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…)

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…)

Sunburn is a common South African complaint throughout the long hot summer and one which we should take pains to avoid, for it has an ageing and drying effect on the skin.

Sun Protection Oil

This protecting oil should be applied before going out into the sun. The sesame oil blots out the harmful ultra-violet rays.

25 m1(2 tbsp) sesame oil

25 nil (2 tbsp) lanolin

75m1(6 tbsp) dandelion tea or elderflower tea (more…)

This is a wonderful way of refreshing and reviving tired feet after a hard day.

Boil up a kettle of water, and pour it over any of the following herbs, 2 litres (8 cups) boiling water to 4 cups herbs: elder flowers and leaves, maidenhair fern, peppermint, pine needles, rosemary, sage, yarrow, myrtle, mustard seeds, comfrey leaves, or castor oil leaves. (more…)

Chapped Hand Glove

125 ml (¹/2 cup)finely chopped or minced borage leaves

1 dessertspoon castor oil 125 ml (¹/2 cup) oats

1 dessertspoon honey

Mix into a paste, adding a little hot water to the borage leaves. Spread over the hands, put on the gloves and keep them on for an hour or two, or overnight. (more…)