Natural Herbal Beauty

COUGHS

Include the following in the diet: apricots, asparagus, green beans, beetroot and beetroot tops, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, dandelion greens, lettuce, mustard, oranges, lemons, naartjies, grapefruit, parsley, peaches, pawpaw, peas, pecan nuts, watercress, spinach and garlic.

Make a standard brew tea using either Lemon balm, Sage, Elderflowers, Honeysuckle, Verbascum (mullein), Thyme, Comfrey or Peppermint, and drink throughout the day. (more…)

BURNS

Arum lily

Apply a fresh leaf to the area.

Bulbinella (Bulbinefrutescens)

Squeeze out juice and apply to the burn.

Aloe

Apply the inner, jelly-like leaf to the painful area. (more…)

BITES AND STINGS

Stings should be treated immediately. In the case of a bee sting, remove the sting straightaway.

Banana

Apply the inside of the skin to the painful area.

Castor oil plant

Rub castor oil onto ticks and tickbites.

Vinegar

Effective for soothing wasp stings. Dab on repeatedly. (more…)

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…)

 

ALMOND (Prunus communis, P. amygdalus, P. dulcis)

Shelled almonds, ground into a meal and mixed with a herb infusion such as rosemary or sage, make an excellent mild bleaching face pack. They have a deep cleansing and toning effect.

Almond oil is non-drying and has superb emollient or softening properties; it also combines well with creams and, in lotions, with other ingredients. Can be used as a deep cleansing oil. (more…)

EASY HERBAL SOAP: Place 2 tablespoons finely chopped lemon verbena or lavender into 2 tablespoons warmed glycerin. Place in a warm area for several days. Strain and finely grate 12 tablespoons of unscented soap or soap flakes and melt in top of a double boiler. Remove from heat and add the scented glycerin to the melted soap. Add 1 tablespoon of honey. Mix well. Pour into greased molds. Allow to set until the soap is cool and hardened.

Now that we’ve taken the steps needed to care for our skin properly, here are some recipes that will take care of special problems and needs. (more…)

SWEETEN BREATH DURING COLDS: Chew fresh parsley during a cold. This not only freshens the breath during a cold, but rids the mouth of any bad odors anytime. Parsley also gives you the extra vitamins you need while suffering through a cold.

FEVER WITH COLDS: Take 1 ounce of elder flowers or white yarrow and add 1 ounce of peppermint leaves. Simmer the leaves in 1 pint of water for 30 minutes. Strain and drink by the 1/2 cupful during the day, as long as fever is present.

COLDS WITH FLU SYMPTOMS: Mix 1 cup each of plantain, black elder flowers, juniper berries, rosemary, Irish moss and peppermint. Steep 1 teaspoon of the herb mix in 1 cup boiling water for 15 minutes. Strain, reheat and sweeten. Drink twice daily. (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…)

ALOE VERA LAXATIVE: To sterilize the water, boil it and then cool it. Peel the aloe vera. Put the green peelings and the water in a closed jar. (The juice is not the part used for a laxative, it’s the sap between the skin and the pulp.) Place in the refrigerator and drink 1 cup twice a week to regulate bowels. The strength is determined by the amount of aloe vera placed in the water. Start with several leaves, and add until desired strength is reached. (more…)

AIDS URINATION: Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon tarragon and steep 15 minutes. Strain and sweeten. Drink several cups daily for 2 days.

TREATMENT FOR KIDNEY AILMENTS: Core and peel a pear, then puree it in the blender. Place the pear mixture in a pan and add 1 pint of boiled water. Stir in 1 /4 cup of honey. Drink often during the day for 2 days.

KIDNEY STONES: To help pass kidney stones, make a tea using 1 /4 teaspoon of dried parsley, 1 cup boiled water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Drink every day for at least a week.

TREATMENT FOR URINARY TRACT PROBLEMS: Put 2 teaspoons of sweet basil in 1 cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Drink this 2 times daily for 2 days. (more…)