If we were to make a wish, most of us would desire to look young forever. However, nobody can escape from the aging process. Factors such as lifestyle, genetics, and environment are crucial to how fast or slow your skin ages. This is a clock you can’t cease but can indeed slow down aging by adding these anti-aging herbs to your meals. Incorporating these flavorful herbs into your diet might backfire on the effects of premature aging. You can rev up lifeless-looking and dull skin by providing the body with a nutrient-dense diet that boosts cell growth. In the recent couple of years, scientists have made remarkable breakthroughs in the area of aging and longevity. Aging is a tricky, multi-factorial cycle that begins in our cells, resulting in a gradual failing of the larger systems in the body. They have suggested diverse views for why we age, including;
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
- Inflammation
- DNA damage
- Cell senescence
- Telomere reduction
All of the above trigger aging. Fortunately, longevity scientists are finding the power of certain herbs to slow down this aging process.
Potent Anti Aging Herbs
In some traditional therapy, healing herbs such as Turmeric, Ginger, Rosemary, Ginseng, and ginkgo biloba are recognized as the “life-nourishing-herbs.” Their role as anti-aging phytotherapeutics is increasingly attaining attention worldwide. Regardless many plant-based blends seem to exert an anti-aging mark; the most effective outcome is flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and polysaccharides, including curcumin, gingerols, ginkgolide, and ginsenoside. Using PubMed here, we pinpoint and critically examine 30 years of published studies focusing on the overhead herbs’ active ingredients against aging and aging-related disorders.
Many reviews stated that these traditional herbal cures are safe, bearable, and free of toxic results. Their results as anti-aging elements, improvers of cognitive impairments, and reducers of cardiovascular threats are described, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects have possible safety. Moreover, their capacity to act as antioxidants and improve DNA damage resistance is impressive.
Let’s discover what they are…
Turmeric: The ultimate herb for glowing, youthful & healthy skin
Turmeric is one of the best medicinal anti-aging herbs for skincare that humanity has ever found. Owing to its various health benefits, it is a spice in all our households and looms our food palettes. It has also overlooked indigenous beauty secrets for years, so how can we skip it when discussing the best anti-aging facial herbs? Turmeric is a potent antioxidant that fights all free radicals on your skin, along with problematic bacteria, dirt, and oil. It is the ultimate key to having acne-free skin that shines as radiant as the Sun. Turmeric promotes cell growth by deterring cell damage and vanishing scars, making it a perfect anti-aging agent for facial skin! The anti-inflammatory content in turmeric can fix your pores and fine lines.
Turmeric Fights Free Radicals That Cause Oxidative Stress
Do you know free radicals (pollutants, smoke, etc.) in various forms cause oxidative stress? Oxidative stress further forms wrinkles and premature aging, leading to a reduction in skin collagen.
Not only does it have the mastery to fight free radical damage, but it also contains vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant agent that helps your body absorb iron and produce collagen. Adding turmeric to your diet will help wrinkles, skin elasticity, and overall health.
How to Use It?
Combine turmeric powder with skin-healthy DIY face packs, such as honey, apple cider vinegar, yogurt, coconut oil, turmeric essential oil, or aloe. You can use it twice or thrice a week to maintain youthful and clear skin for years to come. Likewise, many ayurvedic products in the market include turmeric and other herbs such as saffron, kumkumadi tailam, sandalwood, etc.
Ginger- An Incredible Herb for Anti-Aging & Longevity
Ginger may be too sore as a herb for many, it’s true – but few things in the world are as compelling in alleviating a cough as well as a fresh cup of ginger tea does. Used for centuries in Indian & Asian recipes and Ayurvedic medicines that treat colds, coughs, sore throats, and so much more – Ginger has a particular place in every kitchen. So why wouldn’t it hold a special place in our anti-aging herbs for skincare?
Ginger and Longevity
Bioactive compounds in ginger, like gingerol, prolong the lifespan in C elegans skin-worms and can bring about different longevity-enhancing effects (R). For instance, stress resistance was boosted while lipofuscin levels were decreased. Lipofuscin is called the “aging pigment.” It gathers during aging until it’s so omnipresent it inhibits the functioning of cells, particularly in live-long cells such as neurons.
Ginger is excellent at removing waste from our bodies; the same happens when we apply ginger to our skin. It clears and slays bacteria on your skin to ensure no acne issues. The herb has also been confirmed to be involved in increasing “collagen production” in recent years- allowing it to;
- tighten loose skin
- get rid of fine lines
- preserve the radiance of your skin, ultimately!
You can use ginger either by drinking honey lemon ginger tea regularly or by applying the juice on the face for skin tightening and brightening.
Research
Ginger can defend cells against damage. Not just damage caused by aging but even severe damage, like the one caused by fatal amounts of radiation. In an experiment, mice were revealed to high quantities of radiation. Mice that obtained ginger earlier had remarkably improved survival rates.
Ginger has various other beneficial marks on aging reversal.
Ginger can reduce inflammage that augments during aging has epigenetic features, and affects mitochondrial functioning. One way ginger affects mitochondrial health is by improving mitochondrial biogenesis, which is the formation of new mitochondria (R). The mitochondria are the cell powerhouse. The older we become, the fewer proper functioning mitochondria we hold.
Random studies show ginger can also enhance cognitive function (R). In a study with 60 middle-aged women, the women that received ginger for two months exhibited improved focus and better mental version than others(R).
So ginger has two exciting benefits: in the long run, ginger can guard the body against damage caused by aging via miscellaneous agents, while in the short time, it can enhance the cognitive process, so we can instantly be more efficacious and get more things to do.
GINGKO BILOBA-AN ANTI-AGING MIRACLE
One of the logic that ginkgo biloba is used in many topical skincare formulations is its anti-aging effects. It has long been touted as a rich anti-inflammatory herb, but it also has been shown to increase the production of human skin collagen.
It works by boosting fibroblasts in the skin, which supports holding the skin looking young, plumpy, and wrinkle-free. Another main benefit of ginkgo biloba is its antibacterial features, which help to clear bacteria from your skin’s surface. This works to help control acne eruptions.
But the primary reason for ginkgo biloba’s vogue is its antioxidant traits, which include polyphenols and flavonoids. Antioxidants work to battle the free radicals that damage the skin’s DNA and mitochondria, causing the skin to become saggy and fine lines and wrinkles to flare up.
The antioxidant agents in gingko help keep your skin firm, rejuvenating the elasticity lost due to free radical damage from ongoing exposure to sunlight’s toxic UV radiation. In addition, because ginkgo biloba is a potent anti-inflammatory, it diminishes the redness linked to UVA/UVB light exposure.
COMBINE GINGKO WITH GREEN TEA
Cosmetic skincare formulations that use both gingko biloba and green tea are more powerful than formulations with only one or the other root extract. They act magically together to deliver a moisturizing effect and boost cell revival.
The mix of green tea and gingko extracts effectively enhanced skin ailments, as well as skin elasticity. More so, the antioxidant impact was far greater when the two were formulated together.
Ginseng- The Skin All Rounder
For thousands of years, Korean women have long been fans – with ginseng bathhouses a mainstay of their beauty practices. Going back even further in Korean history, young females in noble families bathed in ginseng water before their wedding to ensure their skin was delicate and refined for their big day events. Ginseng’s unique balancing and refreshing features make it as vital in skincare as it is in health and wellness.
Collagen promoter:
When you look at ginseng’s effects, it’s no wonder it’s been a famous beauty tonic for so long. High on the list would be ginseng’s anti-aging miracles. It’s loaded with phytonutrients, known to boost the skin’s metabolism and rid it of the free radicals that build up after habitual exposure to sunlight, environmental pollution, and toxins. Several analyses have found that ginseng virtually increases collagen production in the skin’s dermis, firming, toning, and plumping skin and belittling wrinkles and fine lines. The herb also acts as a skin whitener, as opposed to photoaging, and pigmentation, making the complexion look more radiant, lighter, and youthful. Studies have found it can also inhibit the production of melanin, protecting the skin from the type of pigmentation caused by UV radiation or sun damage.
Complex complexion helper
Ginseng is also a brilliant overall complexion booster. Its roots and leaves are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, allowing them to metabolize skin cells and help eliminate dead skin cells to produce healthy new skin. Ginseng tea is excellent for refining and rehydrating your skin, regenerating skin cells by increasing oxygenation, improving blood circulation, and detoxifying the blood, all of which contribute to healthy, glowing skin.
Also, it serves as a multivitamin and feeds the much-required muscle strength, hence building up the muscles.
Sandalwood extract: Considerably benefits the skin
Sandalwood is wealthy in fatty acids like palmitoleic acid and oleic acids. Both of these fatty acids have a myriad of godsends for the skin.
Palmitoleic acid
Omega-7 is a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), having palmitoleic acid. It can be seen in edibles like sea buckthorn and macadamia nuts. Macadamia oil has anti-aging and antioxidant agents necessary for any excellent skincare product. Palmitoleic acid is an acid that is only present in young skin, and this is fully finished as we age. Applying products rich in palmitoleic acid returns that acid to your skin, helping you regain a youthful impression.
Studies show that palmitoleic acid can stimulate cell regeneration and renewal, which helps recover the skin, making it appear more youthful.
Always look for a moisturizer with sandalwood extract to keep skin youthful, tight, and glowing.
Oleic acid
It is a monosaturated omega-9 fatty acid that arises naturally in many animals and vegetables, such as eggs, beef, and avocados. Oleic acid helps skin to look bright, smooth, and supple. It is used in various moisturizing oils and lotions, such as shea butter, coconut, and almond oil.
Because sandalwood retains these two robust, healthy fatty acids, it has numerous benefits for the skin. But sandalwood extract’s principal support is being the best natural skin moisturizer on earth. Sandalwood is so suitable for your skin health. In fact, it can swiftly mend chapped skin from a too-cold climate and diminish the impression of nasty scars.
Rosemary: Full of Anti-Aging Antioxidants
Being rich in potassium and loaded with B vitamins, such as riboflavin, pyridoxine, and pantothenic acid, rosemary is a good source of vitamin A and phytonutrients, all of which are good for the skin. Rosemary, in particular, is one of the finest herbs for skin all around.
Rosemary has concentrated amounts of robust antioxidants adept at delaying your skin’s aging clock, undoing the damage of toxic pollutants, and effectively neutralizing the free radicals you absorb from the atmosphere. It is incredibly helpful in fixing skin from sun crevasse and reversing aging marks. One current study discovered that rosemary can “shield the skin from free-radical induced skin damage” and “is apt in inhibiting oxidative stress to skin surface lipids.”
It’s scientifically verified to diminish wrinkles and fine lines.
Contemporary studies indicate that rosemary promotes biological activity on facial skin and exceptionally downsizes wrinkles. In fact, rosemary has even more wrinkle-combating power when blended with grapefruit oil extract. If wrinkles are a concern for you, look for skin products that unite these two rugged extracts.
Key Takeaway
As per Ayurveda, these herbs discussed above can downsize the symptoms of aging by restoring body cells. Our diet plays a significant role in supporting our youthful skin. Although aging is unavoidable, and one cannot dodge these transformations, these mental, social, psychological, and physical shifts can be slowed with the help of potent Ayurvedic anti-aging herbs and even some natural kitchen ingredients. As you age, the process of degenerating cells is known as aging. Grey hair and wrinkled skin are two of the most apparent signs of aging. You can go to this Ayurvedic track if you wish to slow down aging without any adverse effects!
REFERENCES
Benameur T, Soleti R, Panaro MA, La Torre ME, Monda V, Messina G, Porro C. Curcumin as Prospective Anti-Aging Natural Compound: Focus on Brain. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8398038/ Molecules. 2021 Aug 7;26(16):4794. doi: 10.3390/molecules26164794. PMID: 34443381; PMCID: PMC8398038.
Bielak-Zmijewska A, Grabowska W, Ciolko A, Bojko A, Mosieniak G, Bijoch Ł, Sikora E. The Role of Curcumin in the Modulation of Ageing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6429134/ Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Mar 12;20(5):1239. doi: 10.3390/ijms20051239. PMID: 30871021; PMCID: PMC6429134.
Matthew C. Fadus, Cecilia Lau, Jai Bikhchandani, Henry T. Lynch, Curcumin: An age-old anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic agent, Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme/ (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/)
Cherif H, Bisson DG, Jarzem P, et al. Curcumin and o-Vanillin Exhibit Evidence of Senolytic Activity in Human IVD Cells In Vitro. J Clin Med. 2019 Mar 29;8(4).
Kim CS, Park S, Kim J. The role of glycation in the pathogenesis of aging and its prevention through herbal products and physical exercise. J Exerc Nutrition Biochem. 2017 Sep 30;21(3):55-61.
Tabrizi R, Vakili S, Akbari M, et al. The effects of curcumin-containing supplements on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytother Res. 2019 Feb;33(2):253-62.
He Y, Yue Y, Zheng X, et al. Curcumin, inflammation, and chronic diseases: how are they linked? Molecules. 2015 May 20;20(5): 9183-213.
Stepien K, Wojdyla D, Nowak K, et al. Impact of curcumin on replicative and chronological aging in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. Biogerontology. 2020 Feb;21(1):109-23.
Shen LR, Parnell LD, Ordovas JM, et al. Curcumin and aging. Biofactors. 2013 Jan-Feb;39(1):133-40.
Sikora E, Scapagnini G, Barbagallo M. Curcumin, inflammation, aging, and age-related diseases. Immun Ageing. 2010 Jan 17;7(1):1.
Zia A, Farkhondeh T, Pourbagher-Shahri AM, et al. The role of curcumin in aging and senescence: Molecular mechanisms. Biomed Pharmacother. 2021 Feb;134:111119.
Taiba Tariq
Taiba Tariq is a healthcare nutrition hobbyist, enthusiastic about researching healthcare & skincare news while analyzing the latest and science-backed evidence about nutrition, skin care, and supplements. She wants to help people regain their beauty, health, and well-being through natural means.
all author posts