Natural Herbal Beauty

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…)

 

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…)

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. (more…)

Skin is the largest organ of the body, weighing nearly 9 lb (4 kg) on an average adult, and covering an area of over 2 sq yd (about 2 sq m). It is also the first line of defense in ally threat from outside, so it is hardly surprising that it is often the victim of aches and pains. This is especially so from accidents and injuries, but infection and illness can also cause painful inflammations from within the body that appear on or just below the skin’s surface. (more…)

No matter how healthy their lifestyles sooner or later most people have some experience of muscular aches and pains: it could be a pulled muscle or ligament due to accidental injury, the wear and tear of osteoarthritis or even that new ill of the 20th century, repetitive strain injury. Or it could be a less localised problem — a systemic disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis or, more commonly, a nagging backache which seems to have no obvious cause. (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…)

BRONCHITIS TREATMENT: Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes. Some people are more prone to infection here then others. The infection is often preceded by a common cold, flu, or can be caused by a streptococcus organism. The predisposing factors may be chilling, fatigue, or even malnutrition. Many times the predisposition can be attributed to allergies or inhalation of chemical agents such as fumes or dust particles.

Treatment of chronic bronchitis should be supervised by your family physician. He or she will find the reason that you suffer from chronic bronchitis and treat you accordingly. Your treatment may require a change in living habits. Smokers have to stop smoking. You may even have to change your sleeping habits. Never sleep in an extremely cold room and be sure to cover your mouth during very cold weather when outdoors. Bed rest is advised along with plenty of fluids and a light diet. Broths, fruit juices, and again, I stress plenty of water. (more…)