Lifestyle Choices

STRAWBERRY (Fragaria vesca)

Strawberry leaves make an excellent astringent wash and, used in the bath, are particularly good for oily skins. Brew up 250 ml (1 cup) leaves to 750 ml (3 cups) boiling water, stand, steep and cool. Use ripe, mashed fruit as a face pack — it is astringent and tightening. Combine with oats or mealiemeal as a cleansing and invigorating face pack for oily skin and coarse pores.

SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus)

Ground sunflower seeds make an excellent nutritious face pack. Grind 500 ml (2 cups) seeds and mix with milk for dry skins and yoghurt for oily skins, to form a paste. Apply to a clean, damp face and allow it to dry (I find 20 minutes is about the time needed — relax and read a book). Wash off with warm water. Use sunflower petals in hair rinses for blonde hair.

TANSY (Tanacetum vulgare)

Tansy is a cleanser — make a tea of 250 ml (1 cup) leaves to 750 ml (3 cups) boiling water, stand, steep for 20 minutes and strain. Dab onto pimples and use as a wash. Combine this herb with comfrey or chamomile flowers.

TEA (Thea sinensis)

A cooled, used teabag makes an effective poultice for soothing sunburn. Place a wet bag over the eyes to reduce puffiness or to use as a compress for headaches or over-tired eyes.

THYME (Thymus vulgaris)

Thyme is antiseptic and stimulant. A thyme tea — 250 ml (1 cup) herb to 750 ml (3 cups) boiling water — is an effective under-arm deodorant, aftershave lotion, mouth and face wash for problem skins, or a deep cleanser. Use it in the bath, in vinegar as a hair rinse and as a face steam. Apply the tea to eczema, psoriasis and rashes.

TUBEROSE (Polianthes tuberosa)

The gloriously fragrant flowers of the tuberose can be steeped in oil (preferably sweet oil or almond oil) and used as a massage oil or in the bath. Vinegar made with tuberoses (see section on vinegars) has a beautiful, lingering fragrance.

VANILLA (Vanilla planifolia)

The beans from the vanilla vine, if you can find them, should be treasured, as, infused in oil, they can be used over and over again. Vanilla is soothing and smoothing to the skin, and in bath oil (I like almond oil best) vanilla is a treat.

VERBASCUM (Mullein) ( Verbascum thapsus)

The leaves and flowers of verbascum are used wherever astringent or emollient properties are needed. It is excellent for hair rinses, especially for oily hair: 500 ml (2 cups) leaves and flowers to 750 ml (3 cups) boiling water. Stand for 20 minutes, strain and use. A thick decoction of flowers, boiled up, makes a yellow hair dye. Steep the flowers in oil and use as a massage oil for aching muscles.

VETIVER (Khus-khus grass) (Vetiveria zizanioides)

The highly fragrant root of the mature vetiver grass can be used in oil or in vinegar. It makes a beautiful addition to bath- water and is soothing and softening. The oil is also an enriching, soothing massage oil.

VIOLET (Viola odorata)

The leaves and flowers of the common garden violet are emollient and soothing. They can be made into a tea: use 250 ml (1 cup) flowers and leaves to 500 ml (2 cups) boiling water, stand for half an hour, then strain. Use this tea for skin irritations, spotty skin, rash, sunburn or wind-burn. Violet water is a soothing aftershave lotion and as a dab onto a baby’s chafed skin, or for nappy rash. In a double boiler simmer the leaves and flowers in almond oil, add lanolin and use as a soothing lotion for dry skin.

WALNUT (Juglans nigra)

Walnut hulls, boiled up in water, make a dark brown hair or skin dye. A decoction of leaves (500 ml (2 cups) leaves to 750 m1-1,5 litres (3-6 cups) boiling water) can be added to shampoos and hair rinses or used in the bath as an invigorating astringent. A stronger brew is said to be soothing and healing when dabbed onto skin eruptions such as herpes; used as a mouthwash, it clears up minor mouth infections. Steep leaves and hulls in oil and use as a scalp massage to clear dandruff.

WATERCRESS (Nasturtium officinale)

Watercress is astringent and cleansing. Use fresh in a bath bagfor blemishes and freckles. Make a strong tea — 250 ml (1 cup)watercress to 250 ml (1 cup) boiling water, and dab ontofreckles and spots, or use as a wash.

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