Herbs for Health by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Herbs for Health

Garden Beauty Recipes

What better workplace could there be than a garden? Tending plants, surrounded by blooms, birds and sunshine, seems more like play than work. And within just a few weeks, your efforts bring additional rewards in the form of a beautiful, lush landscape and delicious food for your table.

The cost of a day spent working outdoors can be rough hands, sunburn and an occasional insect sting. But by taking just a few minutes to protect yourself before and after you go outside, your skin and hair can look as vibrant and healthy as your well-tended plants.

Skin Soothing Chamomile Spray

By Janice Cox

Makes 8 ounces

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is easy to grow almost anywhere. This sweetly scented herb is an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent, helping to relieve the sting caused by too much sun or wind. You can make this skin-soothing recipe as easily as a cup of tea. (If you don’t have chamomile flowers, you can make a spray from a few drops of chamomile essential oil mixed with a cup of water.)

½ cup fresh chamomile flowers
1 cup boiling water

In a ceramic container, pour the boiling water over the chamomile; steep for at least 1 hour.

Strain out the flowers and pour liquid into a clean spray bottle or other container.

To use, spray on clean skin or apply with a cotton pad. Let tea dry on your skin; do not rinse.

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Fennel Cleansing Facial Mask

By Janice Cox

Makes 2 ounces

After a day outdoors, treat yourself to a bit of extra pampering. This facial cleansing mask with fresh fennel will leave your complexion incredibly soft and smooth.

1 tablespoon fresh fennel leaves, finely chopped OR 2 teaspoons dried fennel leaves
¼ cup boiling water
1 tablespoon pure honey
2 tablespoons plain yogurt

Place fennel in a glass or ceramic bowl, then pour boiling water over the leaves.

Allow liquid to cool completely, then strain out leaves. Mix together fennel water, honey and yogurt.

To use, brush or massage the mixture into damp skin. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water, followed by a final cool rinse. Blot skin dry.

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Herbal Insect Repellent

By Janice Cox

Encounters with flying and crawling insects come with a gardener’s territory. Not all insects are "bad bugs," however. Lacewings, ladybugs and ground beetles, for instance, help control aphids, caterpillars and other garden pests. If you let these good bugs do their job and practice other organic methods, you can avoid using harsh chemical pesticides in your garden.

When you need to protect yourself from pesky insects, such as mosquitoes and ants, try an herbal insect repellent (use only as directed and do not apply undiluted essential oils to your skin):

• Citronella: Add a few drops of citronella essential oil to your favorite sunscreen or lotion in the palm of your hand, then apply it to your skin before you work outdoors. Citronella oil is a popular insect repellent widely used in candles, incense, lotions and oils. Extracted from the lemongrass species Cymbopgon nardus, citronella oil has a pleasant, lemony scent.

• Mint: Ward off ants and flies with spearmint or peppermint. Add a drop or two of these oils to creams, lotions, sunscreens or natural oils, such as sunflower or light sesame oil and apply it to your skin. To repel ants and flies on your deck or patio, keep a pot or two of mint near seating areas, where you’ll also enjoy the refreshing scent.

If an insect still manages to sting or bite you, apply a soothing paste of baking soda, water and a little lemon juice to the area. This old-fashioned remedy is especially helpful for bee and wasp stings.