---
title: "24 Herbs for Skin & Hair: Evidence & Safety"
description: "Natural remedies used on or for the skin, minor wounds, acne and hair care. Products for external use only are clearly marked."
language: en
url: https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/
source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com)
---

Explore by need

# Skin & Hair

Natural remedies used on or for the skin, minor wounds, acne and hair care. Products for external use only are clearly marked.

24 herbs · 7 with clinical evidence (A/B) · 9 not marked avoid in pregnancy

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Hide herbs to avoid in pregnancyHide external-use-only herbsStrong / limited evidence only (A/B)

These filters do not guarantee safety. Results may include herbs with unknown safety.

**24** herbs found

 

### [Castor Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/castor-oil/)

A Strong clinical evidence

Ricinus communis

A strong, fast-acting laxative with well-known efficacy for short-term constipation. Do not use it on your own to start labour.

[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Carrier Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/carrier-oil/)

 

### [Echinacea](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/echinacea/)

A Strong clinical evidence

Echinacea purpurea

Juice pressed from fresh echinacea plants may help with short-term prevention and treatment of colds. Dried echinacea tea is not covered.

[Immunity](https://herbadex.com/en/for/immunity/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

 

### [Horse Chestnut](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/horse-chestnut/)

A Strong clinical evidence

Aesculus hippocastanum

Standardised horse chestnut seed extract may help chronic venous insufficiency with swollen, heavy, aching legs; never eat raw conkers.

[Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Clay, Soap & Other](https://herbadex.com/en/form/other/)

 

### [Black Seed Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-seed-oil/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Nigella sativa

Oil pressed from black seed. Small studies saw modest falls in blood sugar and cholesterol and limited benefit in asthma.

[Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/) +1

[Carrier Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/carrier-oil/)

### [Coconut Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/coconut-oil/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Cocos nucifera

An effective skin moisturiser; small studies found it helpful for children's atopic dermatitis. As a food fat, it is very high in saturated fat.

[Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/)

[Syrup & Paste](https://herbadex.com/en/form/syrup-paste/)

 

### [Rose Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/rose-oil/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Rosa damascena

Distilled from Damask roses, one of the world's most precious essential oils. Small aromatherapy studies suggest it may help ease anxiety.

[Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Essential Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/essential-oil/)

### [Sweet Almond Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/sweet-almond-oil/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Prunus dulcis

Cold-pressed oil from sweet almonds. An effective emollient for dry, itchy skin; its effect on preventing stretch marks is inconsistent.

[Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Carrier Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/carrier-oil/)

 

### [Blue Anemone Flower](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/blue-anemone-flower/)

T Traditional use

Anemone spp.

A flower marketed in cosmetics as "anti-wrinkle". No independent study shows the effect, and the fresh plant is poisonous.

[Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Clay, Soap & Other](https://herbadex.com/en/form/other/)

 

### [Broadleaf Plantain](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/broadleaf-plantain/)

T Traditional use

Plantago major

Broadleaf plantain is traditionally used as a tea for mouth and throat irritation and dry cough, and as a fresh leaf on minor skin wounds.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

 

### [Calendula](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/calendula/)

T Traditional use

Calendula officinalis

Calendula flower is traditionally used for minor skin inflammation such as sunburn, as an aid to heal minor wounds and as a mouth gargle.

[Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

### [Chamomile](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/chamomile/)

T Traditional use

Matricaria recutita

A gentle herbal tea traditionally used for bloating and mild stomach cramps, common cold symptoms and mouth or throat irritation.

[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Immunity](https://herbadex.com/en/for/immunity/) +2

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

 

### [Fenugreek](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/fenugreek/)

T Traditional use

Trigonella foenum-graecum

Fenugreek seed is traditionally used before meals for temporary loss of appetite and as a poultice for minor skin inflammation.

[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/)

 

### [Horsetail](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/horsetail/)

T Traditional use

Equisetum arvense

Horsetail is traditionally used to increase urine flow in minor urinary complaints and, on the skin, to support healing of superficial wounds.

[Liver, Kidney & Urinary](https://herbadex.com/en/for/liver-kidney/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

### [Isparta Rose Water](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/isparta-rose-water/)

T Traditional use

Rosa damascena

The fragrant water left from distilling Isparta roses. Traditionally used as a skin cleanser and toner; food-grade rose water also flavours desserts.

[Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/) [Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/)

[Floral Water](https://herbadex.com/en/form/floral-water/)

 

### [Mastic Gum](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/mastic-gum/)

T Traditional use

Pistacia lentiscus

Mastic gum is a natural resin traditionally taken by mouth for mild indigestion and used on the skin for minor inflammation and small wounds.

[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Resin & Gum](https://herbadex.com/en/form/resin-gum/)

 

### [Ribwort Plantain](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/ribwort-plantain/)

T Traditional use

Plantago lanceolata

Ribwort plantain leaf is traditionally used for throat irritation with dry cough, for cough with a cold and for minor skin inflammation.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

 

### [Sage](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/sage/)

T Traditional use

Salvia officinalis

Sage leaf is traditionally used as a gargle for mouth and throat inflammation, for mild indigestion and for excessive sweating.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) +1

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

 

### [St. John's Wort Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/st-johns-wort-oil/)

T Traditional use

Hypericum perforatum

St John's wort oil (an oil macerate) is applied to the skin for minor inflammation such as sunburn and to help heal small wounds.

[Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Carrier Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/carrier-oil/)

 

### [Tea Tree Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/tea-tree-oil/)

T Traditional use

Melaleuca alternifolia

Tea tree oil is used on the skin only for small wounds, insect bites, small spots and mild athlete's foot itching; it must not be swallowed.

[Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

[Essential Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/essential-oil/)

 

### [Terebinth Soap](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/terebinth-soap/)

T Traditional use

Pistacia terebinthus

A traditional soap from South-East Anatolia made with terebinth fruit oil. Used to wash hair and skin; no healing effect has been shown.

[Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Clay, Soap & Other](https://herbadex.com/en/form/other/)

 

### [Witch Hazel](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/witch-hazel/)

T Traditional use

Hamamelis virginiana

Witch hazel leaf is used on the skin for minor inflammation and dryness, for haemorrhoid itching and burning, and as a mouth gargle.

[Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) +1

[Clay, Soap & Other](https://herbadex.com/en/form/other/)

 

### [Yarrow](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/yarrow/)

T Traditional use

Achillea millefolium

Yarrow tea is traditionally used for loss of appetite, bloating and wind, mild period cramps and, on the skin, small superficial wounds.

[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Women’s Health](https://herbadex.com/en/for/womens-health/) +1

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

### [Argan Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/argan-oil/)

C Laboratory / animal evidence

Argania spinosa

An oil from the kernels of the Moroccan argan tree, rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids. Used to moisturise skin and hair.

[Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/) [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/)

[Carrier Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/carrier-oil/)

 

### [Green Clay](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/green-clay/)

C Laboratory / animal evidence

Montmorillonite / Illite (mineral)

A clay used in face masks to absorb oil and dirt. Drinking it is not recommended: it can contain heavy metals such as lead and arsenic.

[Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Clay, Soap & Other](https://herbadex.com/en/form/other/)

This page is for information only and is not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.