Natural Herbal Beauty

Without notice, our skin may suffer some kind of troubles all the time. We may try to care them with extra moisturizer. Or we try to cover the imperfect skin conditions with heavy makeup. Or weekly spa, which can’t heal the ill skin condition at all. We need professional help for our skin.

We may visit our doctor for regular check up. But how many times we have our skin checked up. Medical skin treatments have been ignored for centuries. Do they work? Of course, they do just like how they heal our bodies. (more…)

Recently my mom has persuaded me joining the Spa club with her. I spent fabulous time with her on the village stone healing therapy. And we had a chance dipping into the natural hotspring. The herbal recipes seem work very well with my acne.

When I decided to spend more time with mom for the luxury Spas, I found a little trouble with the journey. To reach the entire relaxing Spas, we have to travel national wide, what my mom never mentioned to me. (more…)

Symptoms

The symptoms of premenstrual syndrome recur during the same phase of the menstrual cycle, usually anywhere from seven to 10 days before your period begins. They may include any of the following:

• Bloating and fluid retention.
• Breast swelling and pain.
• Acne, cold sores, or susceptibility to herpes outbreaks.
• Weight gain of as much as five pounds (from retention of fluids). (more…)

We have a society of sun-worshipers, the glorious golden tan is a We have become a society of sun-symbol of freedom, status and leisure which we all want, sometimes at any cost. But the price we pay for it is often high in terms of I prematurely aging skin and sagging contours. Ultra-violet rays stimulate certain cells in the skin to distribute a pigment called melanin; the same deadly light rays cause changes in the cells of the dermis, leading to rapid aging sagging and wrinkled skin, and in cases of prolonged extreme exposure, to skin cancer.

Tanning is nothing more than a defense mechanism. The melanin that turns the skin brown is the only way the skin has of offering a protective layer to guard itself and the deeper layers of the body from ultra-violet damage. Certainly the damage done to skin cells and to the connective tissues is a great deal worse if the skin is allowed to burn. But even if the skin suffers no burning the damaging changes from exposure to sunlight still occur and so does premature aging. The damage may not show up immediately, until wrinkles appear several years later. To preserve youthful, healthy-looking skin, tan little (go for the pale golden look on your body instead of the baked skin a la St Tropez), and avoid the sun on your face altogether by using a good moisturizer complete with sunscreen, plus a high protection sunscreen that blocks all the ultraviolet rays. Use a lower protection product for your body and let it gently brown. Increase your exposure to the sun gradually, starting with 20 minutes a day (never between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.) and stepping it up by 10 or 15 minutes each day until you build up a good protective tan.

Cigarettes, too, damage the skin. Dermatological tests show that smokers’ skins appear 10 to 20 years older than those of non smokers. This is believed to be because each cigarette you smoke depletes your system of 25 milligrams of Vitamin C which is necessary for the health and strength of our tissues. (more…)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a wonderful wash for problem skins as it helps to combat oiliness. Dilute 60 ml (¹/4 cup) vinegar to 750 ml (3 cups) tepid water and use as a wash, or drink a little every day: 1-2 teaspoons in a glass of tepid water. This, incidentally, is a wonderful cooling revitalizer in the heat of summer, particularly after vigorous exercise. It can also be used as a compress, held over bad spots or dabbed onto the affected area. Dilute to the strength most acceptable to your needs. Many people find it too strong to apply neat.

Blackhead Remover (more…)

Soapwort

Soothing and healing, a strong brew can be made from soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) by boiling up a potful of roots, stems, flowers and le wes with enough water to cover. Boil for 10 m nutes, stand, cool and strain. It can be used as a face wash, a hair wash and hair conditioner, and can also be dabbed onto eczema.

Tomato and Lemon Oily Skin Cleanser (more…)

Before starting your herbal treatments, always do a patch test. Dab a little of your preparation on the pulse point of your wrist or in the crook of your elbow.

Leave it unwashed for 12 hours to see whether you have an allergic reaction to it. Always be sure of the identification of the herbs you are using and if ever you are in doubt, consult your doctor or skin specialist. Many people are allergic to a wide range of ingredients and I urge you to tread with care and always test your blends and mixtures, lotions and salves before using them. (more…)

DANDELION (Taraxacum officinale)

Dandelions are filled with nourishment, good for skin, liver and urinary systems, and therefore excellent for keeping the skin clear. Make a tea of leaves and flowers — 125 ml (¹/2 cup) herb to 750 ml (3 cups) boiling water — and use as a wash for itchy skin, eczema and red skin. Use as a facial wash to invigorate the skin. Steep leaves and flowers in oil and use as a bath or body oil.

ELDER(Sambucus nigra)

Flowers, leaves, stems and roots of the elder can all be used medicinally. For cosmetics, though, the flowers are usually used. They are gently astringent and they soothe and soften the skin. (more…)

ALMOND (Prunus communis, P. amygdalus, P. dulcis)

Shelled almonds, ground into a meal and mixed with a herb infusion such as rosemary or sage, make an excellent mild bleaching face pack. They have a deep cleansing and toning effect.

Almond oil is non-drying and has superb emollient or softening properties; it also combines well with creams and, in lotions, with other ingredients. Can be used as a deep cleansing oil. (more…)

ROSE (Rosa species)

Perhaps the most loved of all flowers, rose petals, boiled up in water (enough to cover the petals) make a beautiful rose-water. Add equal quantities vodka or cane spirit if you want it to keep. Make rose-petal vinegar to use as a deodorant and use rose petals in sweet oil for baths, massages and rubs. (more…)

Chilblains

Reddish-blue swellings that itch and burn, usually on the hands and feet, are the result of extreme cold and poor circulation. Mix the white of an egg and a tablespoon of flour with glycerin and honey, work it into a paste, and spread it over the affected part (do not rub). Leave it in place, covered by a cloth or bandage, for 24 hours, and keep it warm. Vitamin Erich foods, such as seeds, nuts, whole- grains, green leafy vegetables, and wheatgerm, and the herb echinacea can also aid recovery.

For burning and itching skin, try the homeopathic treatment rhus tox cream twice daily, agaricus every three hours, or carbo veg if chilblains feel worse in a warm bed (6c three times daily for two weeks). For cracked skin: tamus ointment and petroleum 6c three times daily for two weeks. (more…)

Black Pepper

Piper nigrum

Origins

One of the most expensive spices in the world, black pepper has been cultivated for the last 2000 years in southern and south-east India and the Indonesian islands. Today, it is grown in Indonesia, Malaysia and also in Madagascar. Only a small amount of the pepper produced is used to yield essential oil — the main distillation centres being in Europe and the US. (more…)

Yellow dock Rumex crispus

Description: a biennial growing to around I 50 cm in height with a robust tap root and long-stalked ovate leaves up to 50 cm in length.The flowers are purple and thistle-like, appearing from early summer to mid- autumn and followed by hooked fruits.

Part used: root

Actions: alterative, bitter tonic, bile stimulant, laxative

Yellow dock is generally found growing in wild, grassy places, waste land and along the road side.The plant is able to concentrate iron from the soil in its roots thus making a valuable iron tonic in anaemia: in the past herbalists sprinkled iron filings around their yellow dock plants to produce iron-enriched specimens. (more…)

SOFTEN BOILS: Apply linseed oil to the boil to soften and aid in healing.

BOILS: To bring a boil to a head, place a small piece of fatty bacon over the boil and bandage it. Leave on overnight. Should be ready to remove the head by the next morning.

BOILS: Take a handful of crushed parsley and wrap in cheesecloth. Apply to the boil and wrap a hot cloth around the area. Repeat, covering the area with the hot cloth for about 15 minutes.

BOILS: Soak a piece of bread in lemon juice and apply to the boil. Cover with a loose bandage and try to leave on overnight. (more…)

PSORIASIS: Psoriasis is genetically determined and consists of reddish lesions that have characteristic silvery scaling. The lesions may come and go but generally are chronic. There is a specific type of arthritis that is associated with psoriasis. Check with your physician for treatment if the condition is severe. For home treatment of the scaling and itching of psoriasis, split open an aloe vera leaf and rub on the area affected. The skin absorbs the gel rapidly, so apply plenty and apply often. This stops the itching, and if used regularly seems to help psoriasis. It’s also good to use for sunburn. You can purchase aloe gel juice by the gallon and you may want to use the juice as a daily lotion to help control psoriasis.

PSORIASIS: Try using oil of avocado rubbed sparingly on affected areas. It works for quite a few people. (more…)

MIRACLE SOAP: This recipe is great for dry skin. It lathers up wonderfully. I call it my miracle soap because I use it to wash my hair with too and it is great for the skin. This soap does not get hard fast, so don’t feel that you have failed if it does not harden quickly. The temperature is important for this recipe and so are the measurements and weights. You might fail if either is incorrect. Make sure you have an accurate scale to weigh your ingredients. If you don’t have one, you need to add one to your equipment list. This recipe makes about 7 pounds of soap.

Ingredients needed are:

10-3/4 ounces of lye crystals

4 cups cold water

27 ounces of coconut oil (more…)

Taking care of our skin is very important. The skin, intact, is our first defense against any invasion of foreign matter that can be harmful to our system. The skin is considered a thirdkidney because we excrete toxins through the pores just as we do through the kidneys. We also ingest many chemicals and toxins through the skin, so it is important that we pay attention to what we use to clean, soothe, or heal our skin. The skin also plays an important part in regulating our body temperature.

Most injuries to our skin are simple and taking care of them is easy. Cleaning any wound or puncture immediately following an injury should be the first step. Seek medical help if necessary. Keeping the area clean during healing prevents many problems from developing later on. (more…)

SWEETEN BREATH DURING COLDS: Chew fresh parsley during a cold. This not only freshens the breath during a cold, but rids the mouth of any bad odors anytime. Parsley also gives you the extra vitamins you need while suffering through a cold.

FEVER WITH COLDS: Take 1 ounce of elder flowers or white yarrow and add 1 ounce of peppermint leaves. Simmer the leaves in 1 pint of water for 30 minutes. Strain and drink by the 1/2 cupful during the day, as long as fever is present.

COLDS WITH FLU SYMPTOMS: Mix 1 cup each of plantain, black elder flowers, juniper berries, rosemary, Irish moss and peppermint. Steep 1 teaspoon of the herb mix in 1 cup boiling water for 15 minutes. Strain, reheat and sweeten. Drink twice daily. (more…)

This poetry brings the wise king close to us in sensitivity and appreciation, for it is an experience now to go into a vinery in flower, when the first trusses of grapes are forming, for the unique and exquisite fragrance.

Ahab, that hard and ruthless king, had a single-minded wish to own Naboth’s vineyard, to turn it into a herb garden, and the resulting conflict of interests led first to cynical crime and then to tragedy foretold to Ahab, ironically, in his projected place of peace, the herb garden, where the prophet found him. (more…)

The story of herbs is as old as history. In the early pages of Genesis we read ‘Even as the green herb have I given you all things’, a statement once again placed early in civilization by the discoveries of ancient writing at Ur of the Chaldees. In the Psalms, considerably later, there is the pleasant comment ‘God who maketh the grass to grow upon the mountains, and herb for the use of man’.

These quotations imply that in earlier times all green plants were considered herbs, and it is as the practical use declines that the number of plants regarded as herbs is reduced also. (more…)