Leslie Kenton herb feature

PREVENTING DROUGHT

It may take some trial and error to create the perfect moisturizer, but it’s well worth it (and fun). This is a simple water-in-oil emulsion, which works for both dry and oily skins. Make your moisturizer in small quantities and make a note of any changes you make to the proportions. Apply it twice a day under make-up or on it’s own to prevent your own skin’s natural moisture from escaping into the air.

Mighty Moisturizer

You will need:

2 tsp beeswax
2 tsp cocoa butter (or if you are really stuck, creamed coconut)
3 tablespoons almond, apricot or grapeseed oil
1 tablespoons spring water or rose water (this is just wonderful)
½ tablespoon of aloe vera gel
2 tablespoons of herb infusion (made as if for the cleansing lotion). Choose from: calendula, comfrey, rose, elderflower, marshmallow, yarrow
A few drops of your favorite essential oil (optional)– if you have used rose water add a few drops of pure rose oil if you can find it

To make:

Put the beeswax, coco butter and almond/apricot or grapeseed oil into a double boiler and warm over a low heat until the beeswax has melted. Let the mixture cool slightly.

Add your aloe vera gel and herbal infusion to the water and put it in a blender and - much as you would make mayonnaise – blend in the oil mixture drop by drop so it emulsifies. Blend until the cream is white and thick. Squeeze in a capsule of vitamin E, and add your essential oil if this is what you have chosen. Put your cream into jars and keep it in the fridge.

Note: If you have difficulty making the oil and water mix and you find it continually curdles try adding 2 tablespoons of liquid lecithin to the distilled water and aloe before adding the oils.

More on skin

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 19^th 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:

Herbs occasionally interact with conventional drugs. Be sure to tell your doctor that you intend to try a herbal remedy.

If you want to use herbs to treat a serious medical condition, find yourself a good medical herbalist to work with. Don’t do it yourself.

Take no more than recommended dosages of a herb or combination. If you notice any adverse reaction, stop right away.

Use only the very best herbs whether they be fresh, dried, teas, tinctures, extracts, or capsules.

Give plants enough time to work. Many herbs, such as St John’s Wort and Wild Yam, are slow to build beneficial effects on the body. Look to six weeks for results.

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