Herbal Beauty Tips for Healthy Skin, Nails and Hair

Quick and inexpensive beauty routines using herbs and apple cider vinegar.

No doubt we spend millions on beauty products. Everyone wants to look their best, but have you ever thought about what’s in those beauty products? It’s a good idea to always read the labels, considering the skin is the largest organ in the human body and does absorb most of the things we rub in or apply.

A mild soap, one that is free of perfumes and additives is best for the skin. Here is a recipe that is refreshing, feels wonderful on the skin and is easy to make.

Refreshing Mint Facial Toner

2 tablespoons of fresh or dried spearmint, orange mint or peppermint

In a large coffee mug, add the mint and pour 10 ounces of boiling water into the cup. If you happen to have a tea ball, you can add the herbs to it and place the tea ball in a tea pot or the mug. Steep for 20 minutes. Strain out the mint or remove the tea ball and pour the liquid into a quart spray bottle. Refrigerate. Apply with cosmetic pads or cotton balls. To help erase puffiness under the eyes, soak 2 cotton balls and gently press them against the puffy area for a few minutes. Use the mint toner for neck area and to help combat dry winter skin. Mint is soothing on the skin, hydrates and helps to smooth wrinkles. I’m outdoors most of the morning, so I carry a few moist paper towels with me in a zip lock bag. I moisten the paper towels with the mint toner, and use the paper towels to freshen up while I’m working in the herb gardens. So cool and refreshing on a hot day.

For Healthy Feet and Toenails.

1 tablespoon each of dried lavender, sage and rosemary. Add the herbs to a heat proof bowl or a tea pot, or add the herbs to a tea ball, and let it steep in the bowl or the tea pot. Pour 3 cups of boiling water over the herbs, and let them steep until cool. Strain out the herbs, or remove the tea ball and add the liquid to a spray bottle. After showering, dry your feet well, and spray them with the herb mixture. Allow it to dry completely before putting on socks  or stockings. Your feet will feel cool and comfortable all day. These three herbs are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Used daily, this spray will help eliminate toenail fungus, dry skin and cracked heels. Always a good idea to carry a small bottle of this spray for use in the gym. After a work-out, spray your feet and especially between your toes.

Herbal rinses for hair

For dark hair- parsley, rosemary, sage

For light hair- chamomile, mullein, marigold

For red hair – henna

For white or gray hair- lavender and rosemary

To make an herbal hair rinse:

Place 2 tablespoons of the dried herb mixture into a muslin bag or a tea ball. Place the bag or the tea ball in a tea pot. Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the herbs and infuse for 3 hours. Add the liquid to a quart spray bottle and add 2 cups of apple cider vinegar. Mix well, and keep it in the shower.

Once or twice a week, spray the herbal mixture on your scalp and massage it in. Wait 5 minutes, then rinse out and shampoo as usual. The vinegar and herb mixture adds highlights to the hair, tones the scalp and removes any excess build-up of shampoo, gel and hair spray. It also controls flaky skin and itchy scalp.

~ Meadow Walker

The mints sell for 5.00 per packet and this includes shipping. Please specify which mint you wish to order. The mints come in 1/2 cup in a handy moisture proof  zippered bag.

We also offer the pre-mixed lavender, sage and rosemary for making the foot spray. This comes in 1/2 cup in a zippered moisture proof bag. The cost is 7.00 with free shipping.

We have a new item in the Etsy Store this year. Calendula Hand and Nail Cream. Made from all natural ingredients. Check Etsy Store for details.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HerbsNSeeds