Almonds – A Treatment for Hands
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.
Goddess Yogurt Body Mask
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.
Invigorating Coffee Scrub
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.
Lavender- Honey Milk Bath
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.
Lemon Mint Elbow Bleach
1/2 C Mint Water
1/2 Lemon, squeezed
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.
Orange-Citrus Bath Herbs
Use only dried materials.
1 oz. Orange peel, CS (Cut and Sifted)
1 oz. Orange flowers, WH (Whole)
1 oz. Lemon peel, CS
1 oz. Comfrey leaves, CS
Camomile, WH
1 oz. Almond meal
Quantity: Makes 6-12 baths.
To Make: Mix together and store away for use.
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.
Refreshing Orange Scrub
1/2 of an Orange
4 T Cornmeal
To Make: Squeeze orange juice and pulp into a bowl and add the cornmeal. Mix into a paste.
To Use: Apply onto freshly washed face and body. Scrub gently for 2-3 minutes. Rinse, tone, moisturize.
Spa Index Lavender Hand and Foot Wash
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.
Strawberry Hand and Foot Exfoliant
8-10 Strawberries
2 tablespoons Apricot Oil (you may substitute olive oil)
1 teaspoon of coarse salt, such as Kosher Salt, or Sea Salt
Mix together all ingredients, massage into hands and feet, rinse, and pat dry. Strawberries contain a natural fruit acid which aids in exfoliation.
source: http://allnaturalbeauty.us/hbr_hair_skin_body.htm#skin_recipe_bookmark