Herbs for Beauty in .NET framework

Encoding European Article Number 13 in .NET framework Herbs for Beauty

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f you read the label on commercial shampoos, conditioners, and liquid soaps, you ll find a long list of ingredients, many of them with unpronounceable names Some are derived from natural ingredients, but some are chemicals synthesized from petroleum Especially common are synthetic fragrances, made from a blend of aroma chemicals As a result, a product with a lavender fragrance may or may not contain any lavender at all Fortunately, you don t have to be a chemist to make chemical-free products that keep you looking and feeling your best This section describes a variety of body care products you can make from the herbs you grow Generally speaking, it s best to make them in small batches, keep refrigerated, and use within a week or so

You can use herbs to give your hair more shine and color, correct oily or dry hair, and even combat dandruff To make an herbal shampoo: The easiest approach to using herbs in shampoos is to add them to a commercial product, preferably a mild, all-natural baby shampoo Fill a glass jar with the herbs of your choice and cover with the shampoo Infuse for a week and strain before using (Refer to 13 for instructions for infusing herbs) To make an herbal rinse: Begin with apple cider vinegar, which is a folk treatment for dandruff (Vinegar also works wonders with oily hair and

helps remove soap) Steep the herbs in vinegar, just as you would for culinary use (see 12), and then strain the vinegar into a bottle To make an herbal conditioner The Chinese believe that safflower and sesame dilate vessels in the scalp and help prevent hair loss You can use either of these cooking oils as the base for an herbal conditioner Prepare it as you would a culinary oil (see 12) and then strain the mixture, discarding the herbs You can massage it into the scalp, which also stimulates blood circulation, or treat dryness and split ends by combing it through your hair and wrapping your head with hot towels for about 15 minutes a great excuse to put your feet up and relax Here are some common herbs to help problem hair Use them in the preceding recipes by making infusions for shampoos or by steeping them in vinegar or oil for rinses and conditioners Oily hair: Use yarrow Dry hair: Use marsh mallow Dull or limp hair: Use rosemary Dandruff: Use burdock or comfrey You can mix and match these with herbs that help you color your hair: To darken graying locks, add sage For better color highlights, blondes should add chamomile; brunettes can try rosemary; redheads should opt for calendula Is your hair blonde and dry Use both chamomile and marsh mallow in the recipes

Herbs not only add fragrance, but they also provide other benefits in soaps, lotions, and other skin-care products as well If you have sensitive skin, start with simple recipes with just a few ingredients Evaluate their effectiveness (and note any unwanted side effects) Add new ingredients to your recipes one at a time so that you can monitor how your skin reacts to each one

Witch hazel is a wonderful native American shrub, worth including in your ornamental garden for its yellow flowers, which appear in fall and look like Lilliputian streamers (You also can buy other species of witch hazel

[Chinese, Hamamelis mollis; Japanese, H japonica; Ozark, H vernalis; and hybrids, H x intermedia] that bloom in winter in other shades of yellow, red, or orange) The tree s bark and twigs are the source of the pleasant-smelling astringent witch hazel lotion Today, however, witch hazel lotion is made by distilling the wood with steam, which removes the tannins that give it a powerfully cooling kick If you re lucky enough to have a large witch hazel, try making your own oldfashioned tincture Never remove bark all the way around a tree because that will kill it; instead, remove small pieces from the tree s north side, where its bark tends to be most dense Use mostly twigs and add some leaves if you still don t have enough material To make your own tincture, use 8 tablespoons ground fresh witch hazel bark, twigs, and leaves (4 dried tablespoons) for each cup of vodka Combine in a glass jar and set in a cool dark place for one month, shaking the mixture frequently Strain, discarding the herb material; store as you would any tincture, in a sealed, dark glass container, for up to two years Apply the tincture full strength to cuts, scrapes, and bites To use it cosmetically as a lotion, add a drop or two to cup water Witch hazel lotion is especially soothing applied to tired eyelids with cotton pads (you can add some infusion of borage, calendula, or chamomile) or wiped over hot, tired feet