It’s unlikely that facial wrinkles concerned the Native Americans much. After all, they had tremendous reverence for age, whereas people today are more likely to fight the aging process. They did care about appearance, however, and historians believe that they treated their skin with loving care.
Native Americans kept their skin meticulously clean and fresh with frequent sweats. They also made sure to moisturize and protect skin from the weather by using animal fats—bear fat, especially. And, of course, they used herbs, including purslane, witch hazel, rosemary, and sage.
Each of these herbs, scientists now know, are extremely good for the skin because they’re rich in antioxidant compounds. Antioxidants help combat wrinkles by blocking the harmful effects of naturally occurring oxygen molecules, called free radicals, that are known to damage the skin.
The easiest way to use these skin-healthy herbs is to drink them as teas. You can also brew herbal teas and apply them to the skin as a compress—or do what many Native Americans did. Grind fresh leaves to a paste and apply them as a poultice.
Using these herbs as poultices can be especially effective because of their astringency. They tighten the skin by causing proteins within it to temporarily contract, explains herbal authority James A. Duke, Ph.D.
A facial made with purslane is particularly effective, he says. Run a handful of fresh purslane through the blender. Then dab the mash on your face, leave it on for 15 to 30 minutes, and rinse your face thoroughly.
This Home Remedies For Wrinkles article is taken from :
Healing Secrets of the Native Americans - Porter Shimer
