Hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, are a common condition in which an excess of melanin causes a darkening of specific areas of the skin. The most common cause of dark spots is an overexposure to the sun over a number of years. Fenugreek, licorice extracts and aloe vera are natural herbs that may help to treat dark spots. There is not conclusive scientific evidence that these herbs are cures for hyperpigmentation.

Fenugreek

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the ancient Egyptians first described the use of fenugreek on papyrus dated back to 1500 B.C. This herb appears in cooking as well as in various health treatments including menopausal issues, digestive problems and loss of appetite. Fenugreek contains a constituent called diosgenin that helps to treat dark spots. Diosgenin reduces melanin formation and as a result has skin lightening properties.

Licorice Extract

Licorice extract comes from the licorice root that grows mainly in Greece, Turkey and Asia. Licorice extracts contain compounds that suppress melanogenesis, or the formation of melanin that leads to dark spots. Licorice has several other therapeutic uses related to the skin including the control of skin eruptions such as dermatitis, eczema, and cysts. Consult a medical professional before administering any kind of licorice regimen as overexposure to licorice root may result in high blood pressure and low potassium levels.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is among the most popular herbs on the planet, showing up in hundreds of skin lotions, sunblocks and healing ointments. Although conclusive evidence is still lacking, herbalists have treated conditions such as diabetes, asthma, epilepsy and osteoarthritis with aloe vera. Aloe can help dark spots due to the presence of aloesin, which inhibits tyrosine hydroxylase, along with dihydroxyphenylalanine oxidase activities. These actions effectively inhibit melanin production, the cause of dark spots.