Herbal Steam Facial

I sometimes treat my self to an Herbal facial. here's how you can try this "spa-like" treatment in your own home:

Bring 4 cups of water to a simmer and add 4 tablespoons of an herb like lavender to a teapot. Pour boiling water over herbs in teapot, cover teapot. Sit at table and cover head with towel, slowly pour steaming herb/water mix into deep bowl, do 1/3 of the water at a time. Allow the steam to build up around your face, but be careful of the hot water. The steam will do wonders for your face, skin is moister and younger looking, feeling. Do not steam longer than 20 mins. Use an astringent immediately after steam while pores are open, for best results.

CHOCOLATE LIP BALM

INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons Cocoa Butter (available in the pharmacy).

3-4 Chocolate chips

1 Vitamin E capsule

1/4 teaspoon almond oil (or cooking oil)

DIRECTIONS:

Melt the cocoa butter in the microwave. Add the chocolate chips and stir until melted. You may have to microwave the mixture again for a few seconds. Add Vitamin E and Oil. Vitamin E is a natural preservative Stir very well, or the lip balm will turn out lumpy. Pour into a small container. Great gift!

Victorian Facial Scrub

A wonderful facial scrub that was used to soften and smooth the

complexion of Victorian ladies.

1 Cup Rose Petals

1 Cup Lavender Flowers

1 Cup Whole Oatmeal

1/2 Cup Chopped Almonds

Additional Supplies:

Coffee Grinder, Food Processor or Blender

Grind together all the ingredients until the texture is quite fine. Store in an air tight container. To use the scrub, rub a handful gently onto damp skin in small, circular motions. Allow it to dry on the skin for a minute or so, then rinse off.

Lavender Peel-off Mask

1 packet unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup fresh fruit juice/herb extract* (*A few tablespoons of chopped lavender -- you can use less if it's dried.)

3/4 cup of water

Place the water and herbs in the saucepan with the heat on low. Let simmer for about 10 minutes. Let cool and then strain -- press on the herbs to get all of the juices. Gently heat the gelatin with your liquid until the gelatin is dissolved completely. Let cool until it is almost set. Smooth the mixture on your face and let dry completely. Peel off!

Dry skin facial steam

Here's a steam to soften the skin and lift your spirit. Bring a pan filled with about 16 oz. of water to a boil. Remove from the stove and add about 5 drops of rose (Rosa damascena) or geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) essential oil to the water.

Cover your head with a towel, making sure that the sides are closed, and lean over the pan.

The steam will open pores and cause you to perspire, helping to release trapped toxins and debris from the skin. The essential oil will also help soften the skin and lift your spirits

Lavender-Rosemary Toner

Normal to Dry Skin

Makes 8 ounces of toner

4 ounces spring water

1 ounce lavender water

1 ounce rose water

1 ounce witch hazel

1/2 ounce vegetable glycerin

1/2 ounce organic aloe vera gel (health food store)

1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar

16 drops lavender oil

16 drops rosemary oil

4 drops lemon oil

4 drops of rose oil

Put ingredients in a clean bottle, and combine them in the order shown above. Apply gently to clean face and neck, using a clean cotton pad.

Store in refrigerator, capped tightly between uses.

Scented Body Lotion

1/8 tsp. Borax 1/4 cup distilled water 1/2 cup

almond oil

1 tbs. grated beeswax Fragranced essential oil, your

choice of scent(s)

Combine borax and distilled water; set aside. Heat almond oil and beeswax together until beeswax is almost melted. Remove from heat and stir. Heat borax and water mixture to almost boiling. Slowly pour water into heated oils while stirring with a wire whisk.

Once the water is completely mixed into the oils allow the mixture to cool. Once it is completely cool add the essential oil or oils of your choice for fragrance. Makes about 8 ounces.

Handmade Herbal Lotion

Ingredients:

1/8 teaspoon borax

1/4 cup distilled water

1/2 cup sweet almond oil

1 Tablespoon grated beeswax

Combine the borax and distilled water. Set aside. Heat the oil and the beeswax gently until the beeswax is almost melted. Remove from the heat and stir. Heat the borax and water till almost boiling. Slowly pour the borax water into the almond oil mixture while stirring with a wire whisk. Add 4-5 drops of an essential oil such as rose, lavender, rose geranium, or other gentle scents, also whisking it into the mixture. Pour into a container and allow to cool. Makes 8 ounces.

Herbal Face Scrub

This recipe is very mild and gentle on your skin and an excellent face scrub to make and use for beginners.

Herbal infusion (use dried chamomile, elderflowers or fennel for normal skin types);

2 tablespoons fine oatmeal

1. Mix 3 tablespoons of the herbal infusion (your choice of herb, hot water, left to "infuse" for approximately 20 to 30 minutes then strain, keeping the infused liquid) with the oatmeal to make a paste.

Let stand, allowing the oatmeal to soften, about 5 minutes.

2. Gentle massage the mixture into your face for five minutes.

3. Rinse well with tepid water. Pat dry, tone, and moisturize.

This

Fluoridated toothpaste came about as the result of a discovery made in Naples, Italy in 1802, when local dentists noticed yellowish-brown spots on their patient's teeth - but no cavities. Subsequent examination revealed that high levels of fluoride in the water caused the spots and prevented tooth decay, and that less fluoride protected teeth without causing the spots. It took a while for the discovery to be implemented; the first U.S. fluoridated water tests didn't take place until 1915, and Crest, the firth toothpaste with fluoride in it didn't hit stores until 1956.