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Citrus Body Scrub
3 tablespoons freshly ground sunflower seeds
3 tablespoons medium oatmeal
3 tablespoons flaked sea salt
3 tablespoons finely grated orange peel
3 drops grapefruit essential oil
mixing bowl
glass jar, with lid
almond oil
Thoroughly mix all the ingredients, except for the almond oil, together in a
bowl, then store them in the jar. Blend one-fifth of the mixture with
sufficient almond oil to make a paste. Rub the paste over the body, taking
care to include areas of hard, dry skin such as elbows, knees and ankles.
Remove the residue before bathing or showering. Store the remainder in the
fridge. The slightly gritty texture of a scrub helps to remove dead skin
cells and stimulates the skin's blood supply. The fresh citrus scent of this
one is derived from the grapefruit oil and orange peel. The recipe makes
enough for five treatments.
Rose Nail Oil
1/4 cup almond oil
2 teaspoons apricot kernel oil
5 drops geranium essential oil
2 drops rose essential oil
Massage the base of your nails every day with this oil to encourage healthy
growth. The oil can also be used as part of a manicure: soak the nails for
at
least 10 minutes after you have thoroughly cleaned them. To make the oil,
simply mix the ingredients together and store in a dark colored bottle.
Mint Footbath and Massage Oil
Mint Footbath:
12 large sprigs mint
blender or food processor
1/2 cup cold water
Large bowl
10 cups boiling water
Massage Oil:
1 tablespoon almond oil
1 drop mint essential oil
Place the mint in a food processor and add the cold water. Process to a
green
puree. Pour the puree into a large bowl and add the boiling water. Allow to
cool to a bearable temperature, then soak both feet at once until the water
is no longer comfortable.
For Massage Oil: Gently dry your feet with a soft towel. Mix the almond oil
and the mint essential oil together and rub this well into both feet.
Lemongrass, Coriander and Clove
Bath Oil
2 tablespoons almond oil
Small dish
2 drops lemon grass essential oil
2 drops coriander essential oil
2 drops clove essential oil
Measure out the almond oil into a small dish. Slowly drop in all the
essential oils. Mix all the ingredients together and pour into the bath
while
the water is running. As this bath will stimulate the circulation and
relieve
aching joints and muscles, it is ideal for anyone suffering from stiff limbs
after arduous exercise. Add the oil when the bath is nearly full so that the
essential oils do not evaporate before you get into the water.
Herbal Bath Bags
9" diameter circles of muslin
6 tablespoons bran
1 tablespoon lavender flowers
1 tablespoon chamomile flowers
1 tablespoon rosemary tips
3 small elastic bands
3 yards narrow ribbon or twine
Place 2 tablespoons bran in the center of each muslin circle. Add the
lavender to one bag, the chamomile to a second and the rosemary to the
third.
Gather up each circle of material into a bundle and close it with an elastic
band. Tie a length of ribbon or twine around the neck of each bag, making a
loop so that the bag can be hung from the hot tap in the steam of water.
Herbal bath bags can be hung over the taps so that the hot running water
passes through them, releasing relaxing and comforting scents to make
bath time that much more sensual.
Natural Facial Scrubs and Masks
~Make a paste from a little oatmeal and water.
Apply to face and allow to dry. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.
~Mash 1/2 banana and add 1 tablespoon honey and 2 tablespoons sour cream.
Apply
to face and let set for about 10 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash
cloth.
~Two tablespoons of cornmeal mixed with enough water to make a thick paste
makes a great inexpensive facial mask. Gently apply to face and wash off.
~In a food processor or blender, combine 1/2 cucumber, 1 tablespoon yogurt,
a
few strawberries, and 1 teaspoon honey.Apply to face and allow to dry.
Gently
wipe off with adamp wash cloth.
~Grind 1 tablespoon almonds into a fine meal in a blender or food processor.
Mix almond meal together with 1 tablespoon honey and 1 egg white. Apply to
face
and let set for about 15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.
~To loosen blackheads, combine equal parts baking soda and water in your
hand
and rub gently on your skin for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
~Mash half of an avocado and apply to entire face. Let set for about 20
minutes
and then gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.
~Soak 1 cup dried apricots in water until softened. Puree in blender or food
processor with 2 tablespoons skim milk powder. Apply to face and let set
about
15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.
~Puree 1/2 peeled, sliced cucumber in a blender or food processor and add 1
tablespoon yogurt. Apply to face and let set about 20 minutes. Gently wipe
off
with a damp wash cloth.
~Crush a handful of strawberries and mix well with 1 teaspoon honey. Apply
to
face and let set for about 15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash
cloth.
~Mix 1 1/2 teaspoons honey, the juice from 1/2 of a lemon, and 1 small
carton
plain yogurt. Stir in 1 whipped egg white. Apply to face and let set about
15
minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth. |
