Have your Spa try some common exotic garden herbs
A kitchen herb garden provides avid cooks with a resource for fresh aromas, flavors, and colors to incorporate in their dishes. This same garden can also be used to incorporate beneficial actives into home spa creations. Fresh facials, hair teas, and tonics can benefit greatly from the addition of fresh herbs. Here are some uses for both common, and exotic garden herbs.
Basil
Basil makes an effective cleanser, and can help to tone and rejuvenate the skin. In hair care, Basil can help eliminate scalp irritation, dandruff, and excess oil. Try making a water based infusion with fresh basil to take advantage of its properties. This tonic can be used as a wetting agent in facials, a fresh toner, or a hair rinse. Fresh Basil can also be mashed and used as a cleanser.
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm has natural astringent properties which can be helpful in the treatment of oily skin and hair. Try steeping Lemon Balm leaves in hot water to create an herbal hair rinse, or a fresh facial toner. This Lemon Balm infusion may also be helpful in the treatment of cold sores.
Mint
Fresh Mint leaves can be used to add a cooling, refreshing sensation to many types of home spa recipes. The leaves can be infused into oil or water, or can be minced, mashed, or used whole. Water that has been infused with Mint leaves can be added to hair rinses, used as a wetting agent in masks, or as a rinse for summer pedicures. Try adding the infused oil to scrubs, cleansers, and hair conditioning treatments. Fresh leaves can be incorporated into fresh scrubs, ubtans, and masks.
Lavender
A classic skin care ingredient, Lavender can be used in a number of ways to take advantage of its antiseptic, balancing, and soothing properties. Like Mint, Lavender is versatile, and can be infused into oil or water, can be minced, mashed, or used whole, and can also be dried for use in herbal sachets and potpourris. Try using fresh Lavender to create toners, skin tonics, hair rinses, or fresh body scrubs.
Sage
Sage is a potent cleanser with strong astringent properties. It can be used in facial toners and hair rinses to help balance oily skin or scalps. In hair care, Sage can also help to darken hair, making it a great choice for those with black or brunette hair who are hoping to intensify their look.
Ladies Mantle
This lesser known herb has been used historically to enhance the appearance of the bust and decolletage. Traditionally, a tea is made from fresh or dried Ladies Mantle and applied like a toner to the neck, decolletage, and bust on a daily basis. It is believed that the regular use of a Ladies Mantle tonic could help to increase the appearance of the skin in this area by toning and tightening the area.
Eyebright
Another uncommon herb, Eyebright contains a rich amount of Zinc, which can be helpful in repairing skin’s tissue. Eyebright is often used to create herbal facials and eye packs and is believed to help reduce puffiness, and dark circles around the eyes. Try combining Eyebright or Eyebright tea with fresh cucumber and potato for quick under-eye treatment.
Yarrow
Easily found at most nurseries and garden shops, this lovely, flowering herb has a reputation for its soothing, comforting abilities. Infused in oil or water, Yarrow makes a wonderful addition to sensitive skin treatments. Try using Yarrow tea as a wetting agent in simple masks, and as a moisturizing toner. Yarrow can also help to soothe sensitive scalps, or itchy, irritated skin. Yarrow can sometimes cause photo-sensitivity, so take care when using Yarrow treatments during the day.
Thyme
Thyme can be very handy when used in hair rinses and tonics due to its ability to help relieve oily scalp and dandruff. It strong cleansing abilities also make it a good choice for oily and acne prone skin care. Try adding Thyme to hair rinses and tonics by infusing the herb in water.
Fresh Herb Facials
Summer garden’s burst with a bounty of tasty, nutritious vegetables and herbs. While you are reaping the harvest, consider reserving a small portion of the bounty to put toward skin care. Fresh herbs and veggies can be used to create simple, beneficial formulas to soothe, cleanse, or moisturize your skin. Pluck the ingredients in these recipes from your own garden, or visit a local farmer’s market to take advantage of the best that nature has to offer during the summer months.
When you are working with fresh masks, it is important to keep the mixtures as clean and sterile as possible. Treat the masks with the same care that you would fresh food. Only touch the mixtures with clean utensils, never your fingers, and store any leftover mixture in your refrigerator for up to three days in a clean, labeled container.
Yogurt mint mask
Normal and sensitive skin
This simple mask is made with pureed fresh mint, plain yogurt, and gentle Kaolin Clay. The lactic acids in yogurt gently exfoliate the skin while the Kaolin Clay draws out toxins and dirt that can clog pores and endanger your complexion. Fresh Mint gives this mask a cool, refreshing aroma that will leave you feeling blissfully refreshed.
Ingredients
1 tbsp. Fresh Mint Leaves, rinsed, dried, and chopped
1 tbsp. Plain Yogurt
1 tbsp. White Kaolin Clay
Directions
In a small mixing bowl, combine Kaolin Clay and Plain Yogurt. Mix the ingredients until they become smooth, then transfer them to a blender or food processor. Add the mint leaves, and blend until the leaves have been finely minced. Remove the mixture and transfer it to a clean container. Refrigerate the mixture for up to three days, then discard it.
Usage
Apply a liberal amount of the mask to your clean face. Wait 15 – 20 minutes before rinsing with clean, tepid water. Follow with your favorite toner and moisturizer.
Cucumber honey mask
All skin types
Cucumber is known for its abilities to cool and refresh the palate. It can do those things and more when used in skin care. Fresh Cucumber can help reduce puffiness and calm irritated skin. It also makes a nice cleanser. Mint and Cilantro are also great at cooling, refreshing, and increasing circulation in the skin. Honey Powder and Kaolin Clay increase the cleansing properties of this recipe by drawing out dirt, toxins, and excess oil.
Ingredients
1/4 Cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 tsp. Fresh Cilantro Leaves, rinsed, dried, and chopped
1 tsp. Fresh Mint Leaves, rinsed, dried and chopped
1 tbsp. Honey Powder
1 tbsp. Yellow Kaolin Clay
Directions
In a small mixing bowl, combine Kaolin Clay, Honey Powder, and chopped Cucumber. Mix the ingredients until the powders dissolve, then transfer them to a blender or food processor. Add the Cilantro and Mint leaves, and blend until the leaves have been finely minced. Remove the mixture and transfer it to a clean container. Refrigerate the mixture for up to three days, then discard it.
Usage
Apply a liberal amount of the mask to your clean face. Wait 15 – 20 minutes before rinsing with clean, tepid water. Follow with your favorite toner and moisturizer.
Lemon basil mask
For oily or acne prone skin
This recipe is great for acne prone skin. Basil, Honey and Lemon help to clean up excess oil and sebum, which can lead to breakouts. Gentle Kaolin Clay and soothing Chamomile Tea complete the recipe by drawing toxins from the skin and taking the edge off irritation.
Ingredients
Fresh Basil, rinsed, dried, and chopped
Honey Powder
Multani Mitti Clay
Fresh Lemon Juice (about one wedge)
Chamomile Tea or Dried Chamomile Flowers
Boiled Water
Directions
Begin by steeping the Chamomile in boiling water. Set the tea aside to steep and cool while you work on the rest of the recipe. In a small mixing bowl, combine Kaolin Clay, Honey Powder, and Chamomile Tea.Combine the chopped herbs in a blender. Remove the mixture and transfer it to a clean container. Refrigerate the mixture for up to three days, then discard it.
Usage
Apply a liberal amount of the mask to your clean face. Wait 10 – 15 minutes before rinsing with clean, tepid water. Follow with your favorite toner and moisturizer.
