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Face the World |
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Herbs revel in sacred beauty. It is fundamental to their nature. They love to be gathered tenderly and made a part of our day-to-day lives. Like the earth in which they grow, plants offer up their magnificence to deepen and expand the beauty in our own lives.
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More on skin
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FACE THE WORLD What is the point of making your own cosmetics when you can walk into a shop and buy some very nice ones? The reasons are freshness and fun. Herbs work wonders on skin, which is why they find their way into so many commercial preparations. But they work best when they are fresh. Manufacturers of shop-bought cosmetics have to use chemical stabilizers and preservatives simply because they don’t know how long the product is going to have to stay on the shelf – both in the shop and in your bathroom. By creating your own cleansers, toners and moisturizers you are able to regularly make small amounts from the freshest ingredients – and nothing is better for your skin. The more often you make them the better you will be at adjusting the ingredients so they suit your skin to perfection, and your skin will never get tired of them. |
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Homemade cosmetics are simple to make. And it’s much cheaper to make mistakes than when you are buying them. With so many herbs to choose from you will never be at a loss for something new to try. I have listed a few herbs that are good for certain skin types, but this is by no means an exclusive list. Herbs to Brighten Dry Skin - Elderflower, Yarrow, Chamomile, Comfrey leaf & root, Dandelion, Fennel, Licorice, Mint, Orris root, Parsley, Marshmallow Herbs to Soothe Sensitive Skin - Elderflower, Cranberry, Figwort, Lavender, Calendula, Comfrey, Yarrow, Rose Herbs to Calm Oily Skin - Elderflower, Lavender, Lemon grass, Rose, Witch hazel, Licorice, Sage, Mint, Lady’s Mantle, Rosemary |
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Over the next couple of weeks I will be posting some recipes for skin-care. The simple the herb infusions included in the recipes for skin-care are all made to the same proportions – 4 teaspoons of dried herb (or 7-8 of fresh) to a cup of boiling water, steeped for 10-15 minutes. As you become more familiar with the recipes you can make your infusions stronger or weaker. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the herbs and the recipes. And don’t forget to alter your formulas to allow for what your skin needs as the seasons change. |
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The classic definition of a herb is a non-woody plant which dies down to its roots each winter. This definition is far too limiting. It was probably made up by 19th Century European botanists who had never seen the rainforest in which, of course there is no winter to die back in. Neither had they ever heard of woody trees and shrubs such as hawthorn and ginko and elder which are some of the best selling herbs on the market these days. I define a herb as a medicinal plant. It can come from any climate and be a leaf, a bark, a flower or a root. It can be home-grown or wild, a weed, a spice, a plant which is used for its healing or culinary or beautifying properties. Once you discover the power of herbs it is easy to become so enthusiastic about them you go overboard trying to use them for everything. It is not wise to take lots of different plants all at the same time. Or you might start to think that since a small amount of something is good for you, taking twice or three times that amount will be even better. It isn’t. If you want safe and sane herbal help here are a few guidelines to follow:
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