title: Botanicals With Dermatologic Properties Derived From First Nations Healing: Part 2-Plants and Algae.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plants and algae have played a central role in the treatment of skin conditions in both traditional First Nations healing and in modern dermatology. The objective of this study was to examine the evidence supporting the dermatological use of seaweed, witch hazel, bearberry, and mayapple.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four plants and algae used in traditional First Nations treatments of skin disease were selected based on expert recommendations. Several databases were searched to identify relevant citations without language restrictions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seaweed has potential clinical use in the treatment of acne and wrinkles and may be incorporated into biofunctional textiles. Witch hazel is an effective and well-tolerated treatment of inflammation and diaper dermatitis. Bearberry leaves contain arbutin, a skin-lightening agent that is an alternative for the treatment of hyperpigmentation. Mayapple contains podophyllotoxin, a treatment for condyloma accuminata, molluscum contagiosum, and recalcitrant palmoplantar warts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Common plants and algae are replete with bioactive agents that may have beneficial effects on the skin. Further research will open the door to new and innovative products in the future. Limitations of this study include that the scope of our study is limited to 4 plants and algae, a small sample of the breadth of plants used by First Nations for dermatological treatments.
authors.affiliation: 1 The Division of Dermatology, The Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Colantonio
authors.affiliation: 2 The Department of Dermatology & Skin Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Jason K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Rivers
mesh_terms: D029792:Arctostaphylos / Q000737:chemistry; D000068937:Cosmeceuticals; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D029501:Hamamelis / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D028321:Plant Preparations; D028144:Podophyllum peltatum / Q000737:chemistry; D012624:Seaweed / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000068937:Cosmeceuticals; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations
keywords: First Nations; botanicals; cosmeceuticals; plants; therapeutics