Natural Herbal Beauty

The kitchen is often overlooked when it comes to making gifts but a garland of dried herbs on a gnarled twig would give a kitchen a fresh country look.

Materials

• Bought medium-sized twig wreath Dried grasses
• Dried sage
• Dried rosemary
• Dried wheat heads
• Dried bay leaves
• 22 gauge florist’s wire
• Lyd (1m) Ribbon
• Green stem binding (more…)

People who have found other methods unsatisfactory have been greatly helped with sleeping problems by the use of herb pillows. A vast amount of herbs would be needed to fill a pillow. (more…)

Oil infusions are exceptionally useful for burns, sunburn, chapped and dry skin, skin infections, and ear drops and for use on wounds as salves. The medicinal properties of the plant are transferred to an oil base. For a salve, the oil is made thick and moderately hard by adding beeswax. (more…)

The vanilla pod or bean is the fruit of the exotic climbing orchid which is native to Mexico, though the plants are now grown in all tropical areas. Vanilla is not a spice, therefore it has no essential oil. Its unique flavour and aroma come not from the living plant, but from the vanillin crystals which form on the surface of the pod. But first it must undergo a complicated process of fermentation which can take up to six months to complete. The plants also have to be hand-pollinated (unless grown in their native Mexico where indigenous orchid- pollinating insects abound). (more…)

The most natural form of aromatherapy comes to us free — from the great outdoors. What better way to experience the aromas of herbs, flowers, trees and grasses than directly as nature intended. Even moist earth smells wonderful, especially during hot weather, when the first summer rains fall on the parched meadows like tears of joy. Then there is the warm, sweet scent of honeysuckle lingering on the air of a sultry summer’s evening, and the cooling aromas of pine, cedar and cypress. Instinctively, we breathe more deeply in order to fully experience their aromas — and the more deeply and fully we breathe, the more relaxed and in harmony we feel. (more…)

Agrimony: For inner torture hidden behind a happy-go-lucky facade.

Essential Oils: Bergamot, camomile, geranium, lavender.

Aspen: For inexplicable fears stemming from the psyche, nightmares, fear of some impending evil — that something lurks in the shadows.

Essential Oils: Frankincense, juniper, lavender, rose otto, vetiver.

Beech: For intolerance, criticism and arrogance. Essential Oils: Geranium, lavender, orange. (more…)

I have been trying to get my secret herbal recipes to hand over to all people who are passion with the natural herbs. I had bottles of essential oils, bottles of cream, bottles of dried herbs and bottles of fragrance. It was a wonderful time to get all my herbs done. When everything was ready, I found I wasn’t good enough to hand over my fine herbal recipes. I had to agree I was just good at my herbal healing formulas. (more…)

I have been using the herbal aroma bath to lose weight. So disappointed, I haven’t seen the result yet.

I am always seeking the effective way to combine my herbal health formula into my health weight losing program.

I like the natural way to keep myself health. Most of my favorite is using natural energy to heal.

They said women like to be pampered with. But I fell a little of guilty of these women things, herbal, beauty, expensive perfume, organic cosmetics, because I can share nothing with my family. (more…)

CULTIVATION

Yarrow is a hardy herbaceous perennial that is very attractive throughout the year, with masses of pink and white flowers in spring and summer.

Conditions: Yarrow is not fussy about its soil requirements but prefers a moderately rich and moist soil. It likes a sunny position. (more…)

COLDS

Include the following in the diet: Vitamin C (500-1 000 mg daily), carrots, dandelion greens, spinach, oranges, grapefruit, guavas, horseradish (freshly grated root on bread), onions, chives, green peppers, elder flowers, cabbage, elderberries, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, turnips and watercress.

Make a standard brew tea of any of these herbs: Wilde als, Thyme, Sage, Lemon balm (melissa), Bergamot, Violet (good for a blocked nose), Verbascum, Elder, Lucerne, Winter savory, Borage, Peppermint or Yarrow. Use as a gargle and drink at frequent intervals until the symptoms ease. (more…)

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…)

Making soap from scratch is a complicated and time-consuming business, and for most people, whose lives are full and busy, far too involved and difficult — even dangerous if you are not an expert, as an alkaline can burn the skin as badly as acid.( So leave soap-making to the experts and rather choose a plain soap which suits your skin and grate it. You can then add herbs, oatmeal, honey etc, using these recipes as a guide. They are quick and easy to make and have been tested and proved suitable for most skin types. Experiment on your own (always test with care) for you will get infinite satisfaction and pleasure out of making your own beauty preparations. (more…)

Soapwort

Many people are allergic to soap. If that is your problem try making a strong brew of saponincontaining soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) which is both mild and at the same time cleansing.

This common garden plant, known as `Bouncing Bet’ or the pink creeping Australian phlox, is actually something of a pest in the garden as it spreads everywhere and once you have it, (more…)

In making up the simple recipes, there are various methods of preparing herbs for use in lotions and creams. The methods listed below will help you to get started.

Decoction

A decoction of herb usually means the boiling up of the herb, and it is often prepared by using roots, stems, bark and berries, ie the hard parts of plants. The herb, or part of the herb, is boiled for about 15 minutes and then allowed to cool. The resulting liquid is drawn off and used, and the herb is discarded. (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…)

TANSY (Tanacetum vulgare)

Tansy is a cleanser — make a tea of 250 ml (1 cup) leaves to 750 ml (3 cups) boiling water, stand, steep for 20 minutes and strain. Dab onto pimples and use as a wash. Combine this herb with comfrey or chamomile flowers.

TEA (Thea sinensis)

A cooled, used teabag makes an effective poultice for soothing sunburn. Place a wet bag over the eyes to reduce puffiness or, use as a compress for headaches or over-tired eyes. (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…)

Classic migraine is much more than just a bad headache. It is a severe and often disabling pain in the head—usually on one side only—accompanied by sometimes alarming symptoms such as altered perception, a feeling that the skull is in the grip of a tightening vise, pins and needles or numbness, nausea and vomiting, and an inability to do anything. Symptoms can come and go and last for hours— sometimes even days. No two people usually experience the same symptoms, and one person can experience different symptoms on different occasions. (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…)

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…)