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2 Astringent Herbs That Regulate Body Secretions
Astringent herbs take action in the body by contracting soft tissues to stop or reduce blood, mucus, or other discharges. The specific effect depends on the particular herb used, how the herb is administered and how strong its astringent effect is.
Mostly all astringent herbs coagulate albumin or blood proteins, tone muscles, contract veins and gland ducts, slow down peristalsis or contractions in organs, and reduce excess salivation. Stronger astringent herbs stop diarrhea and hemorrhaging. The herbs with this latter effect are called styptics. Milder astringent herbs reduce excessive perspiration and enlarged pores by toning and contracting the skin and glands.
In other words, astringent herbs help us tighten and tone our body. Two effective astringent herbs are witch hazel Hamamelis virginiana, and cranesbill Geranium maculatum. I will tell you more about them here, and let you know ways in which you can use them.
What Makes These Astringent Herbs Effective?
The constituents that are responsible for astringent actions are tannin, tannic acid, and gallic acid. They normally work by contracting or tightening tissues.
Tannins should be used with caution because they may have damaging effects if not consumed appropriately and/or…
