Herbs for Skin, Acne, Eczema and Wounds: What Research Shows
What research shows for aloe, tea tree oil, calendula, witch hazel and Chinese herbal formulas on acne, eczema, burns and wounds, with the signs of infection that need a clinician.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read herb safety and interactions before you use anything on this page.
Get medical advice promptly if skin looks infected. The NHS (UK) lists eczema that is blistered, crusty, leaking fluid or has pus-filled spots, or is painful, swollen or warm, or comes with a high temperature, as possible signs of infection that may need antibiotics. [1] For cuts and scrapes, it lists soil or pus in the wound, a cut that is swollen, red and getting more painful, a bite from a person or a wild or stray animal, or feeling generally unwell. [2] Do not rely on a plant product for skin like this. In the US, call 911 for an emergency such as bleeding that will not stop.
Traditional use and research are different things
Aloe has historically been used for skin conditions and wound healing. [4] The Aboriginal people of Australia traditionally used tea tree leaves for wounds, burns and insect bites. [5] These uses are described here with respect, but they are not evidence that a product works today. The studies below are what we can say about research.Which plant is which
- Aloe: Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. [6] The gel comes from the inner leaf; latex comes from the outer layer. [4]
- Calendula: Calendula officinalis L., in the daisy family (Asteraceae). [7] The trial abstracts we read did not state which plant part was used.
- Witch hazel: Hamamelis virginiana L. [8] The trial below used a distilled cream.
- Tea tree oil: Melaleuca alternifolia, an essential oil made from the leaves by steam distillation. [9][5]
What research shows
| Use | What the source found | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Acne, aloe gel on the skin | Two small studies suggest aloe gel combined with other treatment may improve acne. [4] | Promising but limited |
| Acne, tea tree oil on the skin | A small amount of research suggests it might help, but more evidence is needed. [5] | Promising but limited |
| Acne, herbal products in general | A review of 34 trials (1,753 people) found most reported fewer lesions, and called the plants promising for mild to moderate acne. It also said better quality evidence is needed. [10] | Promising but limited |
| Burns, aloe gel | Clinical research suggests aloe gel may speed burn healing and reduce burn pain. [4] | Promising but limited |
| Eczema, aloe | Not enough reliable information to say. [4] | Insufficient evidence |
| Eczema, witch hazel cream | In a 14-day trial of 72 people, hydrocortisone cream beat the witch hazel cream, and the witch hazel cream did not differ from its plain base. [11] | No good evidence of benefit (one older trial) |
| Eczema, Chinese herbal formulas | A Cochrane review of 28 trials found no conclusive evidence that they reduce eczema severity; most trials had high risk of bias. [12] | Insufficient evidence |
| Eczema, echinacea on the skin | Unclear whether it helps. [13] | Insufficient evidence |
| Small wounds, calendula extract | In 38 wounds on hands and fingers, wounds treated with a standardized extract closed faster than those treated with mineral oil. [14] | Promising but limited (one small trial) |
| Radiation skin reaction, calendula | No detectable difference from a standard cream, and the trial recruited too few people. [15] | Insufficient evidence |
Aloe and chamomile did not show positive effects in the children's skin studies that review covered, while evening primrose oil and comfrey showed some indication of benefit for children's eczema and wounds respectively. Eight of the 17 studies in that review were low quality. [3] Comfrey has serious cautions; read the comfrey profile before considering it.
What the NHS suggests for acne
Wash gently, choose non-comedogenic products, do not pick or squeeze spots, and ask a pharmacist about treatments such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. [16] The NHS says you may need help from a GP for acne. [16] More: Acne, Eczema and tea tree oil for acne. To check a product against your medicines, see medicine interactions.Frequently asked questions
Is aloe vera good for acne?
Two small studies suggest aloe gel used together with other treatment may improve acne, but this is limited evidence. [4]
Does witch hazel help eczema?
In one 14-day trial, a witch hazel distillate cream did not differ from its plain base, and hydrocortisone cream worked better. [11]
Can tea tree oil treat acne?
A small amount of research suggests it might help, but more evidence is needed. It should never be swallowed. [5]
Does calendula heal wounds?
One small trial found hand wounds closed faster with a standardized calendula extract than with mineral oil. [14] A trial on radiation skin reactions found no difference from a standard cream. [15]
When should I stop home care and see a clinician?
Seek advice if skin is blistered, crusty, leaking fluid, painful, swollen or warm, or if you have a high temperature. [1] The NHS also says acne may need a GP's help. [16]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Limits and uncertainty
Safety
- Irritation and allergy. Aloe gel on the skin is usually well tolerated, but burning, itching, rash and eczema have been reported. [4] Tea tree oil can redden or irritate skin, more so if the product is old or has been exposed to heat, light or air. [5]
- Tea tree oil must not be swallowed. It can cause confusion, unsteadiness, inability to walk and coma. [5] For poisoning, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US), or see Poisoning: What to Do First.
- Daisy-family plants. Echinacea is related to daisies and ragweed, and some people have severe allergic reactions to it. [13] The sources we read did not describe cross-reactions for calendula, so people with plant allergies should ask a clinician first.
- Oral aloe is different. Aloe leaf extracts taken by mouth have been linked to acute hepatitis. [4] See the aloe vera profile.
- Patch-test guidance is in Skin and Hair Safety.
References
- NHS, Atopic eczema. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS, Cuts and grazes. Read 2026-10-23.
- Phytotherapy in paediatric skin disorders: a systematic literature review, Complement Ther Med 2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH, Aloe Vera: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH, Tea Tree Oil: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, Calendula officinalis L.. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, Hamamelis virginiana L.. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel. Read 2026-10-23.
- The Role of Herbal Medicine in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: a systematic review of clinical trials, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2022. Read 2026-10-23.
- Comparative efficacy of hamamelis distillate and hydrocortisone cream in atopic eczema, Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1995. Read 2026-10-23.
- Chinese herbal medicine for atopic eczema, Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH, Echinacea: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-23.
- Treatment of acute wounds in hand with Calendula officinalis L.: a randomized trial, Tissue Barriers 2022. Read 2026-10-23.
- Efficacy of topical Calendula officinalis on prevalence of radiation-induced dermatitis: a randomised controlled trial, Australas J Dermatol 2021. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS, Acne: treatment. Read 2026-10-23.