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Herbs & Cultures

Natural skin and hair care

Mild lavender cleanser

A liquid cleanser based on a herbal infusion.

Used for

Time
30 minutes
Makes
About 1 litre, for a week
Lavender

An infusion of lavender and chamomile, bound with aloe, glycerine and honey, which hold moisture. Mild enough for sensitive skin; make a small batch, because it contains no preservative.

Ingredients

  • 28 g fresh or 14 g dried lavender
  • 28 g fresh or 14 g dried chamomile
  • 1 litre water
  • 40 g aloe powder
  • 235 ml vegetable glycerine
  • 80 g honey
  • 15 drops jojoba oil
  • 10 drops rose hip oil

Step by step

  1. Pour water just off the boil over the herbs, cover and steep for 15–25 minutes. Strain through a sieve lined with cheesecloth.
  2. Beat the cooled infusion with the other ingredients in a clean bowl with a hand mixer until well mixed.
  3. Pour into a clean, dark bottle and keep in the fridge.
  4. Apply a little to a facial sponge or washcloth, rub in small circles, rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry. Then use toner and cream.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

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

  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 44

    Lavender

    Lavandula angustifolia

    A fragrant plant used in bath products, perfume, and aromatherapy. Evidence for medical effects is preliminary.

    Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 19

    Chamomile

    Matricaria chamomilla (Duitse kamille)

    Flowers are used in teas and topical or oral products. Reliable evidence is insufficient for most claimed conditions.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+7Folklore
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 89

    Rose and rose hip

    Rosa spp.

    Rose hips are rich in vitamin C; a hip powder has been studied for osteoarthritis with modest results. Rose water and oil are used in skin care and as fragrance.

    Avicenna's Canon in European universities+6Folklore

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

These traditions know the herbs in this recipe.