Herbal Beauty

Please read my disclaimer before proceeding!

Bath Salts
Mix 1/2 cup each; salt, baking soda, and Epsom salts.  Mix well.  Put in a jar and keep tightly closed.  Add to bath water starting with 1 tablespoon.  More if desired.
Optional: Add food coloring and/or scents to personalize your bath salts.

Clogged Pores
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over a handful of parsley.  Cover and steep for 30 minutes.  Strain and apply to your face as a compress for approximately 15 minutes.

Daily Facial Rinse for Acne
In a bowl, pour 1-1/2 cups of water over 3-4 tablespoons of dried thyme* and steep for 30 minutes.  Strain, bottle, and refrigerate.  Use as an astringent.  Discard any left over tea-wash after about 1 week.  Use at least twice a week.
*You can substitute peppermint in place of the thyme.

Eye Makeup Remover
Safflower.  That’s it!

Facial Scrub
Great for blackheads.  Moisten a handful of ground cornmeal* and rub into the face for 5 minutes. Rinse, blot, and apply a moisturizer (See Facial Skin Moisturizer).
*You can substitute warm coffee grounds for the cornmeal.

Facial Skin Moisturizer
Mix the yolk of one egg with one tablespoon of vegetable glycerin.  Smooth the mixture on your face and.  Leave the mixture on your face for 5 at least minutes or until dry. Rinse.

Nail Care
Softens cuticles and strengthens nails.

Mix together 3 tablespoons each; almond oil, raw linseed oil, and honey.  Massage into the cuticles and nails.

Natural Lip Balm
Melt 1-1/2 ounces of beeswax in a double-boiler.  Add 1 ounce of honey.  Remove from heat and beat in 2 ounces of olive oil.  Continue to stir until cool.  Put into a wide-mouth jar.  Apply as needed.

Oily Skin
As a treatment for oily skin, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tablespoon of coltsfoot and steep for 30 minutes.  Strain and use as a wash. You will need to use the tea-wash until you notice an improvement.

Sun Spots and Scars
Apply the juice of aloe vera.  May take several months before you see any results.

Violet Lotion
Great for your skin as it smoothes, softens, and feeds the skin.  Great for under the eye.

Place 1/2 cup of violet flowers and 1/2 cup of violet leaves in a stainless steel pan and cover with almond oil.  Cover and over a very low heat, steep for 6 hours.  Remove from heat, strain, and add 1 ounce of melted beeswax.  Stir until creamy.  Add additional almond oil if the consistency is too thick.  Put in jars and use daily.

Wrinkle Remover
Pour 1-1/4 cups of boiling water over 3-4 tablespoons fresh or 1 teaspoon dried lemon balm.  Cover and steep for 30 minutes.  Strain, bottle, and refrigerate.  Use cold.  Keeps for approximately 1 week in the refrigerator.