Natural Beauty

A recent trip to Barnes & Noble inspired the inner frugal fanatic inside me when I stumbled upon the book 1001 Natural Remedies by Laurel Vukovic and the editors of Natural Health Magazine. 

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This 192 page book is packed with tons of helpful remedies including but not limited to remedies for every skin and hair type, blemishes, arthritis, insomnia, high blood pressure, eye puffiness, natural cleaning, and even some DIY pet care ideas. The entire book is interesting and left me wanting to read more from Natural Health Magazine, but today I am highlighting skin and hair remedies + a few lifestyle remedies like anxiety (because sometimes everyone has it) and insomnia. Keep in mind that some of these ingredients are a little strange and can only be found at health food stores like Whole Foods.
First, I want to talk about skin; not one particular skin type but some remedies everyone can benefit from. The book mentions 4 nutrients essential for healthy skin, which are Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Omega-3 fatty acids. And did you know milk, yogurt, and vegetable glycerin make excellent natural face cleaners? Don’t waste your money on harsh astringents and toners anymore- you can use witch hazel or peppermint as a natural astringent and for toning, rose water, chamomile, aloe, and lavender work (#293). Cocoa butter is a natural moisturizer you might be familiar with; it is especially good for dry skin. Here are a few recipes to try:

Honey Mask ( Good for blemished skin) #368: “Raw, unprocessed honey is excellent for oily, blemished skin because of its antibacterial properties and its ability to moisturize the skin without making it oily. Cosmetic clay absorbs excess oil from the skin and draws toxins out of the skin. Lavender essential oil calms and soothes skin inflammation and helps heal blemishes.”

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons raw unprocessed honey, 1 teaspoon cosmetic clay, and 2 drops lavender essential oil.

Directions:

Combine; mix into a thin paste. Spread over clean, damp skin. Remove after 15 minutes with warm water

#331: Simple Yogurt Cleanser

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon plain low-fat yogurt, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and 1 drop rosemary essential oil

Directions:

Mix ingredients. Dampen face with warm water and apply with fingertips. Massage onto skin for 60 seconds. Rinse with warm water to remove.

Eye Puffiness:

Create a tea compress by applying cold, wet, black tea bags on closed eyelids for 10 minutes. According to the book, black tea contains tannins, which shrink swollen tissues.

Sometimes we need a manicure without going to the nail salon. I can’t help with nail painting, however, I do have a remedy for super dry hands #422: Add five drops of lavender essential oil and 1 teaspoon almond oil to warm water and soak hands for 10 minutes. That’s it, easy huh?

Next, we are moving onto hair. I must confess lately my hair has been falling out a good bit and it is starting to make me worry, but I looked it up and it’s fairly common in women my age and older. It’s all part of getting old I guess. During my research, I also learned that stress makes it worse. (Ah, it all makes sense now) So, I blame stress. Anyways back to the remedies, onto hair; who knew diet had something to do with the condition of your locks? Well, it totally does. In fact, according to this book, eating carrots, whole grains, seafood, nuts, dried fruits, dark leafy greens, and other yellow and orange vegetables, all benefit from the scalp to the root. Another thing I have learned, courtesy of this book, is that there is an important step between shampooing and conditioning most people do not know about. It’s like an evil hair secret that your hairstylist neglects to mention…HAIR RINSE, which brings me to #465: “An herbal hair rinse removes shampoo residue, helps restore health pH balance to the scalp, and brings out the natural highlights in your hair.” Sounds important to me, what about you?

A herbal shampoo is essential when making your own natural beauty products, which brings me to #s 470 and 471:

#470: Herbal shampoo for dark hair

Ingredients:

½ cup water, 1 teaspoon dried lavender, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves, and 2 tablespoons unscented natural shampoo.

Directions:

Bring the water and herbs to a boil in a small covered pot. Remove from heat and let mixture step for 30 minutes. Strain and pour into a clean bottle. Add unscented shampoo and shake well. Use within one week or refrigerate for use up to a month.

#471:Herbal shampoo for blonde hair

Ingredients:

½ cup water

1 teaspoon dried calendula

1 teaspoon chamomile

1 teaspoon chopped lemon peel

Directions:

Bring the water and herbs to a boil in a small covered pot. Remove from heat and let mixture step for 30 minutes. Strain and pour into a clean bottle. Add unscented shampoo and shake well. Use within one week or refrigerate for use up to a month.

#26: Sip Passionflower tea: “Passionflower and chamomile make a gentle tea for restful sleep.”

Ingredients:

1 cup boiling water

1 teaspoon dried passionflower

1 teaspoon dried chamomile

Directions:

Pour the water over the herbs, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Strain and drink 30 minutes before bed.

The last remedy that I am going to mention is one for anxiety because I know how unfair it is to want to do things but to be to anxious or have way too much anxiety to actually do them. If you’ve never experienced anxiety, consider yourself lucky, and concentrate more on the beauty remedies above. This is for people who suffer from anxiety.

#13: Lavender Inhaler: “To relieve stress and anxiety place a drop of lavender essential oil on to a handkerchief or tissue, and inhale as often as desired.”

Which is your favorite remedy? Would you like more posts on natural remedies? Let me know in the comments!