Aromatherapy For Dandruff
After shampooing, use a diluted solution of conditioner, or plain water, to which you've added one or two drops of essential oil of rosemary and rose geranium. Rub into the scalp and leave for 8-10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and repeat with every other shampoo.
Herbal Breast Enlargement
The following recipe, made from sprouted Fenugreek seeds, is purported to safely and effectively enlarge the breast tissue. Speak to your health care provider if you would like to try this treatment. Add one cup of fenugreek spouts and two cups of water to a stainless steel pan. Add one-eighth teaspoon each of lemongrass, licorice, marjoram, fennel, dill, basil, anise, and caraway. Bring to a boil, then allow the tea to cool. Add honey if desired, and drink one or two cups a day. Fennel contains phytoestrogens and fenugreek contains a plant precursor of estrogen.
Peach and Honey Mask
This revitalizing peach and honey mask is almost good enough to eat. But what you'll really love about it is how it leaves your skin feeling soft and supple.
Ingredients:
·1 large peach or nectarine, skinned
·3 teaspoons honey
·A pinch of lecithin powder or 2 tablespoons yogurt
Directions:
Mash the peach and honey together, add a little lecithin powder or 2 tablespoons yogurt until you have a workable paste. Pat evenly over your face and neck and around the eyes. Lie back and relax for about 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, pat dry, then tone and moisturize as you normally would.
Apple-Pectin Toner
Apples have been used in beauty products for centuries. And thanks to a high concentration of vitamins A and C and potassium, when applied as a facial toner, apple pectin can sooth and refresh all skin types. Please note: If you have especially dry or sensitive skin, reduce the amount of witch hazel in the toner.
Ingredients:
·1 apple, cut up with peel, seeds removed
·1/2 cup water
·1/4 cup witch hazel
Directions:
1. Place the cut-up apple in a small saucepan with the water. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat.
2. Allow the mixture to cool completely, then strain out the apple chunks. Stir in the witch hazel and pour into a clean container.
3. To use, spray or apply to skin using a clean cotton ball.
Natural Cologne
Many women tell me that they cannot wear cologne, perfumes or scented products due to allergies. The allergy may be to the artificial chemical ingredients in those products. Try this recipe for a natural cologne. Make a small amount and experiment with the essential oils to find your most pleasing blend. In a glass-stoppered or pump-spray perfume bottle, add 8 ounces, or one cup, of 90% alcohol, 2 teaspoons bergamot essential oil, one quarter teaspoon of neroli essential oil, one half teaspoon of lemon essential oil, 5 drops of lavender essential oil and 5 drops of rosemary essential oil. Natural oils will lose their scent over time because of contact with the air. Keep your natural cologne tightly sealed when not in use.
Disinfecting Spray
Many people are careful to use disinfecting sprays on doorknobs, telephones and other areas if someone in the household is ill. These chemical sprays will kill germs, but at a price to those who come in contact with the chemical fumes. For a natural, effective alternative, blend 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, one-half teaspoon juniper essential oil and one-half tablespoon bergamot essential oil. Add this blend to pure water in a pump spray bottle. You can also add this blend to your laundry when washing your ill loved one’s towels, clothes and bedding until they are fully recovered.
Footbath For Tired, Aching Feet
Too much holiday shopping can take a toll on your feet, leaving them aching, tired and swollen. Indulge in an aromatherapy foot bath as you relax after a long day. This combination of oils can usually be added to electric foot spas (check manufacturer’s instructions), or just added to very warm to hot water in a pan deep and wide enough to comfortably soak both feet. To your pan of water, add 3 drops of juniper essential oil, 2 drops of lavender essential oil and 2 drops of rosemary essential oil. Follow with a foot massage if possible!
Hair Rinse
If you think your hair is starting to lose its shine, try whipping up a batch of this hair-clarifying rinse. It will help restore your scalp's pH level and get rid of build-up from hairsprays and gels. Please note: If you have a really dry or sensitive scalp or hair, use half the amount of apple cider vinegar.
Ingredients:
·1 large apple, peeled and cut into small pieces
·2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
·2 cups water
Directions:
1. Mix together all ingredients in a blender or food processor set on "high."
2. Pour the mixture through a strainer into a clean container, discarding all solids.
3. To use, pour over your hair after shampooing as a final rinse.
4. Massage through your hair and rinse thoroughly with cool water.
Oily Hair Conditioning Treatment
If you've got a problem with oil, here's a super-simple recipe to get the shine you want without the grease you hate.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 avocado crushed
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Apply mixture to dry hair, applying only to the hair shaft and avoiding the scalp. Leave on for 20 minutes, then massage through to the scalp and leave on for 5 more minutes.
3. Rinse completely in very warm water for at least 2 minutes.
4. Shampoo hair twice with a deep-cleansing shampoo. Any excess mixture can be stored in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Wake-Up Call Facial
Avocado and yogurt enrich and soften; honey moisturizes and smooths; lemon juice tones and refreshes.
Ingredients:
·2 tablespoons ripe avocado
·1 teaspoon honey
·1 teaspoon lemon juice
·1 teaspoon plain yogurt
Directions:
Mash ingredients together in a bowl and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Then apply to just-cleansed face and lie down for 10 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water; gently pat dry.
Cooling Cucumber Deep Cleansing Mask
Cucumber and mint are natural refresheners; oats and bran exfoliate; buttermilk, yogurt, and cream cleanse and soften; lemon juice tones and refreshes.
Ingredients:
·1 cup oats 1 tablespoon wheat bran
·2 tablespoons buttermilk
·2 tablespoons whipping cream
·1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
·1 tablespoon plain yogurt
·1 teaspoon fresh mint leaves
·1/2 medium cucumber, cut into small pieces
Directions:
Place oats and wheat bran in a blender; grind to a fine powder. Add remaining ingredients. Mix until consistency is smooth. Apply to just-cleansed face and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Mane Moisturizing Yogurt and Egg Treatment
Yogurt cleans and softens; egg yolk adds shine; honey moisturizes and smooths.
Ingredients:
·1/2 cup plain yogurt
·1 egg yolk
·1 tablespoon honey
Directions:
Shampoo your hair; towel-dry. Mix ingredients together. Rub into hair and cover with a shower cap. Leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse, then shampoo thoroughly.
Hand Exfoliant
Say goodbye to dry, cracked hands. Even if your gloves haven't been doing their job this winter, this easy-to-make exfoliant will slough off all those dead skin cells. Plus, it cleanses and moisturizes, leaving hands soft and smooth.
Ingredients:
·1 ounce ground almonds
·1 teaspoon clear honey
·2 teaspoons walnut or sunflower oil
·1 teaspoon lemon juice
Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients together into a thick paste.
2. Rub a heaping teaspoon all over the hands for two to three minutes and rinse off. Use whenever your hands need some extra TLC.
Soften Tough Hands
Using a mortar and pestle if you have them, mix two ounces of ground almonds, four to five teaspoons of an oil like almond or grape seed, and four teaspoons of lemon or lime juice. Work the mixture together into a paste, adding white wine or brandy until the texture is right. Store the hand paste in an airtight container in the fridge. With regular use, this paste will remove toughened calluses and soften your hands, as well as clean them.
Natural lemon hair spray
2 sliced lemons
2 cups hot water
Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer until liquid is reduced to one cup. Remove from heat and cool. Strain and squeeze into spray bottle. Keeps 1-2 months in the refrigerator. Light-medium hold spray.
Natural Moth Repellent
If you've packed your winter woolens away, you might want to add a dried herbal mixture to deep the moths away. Combine one part lavender flowers, one part dried rosemary leaves, and two parts dried wormwood leaves. Make sachets by filling cheesecloth squares with the crushed herbs, and tying or sewing the ends of the cheesecloth together. Keep a sachet in each drawer. Tie a ribbon around a sachet to hang on a wool suit or dress. Replenish these each season.
Rejuvenating Bath
Avena sativa, or oat straw, makes an energizing, rejuvenating bath additive. Add one ounce of oat straw to two quarts of boiling pure water in a glass container. Allow to steep for four hours. Add to a hot bath and soak for as long as is comfortable, keeping the water a warm temperature. This infusion is also nourishing to dry skin and yet is not over-moisturizing to oily skin.
Corn Remover - Celandine
The herb Celandine has a reputation as a corn remover and the following recipe should be more than sufficient to gently resolve the problem. Combine six cups of water, one teaspoon potassium chloride (sold as salt substitute), and four ounces of fresh celandine, torn into small pieces. Let this mixture rest for two hours at room temperature, then bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain, then simmer the liquid until it is reduced to one and one-half cups. Add one cup of glycerin, and simmer until the liquid is now reduced to two cups. Strain again, and place in a glass bottle to store in a cool place. Apply topically to corns twice a day until the area is healed.
Holiday Gifts - Herbal Tea Blends
Make your favorite tea blend to share with friends during the holiday season. Store in jars with tight fitting lids, and list the ingredients on the label along with instructions to steep one teaspoon on 1 cup of boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain, and sweeten if desired. Mix chamomile, hops and skullcap for a nighttime blend. Peppermint, rosehips and slippery elmis soothing to respiratory complaints. Licorice, fenugreek and raspberry leaf make a nourishing start to the day.
Holiday Gifts - Culinary Herbs
For the cook on your gift list, prepare a blend of your favorite culinary herbs to share. Make an Italian blend with oregano, rosemary, thyme and garlic powder. An Indian blend could be ground cloves, cardamom, black pepper, fennel and fenugreek. Your favorite Greek blend might include oregano, cinnamon, nutmeg and garlic powder. Store in small jars with screw tops and create your own label. Small jars and labels can be found in craft or kitchen specialty stores.
Holiday Gifts - Bath Salts
To prepare this gift, you’ll need a large glass bowl and a wooden or plastic spoon. To your bowl, add equal parts of Epsom salts and Kosher or natural sea salt. Slowly add the essential oil or oils of your choice, drop by drop, stirring well with the wooden spoon after each addition. When the fragrance is to your liking, seal quickly in tall glass containers. Sealing the lip quickly will preserve the aroma. Popular choices of essential oils are lavender (calming), clary sage (relaxing) and lemongrass (invigorating).Decorate the jar with ribbon or handmade artwork. Your gift will be appreciated!
Honey Cleansing Scrub
Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 2 tablespoons finely ground almonds and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice. Rub gently onto face. Rinse off with warm water.
Firming Face Mask
Whisk together 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon glycerin (available at drug and beauty stores) and enough flour to form a paste (approximately 1/4 cup). Smooth over face and throat. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
Hair Conditioner
Mix 1/2 cup honey and 1/4 cup olive oil. (Use 2 tablespoons oil for normal hair.) Work a small amount at a time through hair until coated. Cover hair with a shower cap; leave on 30 minutes. Remove shower cap; shampoo well and rinse. Dry as normal.
Facial Toner
In blender, puree 1 tablespoon honey with a peeled, cored apple. Smooth over face; leave on 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
Moisture Mask
Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
Smoothing Skin Lotion
Mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice. Rub into hands, elbows, heels and anywhere that feels dry. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with water.
Skin Softening Bath
Add 1/4 cup honey to bath water for a fragrant, silky bath.
Hair Shine
Stir 1 teaspoon honey into 4 cups (1 quart) warm water. Blondes may wish to add a squeeze of lemon. After shampooing, pour mixture through hair. Do not rinse out. Dry as normal.
Cranberry Lip Gloss
Protect sensitive lips from the drying winter elements with this simple yet rich lip balm. Delightful to wear alone or on top of your lipstick for extra shine!
Rose Oil & Honey Facial Mask
Rejuvenate and replenish your skin. Sweet almond oil, which is light and easily absorbed, softens and nourishes skin. Honey as natural humectant, moisturizes, leaving even tired skin incredibly smooth.
Gather:
· 2 tablespoons honey
· 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
· 5 drops essential oil of rose
Mix honey, sweet almond oil and essential oil of rose.
Massage onto clean face and neck with fingertips. Relax for 15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water. Gently pat dry to reveal a fresh, soft complexion.
Rosemary Honey Hair Conditioner
The extremes of heat and cold we endure throughout winter can make even the greatest of hair look and feel like straw. This nourishing conditioner blends honey for shine; olive oil for moisture and essential oil of rosemary to stimulate hair growth.
Gather:
· 1/2 cup honey
· 1/4 cup warmed olive oil (2 tablespoons for normal to oily hair)
· 4 drops essential oil of rosemary
· 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum (available in health food stores)
Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a tight fitting stopper of lid.
Apply a small amount at a time to slightly dampened hair. Massage scalp and work mixture through hair until completely coated. Cover hair with a warm towel (towel can be heated in a microwave or dryer) or shower cap; leave on to nourish and condition for 30 minutes. Remove towel or shower cap; shampoo lightly and rinse with cool water. Dry as normal and enjoy shinier, softer and healthier hair the natural way.
Gentle Honey Cleanser
This cleanser is simple and effective. The soap gently cleans, the glycerin prevents drying and the h oney not only softens the skin, but its antimicrobial properties can help ward off breakouts. A touch of honey is all you need for healthy, glowing skin.
Gather:
· 1/4 cup honey
· 1 tablespoon liquid soap
· 1/2 cup glycerin
Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl until they are fully blended. Pour into a clean plastic bottle.
Pour onto clean face sponge or soft cloth and gently rub onto face, wash away with warm water and pat face dry.
Enjoy fresh radiant skin.
Foaming Vanilla Honey Bath
Banish the winter blahs and dissolve away the harshness of the day by relaxing in a soothing bath. Honey is nature’s silky moisturizer and guaranteed to sweeten your mood!
Gather:
· 1 cup sweet almond oil (light olive or sesame oil may be substituted)
· 1/2 cup honey
· 1/2 cup liquid soap (plain or flower scented)
· 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Measure the oil into a medium bowl, then carefully stir in remaining ingredients until mixture is fully blended. Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a tight-fitting stopper or lid. Shake gently before using. Enough for four large luxurious baths.
Swirl desired amount into the bathtub under running water—then step in and descend into a warm, silky escape.
Tired, Puffy Eyes
My general rule with tired eyes is to start off small. Take out your contacts, if you wear them. Dip a clean washrag in cool water, wring it out, and place that over your closed eyes. If those simple steps don't help, nothing beats a slice of cucumber for tired and puffy eyes. Be warned that those little slices feel very cold coming from the refrigerator and take a little getting used to. A cool tea bag (regular tea or something mild like chamomile) also can soothe tired eyes. For one last remedy, try this mixture. You'll need a small piece of clean cotton cloth or a few cotton balls, three teaspoons of marigold flowers and one teaspoon of lavender flowers. Bring a cup of water to a boil, turn off the heat source, then steep one teaspoon of the mixed flowers in the water for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain out the flowers and use the clean cloth or cotton balls as a compress, soaking it in the mixture, wringing it out, then laying it over your eyes until it feels dry.
HOT BROWN SUGAR BODY SCRUB
This treatment is designed to exfoliate and moisturize you
from head to toe and it feels wonderful!
What you need:
Heat olive oil over stove or in microwave until very warm (not hot). Stir in brown sugar until blended. Before showering, generously apply mixture to entire body using a circular, massaging motion. Leave on for three minutes. Rinse off in shower. Follow with moisturizer if desired.
CLEOPATRA'S MILK BATH
Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile, inspired the recipe for this delicious, skin-softening milk bath.
What you need:
Swirl milk, honey, and oil into very warm bathwater. Toss in rose petals. Soak for at least 20 minutes.
BANANA BLISS FACIAL MASQUE
Mix ingredients into a thick paste. Apply to skin and let dry
for 20 minutes.
Rinse with warm water, then follow with a
splash of cold water.
REVITALIZING HAIR MASQUE
Mix ingredients and apply to damp hair. Leave on 10 minutes. For extra conditioning, wrap hair in hot, wet towel for 20 minutes. Rinse well with warm water. For extra shine, follow with a cold water rinse.
#1 SKIN SECRET...Shhhh!
Here's a spa secret that I'll bet they wish you didn't know. Regular kitty litter (that's right, kitty litter) can be used in place of expensive facial clay. Just be sure to buy the non-clumping, no additives kind! Scoop into pretty jars for storage and simply add water when you're ready to use. Apply to skin, let it dry, and then rinse. This treatment deep cleans and rejuvenates your skin!
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