E positive (external): fenugreek seed poultice as a warming compress for local inflammation — classic European folk medicine and Kommiss…
Cooled infusion as a moist compress for skin irritations, eczema, minor wounds and abrasions.
Pure leaf gel or ointment containing Aloe vera gel applied externally to cool and moisturize minor burns, sunburn, small skin irritations, and dry…
In folk medicine, capsaicin-rich Habanero or Scotch Bonnet fruits are used similarly to cayenne (C.
Traditional external use to support wound healing and for minor skin inflammation.
Occupational contact dermatitis 'hyacinth dermatitis' or 'hyacinth itch': florists, bulb sorters and forcing-nursery workers who handle the dry out…
In European and Asian folk medicine, fresh aubergine leaves are used as soothing, emollient poultices (cataplasms) for burns, abscesses, boils and…
Crushed fresh leaves applied as a poultice on minor wounds, skin blemishes, and insect stings.
In a randomised double-blind trial a cream containing Fumaria officinalis and silymarin showed improvement of the SCORAD score in mild to moderate…
Different concern? All complaints at a glance · all plants