In this post, I’d like to share some top ranked moisturizing and skin brightening herbs based on Chinese herbal medicine. All of these herbs have been extensively used in China both for medicinal use and for food use. You should be able to buy these from many online stores. Just copy paste the herb name into you google search engine. Alternatively, you should be able to find these herbs in your local Chinese herb stores. Every China town should have an herb store somewhere. Keep looking—you will find it.
As a general rule, use the whole herb and chunks or slices thereof for tea and soup; use rough powder for tea or facial scrub; and use fine powder as face wash or mask. You can also use tea as an ingredient for face toner, hair wash, or hair conditioner.
For tea or skin toner use, simmer herb slices in hot water for 5-10 min. Strain the water out. Drink as a tea. Or, cool and use as a skin toner or hair conditioner. I would recommend infuse the tea with other herbal ingredient for skin toner use.
For face wash or facial mask use, mix herb power with a grain powder such as oat or barley flower. Add a little agar or gelatin powder to increase the adhesion. Mix the powder with water, milk, or diluted honey to make a soft paste. Use as a facial mask. You can also add other ingredient as desired. Please refer to my past posts for recipes.
Fuling (Poria)
Fuling is a
fungas, from Polyporaceae family, similar to mushroom. The herb was termed as “God medicine” by
ancient Chinese. The herb is very
versatile and can be mixed with many other herbs for various indications. In general, the herb is known to be calming,
diuretic, and strengthen immune system. For
skicare use, the herb is used to smooth and refresh the skin, improve
elasticity, moisture and texture. It is
often used in recipes for treating dry skin or damage skin. The herb is especially good for mature skins
and is known to be the favorite skincare and anti-aging herb of Empress Cixi.
Pearl (Zhenshu,
Margarita)
I have discussed
this herb in detail in my past post. Pearl powder has long being used for
moisturizing and brightening the skin and strengthening and whitening the
teeth. For example, ancient performers
in the palace preferred pearl powder as a cosmetic make-up. Pearl contains calcium carbonate, organics, amino
acids, peptides, and minerals. The herb
is known to promote cell regeneration, inhibite lipofucsin (an aging
substance), stimulate cell activity and prolong the life-span of cells.
Thanks for
reading.
Connie
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