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HERBAL BEAUTY RECIPES
Marshmallow Moisturizer
A lotion to moisturize and soften the skin and to help soothe minor irritations. IF the lotion is kept in the refrigerator, it will last for up to 5 days. Place 3 tablespoons of dried marshmallow root or leaves in a bowl, and cover with a generous cup of distilled water. Leave to infuse overnight, then strain into a glass jar with a stopper or screw-top.Apply to the skin morning and evening after normal cleansing. Adding the lotion to a little plain cold cream will make a rich and creamy moisturizer.
Spring Tonic Syrup
A stimulating syrup that combats fatigue and refreshes and renews the system. Put 2 tablespoons each of freshly chopped nettle, dandelion and yarrow leaves with a teaspoon of thyme in a mortar, and pulp with the pestle to form a smooth paste. Add a generous cup of good clear honey and blend thoroughly. Store in an airtight jar and leave in a warm place for at least a day before use. Take 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls first thing each morning and last thing at night.
Lemon Verbena Soap
This deliciously fresh-scented soap keeps drawers and rooms smelling sweet and makes an ideal gift. Put 2 tablespoons of very finely chopped fresh young lemon verbena leaves in 2 tablespoons of warmed glycerine. Keep in a warm place for an hour or two to infuse. Next, finely grate 1/2 tablespoons of unscented soap and melt it in the top of a double boiler or in a bowl placed over a pan of simmering water. Off the heat, add to the herbal infusion 1 tablespoon of clear honey and a few drops of natural food colouring, if wished. Pour into glycerine-greased moulds and leave to set.
Bedtime Bergamot Milk
A soothing flavoured milk; an excellent and soft sedative to be taken as a bedtime drink. Pour a generous cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of dried or 1½ tablespoons of chopped fresh bergamot leaves. Allow to infuse for 3 to 4 minutes. Strain and drink, sweetened with a little honey if preferred, while still quite hot.
Lady's Mantle Eye Pads
To soothe and revitalize tired, inflamed, puffy or watery eyes. Put 1½ tablespoons each of ground dried lady's mantle and ground dried fennel in a bowl and pour in a generous ½ cup of boiling water. Leave to infuse for about 10 minutes. Strain and use while still warm: thoroughly soak 2 cotton pads, or 2 or 3pieces of lint layered together, in the infusion, and place them on the eyes for at least 10 minutes. Gently dab the eyes with cold water. Keep the mixture in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but warm through before re-use.
Parsley and Primrose Skin Lotion
A lotion to lighten the skin and help fade freckles. Leave 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley to stand in a generous cup of cold water overnight.Pour a generous cup of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of primrose flowers. Leave to cool and then strain into a screw- top jar and add the strained parsley infusion. To use, dab the lotion on morning and evening, and leave it to dry on the skin. Keep in the refrigerator.
Peppermint Facial Steam
Use before going to bed to cleanse the skin, improve circulation and reduce large pores. (Not for very dry skins) Boil about 7½ cups of water and pour into a bowl.Add 2 tablespoons each of fresh chopped peppermint and sage and ½ teaspoon of basil. Hold your (freshly cleaned) face about a foot (30cm) away from the water and cover your head with a large towel. Steam the face and neck for up to 10 minutes. Then, gently pat the skin with a washcloth dipped in iced water and follow up with a soothing face pack.
Fragrant Herb Pot Pourri
In a large decorative china bowl blend leaves of any or all of the following dried herbs and flowers in equal parts: lemon verbena, lemon balm, sage, basil, rosemary, peppermint, red bergamot, hyssop, sweet cicely, lemon thyme and rose geranium. Add a handful of cloves, 1 or 2 cinnamon sticks broken into lengths, 1 tablespoon of ground orris root and some crushed bay leaves. Next grate 2 or 3 tablespoons of fresh citrus rind and add that. Mix well and top with some dried rosebuds, rose petals, and cornflowers. Add wheat ears and poppy heads for a Harvest Thanksgiving look.
Sage and Sweet Violet Cream
Helps alleviate cold sores and soothes and protects swollen, painful or chapped lips. Put 2 tablespoons each of finely chopped fresh sage and sweet violet leaves, along with 4 tablespoons of almond oit in a small stoppered jar. Seal and leave in a warm place for about a month, shaking the jar each day. when ready, strain into a bowl and add 4 tablespoons each of almond oil and beeswax which have been melted together. Beat to mix until cold. Store in an airtight jar in a cool place, and apply twice a day or as required.
Horsetail Infusion
A herbal remedy for strengthening brittle and splitting finger nails. In a saucepan, pour 2½ cups of water over 6 tablespoons of dried horsetail stems. Leave to infuse for about 4 hours and then bring to the boil. Leave to simmer gently for about 30 minutes, remove from the heat and leave for another 30 minutes before straining into a stoppered jar or bottle. Every other day, soak the nails in warm sunflower oil for 15 minutes and then in a little warmed horsetail infusion for the same time.
Scented Herbal Bath Sachet
This gives a cleansing, soothing and gently fragrant bath which eases sore joints and muscular pains and promotes a good night's sleep. Cut out a piece of muslin or cheesecloth about 9 in (23 cm) square. In the centre of the square, heap 2 tablespoons each of dried valerian, sage and lovage leaves. Pull up the corners and tie the sachet together securely with strong thread. P/ace the sachet in the bathtub while running the water, or arrange to hang it in the stream of water. Sachets can be re-used, providing they are hung up to dry afier use.
Rosemary and Nettle Shampoo
A fragrant shampoo that stimulates the scalp, prevents dandruff and promotes hair growth. In a small pan, put 2 handfuls of soapwort and add 1½ cups of water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Cover and leave to cool then strain into a bottle which has a screw-top or a secure stopper. Put a handful of young chopped nettle leaves and 1½ tablespoons of chopped fresh rosemary in a bowl, and add a cup of boding water.Leave to infuse for 20 minutes. Cool and strain into the bottle. Shake vigorously before shampooing. Use up within 4 to 5 days.
Scented Herb Pillow
Soothes and relaxes, promotes restfuI sleep and gives a pleasant smell to the bedroom! Make a pdlowcase lining out of linen or hessian (burlap) and leave open at one end. Make up a stuffing by mixing dried herbs in the following proportions: 2 to 3 handfuls each of peppermint, sage, and lemon balm, along with 1 to 2 handfuls of lavender, dill, lemon thyme, tarragon, woodruff, red bergamot and rosemary, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of valerian. Fill the pillow loosely with the herbs, sew closed, and put inside a pretty and soft pillowcase before use.
Lovage Footbath
Soothing, healing and strengthening for tired and sore feet. Pour 2¼ cups of boiling water on 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh lovage. Leave to infuse for 15 minutes, then strain the liquid into a foot bath and top up with hot and cold water to the desired temperature. Add 1 tablespoon of sea salt and stir to dissolve. Soak the feet for up to 10 minutes. Plunge them briefly into cold water to finish off.
Caraway Comfits
Serve after a meal to freshen and sweeten the breath, and to aid digestion. Dip some large Caraway seeds in egg white. Mix a little icing or Confectioners sugar to a paste with some lemon juice. Remove the Caraway seeds from the egg, and roll them in the paste. Place them, separated Out, on waxed paper and leave them in a cool place to harden.
Rosemary or Chamomile Hair Rinse
Keeps the hair sofi and in good condition. It also stimulates the scalp, removes dandruff and promotes hair growth. For dark hair, place 2 heaped tablespoons of chopped fresh rosemary and 1 tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers in a bowl. If your hair is blonde, swap the quantities of rosemary and chamomle. Mix with 2 heaped tablespoons of dried lime flowers and cover with 3½ cups of boiling water. Leave to infuse until tepid. Strain the solution and apply it afier all shamppo has been rinsed from the hair.
Parsley Cough Remedy
Relieves particularly persistent and stubborn coughs. Pour 2 1/2 cups of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of dried agrimony flowers or leaves and 1 tablespoon of dried parsley. Leave to infuse and cool. Strain into a stoppered jar or bottle. Take 2 or 3 spoonfuls at a time, morning and evening, and when the cough attacks. The remedy is especially effective if also used as a gargle twice a day.
Decorative Herbal Wreath
An unusual and aromatic decoration for door, wall or table. Make a circular frame using wire. Wire sprays of sweet bay leaves all around to give a base. Tie up bunches of lavender sprigs with red ribbon and attach to the wreath with pins. Tie on in the same way bunches of red rosehips, hawthorn berries and dried hops. Wreathe in any of the following, either in sprigs or gathered bunches: lime flowers,rosemary, lemon verbena, southernwood and woodruff, chamomile, elderflower and sweet violet. Finish by studding with dried wild roses.
Coltsfoot and Fennel Face Pack
Use to soothe, soften and tone the skin, to close pores and help minimize wrinkles. It's also effictive against acne.Pour ½ cup of boiling water on 2 tablespoons of dried coltsfoot leaves and 1 tablespoon of dried fennel leaves. Infuse for 10 minutes and strain. Blend with a generous ½ cup of yogurt and enough fine oatmeal to make a thick paste. Wash the face, finishing with a hot cloth. Cover the eyes with wet cotton pads, and spread warm paste over the face. Leave for 10 minutes then wash off with warm water and a little lemon juice.
Angelica Mouthwash
A rinse to freshen the mouth and sweeten the breath. Use morning and evening and after meals for maximum effect. Pour 2½ cups of boiling water over 3 tablespoons of angelica seeds and leave to infuse and cool. Strain into a screw-top jar. You could also add caraway seeds, lemon verbena, peppermint or rosemary to the infusion for extra strength; a little dried orris root will perfume the breath with the scent of violets.
~source unknown~
Behind every successful woman... is a substantial amount of coffee.
--Stephanie Piro
Benzoin Gum is added to salve to help preserve the oils. You do not want to apply rancid oils to your open cuts! You can obtain tincture of benzoin at a pharmacy, or make your own.
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