astringent

What are astringents?

If you’ve ever used a toner on your face or have had a glass of wine, you’ve experienced the effects of astringency. Astringent herbs cause constriction or tightening of the tissue. They have a binding action on mucus membranes, skin and other exposed tissues of the body.

Astringents are used as a barrier against infection or to treat lax tissue.

• sore throat

• vaginal infections

• ulcers

• UTIs

• varicose veins

• diarrhea

Herbal Examples:

• Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

• Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

• Red Raspberry (Rubus Idaeus)

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

• Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

• Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) (Rubus spp.)

• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

• Rose (Rose spp.)