This has been one rainy spring and without time to run out to the garden between rainfalls, dandelion has had plenty of time to make her presence known! You see this lovely bit of sunshine popping her head up pretty much anywhere she wants to ;) Dandelion is so sassy and brazen, she really does put herself way out there and for that I think of her as a great symbol of springtime.
Dandelion also helps me remember the importance of community and the lovely give and take that community can provide. If you have ever communed with dandelion then you know what a community minded spirit she has. Clumps of flowers growing together, sharing space and soil give me the feeling that these are plants that like being together. Even their roots intertwine in the most lovely way. Being present and available for community is such a healthy and happy way to live, thank you dandelion for reminding me!
There is no stopping this plant once she gets going. Try popping the flower heads off and the mutation process begins, more flowers and seed heads than before if you can believe it! Pulling the plant up from the leaves will really do nothing either as the root can propagate itself and grow more plants from the same plant. Digging her up with root intact is the way to do it if you are trying to establish some boundaries with this plant.
This is how to harvest dandelion for food as well. Make sure when urban harvesting to only harvest from spaces that you know are not chemical laden, which can either be really easy or really difficult. Yards of people that do not spray their lawns are usually a good place to start. I steer clear of medians, sidewalks, and city parks.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is great medicine. One of the best spring tonics, dandelion will help you cleanse that winter comfort food quick enough. Dandelion leaves are diuretic and have an affinity for the kidneys ("piss a bed") and stomach. They are also high in calcium, potassium, and B Vitamins (Gladstar, 2001). The root is great for cooling and cleansing the liver and the blossoms are good heart medicine. Make a dandelion blossom wine and your heart will be glad you did!
Dandelion is an alkaline food so it helps balance out all the acidic food that is common in the "American diet". We have been adding the leaves to salads. They are wonderful at this time of year and it is later in the year that they become more bitter. The same goes for the root. Think of it as similar to burdock root, sauteed in stir fries or added to soups. Put fresh dandelion sap on scars and they will heal and disappear over time. Fresh spring greens are a great way to protect your thyroid from doses of radiation that is becoming ever more present in our environments. This whole plant is full of so much medicine!
Susun Weed's book "Healing Wise" was one of my first herb books I ever bought and I still refer back to it for food and medicine recipes. The dandelion chapter is especially helpful and clever. Rosemary Gladstar has an excellent way of helping people understand the versatility of herbs as food and medicine. I recommend her book "The Family Herbal" for everyone.
Here are some other things to try with dandelion:
-dandelion aperitif
-dandelion blossom facial toner
-dandelion blossom syrup (yum!)
-dandelion wine
-add an arm-full of dandelion blossoms to a bath for a golden dose of summery sunshine!
-add molasses to a decoction of dandelion root and that is a mineral rich (especially iron) way to start the day and your liver will be very happy!
-leaves can be made into a delicious pesto (add other greens like nettle and basil to cut the bitterness)
-steam the leaves and add some Tamari or Braggs
-ease indigestion with the root of dandelion
-use dandelion leaves for urinary tract health (UTIs and overall health) for men and women
-for women: herbs that are good for the liver are often good hormonal balancers as well, think of dandelion root when your moon brings painful cramping, bloating, and mood swings along with it.
-for men: dandelion can help with impotence when there is a loss in vitality
Dandelion holds a great message to humans and that is when something can be found in such great abundance it is really up to us to learn more about it instead of try to eradicate it. The reality is that resources are going to become more scarce in the years to come and it is going to become more difficult to obtain simple foods that we have become accustomed to buying in the grocery store.
If you have not already started thinking in terms of sustainability, dandelion is a great place to start. A safe, easy to locate and identify herb with lots of uses! Go eat some weeds, would ya!?
May 6, 2011
February 21, 2011
It's Nettle Time!
It's true, folks. This could be my favorite time of year. All those sweet little juicy nettle tops are making their way through the dirt to begin the next cycle of the growing season. I feel so lucky to be a part of it all.
Nettle (Urtica dioca) is super mineral rich and good for the kidneys and delicious. These greens are so rich in vitality, they need a lot of ummmph to make it through the surface of the soil. They are the pioneers of springtime, they let us know that warm soil is just around the corner, and the time to plant is nearly upon us. It is also a good time to cleanse our bodies, get rid of that winter funk and the heaviness of winter that we may have accumulated from too much heavy food over these long months. This is the plant world's way of making us stronger for the planting season, they need us to go out there and get those gardens ready...Makes me wonder who is really in control here...
Grandmother Nettle also demands respect, if you have ever mistakenly reached down to touch one of her stalks then you know what Im talking about...Ouch! Yes she has a way of letting you know that she is the one that makes the rules. Wearing gloves while harvesting is a must.
I harvested some nettle yesterday with my herb class in an old growth forest near the Gorge. It was a magical and soul enriching day for many reasons, but the feeling I got when I kneeled down on the ground to meet her was the most incredible feeling. I was praying down to Grandmother Nettle, this was her church and I was the conduit for the plant world. So I sang her a song and told her how beautiful I think she is, grandmothers do like that kind of stuff.
Thank you Nettle.
Here are some of her uses, although she has so many I couldnt possibly list them all.
Nettles - cook it like spinach and it is a delicious green to include in recipes.
-Nettle soup
-Nettle quiche
-Nettle pesto
-Nettle greens stir fried with kale, tamari, and sesame seeds
Nettle Vinegar- with all those minerals still intact. I like to use apple cider vinegar.
Nettle hair wash- make a tea and add some vinegar to preserve. Use to strengthen hair.
Nettle- dried for tea...to drink all winter long when you are dreaming of spring!
The plant itself is excellent to add to the compost, brings nutrients to the soil, and the dried stalks can be used to make cordage. Like I said, so many uses.
Nettle tea can be enjoyed by children, the elderly, and regular old adults. It is strengthening to the kidneys and is an overall health tonic, mineral and nutrient rich. It also is an alterative, helping our bodies function more effectively over a long period of time.
Paul Bergner says it is the quintessential Pacific Northwestern herb, it is drying to the constitution and perfect for taking on the cold, wet, rainy winters we get here. This is especially true when there is mucous in the respiratory tract or just that overall cold, sluggish, bogged down feeling we get from living with too much rain and not enough sun!
Enjoy the nettles!!
Nettle (Urtica dioca) is super mineral rich and good for the kidneys and delicious. These greens are so rich in vitality, they need a lot of ummmph to make it through the surface of the soil. They are the pioneers of springtime, they let us know that warm soil is just around the corner, and the time to plant is nearly upon us. It is also a good time to cleanse our bodies, get rid of that winter funk and the heaviness of winter that we may have accumulated from too much heavy food over these long months. This is the plant world's way of making us stronger for the planting season, they need us to go out there and get those gardens ready...Makes me wonder who is really in control here...
Grandmother Nettle also demands respect, if you have ever mistakenly reached down to touch one of her stalks then you know what Im talking about...Ouch! Yes she has a way of letting you know that she is the one that makes the rules. Wearing gloves while harvesting is a must.
I harvested some nettle yesterday with my herb class in an old growth forest near the Gorge. It was a magical and soul enriching day for many reasons, but the feeling I got when I kneeled down on the ground to meet her was the most incredible feeling. I was praying down to Grandmother Nettle, this was her church and I was the conduit for the plant world. So I sang her a song and told her how beautiful I think she is, grandmothers do like that kind of stuff.
Thank you Nettle.
Here are some of her uses, although she has so many I couldnt possibly list them all.
Nettles - cook it like spinach and it is a delicious green to include in recipes.
-Nettle soup
-Nettle quiche
-Nettle pesto
-Nettle greens stir fried with kale, tamari, and sesame seeds
Nettle Vinegar- with all those minerals still intact. I like to use apple cider vinegar.
Nettle hair wash- make a tea and add some vinegar to preserve. Use to strengthen hair.
Nettle- dried for tea...to drink all winter long when you are dreaming of spring!
The plant itself is excellent to add to the compost, brings nutrients to the soil, and the dried stalks can be used to make cordage. Like I said, so many uses.
Nettle tea can be enjoyed by children, the elderly, and regular old adults. It is strengthening to the kidneys and is an overall health tonic, mineral and nutrient rich. It also is an alterative, helping our bodies function more effectively over a long period of time.
Paul Bergner says it is the quintessential Pacific Northwestern herb, it is drying to the constitution and perfect for taking on the cold, wet, rainy winters we get here. This is especially true when there is mucous in the respiratory tract or just that overall cold, sluggish, bogged down feeling we get from living with too much rain and not enough sun!
Enjoy the nettles!!
December 5, 2010
In a Nutshell...
The growing season nearly killed my inspiration and my blog this year, but alas it's time I turned the wheel and got back into gear.
Signs that hope is in sight:
1. Last year's Horizon catalogue was out on the table a few nights ago...I must be dreaming of spring!
2. I repotted my houseplants just so I could get my hands in some dirt.
3. I actually got my garlic in the ground this year on time. So satisfying!
At the end of summer my garden was looking to be a sad sight. The weeds were winning the space war, the slugs were making a comeback in the heat of summer...I didn't even know that was possible by the way...and the projects I had planned for this year's garden were not even a glimmer in the near future.
My peppers were skinny and small, my eggplants flowered but never grew fruit, and my squash were looking very malnourished. My tomatillo budded out into thousands of cute little starry flowers with fruits the size of grapes. In the end, it was my tomatoes that saved the day and made a beautiful comeback. I think it may have been those tomatoes that got me out into the garden this fall for the garlic planting. I needed some kind of motivational kick in the bum after all those let downs.
Herbally, there was much more sweet satisfaction to be had this year. After all, this is my attempt at being a vegetable gardener, but I cant say it is where my heart truly lies. The calendula was off the hook. I made more calendula oil then I know what to do with (although I am sure it will come in handy, it already has), dried some, and made a big ass tincture of it. Definitely my biggest success of the summer months...or I should say, thank you Calendula, she did all the work! Monarda and valerian grew more than I realized was possible in one season. I also made a lot of new herbal friends this year; boneset, grindelia, blue vervain, agrimony, chamomile, and hops. So, all was definitely not lost.
Since we did not get the fall garden in or even much of a cover crop, the work to get things going in spring will be much more than I want to face. We feasted on Jerusalem artichokes the same day we planted the garlic and that felt like a nice pat on the back from the plant spirits. They are looking out for us!
We are only weeks away from the Winter Solstice. Longer days and more light are only a stone's throw away and then there will be spring. This is our time to rest up and dream about the possibilities before the sun forces us out of our shells. Make the most of it!
Signs that hope is in sight:
1. Last year's Horizon catalogue was out on the table a few nights ago...I must be dreaming of spring!
2. I repotted my houseplants just so I could get my hands in some dirt.
3. I actually got my garlic in the ground this year on time. So satisfying!
At the end of summer my garden was looking to be a sad sight. The weeds were winning the space war, the slugs were making a comeback in the heat of summer...I didn't even know that was possible by the way...and the projects I had planned for this year's garden were not even a glimmer in the near future.
My peppers were skinny and small, my eggplants flowered but never grew fruit, and my squash were looking very malnourished. My tomatillo budded out into thousands of cute little starry flowers with fruits the size of grapes. In the end, it was my tomatoes that saved the day and made a beautiful comeback. I think it may have been those tomatoes that got me out into the garden this fall for the garlic planting. I needed some kind of motivational kick in the bum after all those let downs.
Herbally, there was much more sweet satisfaction to be had this year. After all, this is my attempt at being a vegetable gardener, but I cant say it is where my heart truly lies. The calendula was off the hook. I made more calendula oil then I know what to do with (although I am sure it will come in handy, it already has), dried some, and made a big ass tincture of it. Definitely my biggest success of the summer months...or I should say, thank you Calendula, she did all the work! Monarda and valerian grew more than I realized was possible in one season. I also made a lot of new herbal friends this year; boneset, grindelia, blue vervain, agrimony, chamomile, and hops. So, all was definitely not lost.
Since we did not get the fall garden in or even much of a cover crop, the work to get things going in spring will be much more than I want to face. We feasted on Jerusalem artichokes the same day we planted the garlic and that felt like a nice pat on the back from the plant spirits. They are looking out for us!
We are only weeks away from the Winter Solstice. Longer days and more light are only a stone's throw away and then there will be spring. This is our time to rest up and dream about the possibilities before the sun forces us out of our shells. Make the most of it!
August 9, 2010
Mostly Medicinals Score!!
We have a wonderful little plant nursery here in Portland called Mostly Medicinals, which carries a range of natives, Eastern and Western medicinal plants, as well as interesting, out-of-the-way plants that are fun to check out. It's run by a lovely fairy sprite named Laura and her assistant Sharin. They know their stuff when it comes to growing plants and making medicine and they both have a great way with the plants.
Laura likes to keep the energy flowing so they usually have great semi-annual sales that clear out a lot of their inventory which is also great for people like me...the plant addicts of the world! She will make some serious discounts as well as start a free pile.
Some of the gems she had out at the sale included: 3 different kinds of sage (golden, white, and black), 3 different kinds of Tulsi, Ashwaganda, Codonopsis, Maca, Skullcap, Elecampane, Echinacea, Monkeyflower, Partridge berry, California Spikenard (what?!), Blue Vervain, Blue Cohosh, Rue, Motherwort, Agrimony, Wood Betony, Arnica, Tobacco, Spilanthes, Tea, Soloman's Seal, and so much more!!
If you are into medicinals and have looked for them at plant nurseries then you know how hard it is to find ones that aren't used in landscape design or as culinary herbs. That is why Mostly Medicinals is so awesome, there just arent that many places to get these plants.
On a somewhat side note...A lot of our medicinal plants that are found in herbal commerce have been overharvested from the wild (American Ginseng, Black cohosh, Goldenseal, and many more), losing habitat due to deforestation (partridge berry), or are dying out from disease or insect infestation (slippery elm). Ethically, herb stores are not supposed to buy endangered herbs for commerce from wildcrafted sources, but I'm sure it still happens. I feel that if I am going to be using these herbs for my own health then I should be prepared to find a way to grow them myself.
I managed to walk out of there with 2 flats of plants for $12.50. No joke. This is a seriously awesome place to get plants that does not get the notoriety it deserves. Even if you aren't a total plant nerd, there is still much to be gleaned from getting to know the actual plants that you are using for medicine.
If you are interested in getting involved, she hosts a plant group on Wednesdays from 2-5 and they are generally in the nursery on Fridays and Saturdays. If you want to learn more about Mostly Medicinals, check out their website!
www.mostlymedicinals.com
Laura likes to keep the energy flowing so they usually have great semi-annual sales that clear out a lot of their inventory which is also great for people like me...the plant addicts of the world! She will make some serious discounts as well as start a free pile.
Some of the gems she had out at the sale included: 3 different kinds of sage (golden, white, and black), 3 different kinds of Tulsi, Ashwaganda, Codonopsis, Maca, Skullcap, Elecampane, Echinacea, Monkeyflower, Partridge berry, California Spikenard (what?!), Blue Vervain, Blue Cohosh, Rue, Motherwort, Agrimony, Wood Betony, Arnica, Tobacco, Spilanthes, Tea, Soloman's Seal, and so much more!!
If you are into medicinals and have looked for them at plant nurseries then you know how hard it is to find ones that aren't used in landscape design or as culinary herbs. That is why Mostly Medicinals is so awesome, there just arent that many places to get these plants.
On a somewhat side note...A lot of our medicinal plants that are found in herbal commerce have been overharvested from the wild (American Ginseng, Black cohosh, Goldenseal, and many more), losing habitat due to deforestation (partridge berry), or are dying out from disease or insect infestation (slippery elm). Ethically, herb stores are not supposed to buy endangered herbs for commerce from wildcrafted sources, but I'm sure it still happens. I feel that if I am going to be using these herbs for my own health then I should be prepared to find a way to grow them myself.
I managed to walk out of there with 2 flats of plants for $12.50. No joke. This is a seriously awesome place to get plants that does not get the notoriety it deserves. Even if you aren't a total plant nerd, there is still much to be gleaned from getting to know the actual plants that you are using for medicine.
If you are interested in getting involved, she hosts a plant group on Wednesdays from 2-5 and they are generally in the nursery on Fridays and Saturdays. If you want to learn more about Mostly Medicinals, check out their website!
www.mostlymedicinals.com
August 1, 2010
Raspberry Love
Raspberries are my all time favorite berry. Huckleberries and Blueberries are tied for second and then Blackberries and Marionberries. There are lots of other berries that grow here in the Pacific Northwest (gooseberry, thimbleberry, salmonberry, serviceberry, elderberry, etc.) which I love for other reasons, but when it comes down to it I still love Raspberries the best.
Here are just some of the ways to enjoy these luscious berries:
Raspberries raw straight off the plant...enough said. Yum.
Raspberry Smoothies...that is, if you can actually can make it into the house with enough to put into the blender.
My smoothies are usually dairy free, if I do include dairy I use a glop of yogurt. The rest is up to your imagination, but I like to use a banana for the base, then in this case lots of raspberries, some honey, and maybe a dash and a half of cinnamon. Drink on the back porch and share with worthy friends!
Raspberry Jam
I wont go into the details of making jam here, but this is my favorite jam to make and they make lovely Winter Solstice presents, who wouldnt want a jar of summer love in the dark of winter? If you want to make the jam fresh all at once, you need a LoT of raspberries at one time so that is something to think about.
Raspberry Infused Balsamic Vinegar
Makes a sweet and sour deliciousness that is lovely mixed with olive oil for salad dressing.
Fill bottom 1/4 of half-pint mason jar with raspberries. Cover with balsamic vinegar and put lid on. Shake and infuse with the magic of midsummer. Infuse over night and feel free to use the next day. Its vinegar so will keep infusing as long as you let it and the raspberries eventually disintegrate.
Raspberry Infused Vodka
Very easy and becomes delicious very quickly. Fill quart jar 1/4 of the way with raspberries. Cover with vodka to the very top. Cap it and let infuse for 4-6 weeks. If you cant wait that long, feel free to give a taste test along the way!
Raspberry Crisp/Tart
Just made the tart tonight and made the crisp a few weeks ago. I am officially high on raspberries after tart completion. For the tart filling, I used a raspberry jam that I made last year and covered the top with strawberries fresh picked from the garden. Yowza. Really good and relatively easy.
Raspberry Leaves
This year for Summer Solstice I harvested raspberry leaves to celebrate. The leaves are every woman's best friend, especially women in the "childbearing years", but really all women can benefit from this plant as it is an excellent source of Vitamin C, E, A, and B complex. Also it contains calcium, iron, phosphorous, and potassium (Weed, 1985). This is the best tea to drink during pregnancy. It tones the uterus to ease labor and speed delivery...I drank raspberry tea throughout my pregnancy and was in labor for four hours...was it from the raspberry or something else I dont know, but if I ever sign myself up for that one again I'll be drinking the raspberry tea! Continuing to drink raspberry tea throughout the postpartum time continues to support uterine health and keeps the milk flowing. For mamas, it really is the best!
Harvesting the leaves is very easy. Ask the plant's permission first and if a yes answer is given, get to snippin'. Snip the leaves close to the top and toward the middle where they have not been made tough by the sun or eaten by bugs. The leaves come in threes and are connected by a stem which leads to the main branch of the plant. Snip the entire group of three and skip around as most raspberry patches are quite big. Give back to the plant in the form of saying thanks, then leave some of your hair, tobacco, or corn meal as a way of continuing the connection of energy between you and your medicine.
At the time of this writing, the raspberries were beginning to wane in the garden. Not something I want to think about, but it has been a good run this year! We went out to Sauvies Island a week ago and they were still looking gorgeous on the vine, but very plump and ripe. Get out there and pick before you have to wait a whole year to see them again!!
Here are just some of the ways to enjoy these luscious berries:
Raspberries raw straight off the plant...enough said. Yum.
Raspberry Smoothies...that is, if you can actually can make it into the house with enough to put into the blender.
My smoothies are usually dairy free, if I do include dairy I use a glop of yogurt. The rest is up to your imagination, but I like to use a banana for the base, then in this case lots of raspberries, some honey, and maybe a dash and a half of cinnamon. Drink on the back porch and share with worthy friends!
Raspberry Jam
I wont go into the details of making jam here, but this is my favorite jam to make and they make lovely Winter Solstice presents, who wouldnt want a jar of summer love in the dark of winter? If you want to make the jam fresh all at once, you need a LoT of raspberries at one time so that is something to think about.
Raspberry Infused Balsamic Vinegar
Makes a sweet and sour deliciousness that is lovely mixed with olive oil for salad dressing.
Fill bottom 1/4 of half-pint mason jar with raspberries. Cover with balsamic vinegar and put lid on. Shake and infuse with the magic of midsummer. Infuse over night and feel free to use the next day. Its vinegar so will keep infusing as long as you let it and the raspberries eventually disintegrate.
Raspberry Infused Vodka
Very easy and becomes delicious very quickly. Fill quart jar 1/4 of the way with raspberries. Cover with vodka to the very top. Cap it and let infuse for 4-6 weeks. If you cant wait that long, feel free to give a taste test along the way!
Raspberry Crisp/Tart
Just made the tart tonight and made the crisp a few weeks ago. I am officially high on raspberries after tart completion. For the tart filling, I used a raspberry jam that I made last year and covered the top with strawberries fresh picked from the garden. Yowza. Really good and relatively easy.
Raspberry Leaves
This year for Summer Solstice I harvested raspberry leaves to celebrate. The leaves are every woman's best friend, especially women in the "childbearing years", but really all women can benefit from this plant as it is an excellent source of Vitamin C, E, A, and B complex. Also it contains calcium, iron, phosphorous, and potassium (Weed, 1985). This is the best tea to drink during pregnancy. It tones the uterus to ease labor and speed delivery...I drank raspberry tea throughout my pregnancy and was in labor for four hours...was it from the raspberry or something else I dont know, but if I ever sign myself up for that one again I'll be drinking the raspberry tea! Continuing to drink raspberry tea throughout the postpartum time continues to support uterine health and keeps the milk flowing. For mamas, it really is the best!
Harvesting the leaves is very easy. Ask the plant's permission first and if a yes answer is given, get to snippin'. Snip the leaves close to the top and toward the middle where they have not been made tough by the sun or eaten by bugs. The leaves come in threes and are connected by a stem which leads to the main branch of the plant. Snip the entire group of three and skip around as most raspberry patches are quite big. Give back to the plant in the form of saying thanks, then leave some of your hair, tobacco, or corn meal as a way of continuing the connection of energy between you and your medicine.
At the time of this writing, the raspberries were beginning to wane in the garden. Not something I want to think about, but it has been a good run this year! We went out to Sauvies Island a week ago and they were still looking gorgeous on the vine, but very plump and ripe. Get out there and pick before you have to wait a whole year to see them again!!
July 17, 2010
Kitchen Skin Care Basics
From time to time I pick up shifts at a day spa specializing in skin care that I used to work at a few years ago. Over the time I worked there I learned a lot about the things that make skin look pretty.. oh and the things that make it not so pretty (late nights, partying, stress, diet lacking in fruits and vegetables, etc). They have expensive creams with all organic ingredients and high tech products with all kinds of acids and micro-this and that. Totally unaffordable items that an employee discount doesnt even put a dent in.
At the same time, I am a follower of Rosemary Gladstar wisdom. She makes skin and hair care products solely out of items found in her kitchen, old world style. I guess it depends on your kitchen, but I have made some interesting skin care tools from the items in my fridge and cupboards that make my skin feel better than anything.
Some of my favorites:
Honey masque (the old crystallized honey left in the jar works really well too)
-rub honey on skin
-leave on for about 5-10 minutes
-gently wash off with washcloth, massaging skin as you go
Honey will hydrate, smooth, soften, and stimulate your skin giving you a soft, glowy look! Trust me, a once a week honey mask will do wonders.
Yogurt masque
-Spread a Tablespoon or so on your face.
-leave on for a few minutes or 10 minutes...or more!
-wash off gently with a washcloth
The probiotics in yogurt does great things for the gut. For your face, it will help "undigested" oils move through to heal your skin and make it feel really soft. Yogurt contains lactic acid which helps the body produce new skin cells, in other words it moves out the old to bring in the new!
Brown sugar exfoliating scrub
-dry brown sugar mixed with a little water makes a great exfoliation for the skin
-First wash face with a cleanser
-Mix about a tablespoon or so (depending on how big your face is...)
-Rub onto still damp skin...this feels really good!
-Wash off after you have given your face a good rub down.
-Continue with skin care ritual (i.e. masque or moisturizer)
Skin needs to be exfoliated regularly to keep it looking healthy and to make way for new skin cells especially if you have oily, "problematic", acne prone skin...
Toner
-Essential oils and water make great toner (lime, lemon, or orange work great for oily skin)
-Drop 10 drops of Essential oil into a spray bottle
-Fill up with water...spray liberally after cleansing, before moisturizing or really anytime of the day you need to freshen up.
-Rosewater is great for dryer complexions.
I have yet to make my own cleanser. If anyone has a good recipe for that, let me know!
I'm a big believer in regular facials. I used to think they were decadent and frivolous, until I got one and now they have become essential to self care for me. At home skin care is important to do as well, but sometimes there is only so much you can do without a professional stepping in every now and then to take care of serious skin matters. Acne is like an infected clogged pore- gross, I know. And if you get acne over and over in the same place, then its just going to keep coming back until those top layers of skin are exfoliated off...Im speaking from experience here :)
If natural beauty products interest you, I highly recommend Rosemary Gladstar's Herbs for Natural Beauty. There's loads of easy recipes along with tons of useful information that I promise will make you into a Rosemary follower!
P.S. I have yogurt on my face right now!
At the same time, I am a follower of Rosemary Gladstar wisdom. She makes skin and hair care products solely out of items found in her kitchen, old world style. I guess it depends on your kitchen, but I have made some interesting skin care tools from the items in my fridge and cupboards that make my skin feel better than anything.
Some of my favorites:
Honey masque (the old crystallized honey left in the jar works really well too)
-rub honey on skin
-leave on for about 5-10 minutes
-gently wash off with washcloth, massaging skin as you go
Honey will hydrate, smooth, soften, and stimulate your skin giving you a soft, glowy look! Trust me, a once a week honey mask will do wonders.
Yogurt masque
-Spread a Tablespoon or so on your face.
-leave on for a few minutes or 10 minutes...or more!
-wash off gently with a washcloth
The probiotics in yogurt does great things for the gut. For your face, it will help "undigested" oils move through to heal your skin and make it feel really soft. Yogurt contains lactic acid which helps the body produce new skin cells, in other words it moves out the old to bring in the new!
Brown sugar exfoliating scrub
-dry brown sugar mixed with a little water makes a great exfoliation for the skin
-First wash face with a cleanser
-Mix about a tablespoon or so (depending on how big your face is...)
-Rub onto still damp skin...this feels really good!
-Wash off after you have given your face a good rub down.
-Continue with skin care ritual (i.e. masque or moisturizer)
Skin needs to be exfoliated regularly to keep it looking healthy and to make way for new skin cells especially if you have oily, "problematic", acne prone skin...
Toner
-Essential oils and water make great toner (lime, lemon, or orange work great for oily skin)
-Drop 10 drops of Essential oil into a spray bottle
-Fill up with water...spray liberally after cleansing, before moisturizing or really anytime of the day you need to freshen up.
-Rosewater is great for dryer complexions.
I have yet to make my own cleanser. If anyone has a good recipe for that, let me know!
I'm a big believer in regular facials. I used to think they were decadent and frivolous, until I got one and now they have become essential to self care for me. At home skin care is important to do as well, but sometimes there is only so much you can do without a professional stepping in every now and then to take care of serious skin matters. Acne is like an infected clogged pore- gross, I know. And if you get acne over and over in the same place, then its just going to keep coming back until those top layers of skin are exfoliated off...Im speaking from experience here :)
If natural beauty products interest you, I highly recommend Rosemary Gladstar's Herbs for Natural Beauty. There's loads of easy recipes along with tons of useful information that I promise will make you into a Rosemary follower!
P.S. I have yogurt on my face right now!
July 9, 2010
Next Metro Club
Wendy's next Metropolitan Buying Club is scheduled for July 11th. If you are in the NE Alberta/MLK neighborhood stop by and say hi. There will be lots of goodies for the taking! Please email or call me if you would like directions.
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