All traditional Chinese herbs constitute a medicinal treasury; with modern technology, there are many more to be found.

Scientists reported a discovery of active ingredients in an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine for skin whitening, lightening the skin color. The ingredients were tested in clinical trials and proved to be a safe and effective alternative to skin whitening creams and lotions that millions of women and some men use in Asia and elsewhere.

The finding, which capped an intense search for natural skin lightening substances, could be a boon to women in Asian countries, said the study leader Huimin Wang, a Ph.D. He explained that skin whitening products were all the rage there, but too-often accompanied by itchiness, redness, inflammation, and other side effects.

Wang and his colleagues said that they have found a promising herbal alternative in the form of soup or tea. Cinnamomum subavenium is a close relative of the trees whose inner bark is the source of cinnamon. The scientists isolated two chemicals from the plant that can inhibit tyrosinase, an enzyme that controls the synthesis of melanin, a dark pigment responsible for darkening skin, hair, and eyes. Inhibiting tyrosinase is one of the major strategies for skin-whitening, Wang said.

In fact, since ancient time, many herbs have been used for skin whitening by many ladies, among whom was the Empress Cixi in Qing dynasty. Some commonly used herbs include Bletilla Striata (bai ji), Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (bai zhu), dandelion and pearl, ect. There is a famous skin-whitening prescription called “Seven White Powders” which includes Radix Angelicae Dahuricae (bai zhi), Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (bai zhu), white poria (bai fu ling), Bletilla Striata (bai ji), white paeony root (bai shao), Rhizoma Typhonii (bai fu zi), and Radix Ampelopsis (bai lian).

Grind them into powder, mix it with water and honey to form a paste and then apply on face, which helps to lighten the skin color.

Precaution

Before trying this formula, one should make sure that he/she is not allergic to any aforementioned herbs.