Tone Magazine
 

"Put your best face forward!"
        The average adult has 20 square feet of skin, the body's largest organ, which facilitates the elimination of toxins from the body, regulates temperature and conveys signals to the brain about the external environment. The skin is our first line of defense against infection and can absorb many things through the epidermis. What you put on you body is as important as what you put in your body. I often say that I would not put anything on my body that I wouldn't eat. There are many ingredients you can find right in your own kitchen which can be used to formulate your own skin care!

        Oils like olive, sunflower and canola have vitamins and essential fatty acids that can heal and protect the skin. I love organic ingredients because the plants are grown without toxic chemicals like pesticides!  You can use them to clean your face at night, to moisturize after the bath and to soften rough elbows and heals all year 'round.  Babies can benefit from these oils as well. Commercial baby oil can have a base of mineral oil which is not plant derived, whereas sunflower oil provides a nice light oil which nourishes young skin for an after-bath treat or infant massage. If you have a herb garden, this is a perfect opportunity to put these useful plants to work in skin care. Sage is a wonderful astringent. If you make a tea with it, you can use the strained brew to use as a stimulating cleanser for your face. It is also an effective gargle for sore throats! Rosemary can be added to bath water to ease the aches and pains of overexertion. Combined with Epsom salts, this bath blend is sure to help sore muscles and invigorate a tired mind. Rosemary can also help relieve congestion and can be added to the bath to help clear the sinuses during cold and flu season.

        If you grow peppermint, you're probably wondering what to do with all of it!  This prolific plant is also a stimulant.  At the end of a hard day, pamper your feet with a peppermint tea foot bath.  You will feel refreshed and renewed.  Peppermint is another one of those plants with many uses.  You can cleanse and refresh you face with a peppermint spritz, especially gratifying on a hot summer's day.  Kids love the smell and taste of peppermint.  Add it to their bath water in a small muslin bag or cheesecloth.  Lavender is another favourite with gardeners.  Its beautiful floral scent helps some fall asleep more easily.  It is wonderful in skin care because it has skin healing properties.  It eases inflammations, burns, and cuts while promoting skin cell regeneration.  Combined with a natural vinegar, it helps soothe and promote healing of sunburned skin.  So the next time you need a little TLC, reach for your kitchen cupboard or garden first.   Skin care from nature is....only natural.

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"Less Stress with Herb Teas"
        This time of year our bodies may be starting to feel the pressure of the changing seasons, the beginning of a new school year or just the day-to-day tensions we all face. As a result of this stress, our bodies may become depleted of nutrients essential to combat infection and disease. This is where a gentle boost with herbs can be so useful.

        Most of us have heard of Echinacea as an immune booster.  Also known as purple coneflower, this plant has become a staple of the vitamin repertoire because of its ability to help the body at the onset of illness.   There are many other herbs, easily grown in our climate that can help as well.  Oregano and thyme are highly antibacterial and can be blended with other herbs so that their strong medicinal qualities are not overwhelming.  Herbs like licorice root are a delicious, spicy addition to tea blends, as is ginger.  Ginger root is well known for its warming nature and digestive qualities.  Red clover and nettle are also good additions to a blend, rich in vitamins and nutrition important in a good tonic.  Oatstraw is an excellent herb for the nervous system while chamomile is calming to the mind and tummy.  The list of herbs with healing properties is virtually endless, but this will give you a start!  Remember, the longer you steep your tea, the more medicinal properties you'll extract.  If you are in doubt about using any of the herbs due to a medical condition or medication you are using, please consult a health care professional before use.  Here are some recipes you might want to try at home you can use either dried or fresh herbs, or a combination of the two, depending on what you have available.  Remember, dried herbs have more intense flavour.

Immune Boosting Blend		Cold Buster Blend		Stress Buster Blend
Red Clover	½ part	Oregano	¼ part	Oat Straw	1 part
Ginger	½ part	Lemon Thyme	½ part	Chamomile	1 part
Echinacea	1 part	Orange Mint	1 part	Lemon Balm	1 part
Rosehips	1 part	Lemon Balm	1 part	Skull Cap	½ part
Orange Peel	½ part	Stevia Leaf	To Taste	Nettle	1 part
Cinnamon Stick	To Taste!			Passion Flower	½ part

        Feel free to play around with amounts to suit your personal taste, but make sure you mark down the so you can duplicate it!