Making your own herbal products is easy and rewarding. It is a
practical way to avoid harmful substances and it helps to contribute
to a healthier world. You will need to make some allowances for
the fact that these are homemade products. Adding small amounts
of Vitamin E oil, grape seed extract or benzoin (from pharmacies),
will help to extend the life of the product and prevent them going
rancid. Some may need to be kept in the refrigerator. Here are a few
simple recipes to try.
Three Roses Moisturiser
Rosehip oil is used for its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic
properties. Rose geranium oil is used to tone whilst rose oil helps to
soothe, heal and slow down the aging process.
2 tablespoons of jojoba oil
2 tablespoons of rosehip oil
1 tablespoon of grated beeswax
1000mg evening primrose oil capsule
1 teaspoon Vitamin E
1 tablespoon rescue remedy
2 tablespoons of rosewater
5 drops rose geranium essential oil
5 drops rose essential oil
1. Place jojoba oil, rosehip oil, beeswax, evening primrose and
vitamin E in the top of a double boiler set over simmering water.
Warm rescue remedy and rosewater in a separate pan.
2. Remove oil mixture from heat and add rescue remedy mix,
beating well with a hand whisk or electric whisk until cream
thickens. Add essential oils and whisk again. Allow to cool
before putting into a jar. To use, massage into the skin. Store in
a cool place.
Flower Balm
This ultra-mild herbal blend of comfrey, elderflower, fennel and
rosewater helps keep moisture close to the pores of dry skin.
Elderflower eases irritation; fennel restores skin pH levels, while
comfrey produces soothing mucilage which has excellent hydrating
properties.
1 tablespoon chopped, dried comfrey root
1 tablespoon dried fennel
1 tablespoon dried elderflower
180ml rosewater
60ml witch hazel
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerine
5 drops rose essential oil
1. Place herbs in a dark glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Add
rosewater and witch hazel. Steep in a dark place 2 weeks, shaking
every day. Strain well.
2. Add glycerine and rose oil to herbal mixture. Pour into a pump
spray bottle.
Mint Astringent
Barley water is a good source of zinc and sulphur, 2 minerals that
help balance oil production. Peppermint is a refreshing, cooling yet
stimulating herb which also calms inflammation.
1 tablespoon fresh peppermint leaves
1 tablespoon fresh lemon balm leaves
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
125ml witch hazel
1 tablespoon vodka
1 tablespoon pearl barley
125ml water
5 drops peppermint essential oil
1. Crush herbs with mortar and pestle. Transfer to a jar with a
tight fitting lid.
2. Add witch hazel and vodka and steep for 10 days. Strain.
3. Place barley in a saucepan with water and boil, and then simmer
for 15 minutes. Cool then strain.
4. Combine barley water and herbal liquid in a bottle. Add oil.
5. Shake well before use. Store in the fridge but use within 2 weeks.
Calendula Cream
Calendula is an excellent for irritated skin and it is included in many
baby products for this reason. It soothes sensitive skin and helps to
protect it from environmental stress.
4 tablespoons of jojoba oil
4 tablespoons of rosehip oil
3 teaspoons grated beeswax
4 tablespoons rosewater
1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
evening primrose capsule
7 drops calendula essential oil
3 drops chamomile oil
1. Place jojoba oil, rosehip oil and beeswax in a double boiler and
allow to melt. Warm rose water in another saucepan.
2. Remove pans from heat. When both are lukewarm, whisk
rosewater into oil mixture. Beat for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Add contents of capsule and Vitamin E and essential oils; whisk
until cool. Spoon mix into a jar. To use warm a little in your
hands then massage into skin.
Herbal Antiseptic Lotion
Thyme is antibacterial and antimicrobial, while witch hazel is a
natural astringent. Yarrow and comfrey are both superb skin healers.
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried yarrow
1 teaspoon dried comfrey
100ml boiling water
60ml witch hazel
1. Put herbs in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Cover bowl
and steep for 15mins. Strain.
2. Pour liquid into a bottle and add the witch hazel.
3. To use, shake bottle well. Put onto cotton wool and wipe gently
over skin. Store in the fridge. Use within 10 days.
Fragrant Foot Soak
The herbs and essential oils in this aromatic blend are astringent and
antibacterial, helping to reduce sweatiness, fight odour and leave feet
fresh and clean. Both rosemary and ginger are warming herbs and
stimulate circulation of blood; their uplifting scents raise the spirits.
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons of fresh sage
1 tablespoon fresh ginger finely grated
1 litre water
1 tablespoon bicarbonate of soda
1 tablespoon Epsom salts
10 drops eucalyptus oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
Small ice cubes.
1. Place rosemary, sage and ginger root in a large saucepan with
water. Bring to the boil. Remove from heat, cover bowl and steep
for 10 minutes. Strain.
2. Add bicarbonate of soda, Epsom salts and essential oils. Mix
well. Top up with extra water and add ice.
3. Soak feet for 15 minutes. Dry carefully.
Scarborough Fair Hair Rinse
This refreshing rinse tones an oily scalp and stimulates hair growth.
The 4 herbs in the classic folk song “Scarborough Fair” are perfect
for correcting the pH balance of the hair and scalp and boost shine.
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
1 tablespoon fresh sage
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
375ml boiling water
Juice of 1 lemon
1. Place herbs in a bowl and pour boiling water over. Cover and
steep until cool. Strain. Stir in the lemon juice.
Moth Repellent Herbs
When you need to repel moths choose from any or all of the following
herbs and place in a sachet or make a repellent by combining lavender,
rosemary, clove and lemon essential oils in a bottle of water. Sprinkle
onto cotton wool balls and wipe surfaces of wardrobes.
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Wormwood
• Sweet woodruff
• Feverfew
• Tansy
• Patchouli
Herbal Beeswax Furniture Polish
Infuse wax with essential oils or herbs picked from your garden.
1. Warm 250ml jojoba or apricot kernel oil and two strips of lemon
zest in a small pan over a low heat until tiny bubbles appear at
the edges. Remove and leave overnight.
2. Strain oil through a sieve lined with muslin into a heatproof
bowl. Place over a simmering pan of water and add 80g of
grated beeswax. Warm, stirring until melted. Mix in six drops of
lavender or lemon essential oil.
3. Pour the polish into a jar or tin. If using glass allow it to cool
first.
4. Leave to set before using.
Fight the Fleas Pet Spray
Fleas can be very unpleasant for dogs and cats and can cause them to
scratch themselves sore. Spray this onto their bedding and directly
onto the pet.
250ml Water
4 – 6 drops of lavender
4 – 6 drops of tea tree oil
1. Mix ingredients together and pour into a spray bottle.
2. Spray onto your pet avoiding the eyes.
