Natural Herbal Beauty

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…)

SHEPHERD’S PURSE (Capsella bursa-pastoris): The entire plant is used. It has a stimulating effect upon the uterine muscles. Also used in cases of diarrhea for humans and animals because of the astringent properties. It has hemostatic properties (stops bleeding), so it is useful for all kinds of hemorrhages affecting the uterine, lungs, stomach and kidneys. Shepherd’s purse also increases the flow of urine and is helpful in removing mucous matter from the urine.

SOLOMON’S SEAL (Polygonatum officinale): The root is the part used as a diuretic and it also has mucilaginous properties that help when vigorous expectoration is expected during bronchial disorders.

SPEARMINT (Mentha spicata): Leaves and flowering tops are used. Great for treating colic and disturbances of the alimentary system. Used as a diuretic, also. (more…)

LOBELIA(Lobelia inflata): Use the herb after the seed capsule has opened. Used for asthma and bronchial disorders. Caution: As little as 50 mg of the dried herb has caused poisoning symptoms.

MARSH MALLOW (Althaea officinalis): The root is used to soothe inflammations and irritations of the urinary and alimentary systems. Will help to dispel hoarseness and tickling of the throat as well as help in all bronchial disorders.

MULLEIN(Verbascum thapsus): The flowers and leaves are the parts used most of the time. Every part can be used. Used for bronchial problems as well as to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria. It is great to use during colds, as it has antibiotic properties. (more…)

CLEAVERS (Galium aparine): The entire herb is useful. A strong diuretic, it is used to dissolve deposits in the kidneys.

RED CLOVER(Trifolium pratense): The flowering tops are used. Great blood purifier and tonic. Most skin disorders are caused by impurities of the blood and this tea should be taken on a regular basis if you suffer from pimples, boils or other skin eruptions.

COLTSFOOT (Tussilago farfara): The leaves are the part used. This herb binds to toxins in the system and helps to eliminate them. Great expectorant.

COMFREY(Symphytum officinale): Roots and leaves are used. Great expectorant, demulcent, and emollient. Great tea for internal as well as external use. (more…)

BLOOD-STRENGTHENING SPRING TONIC: Pour 1 quart of boiling water over 1 ounce each of burdock root, dandelion root, boneset herb, and sarsaparillas and boil for 15 minutes. Strain and drink 1 wineglass full 3 times a day. Continue treatment for 2-3 days. Refrigerate and drink cold. This is a great blood strengthener and purifier. It will also thin the blood while adding the extra, needed minerals.

TONIC FOR WOMEN: Mix 1 /2 ounce each of strawberry leaves, plantain leaves, raspberry leaves and comfrey leaves. Add ginger if desired. Mix well and pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon of the herb mixture. Strain and sweeten if desired. Drink several times daily for about a week. (more…)

Tag Alder Salve: Add 1 ounce of tag alder bark to 1 /2 pint of hot olive oil. Cover and simmer 3 hours. Add 3 ounces of beeswax and 1 /4 teaspoon of tincture of benzoin to the strained mixture. Test for consistency and store in a labeled jar.

Tag alder’s signature is the small corky warts on its bark, so this would indicate that it could be used for various skin disorders. Using the signatures of the herbs is another good way to tell what you could use in preparing the salves.

Aloe Vera Salve: Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon of pekoe tea and 1 tablespoon of Irish moss. Allow to sit until cool. Add 3 tablespoons of aloe gel. Mix well and store in labeled jar. (more…)

Salves need a preservative because they are often used for cuts and wounds and as such need to be free from bacteria. A good preservative to use is tincture of benzoin, which you can purchase from your local drugstore. It is inexpensive and is necessary for the preparation of your salves. Choose stainless steel, glass, or earthenware when you are looking for bowls or containers in which to mix or store your herbal preparations. The containers you use to store the mixtures should be airtight and sterile.

It is helpful to know what the basic ingredients of a salve are. The ingredients used to make the salves are: the herbs you plan to use, an oil, beeswax, and the preservative. The best kind of oil to use is olive or sesame. Do not use the drying oils, such as soybean and linseed. (more…)

A tincture is nothing more than a highly concentrated liquid extract of herbs. A tincture can be applied externally or taken internally. The kind of herbs you choose to put in your tinctures depends upon what conditions you need to heal. For example, you would make a tincture of comfrey root to heal and clean sores, because comfrey has pain-killing properties and it also aids in cell rejuvenation. If you are choosing herbs to use in a tincture that will be taken orally, be careful to choose “safe” herbs, ones that you know you can safely ingest. (more…)

During the last centuries, therefore, the interest in curative herbs was upheld, though it had become more of a special science. In the garden, the cultivation of vegetables introduced from abroad, the spread of landscape gardening, and of fascinating plant discoveries from abroad, combined to take the main attention from the herb border. Many old favourites were grown, however, rosemary, lavender and southernwood having a lasting appeal; and the scented pelargoniums were popular in Victorian times.

The great compilation of this century has been Mrs Grieve’s A Modern Herbal in two volumes, edited by Mrs Leyel, and published in 1931. (more…)

Bacon’s classic essay Of Gardens captures a leisured appreciation that is in contrast with our streamlined days. Perhaps it was partly that like some genius of the lamp he had only to command, and his cool alleyways and trimmed hedges would be planted and tended for him. One likes to feel akin to him when he suggests the planting of water-mint, thyme and burnet in paths.

In Elizabethan and Stuart days, knot-gardens, laid out with a clipped pattern, were favourite garden features. Savory, santolina, lavender and marjoram were amongst the plants used; and living sundials were also fashionable during the period. (more…)