Herbal beauty recipes

Lavender Handcream:

4 teaspoons sweet almond oil
4 teaspoons coconut oil
3 teaspoons white wax
6 teaspoons glycerine
6 drops lavender essential oil
1. Put the almond oil, coconut oil and white wax in a double boiler or a bowl over a pan of hot water and gently dissolve.
2. Stir the mixture to blend it together and when everything has melted add the glycerine drop by drop.
3. Take it off the heat and stir until creamy.
4. Add drops of lavender oil and mix well. Put into pots.

Cologne
1/2 cup lavender
1/4 cup rosemary
peel of 1 lemon
peel of 1 orange
1/2 cup orange-mint leaves
1/2 cup lemon balm leaves
2 cups vodka
2 cups rosewater
Steep 2 weeks; filter and bottle.

Spicy Cologne
1 oz. rose petals
2 T. lavender
2 thin strips orange peel
1 (1-inch) stick cinnamon, crushed
1 tb. coriander seeds, bruised
10 oz. vodka
Steep 3 weeks; filter and bottle.

Herbal cologne
2 T. rosemary
2 T. lavender
1 T. juniper berries, crushed
1 strip lemon rind
10 oz. vodka
Steep 3 weeks; filter and bottle.

Hungary Water
1 T. rosemary
1 tsp. mint leaves
Grated peel of 1/4 lemon
Grated peel of 1/4 orange
1/4 cup vodka
1/2 cup rosewater
Steep 2 weeks; filter and bottle.

Bay Rum cologne
5 oz. vodka
1 oz. Jamaican rum
3 to 4 bay leaves
1/4 tsp. allspice
1 stick cinnamon
1/4 tsp. orange extract
Steep 1 week; filter and bottle.

SOLID PERFUME RECIPE
½ oz beeswax 1 oz sunflower oil
1 oz coconut oil ½ oz. essential oil.
Using a double broiler, slowly melt the beeswax into the oils. Just before pouring, add the essential of your choice. Pour into small tins or lip balm tubes.


NATURAL ROSE WATER
Rosewater can be used in the bath, (1cup), hot tub or as a splash after bathing . Floral waters tone and clear the skin, and act as a hydrating agents, and help to normalize the acid balance of the skin.
2 Cups distilled water
1/4 cup vodka
1 large clear and clean container
2 cups fragrant rose petals
In your very clean container fill with rose petals 3/4 of the way full. If you want to ingest your rosewater make sure your rose petals were organically grown. Pour the water in until it covers the petals completely. Once your water is in, add your Vodka. Put on your lid and shake it up a little to make sure the ingredients mix
completely. Place in the sun and wait about two weeks. The water will start to turn in a few days. Strain out the rose petals through a coffee filter and presto your have made your very own rose water.
Please note: The unscented vodka will kill any bacteria on the petals and the alcohol prolongs the scent. Store in the refrigerator use within two weeks. If fragrance is not strong enough add a few drops rose oil.

ROSE WATER and GLYCERIN HAND LOTION
In a attractive bottle blend 1/2 rosewater and 1/2 vegetable glycerin (available from any drug store). Shake well and it's ready to use. Great for hands, face, rough elbows

ANGEL WATER
A toner and freshener that brings skin back to a normal pH after cleansing, especially good for oily skin.
1 cup white apple cider
3 TBS. raspberry leaves
5 TBS. rose petals
2 TBS. rosemary
4 TBS. sage leaves
3/4 cup rosewater
Heat the vinegar and pour it over the herbs. Place the mixture in a quart jar and cap it. Do not use a metal lid. Shake daily for two weeks. Strain Add the rosewater to vinegar. Store, covered in jars with a non-metallic lid

MINT LEAF FOOT REFRESHER SPRAY
2 tablespoons spearmint leaves
4 ounces alcohol
4 ounces water
5 drops peppermint essential oil
Combine all of the ingredients into a spray bottle and then shake well. Allow mixture to sit for 12 hours before us. Spray on feet for a cooling treat!

REFRESHING LEG GEL
1/2 cup 100% pure aloe vera gel
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon witch hazel
3 to 4 drops peppermint oil or extract
Combine aloe vera, cornstarch and witch hazel together in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until warmed and thick like honey. Cool completely. Add peppermint oil. Store in an airtight container. Use on legs and feet.


SOAPWORT SHAMPOO
1 tablespoon grated or powdered soapwort root
A handful of fresh or 1tbsp dried chamomile or other herbs
1 cup boiling water
Pour the boiling water onto the soapwort and chamomile, cover and leave
to infuse until cool. The chamomile will add additional strength and scent to the shampoo.

BATH BOMBS
1/4 cup citric acid
3/4 cup baking soda
pinch of borax
Witch hazel
1 t. lavender essential oil
t. dried lavender flowers
Combine dry ingredients, lightly mist with witch hazel and stir, do not over mist or your citric acid will start grow! When the mixture will stick to itself when squeezed in the hand pack it into your molds. When it is dry remove it from the molds.

LAVENDER BODY SCRUB
Put 1 cup of dried lavender flowers and 2 cups of sea salt in a plastic bag. Add 3 drops of lavender essential oil and mix well. Label, seal and leave in a dark place to infuse for at least two weeks.
Put bag into a jar, screw on lid and attach jar lacy.
TIP: If you haven't had time to stitch a gift tag to write out the ingredients and instructions onto, simply decorate a gift tag with lavender flowers, glued on.

LIQUID TALC
4 T French clay or Kaolin Clay
4 T distilled water
1 cup Aloe Vera Gel 10 drops essential oil
Mix water and clay until smooth. Stir in aloe vera gel and essential oil until mixed well bottle in a sterile bottle.