At the time, I didn't know my grandmom was an herbalist and neither did she. She used lots of fresh herbs in season, especially for cooking, but I remember her picking, hanging and drying herbs/flowers that she would mix up and brew into a concotion for a purpose. Like Tisha's mamam, my grandma had her own magical lotions and potions.
Bath Sachets (Infusion)
She use to love a nice bath after a long day. Every once in a while, when she would take the time, she'd infuse a handful of leaves/flowers in 2 pints of boiling water for 15 minutes, then strain and add it to her bath. Or for expediency, she'd tie some fresh or dried leaves/flowers into a piece of cheesecloth and suspend the sachet below the hot water faucet as the tub filled. I've done it with cheesecloth but now most times I just pack herbs into a perforated tea infuser. It's tempting to just toss a handful of aromatic herbs into the tub, till ya get up and there's bits and pieces clinging to you!
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Facial Steam
- 2 cups fresh herb or 1 cup dried herb, such as lavender, peppermint or thyme. Choose herbs that are best for your skin type.
*
- hot water (not boiling)
Place the herbs in a bowl, pour in the water and stir well. Drape a towel over your head to trap the steam, and steam your face for five minutes.
If your skin is dry use a little moisturizing cream after the steam.
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Though after steaming and patting dry, I usually apply a facial mask to also help draw out impurities from the skin and to exfoliate, tone, then moisturize. ;)
Herbal Face Pack
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons chopped herbs or flowers, selected according to skin
- 1 - 2 tablespoons fine oatmeal (grind or mortar and pestle if necessary to make fine)
Stir the yogurt and herbs together until well blended. Stir in just enough oatmeal to form a soft paste and mix well.
Spread the face pack over the skin, avoiding the area around the eyes and mouth. Place a slice of cucumber over each eye and rest for ten/fifteen minutes. Wash off with warm water.
If you need to store the paste, spoon it into a jar, cover, and store in the refrigerator.
*This list may help in choosing what herbs to use for your skin type.
Chamomile ~ Cleansing, cooling, soothing
..............................Marshmallow ~ Emollient
Comfrey ~ Emollient
............................................................. Mint ~ Astringent, cleansing, soothing
Dandelion, Bleaching, drying
.................................................. Parsley ~ Lightening
Fennel ~ Astringent
...............................................................Rosemary ~ Cleansing, stimulating
Horseradish ~ Bleaching, drying
.............................................Thyme ~ Cleansing, antiseptic,
Lady's mantle ~ Astringent
.....................................................Violet ~ Cleansing, emollient
Lavender ~ Antiseptic, stimulating, toning
................................Witch hazel ~ Astringent, healing
Marigold ~ Astringent, cleansing, toning, healing
.....................Yarrow - Cleansing, toning
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This is a gentle toning lotion, perfect to use after the pack, before moisturizing.
Lavender-flower Lotion
- 5 tablespoons lavender water
- 5 tablespoons witch hazel
- 5 tablespoons lemon juice, strained
- 2 to 3 drops lavender oil
Pour all ingredients into a bottle, cap and shake vigorously. Shake well before each use. Splash on to tighten and refresh the skin.
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Mint astringent
- 2 2 tablespoons chopped mint
- 4 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 2 1/2 cups distilled water
Put the mint and vinegar in a lidded jar, cover and leave to infuse seven days. Strain and pour in the distilled water. Mix well. Bottle the astringent, cover, and shake well before using.
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These are old recipes so, nope, they didn't use SD40. Grandmom would make floral waters/toilet waters using, yep, vodka and white vinegar. ;) She often used rose, lavender or a combination of various fragrant flowers which she grew in her gardens along with herbs and vegetables. She sometimes used the rosewater in baked goods but she mostly used them on herself and stinky little me.
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Though occasionally I'd catch her spraying the cat...lol. She'd often spray a handkerchief with the scented water and tuck it between her breasts. I think a lot of them did that.
A lovely body splash/spray, if you like lavender.
Lavender Water
- 2 cups lavender flowers
- 2 pints distilled water, boiling
- 2 tablespoons vodka
Put the lavender flowers into a heatproof container, pour on the boiling water and stir well. Cover and leave to infuse for about 48 hours stirring occasionally.
Strain the liquid through a non-metallic strainer pressing the flowers against the sides to extract the maximun fragrance. Stir in the alcohol, pour into bottles, cover and label.
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Floral Toilet Fragrance
- 4 cups fragrant flowers or petals, such as chamomile, lavender, marigold, rose and violet
- 2 1/2 cups white wine vinegar
- 1 1/4 cups distilled water
Place the flowers or petals in a heatproof container. Heat the water and vinegar to boiling point, pour onto flowers and stir well. Cover and leave in a warm place for three weeks, stirring at least once a day.
Strain through a non-metallic strainer, pressing the flowers against the sides to release the maximum fragrance. Pour into bottles, cover, label, and store.
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I love using natural remedies instead of chemicals to heal/improve my body. I hope you enjoyed reading these old recipes!
Bella