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…)

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…)

Milk cleansers are much gentler on your skin than soaps. Making your own herbal cleansing milks is simple. To keep them fresh for more than

1 week, freeze the strained herbal milks in ice cube trays, and pop out a cube to thaw as needed.

For Dry to Normal Skin:

2 tablespoons calendula flowers

1 tablespoon chamomile flowers

1 tablespoon rose petals (more…)

Use this herbal rinse after shampooing and conditioning to freshen your scalp and give body to your hair.

Normal hair (dark): Rosemary, sage, lavender Normal hair (light): Chamomile, calendula Dry hair: Chamomile, comfrey

Oily hair: Nettle, yarrow, thyme, sage

Dandruff: Sage, thyme, nettle, lavender (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…)

You’ll need:

• 2 cups Epsom salts (available at any pharmacy)
• 5-10 drops lavender, marjoram, or essential oil of your choice
• 1 teaspoon distilled witch hazel

A hot Epsom salts bath has powerful detoxifying properties, and is best taken at least 2 hours after eating. In addition to their purifying benefits, Epsom salts are rich in magnesium, which eases sore muscles and induces relaxation. Try an Epsom salts cleansing soak immediately before bedtime for a peaceful night’s sleep. (more…)

You’ll need:

2 deep buckets large enough to hold both of your feet

2 tablespoons powdered ginger rosemary essential oil

Alternating hot and cold foot baths help to stimulate lymphatic flow and also relieve tired, aching feet and legs. Fill one bucket with water as hot as you can tolerate and stir in the powdered ginger, and fill the other with ice cold water. Use buckets large enough to comfortably hold both of your feet with the water at least covering your ankles. If possible, find buckets deep enough so that the water will reach to the middle of your calves. The higher the water reaches, the more it will assist lymphatic flow. (more…)

This rich avocado mask can be used weekly as a treat to nourish dry skin. Mix up a large batch and apply it to your arms and legs if they tend to be dry and flaky.

• 1 tablespoon ripe avocado
• 1 teaspoon yogurt
• 1 teaspoon Gentle Cleansing Grains
• 3 drops sandalwood or lavender essential oil (more…)