Skin (Integumentary System)

The skin, hair, and nails — the body’s largest organ and a frequent mirror of internal imbalance.

General herbal approach

Chronic skin complaints are usually treated from the inside out. Alteratives (burdock, cleavers, yellow dock) gently support the channels of elimination — liver, kidneys, lymph, bowel — on the principle that clearer internal terrain shows on the skin. Vulneraries (calendula, gotu kola) speed wound healing, emollients and demulcents soften and soothe, and anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial herbs calm reactive, infected, or inflamed skin both topically and internally.

Key herbal actions

The actions most often called on for the skin (integumentary) system: Alterative, Vulnerary, Emollient, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Astringent. Each links through to the herbs that carry it.