An Herbal Face Steam to Nourish your Skin
Winter
weather is hard on skin, the largest of our organs. But now it is finally spring
and there is much we can do
to soften, hydrate and renew our skin - diet, brushing skin to remove dead
cells, baths, face steams, and using high quality oils and lotions. Herbs are
important in skincare to enhance the effects of steams, baths, oils, lotions and
creams.
Try a face steam which
increases circulation to remove old cells and improves the regeneration of new
cells. It gives the skin a smother appearance and restores its natural balance.
First,
clean your face with an herbal wash or water. Choose a combination of herbs for
your skin type. Bring 1 qt water to a slow boil; turn off heat, put in 2 T. of
each herb and steep 3 minutes. Cover head with a towel over the pan of herbs and
steam face 5-10 minutes. Rinse with warm water, and then cool water to close
pores. Strain herbs. You can also enjoy this herb water in a bath.
These
well known herbs are commonly used in a face steam or wash: calendula and
chamomile soften skin and speed healing; elder softens skin, blemishes,
wrinkles, sunburn, and freckles; lavender for burns, blemishes, puffiness, and
rose hydrates the skin.
Or choose herbs from the
following combinations:
For dry skin
calendula, chamomile, comfrey, dandelion, elder, lavender, marshmallow, rose,
strawberry leaves, violet.
For oily skin
burdock
root, lemon peel, licorice, orange buds, raspberry leaf, rosemary, sage, witch
hazel.
To soften skin
burdock
root, calendula, chamomile, comfrey, elder, lavender, licorice, mallow, papaya
leaves, peach leaves, plantain, rose, strawberry leaves.
Relaxing herbs
chamomile, elder, hops, jasmine, lavender, lemon balm, rose.
Energizing herbs
basil, citrus, ginger,
lemongrass, lemon peel, juniper, mints, pine, rosemary, sage, thyme. |
