Herbal Home Spa

Easy-to-make skin care and bath products

To make a facial mask:

Use either white clay or honey for best results. Both stimulate circulation, in addition to cleansing pores. Clay firms the skin and is more drying than honey, a natural moisturizer for your skin. You only have to leave honey on for a few minutes, whereas you need to let clay dry completely before you remove it. Make sure to pin your hair back before applying the mask.

Caution! If you're allergic to any of these substances, don't use them in a mask. If you're unsure, try a test patch and wait 48 hours to make sure there is no reaction.

Experiment by adding therapeutic ingredients to your clay mask. You might want to try:

• AVOCADO - moisturizing, good for dry or mature skin
• BANANA - good for dry, itchy skin
• PEACHES - good for younger, more oily skin

To make a relaxing herbal bath:

Tie up a large handful of herbs (such as lavender, oatmeal, and roses) in a muslin bag or handkerchief, or place them in a large tea ball, and attach to the nozzle of your tub. As you fill the tub, allow the water to run though the container, creating an herbal infusion. Enhance the effect while you bathe by sipping a tea made from 3 parts oats (use the milky tops of oats, known as oat straw, which can be found in health food stores), 3 parts lemon balm, 2 parts rose petals (unsprayed), and 1/2 part lavender.

To make an herbal footbath:

Use 2 parts lavender, 1 part hops, 1 part sage, and 1/2 part rosemary. Place herbs in a large pot of water and simmer over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Pour herbal water into a large basin and add cool water as needed. (The temperature should be almost uncomfortable, but not so hot that it burns your feet.) Once you've immersed your feet in the water, cover the basin with a towel to keep the heat in. Refill with hot water as needed.

Source: Rosemary Gladstar, founder of The California School of Herbal Studies, and author of six new books, including Herbs for Natural Beauty (via crystal_health_nature e-mail discussion list)