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Herbs & Cultures

Natural skin and hair care

Cucumber eye gel

A cool gel for under the eyes.

Used for

Time
15 minutes
Makes
2 tablespoons
Aloe vera

Aloe and cucumber juice, thickened a little with cornflour so it becomes a gel. Kept in the fridge it feels extra refreshing.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon aloe gel
  • 1 teaspoon fresh cucumber juice, strained
  • ¼ teaspoon cornflour
  • 1 tablespoon witch hazel water

Step by step

  1. Gently heat the aloe, cucumber juice and cornflour in a bain-marie, without letting it boil.
  2. Put in a bowl, stir in the witch hazel water and let it cool completely.
  3. Store in a clean jar in the fridge.
  4. Dab under the eye with an upward, tapping motion, without pulling the skin.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 4

    Aloe vera

    Aloe vera

    The gel from the leaf is used externally to soothe the skin and for minor burns. Research on wound healing gives mixed results; the gel is no substitute for wound care.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 261

    Cucumber

    Cucumis sativus

    Traditionally attributed effects: fruit nourishing and soothing; seeds cooling, diuretic, tonic; for throat complaints, strongly diuretic with sugar, in fever.

    Ayurveda+2Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 152

    Witch hazel

    Hamamelis virginiana

    Strongly astringent due to tannins. Witch hazel water and ointment are used externally for minor skin irritation, bruises and haemorrhoids; there is limited but reasonably supportive evidence.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4Folklore

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

These traditions know the herbs in this recipe.