8924_Natural Beauty from the Garden

Contents Welcome to My Garden…………………………………………………………………1 Ten Steps to Natural Beauty 6 ● A Word About the Recipes 7 ● Natural Beauty Tools and Equipment 9 ● Weights and Measures 11

Basic Household Ingredients ………………………………………………13

Preserving Fresh Ingredients ………………………………………………23

Gardening Basics ……………………………………………………………29 Planting a Container 31

Hair Care Products …………………………………………………………33 Stimulating Scalp Toner 38 ● Check Your Water 39 ● Bouncing Bet Shampoo 40 ● Old-Fashioned Rosewater Shampoo 41 ● Alligator Pear Shampoo 42 ● Hopi Bridal Shampoo 42 ● Scarborough Fair Shampoo 43 ● Great Outdoors Dry Shampoo 44 ● Tropical Jungle Conditioner 45 ● Outdoor Hair Conditioning 46 ● Clover Honey Conditioner 47 ● Leave-In Irish Potato Rinse 48 ● Peach Leaf Rinse 49 ● European Dandruff Cure 50 ● Sage Tea Rinse 51 ● Menthe Hair Rinse 52 ●

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Eve’s Apple Rinse 53 ● Country Raspberry Leaf Rinse 54 ● Pretty Polly Geranium Rinse 55 ● Darkening Hair Rinse 55 ● Catnip Hair Tonic 56 ● Calendula Petal Rinse 57 ● Rhubarb Hair Lightener 58 ● Blond Cocktail 59 ● Garden Hats 60 ● Scented Scalp Massage Oil 61 ● Pressed-Flower Combs and Brushes 62 ● Jojoba Hair Tamer 63 ● Hulda’s Setting Gel 64 ● Henna Hair Coloring 65 ● Hair Care Herb Collection 67

Facial Care Products and Treatments ……………………………………69 Four Seasons Facial 74 ● Galen’s Cold Cream 75 ● Mother Nature’s Cleansing Lotion 77 ● Cleopatra’s Aloe Cleanser 77 ● Turkish Facial Wash 78 ● Easy Potato Cleanser 79 ● Feverfew Complexion Milk 80 ● Violet Cleansing Cream 81 ● Aztec Princess Scrub 82 ● Scented Sugar Scrubs 83 ● Blemishes 84 ● Summer Splasher 85 ● Hollyhock Skin Toner 86 ● Egyptian Anise Seed Toner 87 ● Rose Geranium Splash 87 ● Turn Over a New Leaf 88 ● English Tea Astringent 89 ● Cucumber-ina-Bottle Toner 90 ● Chervil Mint Toner 91 ● Oregon Elderflower Water 92 ● Hops Flower Astringent 93 ● Growing Hops 94 ● German Chamomile Tea Soother 95 ● Potato Mask 96 ● Alexander the Great Banana Mask 97 ● Roman Fennel Mask 98 ● Ophelia’s Rosemary Mask 98 ● Pineapple Sage Mask 99 ● Alpine Strawberry Mask 100 ● Anti-Inflammatory Facial Mask 101 ● Turmeric Facial Masks 101 ● Morning Citrus Mask 102 ● Fresh Carrot Mask 103 ● Love Apple Mask 104 ● Single Ingredient Masks from the Garden 105 ● Moisturizing Honey Avocado Mask 106 ● Your Own Avocado Tree 107 ● Natural Clay Masks 108 ● British Eyebright 109 ● Refreshing Eye Gel 110 ● Cucumber Classic for Puffy Eyes 110 ● California Poppy Lotion 111 ● Hungarian Tomato Lotion 112 ● Refreshing Rainwater 113 ● Floral Facial Steam 114 ● Healthy Complexion Garden 115

Mouth Care Products ……………………………………………………117 Red Clover Lip Gel 122 ● Pineapple Sage Lip Cream 123 ● Apiarian Lip Balm 124 ● Apitherapy Ingredients 125 ● Strawberry Jam Gloss 126 ● Aloe Vera Lip Gloss 126 ● Fresh Spearmint Lip Gloss 127 ● Herbal Mouth Fresheners 128 ● Lavender Mouthwash 129 ● Honeysuckle Water 129 ● Raspberry Chocolate Mint Mouthwash 130 ● Fresh Peppermint Toothpaste 131 ● Dogwood Toothbrush 132 ● Keep Smiling Garden Container 132

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Hand and Foot Care Products …………………………………………133 Garden Manicure 137 ● Marigold Hand Cream 138 ● Prehistoric Nail Strengthener 139 ● Elm Leaf Nail Solution 140 ● Hawaiian Cuticle Softener 140 ● Jojoba Bean Cuticle Cream 141 ● Mehndi 142 ● Green Thumb Hand Cream 143 ● Garden Glove Selection 144 ● Garden Stained Hands 146 ● Total Foot Care 147 ● Give Yourself a Foot Massage 148 ● Juniper Berry Footbath 149 ● Garden Boot Bath 150 ● Herbs for Footbaths 151 ● River Stone Footbath 151 ● Alfalfa Mint Footbath 152 ● Pumice Stones 153 ● Happy Feet Mask 153 ● Calendula Foot Powder 154 ● Foot Odor Cure 155 ● Gardener’s Gift Basket 156

Bath Products ………………………………………………………………157 Zodiac Baths 162 ● Garden Bath Bombs 163 ● Bath Bomb Variations 164 ● Matcha Green Tea Bath Bombs 165 ● Ginger Oatmeal Bath Bomb 166 ● Myrna Loy Bath 167 ● Tub Tea 167 ● Swiss Green Bath 169 ● Make Your Own Chlorophyll 170 ● Plants in the Bathroom 171 ● English Lavender Bath 172 ● Cold Comfort Bath 173 ● Hot Beauty 174 ● Superwoman Bath 175 ● Dandelion Wine Bath 176 ● Elizabethan Gillyflower Bath 177 ● Gallica Rose Bath 178 ● Fresh Gingerroot Bath 179 ● Harvest Moon Milk Bath 180 ● Scented Bath Sachets 181 ● Flower Power Bath 182 ● Persian Lilac Bath Oil 183 ● Winter Sunflower Soak 184 ● Japanese Spice Bath 185 ● Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’! Shower Gel 186 ● Brienne of Tarth Bath 187 ● Pauline’s Silk Milk Bath 188 ● California Eucalyptus Bath 189 ● Thyme Out 190 ● Extreme Soak 191 ● Bath Salts 192 ● Bathing Outdoors 194 ● Scented Bath Pillows 195 ● Easy Molded Soaps 196 ● Fresh as a Daisy Soap 197 ● Luffa Soap 198 ● The Ultimate Garden Bath 199 ● The Language of Flowers 200

Body Care Products and Treatments ……………………………………203 Garden Party Beauty 208 ● Dry Brushing 209 ● Botanical Body Wrap 210 ● Dandelion Age Spot Oil 211 ● Herbal Salt Rub 212 ● Southwest Scrub 213 ● Geranium Petal Body Scrub 213 ● Soothing Luffa Sugar Scrub 214 ● Jack-o’-Lantern Body Mask 215 ● Green Body Mask 216 ● Poison Ivy 217 ● Summer Solstice Cream 218 ● Love-In-A-Mist Lotion 219 ● Natural Deodorants 220 ● Cayenne Pepper Ointment 222 ● Natural Sunscreen 223 ● What Does SPF Mean? 223 ● Shade Trees 224 ● Growing Luffa Sponges 224 ● Healthy Skin Care Garden 226

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Massage and Relaxation …………………………………………………227 How to Give a Great Massage 232 ● Stop and Smell the Roses 234 ● Zen Oil 235 ● Hot Rock Massage 236 ● Caribbean Island Oil 236 ● Peace, Love, and Massage 237 ● Tranquil Breezes 238 ● Saint John’s-Wort Oil 239 ● Hindu Love Potion 240 ● Ray’s Relaxation Blend 241 / Modern Meditation Oil 242 / Flower Meditation 243 ● Venus’ Massage Lotion 244 ● Gold Medal Oil 245 ● Candles 246 ● Peace of Mind Garden 247

Fragrance Products ………………………………………………………249 Attar of Roses 254 ● Bare Skin Mist 255 ● Springtime Cologne 256 ● Solid Perfume 257 ● Fresh Mowed Grass 258 ● Vine-Ripened Tomato Cologne 259 ● Giverny Floral Water 260 ● Saturn’s Aftershave 26 ● Monticello Aftershave 262 ● Hemingway’s Havana Aftershave 263 ● 007 Skin Bracer 264 ● Natural Insect Repellents 265 ● Bug Bite Soother 266 ● Arabian Jasmine Powder 266 ● Fleur-deLis Body Powder 267 ● Victorian Geranium Powder 268 ● Chamomile Arrowroot Powder 269 ● Elizabethan Pomander 270 ● Sweet Bags 271 ● Cedar Chest Sachets 272 ● Dream or Sleep Pillow 273 ● Fragrance Garden 274

Children’s Bath Products …………………………………………………277 Watermelon Bath Splash 283 ● Strawberry Shortcake Bath 283 ● Tutti-Frutti Lip Gloss 284 ● Tinkerbell’s Magic Pixie Dust 285 ● Hundred Acre Wood Bath 286 ● Lauren and Marie’s Cooking Bath 286 ● Animal Topiaries 287 ● Alphabet Soap 288 ● Peter Rabbit’s Bath 289 ● Garden Fairy Bath 290 ● Afternoon Face Paint 291 ● Flower Crowns 292 ● Sun Perfume 293 ● Scented Play Dough 294 ● Lavender Wands 295 ● Apricot Baby Oil 296 ● Massaging Babies 297 ● Coco Crazy Body Oil 298 ● Diaper Cream 299 ● Home Sweet Sunflower Home 300

Glossary

…………………………………………………………………301

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Welcome to My Garden!

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Great Outdoors Dry Shampoo 2 tablespoons orris root powder 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 drops rosemary oil (optional)

T his dry shampoo removes grease and dirt from your hair when you are unable to wash it. Some people like to use dry shampoos when they are camping and fresh water is hard to find. Dry shampoos are also a helpful alternative for the bedridden or for cleaning wigs and hairpieces. Those of you who have tried them know that using a dry shampoo can be a bit messy. Make sure you are standing on a towel or leaning over a sink when applying one indoors. The rosemary oil I call for here can be made by heating some oil containing a few sprigs of dried rosemary. Let the oil sit for a few days. The longer it sits, the stronger the scent.

Mix together all the ingredients in a glass bowl or resealable plastic bag.

To use: Massage a small amount of the dry shampoo powder directly into the scalp and through your hair. You may want to lean over a sink as you apply the powder. Let the shampoo sit for at least 10 minutes to absorb dirt and oils from your scalp and hair. Using a clean, dry, natural bristle brush, brush vigorously, using upward strokes, to remove all of the shampoo. Enjoy the fresh scent of your clean, dry hair!

Yield: 2 ounces

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H a i r C are H erb C olle c tion Plant a collection of your favorite hair care herbs. Give each plant its own pot and arrange them together outdoors or inside near a sunny window. This makes a simple garden that is easy to handle and move around. When making the recipes in this book, you can bring the pot into your kitchen or bath and snip off whatever you need. I would suggest planting: • Sage: This fragrant herb makes a good hair conditioner and darkening hair rinse.

• Chamomile: This popular tea herb is known for its hair lightening properties when used over time.

• Rosemary: Rosemary hair oil is a popular product because of its conditioning powers. It is also believed to darken your hair over time.

• Mint: If you want to energize your hair, and yourself, use fresh mint in your shampoo, conditioner, and rinse recipes. It is an effective hair beautifier, and its scent is a well-known energizer.

• Lavender: To deep-cleanse and condition your hair it is hard to find a better choice than lavender. Use the stems, leaves, and flowers in recipes and your hair will shine! Lavender’s scent is a well-known body and mind relaxant.

This collection of herb plants would make a wonderful plant gift for a friend, together with a pretty pressed-flower hair brush (see page 62), new garden hat, or some pretty hair accessories.

• Hair Care Pr oducts 67

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Aztec Princess Facial Scrub ½ cup sunflower seeds Distilled water for mixing

S unflowers are native to Mexico and Peru, where they were once worshipped by the ancient Aztecs who added their floral images to the walls of temples. In the fifteenth century, Aztec sun princesses wore golden crowns of sunflowers. I think they must have stumbled upon the beauty uses of this cheerful plant’s seeds as well. This facial treatment can be used to cleanse your skin and leave your face incredibly soft and smooth, due to the rich oil content of the raw seeds. You may also use this recipe for an all-over, full body treatment.

In a food processor or coffee grinder, process the raw seeds until you have a fine powder that resembles coarse sugar. Pour this powder into a clean container with a tight fitting lid.

To use: Mix one tablespoon of the ground sunflower seeds with a few teaspoons of water to create a smooth paste. You can do this in the palm of your hand or a small ceramic bowl. Massage this mixture into your face and neck and rinse well with warm water first, followed by cool water. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel.

Yield: 4 ounces, enough for eight facial treatments or one full body treatment Garden Note: All sunflowers should be planted where they receive a full day of sun. Remember these are very tall flowers, so plant them in the back of your garden or along a fence.

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T he cool clean taste of peppermint is a classic

toothpaste flavor. This pale colored gel is made using fresh mint leaves and will help clean both your teeth and gums. It is nonabrasive, making it a good choice for people with sensitive teeth and gums.

Gently tear the fresh mint leaves and place them along with cold water in a small saucepan or microwave-safe container. Bring the mixture to a boil, remove from heat, and allow to cool for 1520 minutes. Mix together the cornstarch and oil, and stir until smooth. Strain the mint leaf solution, and discard the leaves. Mix together the mint water and cornstarch mixture. Bring this mix to a boil and then cool, stirring occasionally. Spoon the cooled toothpaste into a small clean container.

Fresh Peppermint Toothpaste 1 tablespoon fresh peppermint leaves (three small sprigs) ¼ cup cold water ½ teaspoon sunflower oil ½ teaspoon cornstarch

To use: Spread a small amount on a clean toothbrush and brush your teeth and gums.

Yield: 2 ounces Garden Note: Most mint will grow almost anywhere except in hot, direct sun. Mint does best in light, rich soil that is moist and in the shade. Keep mint flowers pinched back to encourage bushy growth. I do this by making small arrangements for my home with these tiny minty blooms.

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Garden Stained Hands

F orget to wear your gloves? It is easy to do. I often find myself reaching down to rid the garden of a few pesky weeds and before I know it, I have a huge pile of weeds and a pair of dirty, stained hands.

Here is a simple tip that involves using fresh lemons or green tomatoes, both of which really work to clean and refresh your hands. Remember to moisturize well afterward, because this treatment can be drying to your skin.

Fresh lemons: Lemons are natural astringents and disinfectants that will leave your hands clean and fragrant. Cut a lemon in half and rub the fresh juice all over your hands. Leave the juice on your hands for 5 minutes, and then rinse well with warm water.

Green tomatoes: Working around tomato plants can give the skin on your hands a yellow-green tint. Use a green tomato to remove these stains.

Cut the fruit in half and rub the fresh juice all over your hands. Leave the juice on your hands for 5 minutes, and then rinse well with warm water.

Yield: one treatment

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T his is the bath to take after a very full day —

one in which you have leaped over small buildings, saved your co-workers, and sacrificed for family harmony. One of those rewarding yet exhausting days! One of those normal days! The scents of chamomile, rose, lavender, and hops are all soothing to women and perfect for recharging your battery before your next Superwoman adventure. This recipe can and should be doubled — for sharing!

Mix together the dried flowers. Store in a clean glass jar or resealable plastic bag.

To use: Place the dried flowers in the center of a square of cotton fabric. Secure the ends with a rubber band or a bit of cotton string. Place in the bath as you fill your tub and allow the scented flowers to steep in the warm water.

Superwoman Bath 2 tablespoons dried chamomile daisies 2 tablespoons dried rosebuds 2 tablespoons dried lavender flowers 2 tablespoons dried hops flowers

Yield: 8 ounces Garden Note: Prepare a cup of this “tension taming” herbal tea: Mix together one teaspoon finely chopped or minced fresh ginger root, ¼ teaspoon finely chopped or minced fresh dandelion root, and 1 teaspoon pure honey in 1 cup boiling water. Let sit for 10-15 minutes, then strain. This tea is especially soothing when enjoyed as you soak in the bath.

• Bath Pr oducts 175

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Natural Deodorants

Perspiration is a normal, healthy part of our body’s cooling system. It helps regulate body temperature and releases salts and toxic substances from the body. Fresh perspiration is basically odorless, but when left to mix with bacteria on our skin’s surface, it can cause a not-so-pleasant odor. So, to stay smelling fresh, it is important to keep your skin clean, especially after a strenuous task or exercising, when your body tends to perspire more. The use of a deodorant product is also helpful in combating body odor.

There are two main types of products that can be used — antiperspirants and deodorants. An antiperspirant has astringents in its ingredients that help reduce pore size and thus help stop perspiration. Deodorants kill odor-causing bacteria.

The trend in natural cosmetics seems to be toward deodorants, as they do not interfere with the body’s natural release of moisture. The product you choose to use as a deodorant or antiperspirant is a matter of personal preference. We are all made just a little bit different, so you need to use a product that makes you feel your best. I have listed here a few of my favorite ingredients that have been proven to be effective as deodorants. Try them out. Perhaps you’ll find a natural alternative that works just as well for you as your current product. You may also add them to after-bath splashes, powders, and creams.

Lovage: Lovage is a celery-scented herb with dark green leaves. It has cleansing and deodorizing properties. The seeds, leaves, and roots may be steeped in boiling water for a refreshing body wash. An effective antiperspirant can be made by covering the fresh leaves with vodka or witch hazel and letting it sit for a few weeks, then straining.

Pregnant women and those with kidney problems should not use this plant, as it is a strong diuretic.

Witch Hazel: This was my grandmother’s favorite botanical antiperspirant. Witch hazel can be used

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alone or as a base for other products. If you find it is too drying, you may want to mix a bit of vegetable glycerin with it. I also like to give my witch hazel a pleasant scent with a drop or two of essential oil.

Citrus Peels: If you have ever taken a fresh piece of orange or lemon peel and smelled its fresh, clean scent, you can see why these fragrant fruit skins make the perfect scent for a deodorant product. Let your fresh peels sit in some vodka or witch hazel for a few weeks. Then strain and use the liquid all over your body for a light and fresh clean scent. The citric acid from the peels also helps combat harmful bacteria on your skin’s surface.

Rosewater: This lovely smelling product is naturally astringent and soothing to the skin. Rosewater is an age-old beauty product that has a number of uses. Mixed together with a bit of baking soda (use ½ cup rosewater and 1 teaspoon baking soda), it can be used all over the body as a safe and natural deodorant product. You may purchase rosewater or make your own (see page 254 for the Attar of Roses recipe to make your own rose oil and rosewater).

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E rnest

Hemingway is one of the most famous and influential American writers of the twentieth century. This aftershave takes its inspiration from memorable scents found in Havana pubs that Hemingway was known to frequent. It is the perfect blend of anise, jasmine, and cedar.

Mix together all ingredients except the castor oil, and pour into a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Place the jar in a dark, cool place for two weeks.

Strain the liquid and discard any solids. Stir in the castor oil as a scent fixative and pour into a clean cologne bottle.

Hemingway’s Havana Aftershave 1 cup light rum 1 tablespoon dried jasmine flowers 3-4 star anise seeds 3-4 drops essential oil of cedar 1/8 teaspoon castor oil

To use: After shaving, pour a small amount into your hands and pat on your face.

Yield: 8 ounces Garden Note: Spring-blooming jasmine makes a fragrant indoor vine. It grows easily around wire topiary frames available at many craft and garden shops. You can also make your own using bamboo sticks or light wire.

• Fragrance Pr oducts 263

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Scented Play Dough 1 cup flour ½ cup salt 1 cup water (may be tinted with natural coloring) 1 tablespoon sunflower oil 2 teaspoons cream of tartar 2-3 drops scented oil 2 tablespoons scented herb leaves or flower petals

M ix up a batch of this scented dough to have on

hand when the kids need a quiet activity or you have children visiting. I like to use lavender oil to scent my dough, but other safe scents to use would be rose, vanilla, orange, peach, or coconut. Working and molding the scented mixture is a creative and calming activity. Let the children go out into the garden and gather some scented leaves and flower petals to knead into or decorate their creations. This recipe also makes a fun birthday gift for a special child — fill a bright pail with cookie cutters, funky kitchen gadgets, a small rolling pin, and a batch of scented play dough!

Mix together the flour, salt, water, oil, and cream of tartar in a medium-size saucepan. Cook the mixture over medium heat until it begins to bubble. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the scented oil and leaves and petals. Place the dough on a lightly floured board and knead for three to five minutes until smooth. Store in an airtight container.

To use: Shape your dough into anything you desire. You can decorate it with small twigs, flowers, dried herbs, and spices. Store any leftover dough in a clean airtight container or resealable plastic bag. If left uncovered and allowed to airdry, your designs will dry out and harden.

Yield: 8 ounces

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