Simple Potions for Beauty Culled from the Field

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 72, 26 March 1936, Page 11

Simple Potions for Beauty Culled from the Field

The charge of idleness cannot now bo brought against the plants of our countryside. The lilies of tho field may not spin, but they certainly toil on our behalf. The modern herbalist can compound from flowers, leaves or roots unguents and potions for beauty and for health. In this he is only following in the footsteps of witch doctors and “wise women” of the past, who had a cunning appreciation of the vnluo of herbs and other plants as allies of their incantations and charms. The modern beauty specialist draws on herbs for many of tho preparations to soften or beautify the skin, while the physician makes a generous use of herbal properties in his healing mixtures.

Those who live in the country nmy make their own preparations very simply from various plants. .. Should the skin show blotches owing to an unwise indulgence in rich food, make a decoction of wild mint, boiling it for a few minutes in water, instead of merely infusing it. D-'nk one or tw o cupfuls of this after a meal and your complexion will be cleared. Parsley is helpful in taking down too high n colour, or for curing redness of tho nose Make a strong decoction by boiling a handful of leaves in. a very little water and dab tho resulting lotfou on the cheeks or nose. It may also be blended with cold cream, if preferred. The valuo of pine needles is almost too well known to need stressing. Pine bath salts aro wonderfully refreshing. If you live among the pine woods, gather the needles and dry them in the shade. Then boil two or three handfuls in water and use tho water in your bath. Lettuce is very softening and whitening for the skin and has also a cleansing action. If one washes in water in wldcli lettuce has been boiled no soap is needed.

■ A mask made of lettuce boiled in milk, and pressed through a fine sieve is wonderful/ softening for a skin that has become harsh through exposure to tho weather. Innumerable other uses may be suggested for employing herbs beneficially. Those who find it troublesome to prepuro their own mixtures will find that many of these preparations may be bought ready mixed.