This
delightfully refreshing scented herb has antibacterial and
antifungal properties and is used extensively in hair care
products for its tonic properties.
This
recipe is courtesy of
Jeanne Rose "Kitchen
Cosmetics"
1 oz. oil of Rosemary
1/8 oz. oil of Lavender
Quantity: Enough for about 6
months of use.
To Make: Simply mix the two
oils together and store in the dark or in a small amber or
light-proof bottle.
To Use: Put a few drops of
the oil on your palm, brush your palm against your hairbrush and
then brush your hair.
Tip: Proper Hair Brushing:
Every day, rain or shine, men and women should thoroughly brush the
hair. Brushing dislodges dirt and distributes the natural hair
oils. Bend at the waist (this increases circulation to the
scalp) and massage the scalp with fingertips. Then brush hair
starting at the nape of the neck with long easy strokes from nape to
ends. Follow each of the brush strokes with your other hand to
eliminate static electricity. Brush about 100 strokes in this
upside down position. This is guaranteed to give new life to
your hair.
This
recipe is courtesy of
Noreen Finneran
"Incredible
Edible Spa"
3 T Coffee grounds (organic-caffeinated)
1 T Salt (optional)
To Make:
Brew a fresh pot of coffee. Enjoy a cup, if you like. Put grounds
(and salt) in a small bowl. Use grounds within 20 minutes of
brewing before oxidation occurs.
To Use: Scrub mixture over entire body
while in the shower. Rinse. Tone. Moisturize.
This
recipe is courtesy of
www.honey.com
National Honey Board
1 medium Cucumber,
peeled and cut up into pieces
2 tsp. Honey
Puree cucumber in a
blender. Line a sieve with cheesecloth and set the sieve over a
glass bowl or measuring cup. Pour the cucumber puree through the
sieve and let it stand for 15 minutes for the juices to drip into
the bowl. Pour the clear juice into a clean bottle and add honey.
To use, shake the bottle
and saturate a cotton pad with the lotion. Sweep over face, neck and
chest morning and night, and let it air dry (about 3 to 4 minutes).
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes about 1/2
cup.
If you swim in a
chlorinated pool for exercise on a regular basis, the same damage
you've noticed happening to your skin and bathing suit, is happening
to your hair, as well. Try this treatment at home to keep chlorine
damage to a minimum.
1 egg
1 eggshell's worth of olive oil
1 quarter of a peeled cucumber
Blend the egg, olive oil
and peeled cucumber. Spread evenly through your hair, leave on
for 10 minutes, then thoroughly rinse. For the best results
year-round, continue this treatment monthly.
This mask combines avocados, which are
rich in Vitamin E, with carrots, which are high in beta-carotene
and antioxidants, and cream, which is high in calcium and protein.
These ingredients will rebuild skin collagen, improve tone and
texture, and fade age spots.
1
avocado, mashed
1
carrot, cooked and mashed
1/2
cup heavy cream
1
egg, beaten
3
tablespoons honey
Combine all ingredients in a bowl until
smooth. Spread gently over your face and neck, and leave in
place 10-15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and follow with
your favorite toner.
2 drops
orange (or your favorite citrus) essential oil
Puree the kiwi fruit in a food processor until liquid. During
processing, add yogurt, orange water, almond or apricot oil, and
ground almonds. Process until thick and cream like. Add
essential and stir to mix. To apply, massage gently over neck, face
and décollet?to cleanse. Rinse well. Makes one application.
Fennel has been used throughout history as an aid to digestion
or as a slight diuretic. As an infusion, fennel seeds can be
gently cleansing and toning for the skin, and they can help reduce
puffiness and superficial irritation. Thyme, which is used in
antiseptic preparations, is a good astringent. Because this
cleanser is very gentle, it can be used each morning. Dab it on
your face and neck with a cotton ball, and rinse.
2 sprigs fresh thyme,
crumbled (or 1/2 T dried Thyme)
2 teaspoons fennel
seeds, crushed
1/2 cup boiling water
Juice of Half Lemon
Mix the thyme and fennel seed in a bowl and cover with boiling
water. Add lemon juice and steep for 15 minutes. Strain the infusion
and store the liquid in a jar, in the refrigerator.
If you have
visited spas and resorts in exotic locales such as the Pacific
Rim, Bali, Hawaii, and Tahiti, you've probably seen a facialist
select and mash fresh fruit in front of you for a fresh-on-the
spot enzyme mask. It's easy to recreate this mask at home -- we've
found a Balinese mask for you which will leave your face fresh and
glowing.
2/3 cup fresh papaya,
mashed
15 oz. can pure pumpkin
1 egg, beaten
1. Prepare the mask. Cut
the papaya in half and scoop out the seeds. Scoop out the papaya
fruit and mash it well to eliminate lumps in the mask. Beat the egg
until it is frothy. Combine that with the papaya. Add the pumpkin to
the egg/papaya mixture and whip together. You can also mix the
ingredients in the blender or a food processor for an extra smooth
mask.
2. Prepare your face. Wash with your daily cleanser and remove all
residual makeup on your skin. Rinse with warm water. It's very
important to have clean skin to ensure you get maximum benefits from
the facial.
3. Apply the Mask. Cover your entire face, being careful to avoid
the immediate eye area. If you have sensitive skin, test the mixture
on your hand before spreading it on your face. You'll feel some
tingling as the enzymes in the pumpkin go to work immediately --
gently exfoliating your top layer of skin. It works like a scrub
without being abrasive to your skin. Leave the mask on for 10
minutes.
4. Rinse Off Mask. After you've relaxed for ten minutes it's time to
rinse. The mask is fairly thick -- head for the kitchen sink.
Ginger invigorates, and
oil soothes. Try this double dose for dry skin.
2-inch piece of fresh
ginger
2 teaspoons light sesame
oil
2 teaspoons apricot
kernel oil
2 teaspoons vitamin E
oil
?cup cocoa butter
Preheat oven on lowest setting. Finely grate the ginger just enough
so that you have about an 1/8 teaspoon of ginger "juice." To obtain
the juice, squeeze the freshly grated ginger over a small bowl.
Place the ingredients (including the ginger) in a glass container
and heat just until the cocoa butter is melted and the oils are
blended. Pour into a clean, dry container and store in a cool dry
place. You can add a few drops of orange or other essential oil for
a nice twist.
This
beautiful flowers properties include: relaxant, antispasmodic,
tonic for the nervous system, antibacterial, analgesic, and
antiseptic. It's a mood lifter.
Use this wash to relieve
red and inflamed hands and feet.
1/2 cup dried Lavender
Flowers
1/2 cup finely chopped
Fresh Sage
2 cups of water
8 drops of Lavender Oil
In a saucepan, combine lavender flowers, sage and water. Simmer,
covered, on low heat for 20 minutes. Strain mixture through
cheesecloth and let cool. Discard the solids, retain the liquid. Add
Lavender Oil, shake to emulsify, and then apply to hands and feet
with a soft wash cloth or cotton pads. Repeat as necessary, or
desired.
This recipe is
courtesy of
www.honey.com
National Honey Board
3 T dried Lavender
flowers*
1 1/2 cups whole
mild, cream, or combination
1/3 cup Honey
Process lavender flowers
in a blender until they become a powder, turning off the blender and
scraping down the sides as necessary. Whisk together lavender
powder, milk and honey in a glass bowl, then pour into a jar. Before
each use, shake the jar and pour half of the mixture into the bath.
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes enough for
2 baths.
*Dried lavender flowers
can be found in the spice section of gourmet and specialty stores.
This recipe is courtesy of
Jeanne Rose "Herbs &
Things"
1/2 oz. white beeswax
1 1/2 oz. sweet almond oil
1 oz. apricot kernel oil
1 oz. strawberry juice (or apricot or peach or
honey-dew melon)
8 drops tincture of benzoin
(known to be STRONG sensitizer)
Wash, drain, and mash 4-5 large strawberries.
Squeeze out the juice and strain through muslin or cheesecloth.
Heat the beeswax and the oils together in a double boiler until the
wax is melted. Remove from the heat and add the juice quickly.
Beat the mixture until it is fluffy. Add the benzoin and beat
until it is cool. You must beat the mixture until it cools or
else it will separate.
This recipe is courtesy of
Jeanne Rose "Herbs &
Things"
1 Peach
4 drops tincture of
Benzoin
(known to be STRONG sensitizer)
2 oz. coconut or sweet
almond oil
1 1/2 oz. orange flower
water and 1 or 2 drops orange oil
Wash, drain, mash, and
then strain the juice from 1 peach through muslin or cheesecloth.
Add to it 4 drops of tincture of benzoin, 2 oz. coconut or sweet
almond oil, 1 1/2 oz. orange flower water and 1 or 2 drops orange
oil. Beat together until it is fluffy and pour into a clean
4 oz container. It will keep for a longer period if you
store it in the refrigerator. Use the lotion to moisturize
your skin whenever it feels dry.
Long
known for its calming, sedating effects, it makes a beautiful
hair rinse for blond hair as well as has calming
anti-inflammatory effects for sensitive skin.
In a double-boiler, melt
1/2 tsp. Macadamia Nut oil, 1/2 tsp. jojoba oil, 1/2 tsp. lanolin
and 1/2 tsp. Cocoa butter until it is liquefied. Add
1/2 tsp. of dried Chamomile flowers and stir gently for about 10
minutes. Strain the mixture with a very fine sieve into a
small Pyrex ramekin and clean the area of the double boiler where
you had the mixture (Dry the area well). Pour the new
strained mixture back into the double boiler and reheat. Add
another 1/2 tsp. of lanolin and 1/2 tsp. of beeswax shavings.
Heat and stir until liquefied completely. Remove from the
heat and pour into a 1/2 oz. amber or cobalt container. This
is enough for personal use. To use on dry hands, or to give
as gifts, you'll want to double or triple this recipe.
This is a very soothing
formula that has real "staying" power.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk the egg white, then blend in the
Yogurt, Jojoba oil, Honey and then the Kaolin clay until it becomes
a smooth creamy mixture. In a separate bowl, mash up the
banana until it is smooth, then blend into the first mixture.
The best way to use this
masque is while sitting in the tub because it is a bit messy. Apply to the
entire face, neck and
shoulder area. As it sits, keep applying more while you
build the masque up as well as massage it in. Let sit for at
least 10-15 minutes and then remove
with a warm washcloth. Finish with a tonic or hydrosol on a
cotton ball to remove any excess product from the skin, then
moisturize as usual.
This is a wonderful
softening and firming treatment in one.
To Make:
Make a thick infusion of Peppermint, strain out the herb and to
1/2 cup of the liquid add the Lemon juice. Mix together.
To Use:
While studying or working, apply this liquid with cotton pads to
the elbows; let it dry and make another application. Repeat
applications 3 or 4 times. Do not remove.
Why: The
Lemon juice acts as a bleach, the Mint as a soothing aromatic
astringent.
Quantity:
Makes about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of Lemon Hair Spray.
To Make: Chop
up the Lemon in a wooden bowl so that you don't lose any of the
juice. Add the chopped Lemon to the water in the top of a
double boiler. Simmer the mixture until the liquid has been
reduced by half. Strain through cheesecloth or fine silk cloth
and pour the liquid into a bottle that will fit a pump-type sprayer.
A washed and rinsed Windex bottle will do for your spray container.
Add 1/2 cup of water to thin the mixture if necessary.
To Use: Spray
your hair with this mixture whenever necessary. Since it is
gentle, with not alcohol or chemical additions, it can be used on
children's hair too. Should be made fresh every few days and
kept in the fridge between uses.
Tip No. 1:
One cup of the Lemon Hair Spray can be preserved with 1 oz. or more
of Bay Rum.
Tip No. 2:
Substitute an Orange for the Lemon for dry hair.
This mask treatment will help to soften
and firm your skin
at the same time.
3 T Yogurt
1 tsp. Organic Powdered
Kelp
1 tsp. Honey
Place 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt into a small dish. Add
the powdered Kelp, stir well. Add the honey and stir until
all three ingredients are blended into a smooth consistency.
To use: Cleanse face, apply the mask all over face, neck and
shoulder area. Massage lightly (the Kelp acts as beauty
grains to promote exfoliation). Leave on for about 5-10
minutes. Remove with a warm washcloth. Use a tonic or
hydrosol on a cotton ball for complete removal. Apply your
moisturizer as usual. Kelp contains iodine, so those with
iodine allergies should not use this mask.
Beyond this flowers heavenly scent lies its properties:
antidepressant, astringent, cleansing, antiviral,
antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, as well as aphrodisiac.
16 fl. oz. Rosewater to
which have been added 1 oz. dried red Rose petals, this soaked for
3 days, then strained out and removed
3 oz. Beeswax Essence of
Rose, if desired
To make:
Into a water bath or the top of a double boiler put the oil and
the wax. Heat until the wax is dissolved and then remove pot
from the fire. Add the Rosewater slowly, beating all the
while, and beat until it is cool. At this point add the
essence of Rose a drop at a time, if you like. Beat the
creamy lotion until cold, pour into a bottle and store away for
use.
To use: This
lotion makes an excellent Rose Cold Cream to remove old grimy dirt
or makeup. Simply apply with clean fingertips and remove
with fine tissue. Then you might take a teaspoonful of
cornmeal in each palm and rub the hands and face well with it.
Rinse with warm water and then cold. Pat the remaining fine
film of cream into the skin for night-time smoothing.
Why: Almond
oil and Rosewater as we know is an excellent moisturizing
lubricant for normal to dry to sensitive skin; cornmeal is a
gentle tonic stimulating to the tissues and acts as a "beauty
grain".
Tip:
Whenever making fine cosmetics always use a porcelain or glass
pot. Some beauty experts recommend stainless steel cooking
pots but these often leach poisonous heavy metals into the
enclosed liquids. Nonmetal is best for herbs.
2 tsp. Zinc Oxide rubbed
into a smooth cream with 4 fl. oz. Almond oil
10-20 drops oil of Rose
Quantity:
Makes enough for about three 4 oz. cream jars.
To Make:
Heat the beeswax and the lanolin gently in a water bath. Do
not let the wax simmer or burn. Remove from heat and add the
Almond oil slowly. Add the zinc oxide-Almond oil cream
beating the mixture continuously. Add the borax-Rosewater
and beat until cool. Add enough oil of Rose to scent the
mixture to your liking. Beat until cold with a small wooden
spoon. Pour into three 4 oz. cram jars and let sit until
solidified.
To Use:
This makes an excellent everyday cream that can be used under
makeup or as a moisturizer. Simply rub gently onto face,
hands or throat. As a throat moisturizer the cream is
excellent, especially when rubbed in with a large marble or small
avocado pit. rub in gentle circular motions while looking up
into the sky, thereby stretching and stimulating your neck
muscles.
Why: Almond
oil replaces necessary body oils; Rosewater is a gentle astringent
and moisturizer replacing liquid to the cells and tightening the
skin; lanolin is a potent emollient and very much like human oils;
borax is a skin softener and will help to produce a very white
cream while its disadvantage is that it often adds a grainy
texture; zinc oxide is useful for healing reddened, sore or
irritated skin.
To Make: In a
small covered enamel pot, bring the Rosebuds and water to a slow
boil, lower the heat, remove the cover and simmer for a minute or
two until some of the water boils off. Strain out the liquid
into a clean container and refrigerate. When cool, add the
Rosewater to 4 oz. of the herbal liquid. You must use this
liquid within 3 days.
To Use: Rinse
your eyes whenever necessary using this fluid with either an eyecup
or the hollow of your palm.
Tip No. 1:
You can also add 1 oz. Rosewater directly to 4 oz. of distilled or
boiled water, without using the Rosebuds called for above and bottle
the liquid. This will not spoil and may be used at your
leisure.
Tip No. 2:
Rosewater may be purchased at any old-fashioned pharmacy, herb or
nutrition store and in most fine liquor stores (Rosewater is often
used in fine mixed drinks). You might also find it available
in Turkish or Middle Eastern specialty shops.
To Use: At
bath time you may, 1) put a large handful of the mixed herbs into
a muslin bag and drop the bag in the hot tub; 2) drop the herbs
directly into the water; 3) put the herbs into a perforated metal
ball available in the cooking section of department stores and
often used in the cooking of rice; 4) make an infusion of herbs
and strain the liquid into the tub.
Why: In
this bath mixture, Orange peel soothes the skin, Orange flowers
impart fragrance, Lemon peel is an astringent, Comfrey leaves are
a healing emollient and astringent, Camomile is soothing and a
healer, and Almond meal adds a slippery feel.
Tip: There
are several kinds of metal balls used in cooking rice. Some
have chains attached that can be hung from the edge of pot or tub.
One small 3" diameter ball I purchased came equipped with a cork
float that was perfect in my tub. Now I can always keep
track of my bath ball.
This
recipe is courtesy of
Jeanne Rose
"Kitchen Cosmetics"
Soft kid gloves
1 C Almond meal
1 T Comfrey root, PO (Powdered)
1 T Parsley, PO
Some Honey
Some raw Egg
1 tsp. Tincture of Benzoin
(known to be STRONG sensitizer)
Quantity:
Makes about 12 beautifying hand treatments.
To Make: Mix the herbs and Almond meal
together and store away. When your hands need care, take about
2 tablespoons of the herbal mixture and mix in a small bowl with a
bit of the morning's egg (before it is cooked of course), the
Benzoin, and enough Honey to make a thick but non-drippy goo.
To Use: About once a month when your
hands get dry and chapped or red and rough, pat a thick layer of the
goo all over your hands, massaging around each and every finger and
then ask someone to put on the gloves for you. Go to bed.
Why: During the night the Almond will
smooth, the Comfrey heal, the Benzoin protect, the Parsley medicate
and the Honey will soothe all those problems that your hands have
accumulated during the month. Kid gloves are important because
they do not absorb the mixture, whereas with cotton gloves the
cotton itself absorbs, leaving very little for your hands. The
gloves can be washed by hand or in the washing machine after each
use.
This is a Honey Almond scrub with a Peppermint
twist! This product will exfoliate your skin to help make it
smoother and softer.
4 T Almond meal (or Almond flour)
2 T Jojoba oil
4 T Honey
5 drops of Peppermint essential oil
Pour the Almond Meal and
Jojoba oil into a 4 oz cobalt or amber
glass jar (preferably).
Stir well. Then mix in the Honey and Peppermint essential oil.
Keep stirring until the mixture is completely mixed.
To use: Cleanse the skin first.
Apply about a teaspoon amount of the scrub to a moistened face.
Mix with water to make it a more fluid application (do not add water
to the jar). Scrub the skin gently, letting the almond meal do
the work (harder pressure will only damage capillaries!).
Massage every square inch of skin except the delicate eye tissue.
Remove with a warm washcloth. Be careful to remove every bit
of the scrub. Apply a tonic or hydrosol with a cotton ball to
remove any excess product. Finish by applying your
moisturizer. Use about once a week to help keep the skin soft
and smooth and relieve surface tension.
This
sweet, sticky substance is made by Honeybees from various
types of flower nectar. It is used in cosmetics for its
emollient properties as well as for coloring and flavoring.
This
recipe is courtesy of
www.honey.com
National Honey Board
Rejuvenate and replenish your
skin. Sweet almond oil, which is light and easily absorbed,
softens and nourishes skin. Honey as natural humectant,
moisturizes, leaving even tired skin incredibly smooth.
2 T Honey
2 T Sweet Almond oil
5 drops essential oil of Rose
1 drop Vitamin E oil
Mix honey, sweet almond oil and essential oil of
rose.
Massage onto clean face and neck with fingertips.
Relax for 15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.
Gently pat dry to reveal a fresh, soft complexion.
This
recipe is courtesy of
www.honey.com
National Honey Board
The extremes of heat and cold we endure throughout
winter can make even the greatest of hair look and feel like
straw. This nourishing conditioner blends honey for shine; olive
oil for moisture and essential oil of rosemary to stimulate hair
growth.
1/2 cup Honey
1/4 cup warmed Olive oil (2T for
normal to oily hair)
4 drops of essential oil of
Rosemary
1 tsp. Xanthum gum (available in
health food stores)
Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix
thoroughly. Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a tight fitting
stopper or lid.
Apply a small amount at a time to slightly dampened
hair. Massage scalp and work mixture through hair until completely
coated. Cover hair with a warm towel (towel can be heated in a
microwave or dryer) or shower cap; leave on to nourish and condition
for 30 minutes. Remove towel or shower cap; shampoo lightly and
rinse with cool water. Dry as normal and enjoy shinier, softer and
healthier hair the natural way.
This
recipe is courtesy of
Jeanne Rose
"Kitchen Cosmetics"
1 T Marigold flowers
1 T Chamomile flowers
1/2 C Water
Almond oil, as much as is necessary
1 T Carrots, well-mashed
1 T Lecithin granules
1 tsp. Wheat germ oil
Quantity: 1-2 masks
To Make:
Bring water to a boil and pour over the Marigold and Chamomile
flowers. Cover and set aside. Mash the carrots, add
wheat germ oil. Strain out the liquid from the flowers and add
them to the carrot-wheat germ oil. Mix thoroughly and add the
lecithin granules. If you have a blender, blend it finely.
The texture can be changed with the addition of Almond oil; add a
bit to make a smooth cream for dry skin; if you have oily skin add
enough Almond oil to blend these disparate ingredients.
To Use: Wash face. Steam clean it
for a few minutes with one of the steam mixtures. Apply a
thick layer of the Marigold Face Mask to the face in smooth upward
motions. Rest on a slantboard or rock in a rocking chair, but
in any case leave the mask on for 15 minutes. Wipe it off with
tissues, rinse with warm water and then close your pores with a
refreshing cold water rinse.
Why: Marigold and Chamomile flower
infusion is healing to the tissues; carrots add texture and Vitamin
A that may or may not be absorbed through the skin; lecithin is an
emulsifying agent in the recipe that is also necessary for healthy
tissues; wheat germ oil adds Vitamin E; and the Almond oil is for a
creamy consistency.
Tip: This mask does not harden but
stays relatively moist. It will leave your skin smoother and
refreshed, stimulating both facial circulation and muscles.
This
recipe is courtesy of
Noreen Finneran
"Incredible
Edible Spa"
Or
1/4 Cup Yogurt
3 T Honey
3 T Puréed
Pumpkin OR
3 T
Puréed Carrots
To Make:
Use canned (nothing added), or slightly cooked pumpkin or carrots.
Drain, and purée in a blender. Pour into a bowl with the yogurt
and honey.
To Use: Draw a warm bath. Lather your face
and body with the yogurt mask. Sink into a warm bath and soak for
10-20 minutes. Rinse in the shower, tone, and apply a light
moisturizer.
These recipes are the intellectual
property of the creators and may not be duplicated without their permission.
We wish to thank Jeanne
Rose, Spa Index, and the
National Honey
Board for generously allowing us to share their recipes with you.
For more information or to ask permission to use their recipes beyond your own
personal use, please visit their web sites.
It is
important to note that while all of these recipes contain natural
ingredients, even natural ingredients can cause allergic reactions in some
individuals. It is imperative that you test any substance on a small
area of skin (preferably on the inner arm area) before using in the
recommended way. If any redness, swelling or sensitivity occurs
within 20-30 minutes, discontinue use immediately and remove the substance
well. Please contact your physician if you experience any
serious complications. Please be advised that you are using these
beauty recipes at your own risk. SharAmbrosia cannot be held liable
for any reaction that you encounter while using any of these beauty
recipes. None of these formulations are meant to treat or diagnose
any medical condition. The information on this page has not been
evaluated by the FDA.
