Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up 75-80% of our skin. It provides structure and strength by holding cells and tissues together. As we age, collagen production declines leading to signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
This is why many people are interested in collagen loss and try to find ways to boost collagen naturally. Consuming certain herbs can help enhance collagen production and reduce deficiency. Here are 5 herbs that naturally boost collagen.
What Are The 5 Herbs That Naturally Boost Collagen?
we will discuss 5 incredible Ayurvedic herbs that can naturally boost collagen, fight inflammation, heal damaged skin cells, and keep aging signs like wrinkles and fine lines at bay.
1. Horsetail
Horsetail is one of the 5 herbs which naturally boost collagen production. The silica in horsetail increases the synthesis of collagen and speeds up the wound healing process. The collagen and elastin deposited in the presence of horsetail make the skin tighter, firm sagging skin and give it a more youthful glow.
You can take horsetail supplements or steep the herb to make tea. Ensure to take horsetail that specifically lists silica content. 5 Herbs that enhance collagen production.
2. Nettle
Stinging nettle is an antioxidant-rich herb overflowing with vitamins A, B, C, D, and K. It protects the skin from free radical damage, increases new cell growth, inhibits enzymes that break down collagen, and reduces inflammation.
All the benefits provided by nettle, one of the 5 herbs that naturally boost collagen, help to preserve and improve collagen density. Nettle supplements, extracts, and tea demonstrate powerful anti-aging benefits for more youthful-looking skin.
3. Garlic
Garlic is a superfood containing sulfur compounds like allicin that enhance collagen production. Sulfur bonds help form collagen fibers to give skin its structure and firmness.
Studies show that taking powder tablets of garlic, one of the 5 herbs that naturally boost collagen, significantly increases procollagen and elastin synthesis. Always look for aged garlic extract supplements for the best anti-aging benefits. Raw garlic in meals also helps.
4. Green Tea
The antioxidants in green tea called catechins modulate enzymes causing collagen breakdown to preserve existing collagen. Green tea protects skin cells from sun damage allowing greater collagen production.
Drinking green tea daily, one of the 5 herbs that naturally boost collagen, is an easy way to leverage its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory collagen-boosting abilities. Applying chilled brewed green tea bags on the skin also firms and tightens it temporarily.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel derived from the aloe barbadensis miller plant hydrates skin while stimulating fibroblast activity to produce collagen and elastin fibers. It contains Giberellin, a growth hormone, and polysaccharides that stimulate skin cell regeneration to heal damaged tissues.
Multiple studies confirm aloe vera, one of the 5 herbs that naturally boost collagen, increases collagen content for wrinkle improvement and prevents loss due to aging and UV exposure. Drink and apply aloe vera gel directly from the plant for best results.
Why do people care about collagen loss or deficiency?
Our skin is made up of 75% collagen protein. It gives skin its structure, and firmness and helps renew cells. Many factors like aging, sun exposure, smoking, sugar consumption, and inflammation degrade collagen levels.
This causes common visible signs of aging skin such as fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, hollow cheeks, and thinner hair. Lower collagen also reduces bone strength leading to osteoporosis making them fragile and increasing joint pains. So, did you understand why people care about collagen loss or deficiency?
As we age, collagen production drops by 1% yearly after our 20’s causing aging signs. The skin may lose 30% collagen in the first 5 years of menopause due to lowered estrogen.
Chronic inflammation from conditions like arthritis stimulates enzymes degrading collagen. Exposure to UV rays and pollution breaks down collagen fibers through oxidation causing premature aging.
Collagen insufficiency negatively impacts our appearance and health. Supplementing collagen through herbs, diet, and products can improve hydration, smooth lines, tighten skin and reverse deficiencies.
It increases bone density reducing chances of osteoporosis and relieves joint pains improving mobility. Boosting collagen levels delivers valuable beauty, health, and anti-aging effects allowing people to look and feel younger.
Conclusion
Collagen contributes majorly to our skin health, beauty, and anti-aging abilities. It provides the support structure to keep skin firm and toned and aids the renewal of damaged tissues. Collagen insufficiency causes visible signs of natural or premature aging. People aim to enhance collagen through herbs, diet, and treatments to maintain a youthful appearance as they age.
Certain herbs deliver collagen-boosting abilities along with other skin health benefits. Consuming these herbs in diet or supplements combined with lifestyle tweaks enhances natural collagen levels correcting deficiencies. This leads to skin hydration, minimizing visible aging signs, healing damaged tissues faster, and giving skin a healthy glow.
With numerous factors degrading collagen as we age, making conscious efforts to boost levels through natural methods can have visible anti-aging effects. They also support reducing health conditions like osteoporosis improving bone strength and providing relief from swollen, painful joints.
Though topical collagen aims to improve skin temporarily, a regular collagen-boosting regimen with herbs, nutrition, and other sources creates more enriching and long-term effects on appearance and well-being.
Will including more herbs that boost collagen naturally help maintain youthful skin for longer? What herbs do you rely on for enhancing collagen production?
References
- De Luca C, et al.(2016). Skin antiageing and systemic redox effects of supplementation with marine collagen peptides and plant-derived antioxidants: A single-blind case-control clinical study. DOI:
https://dx.doi.org/10.1155%2F2016%2F4389410 - Barati, M., et al. (2020). Collagen supplementation for skin health: A mechanistic systematic review [Abstract].
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32436266/
