Health news blog

The history of cosmetics dates back to antiquity. Creams for soothing the skin, removing superfluous hair, banishing wrinkles, preventing baldness and more, are described in Egyptian parchments written more than 3000 years ago. The word ‘cosmetic’ is itself derived from the Greek kosmetikos, to adorn.

The use of cosmetics is universal and prodigious, and the number used increases every year. Increasingly men too are being attracted by subtle advertisements suggesting means of improving their appearance—lured perhaps by the implied promises of sexual and material rewards.

People have been looking for the fountain of youth since time immemorial, and the emphasis on youth has never been greater than in today’s leisure and youth oriented society. Because ageing causes such visible changes in the skin, many men and women would like to delay or reverse these changes. Although many products on the market claim to do just this, unfortunately none has ever lived up to its claims. Some of these so-called rejuvenating creams contain Allantoin, Plankton and embryo or placental extracts. The particles of these extracts are too large to penetrate the skin, and so can have no effect on the skin. Others contain unibiogen’ from the butterfly cocoon. This is advertised as a ’skin food or fertilizer which jolts tired cells back into their plump youthful state’. Aloe Vera, the juice of the aloe plant leaf which contains 99-5 per cent water and 0,5 per cent of various amino acids and carbohydrate, is also touted as a rejuvenating cream. As already mentioned, none of these appear to have the kind of effect that would iend any support to their therapeutic claims. Mink and turtle oil, marketed as superior to other oils in cosmetic preparations, owe their dubious reputations respectively to the expense and beauty of mink pelts and the longevity of the turtle.

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Eucalyptus: (eucalyptus globules) wounds, ulcers, asthma, antiseptic, bronchitis, colds, cystitis, decongestant, depression, diarrhoea, headache, respiratory tract, rheumatic pain, sinus, throat.

Caution: Take great caution when using pure oil.

Fennel: (foeniculum vulgare) mature skin and wrinkles, bowel disorders, epilepsy, flatulence, gastro-intestinal disorders, intestinal cramps.

Caution: oil is toxic in large doses, avoid in cases of epilepsy.

Frankincense: (boswellia thurifera) rejuvenating for mature skin, balances oily skin, asthma, childbirth, bronchitis, mucous conditions, nervous anxiety, uterus disorders.

Geranium: (pelargonium graveolens) oily, acne and mature skin, sluggish congested skin, bums, digestion, menstrual and urinary problems, tension, depression, throat infections, assists circulation, wounds, ulcers, sores.

Juniper: (juniperus communis) acne and combination skin, acne, blocked pores, dermatitis, psoriasis, weeping eczema, inflammation, cystitis, flatulence, colic, dyspepsia, fluid retention, menstruation, arthritis, rheumatism, digestion, cellulite, kidneys, urinary tract Caution: Not to be used in pregnancy or with kidney disease.

Lavender : (lavandula vera) all skin types, acne, boils, eczema, psoriasis, bums, cellulite, flatulence, nervous tension, neurasthenia, high blood pressure, fainting, antiseptic, soothes frayed nerves, headaches, digestion, colic, colds, insomnia, insect repellent .

Caution: oil should be avoided by patients with gastro-intestinal problems.

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Melissa or Balm (melissa officinalis) is known for its many uses-particularly for its gently soothing action. It is used in herbal mixtures for tome baths and products for oily skin and hair. It is often used in perfumery.

Use the liquid for bathing herpes lesions, leg ulcers, gangrene, syphilitic sores and wound. A poultice is effective for drawing the purulent matter out of abscesses and boils.

Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea) make up a strong infusion, 1 cup of leaves and flowers to 3 cups of boiling water, cover and steep for 45 Mullein (verbacscum thapsus) asthma, bruises, bactericide, chicken pox, ear ache, eczema, frost bite, inflammation, measles, mumps, mucus membrane, sedative, soften and soothe skin.

Nettle (urtica dioica) to stop bleeding nothing is more effective than stinging nettle used as a wash or a poultice. Make up a stinging nettle decoction, and massage into the scalp daily to increase hair growth. Nettle encourages circulation and is beneficial as a skin and hair tonic.

Oak Bark (quercus robur) 1 kg of dried oak bark is used for one bath. Soak the bark for 5 hours in cold water, and boil then for 30 minutes.

Plantain (plantago lanceolata) The whole plant, roots, flowers and seeds of the plantain is used. It is used to cleanse the blood and used for all respiratory disorders.- Plantain is an old remedy for wounds, bruises. Crush the fresh leaves and place them on wounds, cuts, scratches, malignant growths, open sores, stings from poisonous insects, dog and snake bites.

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Aromatic Herbal Vinegar

Internally use as a healthy tonic drink diluted in water, as a salad dressing and also used as medicine instead of taking herbal tinctures.

Externally it can be used in the bath, for compressing, in cosmetics, facial steam baths, inhalations, body rubs and aromatic waters

Method: fresh herbs 1-1/2 cups or dried herbs 3/4 cup, add 2-1/2 cups of apple cider vinegar. Place herbs or petals, leaves, seeds or bark into a wide neck bottle. Cover with apple cider vinegar and leave in direct sunlight for two weeks. Strain or filter then bottle, seal and label. When used as a facial toner always dilute 1 part vinegar to 8 parts of water.

Herbal Vinegar Tincture

Are prepared using exactly the same method as tinctures made from alcohol.

In preference I do prefer to work with vinegar for it is a food with a lot of healing benefits on its own. When herbs are infused in vinegar it can only be amplified. Vinegar is cost affective and easily assimilated and has a gentle affect to the body.

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Lemon

Is a good astringent. For closing pores and to tighten the skin use diluted in water. Apply lemon juice to the face and leave on overnight then rinse in the morning for a youthful complexion. Rub fresh juice to scalp to treat dandruff. Cleanse blemished skin with the juice and use to relieve hot burning soles and heels. For treatment of corns, apply fresh slice of lemon over the corn and cover. Leave overnight then repeat until corn has disappeared.

Lime

The juice can be applied to insect bites, pimples, tinea, for prevention of premature greying and for hair falling out. As a beauty aid, add fresh lime to a glass of boiled milk and one teaspoon of olive oil allow to cool. Apply mixture to face, hands and feet every night to look younger. To treat pimples, cracked skin on the soles of the feet and to protect the skin from hot and cold winds.

Orange

The juice is used as a skin softener and perks up dull, lifeless skin. Often used on oily to normal skin, as an astringent and aid for enlarged pores and skin pigmentation problems. It is said to slow skin ageing and ease signs of fatigue.

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Egyptian women spent hours under a kohl pack, tinting their hair as deep a shade of black as the Nile at midnight. For those who chose variety, the leaves of a henna bush were stewed to produce a bright auburn tint. Roman Women of court used a purple willow herb to produce a blonde tint. The Greeks used valerian, which when boiled in oil produced a suitable black dye.

St. John’s Wort was counted on by the Medieval English to produce a black dye capable of concealing grey hair.

There are several natural hair colourings that will gently tint the hair. Prepare a solution of the following herbs to suit your desired hair colour. To make up a herbal decoction add one cup of herbs to 500 ml of rain water, bring to the boil and leave over night. Strain and use the solution either as a hair rinse, in your shampoos or rubbed into the hair and scalp.

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