HERBAL OPTIONS
Over the coming months we will provide for you various herbal and natural products and solutions for you to consider as alternatives to the over-the-counter products.

Not only are these alternatives, simple and easy to make, but they will also save you pounds on your weekly shopping bill !
Juniper Massage Oil

Juniper is a common shrub/small tree that is abundant in the gardens and countryside of Britain and in fact all across the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. It has slightly prickly, needle foliage it produces small blue-black berries in abundance. Traditionally associated with being the flavour and scent element of gin, the berries have a pungent aroma and have been used in traditional, alternative and aromatherapy medicines and solutions for detoxification, arthritis, rheumatism and cystitis. The berries are strongly diuretic and the cleansing properties of the berries were traditionally extended to the cleaning of new homes to remove the ‘feelings‘ of previous occupants.
NOTE: due to the strong diuretic properties of these berries, juniper SHOULD NOT be taken internally during pregnancy.

In this recipe we blend the sweet smell of almond oil with the reviving properties of the juniper essential oil to create a revitalising and reviving massage oil (avoid face and eyes!) for use at any time you want to enhance that special 1:1 moment!

When you are feeling low and your body is tired and weary, simply add a few drops of this massage oil into a suitable (neutral) base oil; we have selected sweet almond oil. The juniper berries add a lovely warming, woody scent and along with its traditional uses for aching limbs, it can reinforce the immune system that enhances the general feelings of cleansing and healing that the scent of juniper produces.

You will need:
115ml/4 fl oz sweet almond oil
A few drops of juniper essential oil
A stoppered glass bottle

  1. Carefully pour the sweet almond oil into the bottle taking care not to spill any (it's not cheap!)
  2. Carefully add up to 20 drops of the juniper oil into the almond oil. A stronger scent can be obtained by adding more of the juniper but never more than 25 drops per 115ml of the base oil.


Whenever you and your partner want to expand your knowledge and techniques of massage then add this to your box of tricks and maximise the pleasure!!

Teenage Skin Cream

Tea tree has been used for it's myriad of properties for generations if not longer! It is currently used in a whole range of modern products backed up by modern research and appears in soaps, deodorants, shampoos and mouthwashes.

There are over 150 species of trees that are also known as paperbark and honey myrtle, weeping tea tree and cajaput. The trees tend to grow as small trees or shrubs with narrow, pointed leaves from which the oil is extracted. Traditionally used for many skin remedies including athletes foot, warts, veruccas, cold sores, bites, sunburn and acne and it is this property that we utilise in this recipe. The non-irritant, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties stimulate the body's defence system. Long used by Australian Aborigines, work completed by scientists in the 1920's revealed this magic, natural ingredient to the western world and research is still being completed into the complete range of benefits that the tree oil produces.

In this recipe the tea tree works with the aloe vera and provides a wonderful alternative to the expensive over-the-counter products available today and is particularly useful against for oily skin whilst it generally speeds skin healing and cell regeneration.

This remedy also uses carrageen, which is a moss from Ireland. The moss is processed to produce a gelatine-type substance often used in cooking to emulsify sauces.

You will need:
15ml/1tbsp powdered carrageen
500ml/18fl oz distilled water
60ml/4tbsp aloe vera gel 30ml/2 tbsp sweet almond oil
Tea tree essential oil

  1. Add the carrageen powder to the water. Leave for approximately 20 minutes or until the dried moss has swelled up and absorbed most of the water.
  2. Pour the thickened liquid into a small saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes ensuring that the liquid does not dry out.
  3. Push the liquid through a sieve using the back of a spoon to remove the larger lumps.
  4. Measure out about half (60ml) of the resulting gel and add in the aloe vera. Whilst in the bowl, whisk briskly whilst gradually adding the sweet almond oil to produce a thick cream.
  5. Add in 10 drops of tea tree oil to the cream and whisk again.
  6. Remove the cream and place in a sealable jar. Use as required.


Lavender Hair Conditioner

Lavender is a popular, aromatic evergreen shrub renowned for its wonderful aromatic scent evoking the memory of warm, Mediterranean summer evenings. The shrub has narrow leaves and produces blue-ish purple flowers in dense cylindrical spikes. Lavender oil has ling been a traditional remedy for bites, stings and burns with the highest oil content being in the aromatic flowers. Today it is regularly used in perfumes and cosmetics as well as aromatherapy remedies for the treatment of stress, infection and to aid restful sleep. Dried flowers are also used in Pot Pourri, clothes fresheners, herbal teas and even tobacco!

This particular conditioner is best suited to darker hair but can be used on all types. It should be used as any regular hair conditioner and applied after shampooing as a final rinse. (If after a single rinse you find the lavender smell too strong and lingering then simply rinse again with warm water.)

The anti-=bacterial properties of the lavender flowers add shine and fragrance to your hair. (If you prefer, swap the lavender for rosemary in a remedy detailed in a previous issue.)

YOU WILL NEED
10g/ ½ oz dried lavender flowers
4 drops of essential lavender oil
600ml/1 pint of water
A heatproof bowl
Fine sieve

  1. Place the dried flowers into the heatproof bowl and add the 600 ml of boiling water.
Note: as always, please make sure that you check for allergic reactions with a small skin test before trying any of these recipes. If you are in any doubts check with a qualified medical practioner. Be sensible! We are each responsible for our own wellbeing :0)
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