BORAGE(Borago officinalis)

Borage tea, 60 ml (1/4 cup) herb to 250 ml (1 cup) boiling water, can be used as a wash for sores, scratches and spots. Taken internally, it is a wonderful cleanser and helps the body produce its own cortisone. It can be used as an eyewash and as a compress - dip cotton-wool into the tea and apply to the temples for stress and tension headaches.

CALENDULA (Calendula officinalis)

Flowers can be made into a strong tea — 125 ml (1/2 cup) petals to 375 ml (11/2 cups) boiling water — and used for skin blemishes, for baby’s bath, as a wash for nappy rash, sunburn, and cradle cap. A poultice can be used for sores, insect bites and spots as it is both soothing and healing.

CAMPHOR (Cinnamomum camphora)

The slightly antiseptic camphor leaves can be made into a strong brew, used to rub directly onto stiff muscles or poured into the bath. Boil up 6-10 cups ofleaves, in enough water to cover them, for 10 minutes.

Herbal Beauty

CARAWAY (Carum carvi)

Leaves and seeds can be made into a poultice to reduce inflammation and heal bruises. A brew can also be used to steam the face to put colour into a pale complexion. Use 250 ml (1 cup) seeds and leaves to a litre (4 cups) boiling water. Boil for 5 minutes. Cool and strain.

CARNATION (Dianthus caryophyllus)

Carnation petals can be made into an aromatic vinegar for the bath to ease muscle tension.

CARROT (Daucus carota)

A natural and excellent antiseptic, grated carrot can be applied to skin blemishes and abrasions. Mashed cooked carrots make an amazing drawing poultice and freshly grated carrots added to home-made soaps tone and cleanse the skin. Include fresh carrots frequently in the diet.

CASTOR OIL PLANT (Ricinus communis)

Castor oil can be used externally as a lotion for skin blemishes and itches, or rubbed into eyebrows to make them shine and onto eyelashes to make them grow. As a bath oil, steeped with herbs, it is one of the few oils that disperses and it leaves the skin beautifully soft.

As it is a strong purgative, if rubbed into the skin too often it may have a laxative effect, so take care when using it as a massage oil.

CATNIP (Nepeta cataria)

Catnip made into a tea — 60 ml (1/4 cup) herb to 125-250 ml (1/2-1 cup) boiling water — is useful for treating bags under the eyes. Apply on wads of cotton-wool. It soothes and reduces swelling, and is also useful rubbed into the scalp to treat dandruff.

CELERY (Apiumgraveolens)

Celery leaves made into a tea and used as a steam or wash have a beautifully toning effect on the skin. I use fresh celery as a bath bag, rubbing well into the skin.

CHAMOMILE (Anthemis nohilis)

Make a strong tea — 250 ml (1 cup) leaves and flowers to 500 m1-1 litre (2-4 cups) boiling water — and use as a wash to reduce puffiness around the eyes. Dab on frequently with cotton- wool and use as a compress over the eyes. It also relieves general weariness — drink 60 ml (1/4 cup) herb to 250 ml (1 cup) boiling water. Use any leftover tea in the bath.

CINNAMON (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

This spice has astringent properties and makes a fragrant addition to hair rinses, softening and giving a rich tone to the hair.

CLOVE (Caryophyllus aromaticus)

Chew one or two cloves to sweeten the breath. Make a strong tea — 60 ml (1/4 cup) cloves to 1 litre (4 cups) boiling water — and use in the bath as an antiseptic wash. Make a weak tea — 4 cloves to 125 ml (1/2 cup) boiling water — and use as an eyewash for tired, sore, red eyes.

COMFREY (Symphytum officinale)

Comfrey is a most precious plant in medicine and in cosmetics. It is a cell regenerator and helps to revitalise ageing skin and tissue. It can be used in lotions, creams, salves or ointments and it is always healing and astringent, soothing and antiseptic.

CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativus)

Cucumber is extremely useful as a cosmetic as it tightens and tones the skin. It soothes, cools and heals sunburn, windburn and sore eyes (a slice placed on the lids of the eyes for 10 minutes will do wonders to bring back the sparkle). Useful to fade freckles, smooth wrinkles, bleach skin and soften hard skin, cucumber can be made into creams, ointments, soaps, masks and packs. As a bonus, it is also soothing as an after-shave — merely rub a slice or two over the shaved area.

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Officinal Herbs and Botanical Skincare part 2