The Public Herbarium

leaves and flowers of self-heal (Prunella vulgaris)

Skin Health: Your Complete Herbal Guide

Natural skin support without harsh chemicals, addresses root causes (inflammation, barrier function), sustainable long-term use, accessible herbs/DIY remedies in NZ, holistic inside-out approach.

Understanding Your Skin

What Your Skin Does

Protection:

Regulation:

Sensation:

Immune function:

The Skin Barrier

Think of your skin’s outermost layer (stratum corneum) like a brick wall:

Healthy barrier:

Damaged barrier:

Your Skin Support Toolkit

First Aid & Wound Healing Herbs

1. Plantain (Plantago major, P. lanceolata)

broad leaf plantain
Broad Leaf Plantain (Plantago major)
botanical cropped image of Plantago lanceolata (narrow leaf plantain)
Narrow leaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

Why it’s THE first aid herb:

Found growing as a “weed” everywhere in NZ! Plantain is your instant relief for bites, stings, cuts, scrapes, and skin irritation.

What it does:

The science: Contains mucilage (forms protective film), aucubin (anti-inflammatory iridoid glycoside), and tannins (astringent, tightens tissues).

How to use:

Fresh poultice (best!):

  1. Pick fresh plantain leaf
  2. Wash quickly
  3. Chew leaf until mushy (yes, really! Or crush/bruise thoroughly)
  4. Apply directly to bite, sting, or cut
  5. Secure with bandage
  6. Change every few hours

Why chewing works: Breaks down cell walls, releases active compounds, mixes with saliva enzymes.

Infused oil (for home):

  1. Fill jar with dried plantain leaves
  2. Cover with olive oil
  3. Infuse 4-6 weeks, shake daily
  4. Strain
  5. Use as-is or make into salve

Salve recipe:

When to use:

Taste: Mild, slightly mushroomy. Safe to chew.

Where to find (NZ): EVERYWHERE! Lawns, gardens, paths, parks. Broad-leaved plantain (P. major) has wide oval leaves; narrow-leaved (P. lanceolata) has lance-shaped leaves. Both work.

Cost: FREE!

Safety: Very safe. One of gentlest herbs. Fine for children.

2. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) flower
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Why it’s the skin healer:

Calendula is THE herb for skin healing — cuts, rashes, dry skin, diaper rash, eczema, slow-healing wounds. Gentle enough for babies, powerful enough for serious healing.

What it does:

The science: Rich in triterpenoids (promote granulation tissue — new skin growth), flavonoids (anti-inflammatory antioxidants), and carotenoids. Studies show calendula accelerates wound closure significantly.

How to use:

Infused oil (foundation for all topical use):

  1. Fill jar with dried calendula flowers (fresh can go moldy)
  2. Cover with olive or sunflower oil
  3. Infuse 4-6 weeks in sunny spot, shake daily
  4. Strain through cheesecloth
  5. Store in dark glass bottle

Healing salve:

Tea (internal support for skin):

Wash/compress:

When to use:

Cost (NZ):

Safety: Very safe. Avoid if allergic to daisies/marigolds. Patch test first if sensitive skin.

3. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) plants
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Why it’s essential:

The cooling, soothing gel for burns, sunburn, and inflamed skin. Every home should have an aloe plant!

What it does:

How to use:

Fresh gel (best):

  1. Cut mature leaf from plant
  2. Slice lengthwise
  3. Scoop out clear gel
  4. Apply directly to skin
  5. Refrigerate leftover gel (use within week)

When to use:

Growing in NZ: Thrives! Needs well-draining soil, bright indirect light. Water sparingly.

Cost: Plant $10-20; lasts years with minimal care.

Safety: Very safe topically. Don’t use latex (yellow layer under skin) internally — strong laxative.

Soothing Herbs for Irritated Skin

4. Oats (Avena sativa)

oats (Avena sativa) leaves and seed head close up
Oats (Avena sativa)

Why they’re magic for itchy skin:

Colloidal oatmeal (finely ground) is the gold standard for eczema, dry skin, itching, and inflammation. Backed by serious science.

What it does:

The science: Contains avenanthramides (unique anti-inflammatory polyphenols that inhibit histamine release), beta-glucans (protective moisturising film), and saponins (gentle cleansing).

How to use:

Oat bath (for widespread irritation):

  1. Grind 1 cup rolled oats to fine powder (blender or food processor)
  2. Add to warm (not hot!) bath
  3. Stir to distribute
  4. Soak 15-20 minutes
  5. Pat dry gently (don’t rub)

Oat paste (for localised itching):

  1. Mix ground oats with water to form paste
  2. Apply to itchy areas
  3. Leave 10-15 minutes
  4. Rinse gently

When to use:

Cost: Rolled oats $3-5/kg (supermarket). Ultra-cheap!

Safety: Very safe. Use plain oats (no sugar, flavouring).

5. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

chamomile flowers in full bloom
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

Why it soothes:

Gentle anti-inflammatory perfect for sensitive, irritated, or inflamed skin. Especially good for children.

What it does:

How to use:

Compress:

  1. Make strong tea (3-4 teaspoons per cup)
  2. Cool completely
  3. Soak cloth in tea
  4. Apply to irritated areas
  5. Repeat as needed

Bath:

Infused oil:

When to use:

Cost (NZ): $8-12/50g dried; grow from seed!

Safety: Very safe. Rare allergy if allergic to ragweed.

Internal Support for Healthy Skin

6. Nettle (Urtica dioica)

close up of nettle (Urtica diotica) leaves
Nettle (Urtica diotica)

Why it works from within:

Skin health starts inside! Nettle is mineral-rich, anti-inflammatory, and traditionally used for skin conditions like eczema, acne, and psoriasis.

What it does:

How to use:

Nourishing infusion:

  1. 1/4 cup dried nettle leaf
  2. Quart jar
  3. Fill with hot water
  4. Steep 4-8 hours (or overnight)
  5. Strain
  6. Drink 2-3 cups daily

See General Wellness guide for complete information

7. Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)

Burdock (Arctium lappa) leaves and flowering heads
Burdock (Arctium lappa)

Why it’s the “blood purifier”:

Traditional alterative (“blood cleanser”) for chronic skin conditions. Supports liver and kidney detoxification, which reflects in skin health.

What it does:

How to use:

Timeline: Internal herbs for skin take 4-8 weeks to show effects. Be patient!

Cost (NZ): $10-16/100g dried root

Simple Skin Care Formulas

1. Ultimate Healing Salve

For: Cuts, scrapes, dry patches, eczema, general skin healing

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Melt oils and beeswax in double boiler
  2. Remove from heat
  3. Add vitamin E and lavender
  4. Pour into small tins or jars
  5. Cool completely before capping

Use: Apply to affected areas 2-4 times daily.

2. Soothing Skin Tea Blend

For: Internal support for skin health (eczema, acne, psoriasis, general)

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Mix herbs, store in airtight jar
  2. Use 1 tablespoon per cup hot water
  3. Steep 15-20 minutes
  4. Drink 2-3 cups daily

Why it works: Nettle provides minerals, calendula and red clover are alteratives (support detox), cleavers moves lymph (clears waste), peppermint aids digestion (gut-skin connection).

3. Anti-Itch Emergency Relief

For: Sudden itching, bites, rashes, eczema flares

Method:

  1. Grind oats to fine powder
  2. Mix with cooled chamomile tea to make paste
  3. Apply to itchy areas
  4. Leave 10-15 minutes
  5. Rinse with cool water
  6. Pat dry
  7. Apply aloe vera gel or calendula cream

Why it works: Oats anti-itch, chamomile anti-inflammatory, aloe/calendula soothing and healing.

Common Skin Issues

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Herbal approach:

External:

Internal:

Lifestyle:

Timeline: Improvement usually 2-4 weeks with consistent care.

Acne

Herbal approach:

External:

Internal:

Lifestyle:

Note: Hormonal acne may need medical support.

Dry, Cracked Skin

Herbal approach:

External:

Internal:

Lifestyle:

Minor Wounds, Cuts, Scrapes

Herbal approach:

Immediate:

  1. Wash with clean water
  2. Apply fresh plantain poultice OR
  3. Apply honey (natural antibacterial) OR
  4. Apply calendula cream

Ongoing (until healed):

When to see doctor:

NZ Foraging & Growing

Easy to forage (NZ):

Easy to grow:

NZ Sourcing

Dried herbs:

Carrier oils, beeswax:

Plants:

Summary: Your Skin Care Plan

First aid kit:

For ongoing skin health:

External:

Internal:

Lifestyle:

Remember:

Your skin is always working to protect you. Give it the support it needs!

Budget-Friendly Skin Health Support

Low-cost topical care ($3-10 total):

Internal support (free/low-cost):

Free remedies:

NZ budget note: Commercial herbal skin products $15-45. DIY calendula balm costs $3-5 per batch (makes 4-6 tins).

Emergency skin relief (free):

References

Bone, K., & Mills, S. (2013). Principles and practice of phytotherapy: Modern herbal medicine (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone.

Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of herbal medicine (3rd ed.). Dorling Kindersley.

Pazyar, N., et al. (2013). A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology. International Journal of Dermatology, 52(7), 784-790.

Poljsak, B., & Dahmane, R. (2012). Free radicals and extrinsic skin aging. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2012, 135206.

Sur, R., et al. (2008). Avenanthramides, polyphenols from oats, exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-itch activity. Archives of Dermatological Research, 300(10), 569-574.

Disclaimer: Does not represent rongoā Māori methods. For rongoā knowledge, consult Te Paepae Motuhake.

Medical Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Serious skin conditions, persistent rashes, changing moles, or signs of infection require professional medical evaluation. Herbal skin care supports health but does not replace dermatological care. Patch test new topical products. Consult qualified healthcare practitioners, especially if pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or having medical conditions.


Note on Pricing: All prices mentioned in this guide are approximate and based on New Zealand suppliers as of December 2025. Prices vary by supplier, season, and market conditions. We recommend checking current prices with your local suppliers.

The Public Herbarium is built on a foundation of scientific integrity, transparency, and care. Research sources are referenced throughout the site wherever possible. Content creation is assisted by AI tools and carefully reviewed for accuracy.