From the kitchen
Modern recipes
Present-day recipes that combine herbs from different traditions. Each recipe shows where its herbs come from.
These are traditional dishes, not treatments. Also read the safety information for each herb, especially during pregnancy, when taking medication, or for children.
Natural skin and hair care
43 recipes
Mild lavender cleanserA liquid cleanser based on a herbal infusion.Dry or sensitive skinLavender · Chamomile · Aloe veraEuropeAfricaAbout 1 litre, for a week · 30 minutes
Patchouli cleanser for oily skinA herbal cleanser for skin that quickly turns shiny.Oily skin and blemishesPatchouli · Tea tree oil · TurmericAsiaOceaniaEuropeAfricaNorth AmericaAbout 2 litres, for a week · 30 minutes
Chamomile cleanser for dry or mature skinA gentle cleanser for dry skin.Dry or sensitive skinChamomile · Alfalfa · Pot marigold (calendula)EuropeAsiaAfricaAbout 1.5 litres, for a week · 30 minutes- Rose powder cleanser for mature or dry skinA dry powder you mix with a liquid each time.Skin careRose and rose hip · LavenderEuropeAbout 180 g · 5 minutes
- Chamomile powder cleanserOats, milk powder and chamomile: a creamy cleanser.Dry or sensitive skinChamomile · Lavender · AlmondEuropeAsiaAbout 500 g · 5 minutes
Fennel powder cleanser for oily skinClay with neem and fennel, for oily skin.Oily skin and blemishesFennel · NeemEuropeAsiaAbout 150 g · 5 minutes- Chamomile exfoliantA mild scrub of milk powder, oats and cornmeal.Skin careChamomile · LavenderEuropeAbout 245 g · 5 minutes
Almond scrub for all skin typesGround nuts and seeds as a gentle scrub.Skin careAlmond · Sunflower · ChamomileAsiaNorth AmericaEuropeAbout 40 g · 5 minutes- Orange exfoliant for oily or combination skinA scrub mask with clay, almond and orange peel.Oily skin and blemishesAlmond · Orange · MintAsiaEuropeAbout 180 g · 5 minutes
Rose water tonerA simple toner with rose water and aloe.Dry or sensitive skinRose and rose hip · Witch hazel · Aloe veraEuropeNorth AmericaAfricaAbout 300 ml · 5 minutes- Witch hazel tonerA fresh toner with tea tree and thyme.Oily skin and blemishesWitch hazel · Aloe vera · Tea tree oilNorth AmericaAfricaOceaniaEuropeAbout 180 ml · 5 minutes
- Acne tonerA herbal toner with yarrow and calendula.Oily skin and blemishesYarrow · Pot marigold (calendula) · LemonEuropeAsiaNorth AmericaOceaniaAbout 530 ml · 30 minutes
Acne oil or cleanserEssential oils in a light nut or seed oil.Oily skin and blemishesRosemary · Thyme · LemonEuropeAsia180 ml cleanser or 120 ml oil · 5 minutes- Healing facial tonerA decoction of comfrey and marshmallow.Dry or sensitive skinComfrey · Marshmallow · ChamomileEuropeNorth AmericaAbout 470 ml · 1 hour
- Toner for sensitive skinA flower toner with rose, chamomile and orange blossom.Dry or sensitive skinRose and rose hip · Chamomile · OrangeEuropeAsiaNorth AmericaAbout 765 ml · 30 minutes
Basic lotionA basic lotion you scent yourself.Skin careAlmond · Evening primrose · Garden angelicaAsiaNorth AmericaEuropeAfricaAbout 470 ml · 30 minutes- Light moisturizing oil or cleanserChamomile and lavender in a light base.Dry or sensitive skinChamomile · Lavender · BorageEurope120 ml cleanser or 60 ml oil · 5 minutes
- Cucumber eye gelA cool gel for under the eyes.Skin careAloe vera · Cucumber · Witch hazelAfricaAsiaNorth America2 tablespoons · 15 minutes
Plumping lip glossA glossy lip care with a warm tingle.LipsAlmond · Cinnamon · AniseAsia3 tablespoons · 15 minutes
Vanilla lip balmFive ingredients, a firm balm.LipsVanilla · Almond · CandelillaCentral America and the CaribbeanAsia3 tablespoons · 10 minutes
Cooling chamomile after-sun sprayA cold spray for skin that has had too much sun.After sunChamomile · AppleEurope235 ml · 30 minutes- Lavender aloe sprayAloe and lavender to spray on.After sunAloe vera · Witch hazel · LavenderAfricaNorth AmericaEuropeAbout 470 ml · 5 minutes
- Soothing after-sun milkA cool compress of buttermilk, aloe and cucumber.After sunAloe vera · Cucumber · LavenderAfricaAsiaEuropeAbout 470 ml · 5 minutes
- Beauty salveA rich salve for dry spots from head to toe.Skin careLavender · Roselle (hibiscus) · Rose and rose hipEuropeAfricaAbout 300 ml · 3 hours
Bath for joints and musclesSalt, juniper and essential oils in a bath bag.Joints and musclesJuniper · Cypress · MintEuropeOne bath bag · 5 minutes- Relaxing bath bagDried flowers in a bag under the tap.Rest and sleepChamomile · Lavender · Rose and rose hipEuropeOne bath bag · 5 minutes
- Bath oil for colds and fluA bath oil with eucalyptus, mint and rosemary.ColdsAlmond · Basil · RosemaryAsiaAfricaEuropeOceaniaOne bath · 5 minutes
- Skin-softening milk bathCoconut milk and salt for soft skin.Skin careAlmond · Vanilla · Rose geraniumAsiaCentral America and the CaribbeanAfricaEuropeOne bath · 5 minutes
- Refreshing foot bathA warm herbal bath for tired feet.FeetLavender · Ginger · SageEuropeAsiaSouth AmericaOne foot bath · 20 minutes
Coconut balmA smooth balm of coconut, cocoa and shea.Skin careOrange · Ginger · CoconutAsiaCentral America and the CaribbeanAfricaAbout 120 ml · 15 minutes
Anti-cellulite scrubA coarse scrub of seaweed, coffee and salt.Skin careKelp · Dulse · SesameEuropeAfricaAsiaCentral America and the CaribbeanAbout 470 ml · 10 minutes
Brown sugar foot scrubSugar, lemon and aloe for rough heels.FeetCoconut · Lemon · Aloe veraAsiaAfricaAbout 60 g · 5 minutes
Pumice foot scrubA scrub with pumice powder for hard skin.FeetSesame · EucalyptusAfricaOceaniaAbout 60 g · 5 minutes- Warm massage compressHerbal bundles in warm oil.Rest and sleepJoints and musclesAlmond · Coconut · LavenderAsiaEuropeTwo compresses · 20 minutes
Massage oil for loversA warm massage oil with cinnamon and vanilla.Rest and sleepGrape · Cinnamon · VanillaEuropeAsiaCentral America and the CaribbeanAbout 295 ml · 5 minutes- Massage oil for aching musclesArnica, camphor and cypress for stiff muscles.Joints and musclesGrape · Wheat · ArnicaEuropeAsiaAbout 295 ml · 5 minutes (or 25 minutes with juniper)
- Body powderA soft powder of clay, arrowroot and rice.Skin careLavender · Arrowroot · Garden angelicaEuropeCentral America and the CaribbeanAfricaAsiaAbout 330 g · 5 minutes
- Clarifying shampooA herbal shampoo with apple cider vinegar.Hair and scalpLavender · Rosemary · BasilEuropeAfricaAsiaAbout 470 ml · 30 minutes
Custom herbal shampooA basic shampoo you adapt to your hair.Hair and scalpAloe vera · Lemon balm · LemongrassAfricaEuropeAsiaOceaniaCentral America and the CaribbeanAbout 180 ml · 30 minutes
Quick fresh hair rinseMint tea with vinegar as a final rinse.Hair and scalpMint · AppleEurope235 ml · 20 minutes
Dry shampooRice flour and orange peel for in between.Hair and scalpOrange · PatchouliAsiaAbout 200 g · 5 minutes- Leave-in hair oil against frizzA few drops for dry ends.Hair and scalpAvocado · Coconut · Rose geraniumCentral America and the CaribbeanAsiaAfricaEuropeAbout 60 ml · 10 minutes
- Nourishing hair treatmentFour plant oils as an intensive treatment.Hair and scalpAvocado · Olive · WatermelonCentral America and the CaribbeanEuropeAfricaAsiaOceaniaAbout 235 ml · 5 minutes
Herbal home remedies: tea, honey, tincture and salve
10 recipes
Sleep teaAn evening tea with chamomile as the base.Rest and sleepChamomile · Oats · PassionflowerEuropeNorth AmericaSouth AmericaLoose herb blend · 20–30 minutes- Stress teaA gentle, fruity tea for the daytime.Rest and sleepChamomile · Rose and rose hip · Lemon balmEuropeAsiaLoose herb blend · 20–30 minutes
- Headache teaFeverfew in a mild blend.HeadacheLemon balm · Feverfew · LavenderEuropeLoose herb blend · 20–30 minutes
Tea for a starting coldA fresh mint tea for the first day of a cold.ColdsSore throatEchinacea · Mint · YarrowNorth AmericaEuropeLoose herb blend · 20–30 minutes
Herbal honey for sore throat and coughThyme and fenugreek, slowly steeped in honey.Sore throatThyme · Fenugreek · MintEuropeAfricaOne jar · Steep at least a week- Herbal honey for colds and fluRosemary, elder and ginger in honey.ColdsRosemary · Elderberry · GingerEuropeAsiaOne jar · Steep at least a week
Tincture for the cold seasonFive herbs in alcohol, for the cold season.ColdsThyme · Echinacea · Sweet violetEuropeNorth AmericaOne bottle · Steep 2–4 weeks- Nerve tinctureA tincture of calming herbs.Rest and sleepChamomile · Lemon balm · LavenderEuropeNorth AmericaOne bottle · Steep 2–4 weeks
- Calendula and amaranth wound salveA herbal salve for small grazes.Small cuts and bruisesPot marigold (calendula) · Greater plantain · AmaranthEuropeCentral America and the CaribbeanAfricaAbout 300 ml · 3 hours
- Comfrey salve for joints and bruisesComfrey with thyme and rosemary, for external use.Small cuts and bruisesJoints and musclesComfrey · Thyme · RosemaryEuropeAfricaAbout 300 ml · 3 hours