Cultivating News
From "Maple Street Co-op News", August/September 2008
"Herbs for Ointments, Tinctures and Infusions"
By Mary Meadows
Now is a good time to think about creating ointments to protect the
skin and tinctures to combat those pesky parasitic insects. Some of
these herbs can be grown locally; others need to be purchased in the
ready made form. The classic is witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana).
This shrub in its natural habitat of the USA and Canada grows to about
three metres. Its bark and leaves were originally used by the Native
Americans as a poultice for swellings and tumours. I find it to be perfect
for mosquito bites; it almost immediately removes the desire to scratch
the area of skin that has been attacked. It is usually sold in a liquid
form and can be applied liberally. Store this distilled product in the
fridge once opened.
Aloe Vera (Liliacae): It is imperative that you have this plant
growing near your kitchen or barbecue area, as the sap from the succulent
leaves will heal burnt skin to a point that it will be difficult to
even see the burn.
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium): This gives a wonderful perfume
and acts as a flea and mosquito repellent - the only catch is that it
must be highly concentrated to be totally successful. Place the essential
oil in a container of water above a heat source to allow the volatile
oils to evaporate.
Bay leaves (Laurus nobilis): Bay leaves are well known as an
essential ingredient in a bouquet garni or savoury herb posy.
Less well known is that they have a cosmetic purpose as a facial steam
bath combined with chamomile flowers, rosemary and rose petals. Dried
bay leaves can be placed with other soothing herbs into your pillowcase
to help with insomnia.
Lavender (French, L. Dentata; Italian, L. Stoechas): I also
have another lavender growing, lavender allardii, which does really
well in our climate. It has longer leaves than the Stoechas
and very small, dark blue flowers on an elongated flower spike, which
seem to appear every second year and in small quantities. For flowers
the Dentata is the most reliable. The leaves of any lavender,
fresh or dried, and tied in a muslin bag and infused in hot bath water,
give the skin a good boost. It is one of the soothing herbs that can
be used inside your pillowcase. Lavender also helps to repel moths and
other undesirable insects when placed in wardrobes and on carpets. There
is also a so-called Cotton lavender (Santolina chamaecyparissus),
which has lovely button yellow flowers and a strong perfume (odour if
you are an insect), creating a good repellent.
Horseradish (Cochlearis armoracia): We are all familiar with
this herb having a bit of a bite. Some beauty herbalists have been known
to use the root in conjunction with other herbs to relieve eczema. For
an effective skin refresher, infuse some of the sliced root in milk
and pat onto the skin.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare dulce): As a face mask, combine
a strong fennel seed infusion with honey and yoghurt, stir together,
spread on the neck and face and have a good lie down for 15 minutes
or so, then wash off with cool water.
Lovage (Levisicum officinale): This plant has a similar appearance
to Italian parsley. It is considered a deodorising herb, acting both
internally and externally for the skin. Make a strong tea with the leaves
and add to a hot bath, or pick the leaves, bruise them, and then add
to your bath water.
Sorrel (Rumex scutatus): There are several species, most of
which grow wild and are often sour and acid tasting. The calcium in
sorrel helps to keep the skin firm and wrinkle-free. Sorrel is suggested
for dry, sensitive skins and is one of the herbs used in herbal cosmetics
for healing acne.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Rosemary's main attribute
from a cosmetic perspective is its association with all functions of
the head. In shampoos, extract of rosemary revitalises the scalp, prevents
dandruff and encourages healthy new hair growth. Rosemary leaves can
also be used as a pick-me-up in a warm bath.
References: Herbs: Their Cultivation and Usage by John & Rosemary
Hemphill; The Home Herbal by Barbara Griggs; A Modern Herbal
by Mrs M Grieve.
[From "Maple Street Co-op News", August/September 2008; published by
The Maple Street Co-operative Society Ltd, 37 Maple Street, Maleny,
Qld 4552, Australia, tel (07) 5494 2088, email maplest.co-op@serv.net.au,
website http://www.maplestreetco-op.com.au]