Conscious Choice: Herbs and Essential Oils

March 1999 | Herbs for Health

Herbs and Essential Oils

by Meg McGowan

Each day we climb out of bed and prepare to make our way in the world. Our rituals of anointment generally focus more on protecting the world from us, from our offensive odors and unadorned appearance, than on protecting ourselves from the world. Integrating essential oils and herbs into your personal care routines helps to put care of self back into those routines. Rather than absorbing negative consequences from using synthetic ingredients on our bodies, we can receive nourishment and benefits potentially beyond our current level of understanding. Experiment with your own preparations using the recipes that follow from Aura Cacia (an assortment of essential oils can be as much fun as your first chemistry set) or try some of the high-quality products that are becoming increasingly available.

A toner helps to return the skin to its normal pH balance after cleansing. The blend of toning and balancing essential oils in this Toning Facial Mist help to normalize dry or oily skin. Combine 12 drops lavender essential oil (Lavendula officinalis syn. angustifolia), six drops chamomile essential oil (Matricaria chamomila or Athemis nobilis), six drops rose otto (Rosa damascena) essential oil and two ounces of distilled water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Shake before lightly misting freshly cleaned skin.

Oily or blemished skin may respond to Aura Cacia’s Cleansing Skin Astringent. In a glass bottle, combine 12 drops tea tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) with three ounces warm, distilled water. Shake to blend thoroughly. Moisten a cotton ball with the mixture and gently wipe freshly cleansed skin.

Facial masks help to exfoliate dead skin cells and promote regeneration. Essential oils in this Tonifying Facial Mask contain antitoxic, antiseptic and astringent properties that help prevent and clear up skin congestion, leaving your skin feeling fresh and invigorated. Blend together five drops bergamot essential oil (Citrus bergamia syn. C. aurantium var. bergamia), ten drops lavender essential oil, three tablespoons almond meal and three tablespoons white cornmeal. Add just enough rosewater or orange flower water to make a paste. (Distilled water may be substituted.) Gently massage the mixture onto your face in circular motions, avoiding the soft skin under your eyes. Leave the mixture on for five to 15 minutes, then rinse off thoroughly with warm water. Finish by splashing cold water on your face to close pores.

Hungary Water takes a bit of planning to prepare, as it must mature before use. But it is nice to have around. Spritz it on as a refresher or as a light deodorant. Blend 16 drops rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis), 24 drops lemon essential oil (Citrus limon), eight drops orange essential oil (Citrus aurantium) and three-quarters cup 90 proof alcohol (vodka); stir. Add one-quarter cup orange flower water and one-quarter cup rosewater. Shake. Pour into a jar and cap, then place in a cool, dark area to mature. Shake daily for the first five days, once a week thereafter —three more weeks will do it, though two or more months are ideal.

At the other end of the spectrum, you can prepare and use this Refreshing Wash in a matter of minutes. Add the following to one-half cup of unscented shower gel or mild liquid soap: ten drops lavender essential oil, five drops coriander essential oil (Coriandrum sativum), five drops grapefruit essential oil (Citrus paradisi) and four drops tangerine essential oil (Citrus reticulata).

Simplest of all (though perhaps less rewarding) is purchasing ready-made herbal products. Kiss My Face has recently introduced a facial skin care line — Kiss Organics. Calling themselves "obsessively natural," they work with pure botanicals, essential oils, vitamins and minerals — and without synthetics, chemicals, artificial preservatives or fragrances. They have developed a full range of products including facial cleansers, masques, moisturizers, serums, an exfoliant, a scrub, a toner, an astringent, and an acne gel. Kiss Organics is committed to using organic or responsibly wildcrafted plant material whenever possible. Their Foaming Facial Cleanser utilizes pot marigold for healing, licorice root for toning, lavender to normalize oil production, and green tea for its antioxidant properties. Aloe vera, witch hazel, tea tree, and camphor combine in Aloe & Tea Tree Astringent to tighten pores and balance oil production. Their Ultra Light Facial Cream adds lemon grass, orange, and tea tree oils to antioxidant-rich grape seed oil. Containers are designed to dispense the product without contamination from fingers —moisturizers and cleansers pump; the astringent and toner conveniently spritz.

Mythic Tribe, a skin care line available at Kiva Spa, features products which incorporate herbs and essential oils. One unique aspect of their line is an entire "system of personal ecology for men." Arcona Studio, producers of Mythic Tribe, express concern about what is making its way into our bodies and becoming part of our bodies’ chemistry, ultimately affecting its processes as well as our health and appearance. Beginning with bars for cleansing and shaving, Mythic Tribe covers specific skin care concerns for men such as Cool Zone moisturizing aftershave gel; Tabula Rasa aftershave spritzer toner, which addresses enlarged pores and ingrown hairs, and Triad cranberry-milk soaked cotton pads, which make it easy to clean, tone, and moisturize on the run.

Aroma Véra has been a pioneer in introducing Americans to true aromatherapy products. High-quality essential oils are key to their personal care products. Body care products are available in five aromatherapy blends: ylang ylang, lavender and tangerine for Relaxation; peppermint, rosemary and thyme for Energy; ylang ylang, patchouli and nutmeg for Sensuality; birch, thyme and juniper for Sport & Fitness; and grapefruit, cypress, lemon, and thyme for Body Contour. Massage lotion, a spray and a roll-on oil are also available in a Feminine Energy blend of clary sage, fennel, and mugwort. Their facial skin care program is comprised of three steps — cleansing; toning and hydrating; nourishing, protecting, and moisturizing. Blemish Solution, a convenient roll-on skin topical in a glass tube, blends tea tree and lavender oils for effective, on-the-spot treatment.

What touches our skin becomes part of our bodies, so choose products that will support and enhance your physical being. Envision your morning and evening rituals as a way to add to your life force, rather than a purging of undesirable elements (germs, odor, dirt). Then your morning and evening rituals will themselves become nurturing, imbued with meaning.

Resources

Aroma Véra, 800-669-9514

Aura Cacia, 800-437-3301

Kiss My Face, 800-262-kiss

Mythic Tribe, 818-506-5192

DISCLAIMER: Choosing a holistic approach to medicine means choosing personal responsibility for your health care. Herbs for Health offers a doorway through which to enter the realm of herbal healing, an invitation to further investigation on the part of the reader. It is in no way intended as a substitute for advice from a health care practitioner.

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