Natural Herbal Beauty

Herb and Oatmeal Soap

This soap is the only one I make from caustic soda. So many of the students who attend my cosmetic workshops at the Herbal Centre ask for this recipe that I couldn’t possibly leave it out. They seem to enjoy the satisfaction of making their own soap in the old-fashioned way.

NB: Do not make this soap while children are around. I find it safer to use the caustic soda outside so that the fumes are dissipated. Do not lean over the bowl and inhale, and make sure that you wear long sleeves and rubber gloves as the caustic soda burns. Should a drop fall on your skin, wash it off immediately with cold water. (more…)

Pleurisy

Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura, the delicate membrane between the lungs and the walls of the chest. The most usual cause is viral infection, but it can also result from pneumonia and injury of adjoining organs. Breathing produces sharp, stabbing pains in the chest and shoulders from the fluid buildup in the membranes, and there is usually also a high fever. (more…)

Headaches (and to a lesser extent, migraines) are a widely experienced form of pain and the most common type of “referred pain.” This means that although a pain in the head can obviously result from a bang on the skull, the more usual cause of a headache is a problem elsewhere in the body. Muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, for example, or in the case of migraine, an (illogic response to food are frequently to blame. (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…)

The properties and quality of essential oils vary depending on the country of origin and the expertise of production. The following list of essential oils, although by no means complete, details those most applicable to your choice.

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Origins

The name probably comes from the Greek basileus, meaning King. Basil has been cultivated in the south of France since the 12th century, while another long-time source is India, where it is regarded as sacred and is consecrated to the Hindu gods Krishna and Vishnu. There are at least 150 varieties of basil in the world. It is a small, odoriferous bush with white flowers. (more…)

You’ll need:

2 cups Epsom salts

1 cup baking soda

5 drops juniper essential oil

5 drops grapefruit essential oil 1 teaspoon witch hazel

Natural bristle body brush or loofah

Optional: 1-2 cups parsley tea (more…)

Nails become brittle and dry when exposed to hot water, soaps, and nail polishes or other chemicals. Massage a few drops of this protective oil into your nails and cuticles in the morning and evening

2 tablespoons jojoba oil

2 tablespoons almond oil

15 drops sandalwood essential oil (more…)

Pure jojoba oil is an excellent facial moisturizer. Because it is similar to the skin’s natural oils, it is easily absorbed. Fragrant essential oils balance and rejuvenate the skin.

• 1 ounce jojoba oil
• 10-20 drops essential oil appropriate for your skin type (more…)
   

You’ll need:

2 tablespoons nettle

2 tablespoons red clover blossoms

2 tablespoons lavender flowers

2 tablespoons linden flowers

10 drops lavender essential oil

12-inch square piece of muslin or cotton handkerchief

Stress increases the production of internal toxins and hinders the body’s detoxification processes. Purification, healing and rejuvenation are more easily accomplished when the body and mind are relaxed. Herbs are wonderful allies not only for detoxification, but also for soothing and calming the body, mind, and spirit. This fragrant bath combines the purifying properties of nettle and red clover blossoms with the relaxing properties of lavender and linden blossoms. (more…)

Basil: Sweet, spicy scent. Basil is a potent stimulant that increases circulation and eases muscle and joint aches and pains. It alleviates indigestion, and has antiseptic and expectorant properties and helps to treat congestion, coughs, and colds. Basil is excellent for relieving fatigue and nervous tension. Do not use during pregnancy.

Cypress: Spicy, balsamlike scent. The diuretic action of cypress helps to relieve water retention and cellulite. It also improves circulation and is helpful for arthritis. (more…)