Herbology, which is also known as herbalism and herbal medicine, is the study and use of plants for medicinal purposes. Herbology and botanical studies can incorporate many different paths, including basic herbal pharmacology, physiology, nutrition, homeopathy, aromatherapy, and flower essences. Modern herbalists can use all or some of these options to heal a wide variety of traumas, diseases, and infections.

History

Most modern medical and pharmacological practices can trace their roots to ancient herbalism or traditional medicine in some form or another. In India, the practice of Ayurveda dates back thousands of years and emphasizes plant-based treatments, hygiene, and body-mind balance. Egyptian papyri dating back to 1550 B.C.E. have also been found to document medicine with a catalogue of useful plants and minerals. The Chinese and Greeks developed their own versions of herbal pharmacology around the first century C.E. with extensive herbal prescriptions and a new focus to treat the cause of diseases rather than the symptoms. In the Middle to Dark Ages, medical treatments became a strange combination of folklore, religion, and herbalistic practices that may or may not have been effective.

Modern Herbalisim

Modern invention and the scientific method took over many industrialized nations in the 18th and 19th centuries and quickly pushed aside traditional medicine and herbalist practices. Only those nations that did not develop economically stayed rooted in the old ways of healing. Herbalists were soon considered antiquated and their herbal treatments were passed over for chemical compounds and prescriptions. Yet, according to the World Health Organization, approximately 25 percent of modern drugs used in the United States have been derived from plants.

As a result of the rush to modernize society, many people in the new millennium are seeing destructive repercussions, including a prevalence of diseases and toxicity that did not exist before. The desire to return to how it was before has fueled a new interest in natural systems and the health benefits of organic living, sustainable farming, and herbalism.

Methods of Practice

Today’s certified or master herbalists will likely have been trained in one of the hundreds of professional schools or apprenticed under a licensed tutor or mentor. Most students focus on specific regional areas to become expert and their training should include in-depth botanical studies of native and non-native plants, diagnosis and treatment of conditions, and preparation and dispensation of herbal medications. Cultivating, harvesting, prepping, and storing are key factors to learning the best methods of preserving medicinal properties. Remedies can be prepared and administered as tinctures, salves, ointments, essential oils, teas, compresses, capsules, or tablets.

Herbal treatments can also be used alone or in combination with standardized scientific methods to supplement treatments, depending on the condition and diagnosis. While the debate about science versus nature continues, it is up to the individual to determine the method of treatment that is most beneficial for them.

by Rachelle Dupree, marketing and communications director for Vivoderm Natural Skincare
O c t o b e r 2 0 1 6 | D E R M A S C O P E

By Van Le | The eyes may be the windows to the soul, but dark under-eye circles may be the unattractive curtains that scream “look at me!”  You can have flawless skin, the right complexion and perfect makeup, but those dark half-circle patches under the eyes can ruin your entire look.  The most common cause of dark under-eye circle is exhaustion and lack of sleep, however, genetics, aging and a poor diet can contribute to the problem.

The skin under the eyes is thin and delicate, and any disturbances in the body can cause blood vessels near the surface to dilate.  The results can be dramatized and magnified in the area under the eyes, where the skin is thinnest.  Fatigue and lack of sleep can cause pale skin, which makes the appearance of dilated blood vessels more obvious.

Also, dark under-eye circles are part of the natural aging process, since the skin becomes more fragile over time.  Lack of nutrition can also be a
culprit.  Excessive salt, smoking, and vitamin deficiency are all contributing factors.  For those who suffer from this condition as a result of genetics, all hope is not lost.  There are several natural remedies that can reduce the appearance of dark under-eye circles.

Cucumbers and Tea Bags

There’s a reason why they give you cucumber for your eyes at the spas.  Due to its cooling effect, cucumbers refresh the skin and help sooth tired eyes.  Place cooled cucumber slices or cotton balls dipped in cucumber juice over the eyes for 15-20 minutes.  Teabags contain high amounts of tannin, which reduces discoloration and swelling.  Simply place chilled tea bags over the eyes for 15 minutes.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice helps lighten the skin under the eyes.  Combine equal amounts of tomato and lemon juice to the dark areas twice a day, being careful not to get it in your eyes.  A mixture of lemon juice and lanolin cream can also help decrease the appearance of dark under-eye circles.

Almond Oil

Almond oil has excellent nourishing properties, and is easily absorbed by the skin.  Gently rub the oil in the area under the eyes twice a day for
nourished skin.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E constricts blood vessels from dilating and decreases fluid retention, which lessens the appearance of under-eye circles.  Vitamin E’s
antioxidant properties help the skin look vibrant.  Break open a Vitamin E capsule and apply it to dark circles daily, and visible improvement can be seen within days.

Although there are no cures for dark under-eye circles, there are several remedies and products available to help reduce its appearance.  Vivoderm’s  under eye cream contains lemon, almond oil, vitamin E and other natural ingredients that help reduce not only the appearance of dark under-eye circles, but also wrinkles and fine lines.

Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.

For the latest findings on natural skincare, you can also link to http://herbalfacialskincare.com