Lifestyle Choices

PATCH TEST

Before starting your herbal treatments always do a patch test. Dab a little of your preparation on the pulse point of your wrist or in the crook of your elbow. Leave it unwashed for 12 hours to see whether you have an allergic reaction to it. Always be sure of the identification of the herbs you are using and if ever you are in doubt, consult your doctor or skin specialist. Many people are allergic to a wide range of ingredients and I urge you to tread with care and always test your blends and mixtures, lotions and salves before using them.

CLEANSING

There are literally hundreds of creams, lotions, tonics and soaps available on the market, enough to confuse anyone. I like to keep my cosmetics simple and effective and the following is a list of natural facial cleansers, fresh and delightful to use, and available to all at very little cost.

Rainwater

The softest and most beautiful water of all — perfect for washing the face and hair. Make a plan to catch some, in a big clean basin, next time it rains.

Buttermilk

Fresh buttermilk can be patted and massaged into the skin. It will tighten pores and tone the skin, as well as cleanse thoroughly. Rinse with clean, clear water.

Herb Milk

Take a cup of chopped rosemary, comfrey, violets, sage, lavender, or scented geranium. Mix into 500 ml (2 cups) fresh milk. Stand for about 4 hours (in the refrigerator in summer), then strain and store in the refrigerator. Use the milk to cleanse the skin, using pads of cottonwool. Even when it thickens it can still be used. I make small quantities frequently.

Cucumber

Next time you make a salad, save the skins of the cucumbers. Use them to clean the face, discarding after use. Alternatively, mash up cucumber pulp, 125 ml (1/2 cup) pulp, with 25 ml (2 tbsp) milk. Store what you don’t use in the refrigerator.

Oatmeal

Make a paste out of oatmeal which has been soaked overnight in water. I find the large flake (non-instant) oatmeal best for this. Use a handful of the mixture as a scrub. Mixed with a strong comfrey leaf infusion instead of water, and left to soften overnight, it is healing for acne, excellent for getting rid ofspots and pimples on the back and neck, and soothing for sunburn. Use 250 ml (1 cup) chopped comfrey to 500 ml (2 cups) boiling water. Stand for 20 minutes, then pour off the tea. Add to this 1 cup of oats. Cover and leave to stand overnight. Use to wash and scrub the face, neck and back each evening.

Rosewater

Distilled and bottled rosewater can be bought from chemists. Alternatively, you can make your own: use 6 cups red rose petals to 1 litre (4 cups) water (preferably rainwater). Boil up for 15 minutes. Cool, strain, bottle and keep in the refrigerator.

Lemon

Lemon juice is antiseptic and cleansing and restores the acidity of the skin. Excellent for the prevention of blackheads, lemon juice can also be used combined with a variety of herbs. Use the skins of squeezed lemons to clean nails and dingy skin on elbows and knees.

Soapwort

Soothing and healing, a strong brew can be made from soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) by boiling up a potful of roots, stems, flowers and leaves with enough water to cover. Boil for 10 minutes, stand, cool and strain. It can be used as a face wash, a hair wash and hair conditioner, and can also be dabbedonto eczema.

Tomato and Lemon Oily Skin Cleanser

Both tomato and lemon are astringent and nourishing for the skin. Chop up, roughly, 1 medium-sized ripe tomato and squeeze out the juice. Add the pulp of 1 lemon. Liquidise for 2-3 minutes. Spread this thin paste on the face, working it in gently with the fingers. Wash off with tepid water. This is an excellent cleanser for oily skin and should be applied two or three times a week. Save any excess and store in the refrigerator.

Herbal Steam Cleansers

Particularly good in the dry South African climate, herbal steam cuts down external grease and deep cleanses the pores. If you have thread veins in your face, however, you should avoid steaming. In a large bowl place ¹/2 cup of one or two of the following herbs: elder flowers, chamomile leaves and flowers, scented geranium leaves, lavender leaves and flowers, rosemary leaves and flowers, yarrow leaves and flowers, peppermint sprigs, eucalyptus leaves. Pour 500-750 ml (2-3 cups) boiling water over the herb. Improvise a towel tent and hold your face over the bowl for about 7-10 minutes. Pat dry, then splash or dab on an astringent to close the pores.

Soap

Always choose a pure soap for your face. Chemists offer a range of excellent beauty soaps — aloe vera and herbs, honey and goatsmilk, buttermilk and cucumber. It is largely a matter of personal choice. Select with care the best for your skin and ask the pharmacist for advice if you are hesitant.

Cleansing Cream

If you use heavy make-up you will need a heavy cream to remove it, particularly in the case of eye make-up. The following is a simple recipe that is pure and natural. It costs very little to make and is just as good as the more expensive creams on the market. It also makes an excellent night cream.

1 measure anhydrous lanolin

3 measures almond oil

1 measure rosewater (available from chemists)

1/2 measure water soluble cream, eg aqueous cream

In a double boiler slowly melt together the lanolin and the soluble cream, stirring all the time. Add the almond oil and the rosewater. Remove from heat. Pour the mixture into an opaque jar. A few drops of flower oil can be added as it cools to give it an aroma, but this is optional.

Vaseline Cleansing Cream

15 g white vaseline 15 g beeswax

50 g almond oil

20 g rosewater

Heat the vaseline and beeswax in a double boiler. Heat the rosewater and almond oil over a low heat. Remove from the heat and combine by adding a little of the rosewater and almond oil mixture to the melted vaseline and beeswax, whisking all the time. Continue whisking until it cools. Half a cup calendula petals infused in 125 ml (Y2 cup) boiling water can be added to the almond oil and rosewater to make a pouring cream (strain before adding to the lanolin and beeswax). Pour into screw-top jars. Label and date.

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