Chapped Lips: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Chapped lips, also known as cheilitis, are dry, cracked, and inflamed lips that can be painful and uncomfortable.

They are often caused by exposure to cold weather, dry air, wind, or sun, as well as by certain medical conditions, such as eczema or anemia. If left untreated, chapped lips can lead to bacterial infections, pain, and difficulty speaking or eating. To alleviate chapped lips, individuals can try applying herbal remedies like aloe vera gel, coconut oil, or shea butter, which can moisturize and soothe the skin.

However, it's essential to be cautious when using medicinal herbs, as some may cause allergic reactions, and to consult a healthcare professional before trying new remedies.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of chapped lips, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of chapped lips?

The main causes of chapped lips are primarily due to dry air, which strips the skin of its natural moisture barrier, often exacerbated by low humidity levels (typically below 40%) and cold temperatures.

Dehydration, either acute or chronic, can lead to a deficiency in essential lipids, causing lip dryness and cracking. Irritants such as wind, sun exposure, and certain chemicals found in lip balms or cosmetics can further disrupt the skin's barrier function. Nutritional deficiencies, specifically a lack of vitamins like B2, B7, and C, as well as minerals like iron and zinc, can also contribute to lip dryness.

Additionally, certain medical conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and lupus, can increase the risk of developing chapped lips.

• Dry Air: Dry air is a common cause of chapped lips because it strips the skin of the lips of its natural moisture, leading to dehydration and irritation, which can cause the skin to crack and become chapped.
• Cold Weather: Cold weather is a common cause of chapped lips because the cold temperatures cause the blood vessels in the lips to constrict, reducing blood flow and causing the skin to dry out and become chapped.
• Harsh Soaps: Harsh soaps are a common cause of chapped lips because they can strip the skin of the lips of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation, which can cause the skin to crack and become chapped.
• Wind: Wind is a common cause of chapped lips because it can dry out the skin of the lips and cause it to become chapped by stripping it of its natural moisture and causing it to lose its natural oils.
• Overexfoliation: Overexfoliation is a common cause of chapped lips because it can strip the skin of the lips of its natural oils and cause it to become dry and irritated, leading to chapped skin.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Nutritional deficiencies are a common cause of chapped lips because a lack of essential nutrients, such as vitamin B12 and iron, can cause the skin of the lips to become dry and chapped.
• Dehydration: Dehydration is a common cause of chapped lips because it causes the body to lose moisture, leading to dry and chapped skin on the lips.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes are a common cause of chapped lips because they can cause changes in the skin's natural moisture levels, leading to dry and chapped skin on the lips.
• Smoking: Smoking is a common cause of chapped lips because it can dry out the skin of the lips and cause it to become chapped by stripping it of its natural moisture and causing it to lose its natural oils.
• Medications: Medications are a common cause of chapped lips because they can cause dryness and irritation of the skin, leading to chapped lips.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for chapped lips?

The main medicinal herbs used for chapped lips are Calendula officinalis, Aloe barbadensis, Mentha x piperita, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Melaleuca alternifolia, Aloe vera, Symphytum officinale, Echinacea purpurea, Cocos nucifera, Vaccinium myrtillus.

Calendula officinalis has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that help soothe and protect dry lips, while Aloe barbadensis and Aloe vera provide hydration and wound healing properties, reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair. Mentha x piperita's menthol content helps to numb the skin, reducing pain and discomfort, while Glycyrrhiza glabra's licorice root extracts provide anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, reducing redness and irritation. Melaleuca alternifolia's tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties that help combat bacterial and fungal infections, while Symphytum officinale's comfrey root extracts provide wound healing properties and help to regenerate new tissue.

Vaccinium myrtillus and Cocos nucifera provide antioxidant properties and help to protect the skin from environmental stressors, while Echinacea purpurea's immune-boosting properties help to fight off infections and promote overall health.

• Calendula officinalis: Calendula officinalis helps with chapped lips due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which soothe and protect the skin from further irritation.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis helps with chapped lips by providing soothing and moisturizing effects, thanks to the presence of aloe-emodin, which calms and hydrates the skin, reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita helps with chapped lips due to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties, which help to combat infections and promote a healthy environment for the skin to heal.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra helps with chapped lips by providing anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects, thanks to the presence of glycyrrhizin, which soothes and hydrates the skin, reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing.
• Melaleuca alternifolia: Melaleuca alternifolia helps with chapped lips due to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties, which help to combat infections and promote a healthy environment for the skin to heal.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera helps with chapped lips by providing soothing and moisturizing effects, thanks to the presence of aloin and aloe-emodin, which calm and hydrate the skin, reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing.
• Symphytum officinale: Symphytum officinale helps with chapped lips due to its anti-inflammatory and mucilaginous properties, which soothe and protect the skin from further irritation and promote wound healing.
• Echinacea purpurea: Echinacea purpurea helps with chapped lips by providing anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects, thanks to the presence of echinacoside, which reduces inflammation and promotes the body's natural healing process.
• Cocos nucifera: Cocos nucifera helps with chapped lips by providing moisturizing and nourishing effects, thanks to the presence of lauric acid and other fatty acids, which hydrate and protect the skin, reducing dryness and promoting healing.
• Vaccinium myrtillus: Vaccinium myrtillus helps with chapped lips due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which protect the skin from oxidative stress and reduce inflammation, promoting a healthy environment for the skin to heal.

What are the main herbal preparations used for chapped lips?

The main herbal preparations used for chapped lips are Lip Balm Cream, Salve, Tincture, Gel, Ointment, Decoction, Capsule, Poultice, Lotion, Tea.

Lip balm cream containing ingredients like beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter helps lock in moisture, while Salve, a mixture of herbs and oils, provides a protective barrier. Tinctures, like peppermint oil, are absorbed into the skin, reducing inflammation and providing a cooling sensation. Decoctions and Teas, made from herbs like aloe vera and chamomile, are applied topically or consumed to soothe and moisturize the lips.

Capsules containing herbal supplements like vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids are also used to promote skin health and reduce inflammation.

• Lip Balm Cream: Lip balm cream, typically containing ingredients such as beeswax, vitamin E, and aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), helps with chapped lips by providing a protective barrier against dry air and wind, while also moisturizing and soothing the skin.
• Salve: Salve, often made from ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter, helps with chapped lips by locking in moisture and protecting the skin from further irritation, allowing the underlying skin to heal and recover.
• Tincture: Tincture, typically derived from plants such as calendula (Calendula officinalis) or plantain (Plantago lanceolata), helps with chapped lips by providing anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties to reduce redness and prevent infection.
• Gel: Gel, often containing ingredients like aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) or chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), helps with chapped lips by providing a soothing and hydrating effect to calm and moisturize the skin.
• Ointment: Ointment, typically made from ingredients such as petroleum jelly and vitamin E, helps with chapped lips by forming a protective barrier against dry air and wind, while also moisturizing and soothing the skin.
• Decoction: Decoction, often made from plants like marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) or licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), helps with chapped lips by providing anti-inflammatory and demulcent properties to soothe and protect the skin.
• Capsule: Capsule, typically containing ingredients like vitamin E or omega-3 fatty acids, helps with chapped lips by providing essential nutrients and antioxidants to promote skin health and hydration.
• Poultice: Poultice, often made from ingredients like plantain (Plantago lanceolata) or calendula (Calendula officinalis), helps with chapped lips by applying a warm, moist compress to the skin to increase blood flow and promote healing.
• Lotion: Lotion, typically containing ingredients like aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) or glycerin, helps with chapped lips by providing a moisturizing and hydrating effect to calm and soothe the skin.
• Tea: Tea, often made from plants like chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) or peppermint (Mentha piperita), helps with chapped lips by providing anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties to reduce redness and prevent infection, while also promoting relaxation and reducing stress.