Leslie Kenton herb feature

TREATS

Give your skin a break and treat it to some luxurious pampering. Your skin will thank you, but its relaxing effects will be felt all over. Do this by turning a herb infusion into a face mask. Simply put 4 tablespoons of infusion into a double boiler and stir 2 teaspoons of arrowroot powder into it. Stir it until the mixture thickens – this will take several minutes. Add a couple of drops of almond or apricot oil for that touch of extra luxury. Slather it all over your face and neck and relax for ten minutes (this is great to do in the bath). Rinse off thoroughly with warm water.

Lazy Oatmeal Mask

This is another wonderful mask to use in the bath. When you have washed it off your face the oatmeal goes on working in the bath to soften the rest of your skin with no extra effort from you at all.

Put 2 tablespoons of herb infusion and 2 tablespoons of natural yogurt in a bowl (for goodness sake, don’t use strawberry flavored yogurt). Slowly add finely ground oatmeal until you have a workable paste. Put it all over your face and neck nice and thick. Relax for 10 minutes. Wash off with plenty of warm water.

Deep Steam

Or treat yourself to a facial sauna to deep cleanse and stimulate skin. Begin by thoroughly cleansing your skin. Take two handfuls of fresh herbs or two tablespoons of dried and put them in a bowl. You can use wonderfully refreshing herbs such as nettle that you would hesitate to put on your skin. Cover with hot water and lean your head over the bowl, placing a towel over your head to keep the steam in. Steam for five minutes. Use a toner afterwards to close the pores, or splash with cool water.

Choose from:

Comfrey
Sage
Chamomile
Borage
Rosemary
Lavender
Yarrow
Nettle
Elderflowers
Calendula

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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