Your new favourite herbal book! Why will The Boreal Herbal be your favourite? It’s packed full of so much easy, useable information! I just love thumbing through it and looking at all the colour photographs of the plants and the things you can do with them. If you’re just starting out in using herbs then […]
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Adaptogens – What are they, and why should you care?
If you suffer from any kind of chronic health condition, if you are an athlete, if you are recovering from an illness or injury, if you do shift work, work long hours, or experience any others of a host of stressors… then you want to learn about Adaptogens! What is an Adaptogen? An easy way […]
Continue readingDrying your own Comfrey Leaves
Drying herbs for later use is an age old practice. At the most basic all you have to do is gather the plants and hang them up somewhere to dry. Perhaps you’ve seen pictures of old apothecaries or museums where they show plants hanging in bunches from the ceiling. Perhaps you’ve dried some plants yourself. […]
Continue readingMarvelous Milk Thistle
This popular herb can be a little confusing. It has several common names, such as Milk Thistle, Marian Thistle and St Mary’s Thistle; and it also has more than one scientific name, for example, Carduus marianum and Silybum marianum. To make matters worse sometimes supplements are labeled as Silymarin, which can either be a whole […]
Continue readingHerbal Facial – Moisturizing – part 7 of 7
This is where you want to provide moisture and protection to your skin after drawing stuff out of it. Be sure to apply it gently. You’ve given yourself an all natural facial so please make sure your moisturizer is also without toxins. Some people like to use oils such as coconut, jojoba, and others. For […]
Continue readingHerbal Facial – Toning – part 6 of 7
This is where we sooth the skin and encourage the pores to start closing. Cold water can do the trick, but I prefer to use hydrosols for this process. They have much to offer the skin and most of them smell wonderful. Hydrosols are also known as herbal distillates, floral waters, herbal waters, hydrosols, and […]
Continue readingHerbal Facial – Extraction – part 5 of 7
This is where the cosmetic clays are really useful! Most people, in my experience, are used to using these clays for “drawing out toxins”, and indeed they do have a drawing action. However, they are also rich in minerals that can be a benefit to the skin. My favourite clays are French Green Clay and […]
Continue readingHerbal Facial – Steaming – part 4 of 7
Steaming is done to open the pores so toxins can come out and nutrients can go in. Probably the easiest way to do this step is to steam the way some of us were taught to do for a common cold. Get a large bowl, some hot water, and a towel. Put your face over […]
Continue readingHerbal Facial – Exfoliation – part 3 of 7
This step is to remove dead skin cells. Exfoliation helps the skin look softer and smoother, as it reveals the healthier younger cells that are beneath. It is the beginning of stimulating circulation in the skin. It also means that later steps in the facial will have greater benefits, since your skin will be better […]
Continue readingHerbal Facial – Cleansing – part 2 of 7
The first step is the cleanser. Cleansers should be very gentle and are used to remove dirt and makeup from the skin. Oils It may seem weird, but oils can make very good cleansers. This is why soap can clean oils off of skin, because it’s made from oils or fats. Oil can help clean […]
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