Using The Power Of Herbs In Your Skin Care Regimen

Our skin is the largest organ in our body and protects us from heat, cold, radiation, smoke, germs, and other pollutants. It also has to deal with hormonal changes, stress, and small injuries. So, it’s no wonder that it sometimes reacts angrily with redness, outbreaks or simply by not looking its best. And when it is struggling already, we come along with chemically formulated scrubs, deodorants, cleansers, toners, and moisturisers to add to the skin’s workload.

As we all know, skincare starts with a good diet and drinking plenty of water. Many of us have also begun to change to a more natural skincare regime, by choosing organic, naturally formulated beauty products. But we still expect cleansers, moisturisers and deodorants to come out of purchased bottles and jars and don’t consider the most natural skin care products we have access to: fresh herbs.

By making use of our herb gardens, we use the gentlest, safest, and most efficient method of skincare there is. Herbal beauty products don’t use stabilisers, additives, or preservatives. Granted, they don’t keep as long, but they are easily replenished when needed and, as you control the quantity you produce, are also very economical. Most of all, your body is exposed to just the freshest, cleanest, most natural ingredients.

For an efficient facial scrub, try oatmeal and milk. The oatmeal is a gentle exfoliator, while the milk softens the skin. Mix two tablespoons of oatmeal with enough milk to form a paste. For very oily skin, use buttermilk. For very dry skin, add an egg yolk to the paste. Apply the paste to your face, leaving out the eyes, and leave for a few minutes. Remove with a damp muslin cloth, gently massaging any trouble spots.

Herbal teas make great toners and facial rinses. Chamomile tea – use a teabag or steep one teaspoon of dried flowers in a cup of boiling water – soothes and calms inflamed skin and is gentle enough to be used on dry or sensitive skin. If your skin is oily, try a rinse made from fennel tea. Make this by lightly crushing a teaspoon of fennel seeds and steeping in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Peppermint tea makes a refreshing astringent.

Outbreaks are often a sign of stress, so as well as treating the affected skin, you should try to relax and re-balance yourself. Use chamomile, or essential oil of tea tree to calm and soothe the skin. Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties and will fight infection and inflammation. To help you relax, try a soothing bath to which you have added an infusion of lavender or lemon balm (three tablespoons of chopped herbs added to half a liter of boiling water and left to cool). Alternatively, if no herbs are immediately handy, add 6-7 drops of essential oil of lavender, lemon balm or bergamot to your bathwater.

Herbs also make very efficient natural deodorants. Any herb with antibacterial properties will be especially useful as it attacks the microorganisms that cause the unpleasant sweaty smell. Coriander and licorice are traditionally used, as are cinnamon, ginger, rosemary, cumin, and fennel. Steep the dried herbs in boiling water then leave to cool and use as a wash. Or tie them into a muslin cloth and add to your bath water. A mixture of cinnamon and ginger is particularly pleasant as the fragrance lingers on the skin. Mix with a very mild baby shampoo for a refreshing, fragrant body wash.

To avoid getting hot and sticky in the first place, try sage. This beautiful looking herb is an excellent antiperspirant. Drink it as a tea – it goes well with honey – or add a strong infusion to your bath water.

The next time you are reaching for facial cleansers or lotions, consider what’s flourishing in your herb garden or what you have stored in your kitchen cupboard. You’ll save the money for the expensive cosmetics and your skin may thank you.


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