To use plants in your beauty products, bring a small saucepan of water to the boil, then add a few handfuls of the herb, steep until the liquid cools then use immediately or jar up excess and place in the fridge for later use. Add leaves to steam facial, mash leaves or use as a compress. Add drained liquids to cleansers and lotions or use direct. Don’t forget to leave some for your Kombucha Tea!
Aloe Vera- Testing has shown aloe Vera to regenerate skin cells 16 times faster than skin alone. This powerful beauty herb will leave your skin softer, smoother and reduce wrinkles and blemishes. It can be applied directly to the skin and left overnight, or added to your favourite recipe. Used body wide, especially as a cooling eye treatment. Skin, Hair, Eyes Face, Body. Use the fleshy gel inside only.
Comfrey– Contains mucilage which can soften and heal the skin, and allantoin which will stimulate skin cell growth. You can apply a comfrey compress to bruises or wounds by rubbing coconut oil on the skin, then a comfrey poultice then wrapping in cling wrap or bandage. Skin, Wounds.
Rosemary- Will increase circulation and stimulate hair growth, Smelling and drinking will increase memory functions. Just Boil in water for 5 mins, allow to cool, strain off then use the liquid as desired. Hair, Skin, Internally.
Lavender- Well known for its relaxation properties, either steep in boiling water, use fresh or dried. Hair, Skin, Tea, Internally.
Chamomile- We all know chamomile tea is great to drink in the evening but did you also know it is great for the complexion? Use the spent tea flowers directly on the skin or add a concentrated tea solution to your products. The EO is beneficial to the complexion
Nasturtium- A tea solution can be used as an alternative to toner, especially effective if you have oily skin. Ancient use of Nasturtiums sees it being used as a hair tonic & scientific research backs this up. Applying the tea solution hair to the can stimulate capillaries increasing circulation and the flow of nutrients to the scalp.
Rose- Rose water is an age old toner for a beautiful clear complexion. It is edible and can be added to salads, desserts, drinks, ice cubes or baths.
Calendula- Leaves for swollen tired feet in a foot bath. Use the petals in teas and salads for a clearer complexion. The petals can also be a substitute for saffron.
Parsley- Parsley is high in iron and can help you absorb more iron and nutrients in your meals when added, eating it after a meal will help with dinner breath, as an alternative to an after dinner mint. Parsley Water can be used as an eye rinse, Over the face as a toner.
Violas- Ok so these don’t really have a beauty purpose apart from being very healthy for you, I just added this power flower because it’s my favourite. The whole plant in edible, high in Vitamin A & C, also high in antioxidants and anthocyanins. Healthy insides mean healthy outsides ladies, and just like this little gem it doesn’t hurt to be pretty whilst doing it.
