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Quince Gel Cleanser - for all skin types

Add 1 tsp quince seeds to an enamel saucepan containing 250 ml of distilled water or herbal infusion. Bring to the boll and simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking. The mixture should thicken into a gel. Strain.
To use, add enough finely ground oatmeal to the gel to make a smooth paste. Rub over the face and neck, leave a few minutes, then rinse with warm water

Violet Milk Cleanser

Add I tsp Violet petals to 1/4 cup milk. Heat gently until nearly simmering, and keep heating gently until the milk is strongly Violet-scented. Strain, bottle, keep in the fridge and use within three or four days. This makes a soothing oil-free cleanser.

Milk and Honey Cleanser

Mix I tsp warm runny honey with 1 tablespoon milk. Use immediately.
Very Soft and soothing.

TONERS AND LOTIONS

Simple Herbal Washes

The ultimate lazy person's hint for herbal face preparations: if you drink pure herbal tea (not the kind with added flavorings!), stroke the tea-bag over your face after you've taken it out of the cup and wrung the water out. No waste, and no large quantity of infusion waiting to go off.

Peppermint: Fantastic for acne, especially the itchy underground type.
In fact, it soothes itchy skin in general.

Chamomile: Soothing and healing.

Lime Flower (linden): Soothing and softening, refines skin texture.
Also Supposed to remove wrinkles.

Yarrow infusion makes a great problem skin wash. Ifs a good astringent, but do watch out because it has been known to cause photosensitivity in some people. Test on the arm or something first.

The two infusions I used to get rid of my teenage acne were lemon balm and parsley (separately). I just applied one with a cotton ball several times per day, and also used the oatmeal bag.


Oily Skin Refining Lotion

Peel very thinly oranges and lemons, being careful to get as little white pith on the peel as possible. Pack the peel into a glass jar and cover with water. Leave the peel to steep overnight. The next day, strain and filter the liquid, add a few drops tincture of benzoin (as a preservative) and keep in the fridge (label carefully!). The benzom tincture will turn the lotion milky.
Apply 2 or 3 times per day and leave on. This improves the texture of oily skin and clears dingy, dull skin, and the essential oils from the peel help heal and prevent pimples.

Sage Anti-Acne Lotion

Make a sage infusion and add half as much cider vinegar as you have infusion.
Apply several times a day.

Herbal Pimple Lotion

Simmer 25 grams lavender flowers, the peel of half a lemon (no white pith), and 25 grams thyme in 200 ml distilled water. Add 10 drops each lavender oil and tea tree oil. Dab on spots as needed. It should keep at least a week in the fridge.

Almond Milk

This will keep the skin soft and refine the pores. Pour 500 ml distilled water over 25 grams almond meal and 1/2 tsp sugar and leave overnight to soak.
Strain and filter, add 6 drops tincture of benzoin as a preservative, bottle and label. Apply morning and night.

You can make this into milk of roses by using rosewater instead of distilled water.

Bedtime Bergamot Milk

A soothing flavoured milk; an excellent and soft sedative to be taken as a bedtime drink. Pour a generous cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of dried or 1½ tablespoons of chopped fresh bergamot leaves. Allow to infuse for 3 to 4 minutes. Strain and drink, sweetened with a little honey if preferred, while still quite hot.

Lady's Mantle Eye Pads

To soothe and revitalize tired, inflamed, puffy or watery eyes. Put 1½ tablespoons each of ground dried lady's mantle and ground dried fennel in a bowl and pour in a generous ½ cup of boiling water. Leave to infuse for about 10 minutes. Strain and use while still warm: thoroughly soak 2 cotton pads, or 2 or 3pieces of lint layered together, in the infusion, and place them on the eyes for at least 10 minutes. Gently dab the eyes with cold water. Keep the mixture in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but warm through before re-use.

Parsley and Primrose Skin Lotion

A lotion to lighten the skin and help fade freckles. Leave 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley to stand in a generous cup of cold water overnight.Pour a generous cup of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of primrose flowers. Leave to cool and then strain into a screw- top jar and add the strained parsley infusion. To use, dab the lotion on morning and evening, and leave it to dry on the skin. Keep in the refrigerator.

Peppermint Facial Steam

Use before going to bed to cleanse the skin, improve circulation and reduce large pores. (Not for very dry skins) Boil about 7½ cups of water and pour into a bowl.Add 2 tablespoons each of fresh chopped peppermint and sage and ½ teaspoon of basil. Hold your (freshly cleaned) face about a foot (30cm) away from the water and cover your head with a large towel. Steam the face and neck for up to 10 minutes. Then, gently pat the skin with a washcloth dipped in iced water and follow up with a soothing face pack.


Sage and Sweet Violet Cream

Helps alleviate cold sores and soothes and protects swollen, painful or chapped lips. Put 2 tablespoons each of finely chopped fresh sage and sweet violet leaves, along with 4 tablespoons of almond oit in a small stoppered jar. Seal and leave in a warm place for about a month, shaking the jar each day. when ready, strain into a bowl and add 4 tablespoons each of almond oil and beeswax which have been melted together. Beat to mix until cold. Store in an airtight jar in a cool place, and apply twice a day or as required.

Horsetail Infusion

A herbal remedy for strengthening brittle and splitting finger nails. In a saucepan, pour 2½ cups of water over 6 tablespoons of dried horsetail stems. Leave to infuse for about 4 hours and then bring to the boil. Leave to simmer gently for about 30 minutes, remove from the heat and leave for another 30 minutes before straining into a stoppered jar or bottle. Every other day, soak the nails in warm sunflower oil for 15 minutes and then in a little warmed horsetail infusion for the same time.


Coltsfoot and Fennel Face Pack

Use to soothe, soften and tone the skin, to close pores and help minimize wrinkles. It's also effictive against acne.Pour ½ cup of boiling water on 2 tablespoons of dried coltsfoot leaves and 1 tablespoon of dried fennel leaves. Infuse for 10 minutes and strain. Blend with a generous ½ cup of yogurt and enough fine oatmeal to make a thick paste. Wash the face, finishing with a hot cloth. Cover the eyes with wet cotton pads, and spread warm paste over the face. Leave for 10 minutes then wash off with warm water and a little lemon juice.

Angelica Mouthwash

A rinse to freshen the mouth and sweeten the breath. Use morning and evening and afier meals for maximum effect. Pour 2½ cups of boiling water over 3 tablespoons of angelica seeds and leave to infuse and cool. Strain into a screw-top jar. You could also add caraway seeds, lemon verbena, peppermint or rosemary to the infusion for extra strength; a little dried orris root will perfume the breath with the scent of violets.



Minty Astringent for Oily Skin

1 tablespoon fresh peppermint, spearmint or lemon balm
1 cup witch hazel

Combine the ingredients in a bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Allow the herb to steep for 1 week. Strain. Use 1 teaspoon per application. Refrigeration is not required. Use daily and follow with moisturizer.

Description:
"Good for normal and oily skin. Has a nice fragrance and could be used by men as an aftershave."

Source: "The Herbal Body Book"
Yield: 48 treatments"


Astringent For Sensitive Skin

4 T Rosewater
2 T Orange Flower Water
2 T Witch Hazel

Mix together. Store in an airtight container. Use after soap.


Green Tea Toner

1/2 c Water
2 t Green Tea Leaves

Bring the water to a boil. Place the tea leaves in a clean glass or ceramic bowl and pour the boiling water over them. Let steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Strain the tea leaves and allow the liquid to cool. To Use: Apply to the face with a clean cotton ball. Do not rinse off. Yield: 4 ounces


Oily Skin Care
If your skin tends to be on the oily side try the following toner.

2 drops Geranium
4 drops Orange
5 drops Lavender
1 Tablespoon witch hazel

Mix the add enough spring water to make 8 oz.
Use after cleansing your face.


Toning Facial Mist

A blend of toning and balancing essential oils can help normalize dry or oil skin. Combine:
12 drops lavender
6 drops chamomile
6 drops rose otto
2 ounces of distilled water
Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Shake before lightly misting freshly cleansed skin.


Rose & Glycerine Cleansing Cream
A very gentle, soothing facial cleanser.
1 1/2 oz. almond oil
1 T. glycerine
2 T. lanolin
2 T. beeswax
Large pinch Borax
3 T. rosewater
1 t. zinc oxide cream
7 drops rose essential oil

In double boiler, slowly heat almond oil and glycerine together.
Put lanolin and beeswax in glass bowl over a pan of hot water, mix.
Add oil and glycerine mixture into this and beat with whisk.
Dissolve borax in slightly heated rosewater, beat this into the glycerine mixture.
Should be of a cream-like consistency.
Allow to cool.
When cool, beat in the zinc oxide cream and rose oil.
Spoon into decorative jars and label.


Lucinda's Five Flower Facial Steam
1 tbs. of dried chamomile
1 tbs. of dried lavender
1 tbs. of dried jasmine flowers
1 tbs. of calendula petals
1 tbs. of rose petals
Pour a 16-32 oz of boiling water into a boil and add your flower petals. Steam your face by covering your head with a towel. Steam for 15-20 minutes.


Queen Face Scrub
Combine together in a bowl:
1 cup of finely ground dried Chamomile flowers
1/4 cup of ground oatmeal
1/4 cup of ground elderflowers
1 teaspoon of sugar
Mix the dry ingredients together, and add enough green tea or water to make a mud type paste. Gently scrub your face and neck with the moist herb mixture. Apply a warm moist towel to your face for a few minutes then rinse. You look marvelous!!



Cinnamint Body Lotion
A thick, rich, lotion for dry skin.
If you tend to react adversely to spice and/or mint essential oils, you may wish to substitute your own favorites. The lotion base is fantastic so you can add whatever scent you'd like, or leave it unscented.
Yield: Approx. 9 ounces
Ingredients:
62 grams coconut oil
56 grams sweet almond oil
20 grams extra virgin olive oil
4 grams cocoa butter
4 grams shea butter
1/2 teaspoon stearic acid
6 grams beeswax
98 grams distilled water
16 grams vegetable glycerein
1/2 teaspoon borax
1 teaspoon cinnamon leaf essential oil
1 teaspoon peppermint essential oil

Blending Procedure:
Combine the coconut oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, stearic acid and beeswax in a large heat proof (You can use Pyrex) glass measuring cup with a pour spout. Place the mixture in a hot water bath until the waxes are completely melted. Remove from heat.

In a separate Pyrex cup, combine the water, glycerin and borax. Place the mixture in a bath for about 10 minutes to warm the mix and dissolve the borax. (The borax will not dissolve completely until you stir it in; see Step 4.) Remove from heat.

Stir the oils/waxes together to make sure they are evenly combined.

In the separate container, stir the water ingredients to make sure they are evenly combined.

Begin stirring the oil/wax mixture with an electric mixer on medium speed and add the water mixture as you stir. You will see the mixture begin to thicken as you blend it. Continue mixing until until Cinnamint Lotion is thick and rich. I have found that blending for anything less than 20 minutes does not allow enough time for the rich texture to fully form. Add the essential oils after the lotion forms and stir gently to incorporate. Pour into clean bottles. I like to use plastic bottles with flip top lids for easy dispensing.



Basic Lotion
1 oz solid fat (shea butter, cocoa butter)
3 oz skin oil (almond, jojoba)
2 oz rose water (or other herb water)
5 drops rose essential oil ( or other essential oil of your choice)

Melt the solid fat in double boiler, add oil and herb water, alternately, stirring continuously. Remove from heat, add essential oil and stir completely. Pour into 6 to 8 oz bottle, shake continuously until cooled.



Fresh Lemon Body Splash
½ cup 100 proof vodka
1 tsp Lemon oil
1tsp glycerine
Combine all in a spray bottle and shake gently. Shake before each use



Chamomile-Rosemary Foot Bath
You will need:
1 cup cider vinegar
1 cup water
3 tablespoons chamomile flowers
1/2 cup rosemary flowers

Steep the above for ten minutes, and soak feet. Wonderful for tired feet!

Courtesy of Brenda Hyde of SeedsofKnowledge.com
April 8 2003



Violet Milk Cleanser
Add 1 tsp violet petals to 1/4 cup milk. Heat gently until nearly simmering, and keep heating gently until the milk is strongly violet-scented. Strain, bottle, keep in the fridge and use within three or four days. This makes a soothing oil-free cleanser.


Cornmeal Hand Scrub

Mix 1/4 cup corn meal with 3 Tbsp. milk. Heat over low heat until a paste forms.

Add 1 drop almond oil. Let cool. Spread on hands, leave on for about 10 minutes. Give your hands a good scrub, with the mixture, which will remove all dead and dried skin cells.

Rinse well. Hands will feel nice and soft.