Herbal Skin and Body Receipe's
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GALEN'S COLD CREAM 150g. White Wax 400g. Sweet Almond Oil* 1 cup Distilled water with a few drops of Spirit Vinegar* This receipe was invented by Galen in the second century AD, and is always thought of as the original formula for cold cream. He melted together the oil and wax and then added the water and spirit. Instead of almond oil, Galen used oil of roses, which is far too expensive nowadays for everyday use. You can use rosewater in place of the distilled water and add a little lavender or rosemary extract. It makes an excellent base cream for all but very oily skin types. |
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FAT-FREE CREAM FOR OILY SKINS 1 Teasp. Natural pectin Powder 30g. Alcohol* 15g. Glycerine 45g. Rosewater* Moisten pectin powder with a little alcohol. Mix this gradually with the glycerine and the rest of the alcohol. Add the rosewater. Heat mixture slowly until it boils. Boil for 3-4 minutes. Pour into a jar (it will form a jelly.) Herbs can be added in an infusion instead of the rosewater, or in a cold infusion prepared with alcohol. |
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HERBS FOR SOFTENING THE SKIN Marsh-mallow The roots contain a viscous substance which is a well known emollient (softener.) It can be extracted by steeping the finely chopped root in cold water. The liquid will become thick when sieved. It can be added to lotions and creams. Cucumber The juice of the cucumber has a moisturizing and soothing effect on the skin. It willl lighten and freshen the complexion. If you have sensitive skin you will find cucumber, added to creams and lotions, is a valuable herbal extract. Camomile An emollient plant which grows wild. Camomile oil can be prepared with 100 grams fresh camomile flowers and l litre sunflower oil. Place flowers and oil into a bowl and stand it for 2-3 hours in a pan of boiling water (or in the top of a double boiler.) Press out the oil from the camomile flowers and filter it through a coffee filter. Oil can be added to cold creams using one part oil to five parts cold cream or can be used directly on the skin. Recommended for coarse rough skin. OTHER HERBS FOR SKIN CREAMS AND LOTIONS Coltsfoot This common weed will soften skin and also has a mild astringent and antiseptic quality. Add the juice or prepare an infusion of the leaves or flowers and add to creams and tonics. Coltsfoot will tone up a flabby skin and is also used in anti-acne mixtures. Lemon This must be one of the best known cosmetic plants. It has a mild astringent and tonic effect on the skin. It will lighten and brighten and freshen the complexion. Particularly useful in winter when tans become faded. A small amount of lemon juice added to creams or tonics will help to soothe irritated skins. Marigold Marigold flowers will tone up the skin and is strongly antiseptic. The essential oil can be added to cold creams or used directly to heal minor cuts, scrapes or pimples. A very simple and completely natural marigold cream can be made by adding 5 or 6 chopped marigold heads to the contents of a jar of vaseline. Warm this gently in the top of a double boiler for about 1-2 hours. The resulting cream should be sieved and poured into pots. It will have a deep golden colour. St. John's Wort In germany this is considered to be the miracle-worker of the cosmetic herbs. Take 500 grams of the flowering tops of the plant and chop them finely. Add 1 litre of sunflower oil and 1/2 litre of white wine. Mix well and leave it to stand for 3 days. Then warm it in a double saucepan until the wine has evaporated. The oil obtained will heal a damaged skin and soothe irritations. It will also help to cure heat rashes. It should be added to creams in the ratio 1:5. Do not go out into the sun after using it because some pigmentation of the skin can result. It is best to use at night before bed. Wash face in the morning to remove traces of St. John's wort. |
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