Over the years, people have used medicinal herbs for a range of therapeutic applications, and although the majority of these have not been proven scientifically, their application is based on their common use and on conventional wisdom due to the absence of other remedies for treating these minor ailments.

Below are some of tips for you to use with herbs which most people have around the house. Even though these are “home-made remedies” they are highly effective and we hope you find the tips useful.
If you suffer from any kind of allergy to any of the herbs, which is possible although extremely uncommon, do not use them and if you are unsure, try putting a bit of the product on your wrist for about 5 to 6 minutes. If any spots or blotches appear or if you notice any kind of itch or malaise, do not use the herb.


FOR THE FACE

All kinds of skin

Steam bath once a week: Pores open and are cleansed.

Pour 1 litre of water into a pan and add 3 to 5 bags of chamomile. Let the water boil and infuse the chamomile for 2 or 3 minutes. Take the pan off the heat straight away and before the water cools down, lean your face over it and hold it there for 5 minutes, covering your head and the pan with a towel to prevent the vapour from escaping. Wash your face with cold water. Apply a cream which absorbs easily and after twenty minutes remove the remains of the cream with a paper tissue.

When tanned skin becomes scaly: Use a compress soaked in water previously infused with chamomile, place it over your face and let it take effect for 15 or 20 minutes. Then apply a nourishing cream.
If you wish to lighten skin colour, apply a soothing, relaxing and a conditioning infusion of lime flower every day using the same method as described above.

Aromatic water: Put 5 g. of rosemary and 2 bags of pennyroyal to boil in 200 ml of water, and let it stand for 60 minutes. Then place the pan in the room you wish to scent.


Dry skin

By day: when you get up bathe your face with previously infused lime tea and bitter orange compresses.

Yoghurt and chamomile face mask: Prepare an infusion of chamomile with very little water and in a separate bowl mix one spoonful of the infusion with one of natural yoghurt and another of honey. Mix well and apply the mixture directly onto the skin with a spatula for between 15 and 30 minutes. Then remove it from your skin using cold water.


Greasy skin

Soothing Lime flower and Chamomile steam baths and compresses using the same method as described for both above.


Reddening of the nose

This is caused by poor blood circulation and indigestion which, when cured can remove the blotches. Apply compresses soaked in lime flower infusions and a little oxygenated water. Then hydrate with a cream.

FOR EYES

Prepare an infusion of chamomile with a little water. Once it has cooled down, soak a piece of cotton wool in the infusion and after lying down let it drip over your eyes. When the cotton wool is dripping, slowly cleanse your eyelids and the lower part of your eyes and eyelashes. You’ll revitalise and clean your eyes.


FOR FEET

To relieve tired and swollen feet, prepare an infusion in one litre of water using 3 or 4 bags of pennyroyal and a handful of kitchen salt. Let it boil for 3 minutes, then take the infusion off the heat and pour it into another non-metal bowl, letting it cool down enough to be able to put your feet in. Keep your feet in the water for 10 to 15 minutes. This simple remedy will relieve and refresh your feet.


FOR HAIR

Using chamomile shampoos to rinse hair has been known for a long time. After using a chamomile shampoo or directly after washing with a normal shampoo, if you want to enhance the effect, rinse your hair with an infusion prepared with 3 or 4 bags of chamomile in 1 litre of water.


THE BATH

Prepare an infusion of 2 litres of water with 3 or 4 bags of chamomile and 3 or 4 of pennyroyal, letting it boil for 3 minutes. Then pour it directly into the bathwater to give you an aromatic and invigorating bath. If you follow the same method using chamomile and lime tea you will have a relaxing bath and you will smooth the skin over the whole of your body.