Hydrating, soothing, moisturizing and healing for all skin types. Aloe Vera has extraordinary healing properties, is anti-inflammatory and can soothe the skin and help heal cuts, grazes, burns, radiation burns and insect bites.

Angelica: Good for dull, irritated, inflamed skin, psoriasis, and fungal infections. Basil: Conditions the hair and stimulates hair growth, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-infectious, antibiotic, very good insect repellent and also good for acne. Bergamot: Good for eczema, herpes, acne, psoriasis, skin infections, cold sores, blisters, shingles, and chicken pox. Antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-spasmodic, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory. Burdock: Excellent for boils, eczema and chronic skin and hair problems. Prevents body's own immune system from attacking the skin, kills streptococcus bacteria and many disease-causing fungi that infect cracked skin. Add to shampoo or conditioner as a scalp treatment to improve hair strength, shine, body, and to combat hair loss, itching and/or dandruff. Calendula: Anti-hemorrhage, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, fungicidal. Excellent for burns, cuts, eczema, oily greasy skin, bruises, soothes skin, inflammations, insect bites, rashes, wounds, cracked dry skin, stretch marks and diaper rash. 

Cedar wood: Cleansing properties, antiseptic, Beauty Wrinkle Reducer anti-fungal, good for oily or blemished skin, natural astringent used in acne treatments. Relieves eczema, psoriasis, skin inflammation, dandruff, insect bites, hair loss, dry or oily hair, softens the skin. Chamomile: Chamomile is excellent for many types of skin conditions as well as severely infected skin. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, good for hypersensitive skin, eczema, skin rashes, acne, rosaceous and allergic skin reactions. Brings out natural brightness and highlights in hair when used in a shampoo. Chickweed: Chickweed is excellent for sores, abscesses, skin irritations and rashes. Chickweed has an anti-inflammatory action similar to cortisone. Cinnamon: Good for infections, antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-fungal, warts, anti-viral Citronella: Insect repellent, keeps away mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and other insects. Clary Sage: Regenerates skin cells. Good for oily skin and hair, blemishes, mature, wrinkled or inflamed skin, acne, boils and puffy skin. Cypress: Natural astringent and antibiotic. Good for mature skin, oily skin and acne. Stimulates cell regeneration. Comfrey Root: One of the most valuable plants in both cosmetics and medicine. Regenerates aging tissues. Eucalyptus: Antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-infectious and anti-parasitic. Regenerates skin cells. 

Good for insect bites and rashes. Everlasting: Excellent for acne, scar tissue, mature skin, stretch marks, spots, warts, old scars, dermatitis, broken veins and burns. Antibacterial properties. Frankincense: Good for dry, mature, aging skin, acne, scars, reduces wrinkles, balances out oily skin, healing for all skin types. Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, natural astringent. Goldenseal: Excellent anti-fungal with antibiotic properties that fights secondary bacterial infections. Gout Kola: Good for wounds, scarring and psoriasis. Stimulates the regeneration of skin cells and underling connective tissue, beneficial effect on collagen and inhibits its excessive production in scar formation, accelerates the healing of burns and skin grafts and minimizes scarring. Grapefruit: Used for acne, athletes foot, tones and tightens skin, antiseptic, disinfectant, detoxifier and anti-infectious. Good astringent for oily skin and hair, aids in hair growth. Green Tea: Natural anti-oxidant used in cosmetics especially to reduce the puffiness around the eyes. Also have astringent properties. Hibiscus: Natural source of Vitamin C and malice acid. Used by the to treat wounds, dandruff and stimulate hair growth. Have antibacterial properties. 

Hyssop: Good for acne, bruises, cuts, wounds, dermatitis, eczema, inflammations, scars, and cell regeneration. Jasmine: Used for sensitive, mature, aging skin and stretch marks. Beneficial for dry, greasy, irritated skin. Lavender: One of the most popular herbs, lavender is excellent for many skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, sunburn, insect bites, infections, rashes, infected hair follicles, pimples, black heads and light forms of acne. Antiseptic, analgesic, antispasmodic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, anti-infectious, antitoxin and anti-parasitic Lemon Balm: Good for infections, acne, boils, warts; increases shine and growth of hair and nails, antibiotic, astringent, and antiseptic. Beneficial for oily complexions, hair and skin blemishes. Lemongrass: Good for infections and acne. Natural astringent, antiseptic, anti-infectious, anti-parasitic and anti-fungal. Also good for enlarged pores. Myrrh: Beneficial for inflamed skin, boils, athlete's foot, chapped skin, mature skin, wrinkles and ringworm. Neola: Scar tissue improves elasticity and reduces stretch marks. Good facial softener, great for overall skin care, regenerates skin cells and tones mature, dry, sensitive skin. St. John's Worth: Excellent antibacterial and antiviral properties for the treatment of burns, cuts, scrapes, and minor skin irritations. Also may be helpful herpes breakouts. Palmaris: Good for acne, scarring, blackheads, athlete's foot, eczema and other fungal infections. 

Antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-infectious, antiseptic, moisturizing, regenerates skin cells, aids in regulating oil production of the skin. Patchouli: Natural antiseptic, anti-fungal and antibacterial. Used for dermatitis, athlete's foot, ringworm, parasites, rejuvenates skin cells, mature and dry skin, scars, eczema, inflamed, cracked skin, acne, eliminates dandruff, repels bugs, and relieves insect bites. Ravensara: Natural antiseptic, antiviral, antitoxin, antibiotic and anti-infectious. Beneficial for cold sores, herpes, and shingles. Rose: Natural astringent, anti-infectious, antiseptic, astringent, antiviral and emollient. Regenerates cells, heals radiation burns more quickly, good for scarring and for use on all skin types especially mature, dry and sensitive skin. Rosemary: Good for infections, acne, skin care and hair care, Natural anti-toxic and antiseptic. Rosewood: Anti-infectious, antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-fungal. Good for Candida, acne, dry, sensitive, inflamed dermatitis, scars, wrinkles, regenerates cells. Sandalwood: Used for scarring, acne, dry, aged, chapped skin, soothing as an aftershave treatment, good for dry and oily hair, and increases water retention of collagen. Natural antiseptic, astringent and emollient. Encourages new cell growth. Tea Tree: Tea Tree is an important herb extremely beneficial to various skin conditions such as cuts, wounds, abrasions, rashes, insect bites, nail fungus, dermatitis, ringworm, thrush, head lice, boils, cold sores, acne and infections. 

Can protect skin during radiation treatment, reduces swelling, heals scar tissue, controls oil on the skin, and dries up pus. Votive: Beneficial for acne, cuts, mature skin, oily skin, dry skin, infections, inflammations, regenerates cells, good for sagging skin, softens and moisturizes Witch Hazel: Natural astringent that also tones the skin. For all skin types. If you are interested in a 100% natural, ready-made herbal skin remedy which incorporates many of the herbs discussed in this article, you may want to consider this handmade product by Vertebra Naturals called "Herbal Skin Salve". Natalie A. Decker, Founder and Proprietor of Vertebra Naturals Holistic Beauty and Wellness Boutique As a student of horology and aromatherapy and as a Usual Reiki Master and Teacher for over 10 years, I have a love for everything natural and holistic. I began to make herbal healing salves and providing Reiki Healing Sessions for friends and family several years back, and although I had no intention of turning my love into a business...such is life! Skin Types There are four basic skin types; these are Normal, Dry, Oily and Sensitive. You can also get a combination skin type which can be a variety of two or more of the four basic types. 

NORMAL SKIN If you have a normal skin type your skin will have an even color and smooth texture. Generally your skin will look and feel healthy. Your pores will be of average size and you will produce the correct amount of oil. Despite having healthy skin you should adopt a basic routine of cleansing the skin with a facial wash, toning with a gentle toner and moisturizing with a medium weight moisturizer. It is also important to remember that the key to maintaining a healthy skin is to always wear sun protection. DRY SKIN A dry skin type will look slightly dull and will have a rough or grainy texture to it. You will have small pores and your skin will not produce enough oil causing it to feel tight at times. For a dry skin you should use a creamy cleanser and once again use a gentle toner followed by a heavier moisturizing cream. A dry skin type will age much quicker and sun protection is therefore vital as the sun will increase the speed at which collagen will breakdown. OILY SKIN Oily skin can sometimes have a sallow appearance and you will often notice a shine on the T-zone. You will have larger pores and may be prone to congestion and breakouts.