If you have ever been inspired to make your own beauty products at home but ultimately decided not to proceed because you were intimidated by the process, here are some suggestions for you:
Like any new venture, the best way to ensure success is by taking things one step at a time and adopting an open attitude. No one person, no matter how well versed in the subject, will ever know all there is to know about herbs. Feel free to learn at whatever pace makes you comfortable.
You might want to browse through the selections at your local public library to get a feel for the kind of information that is available. Then, when you find a particular guide book that suits your needs, you can go ahead and purchase one. Try to find one that you can use as a reference guide, with the properties of various plant products listed in an easy to read manner. You might well find yourself going to your garden or to the local market for remedies for common health ailments instead of your medicine cabinet or the drug store!
Once you have gained enough knowledge to be familiar with the different properties of herbs, you can then proceed to making use of them for whatever your needs may be. Some herbs act as a sedative, which is good for both body and mind. Still others are astringents, which is helpful if you are dealing with oily skin, while others are antiseptics, which may help those with acne.
Now that you know which herbs to use for your particular condition, how do you use them? One common way is by infusion. This is a lot like making tea. Using a glass container with a lid, boil the water (one pint of water for each ounce of herbs) first, then add the herbs (including stems and leaves). The mixture is then left to steep for about 10 minutes. Strain it, and then you can use the liquid in whatever fashion you choose.
Some natural products take the form of seeds, roots, or bark. If you would like to work with these items, the procedure is a little different: The best results are obtained if you used a small mortar and pestle to grind up the roots and seeds before you put them in the pot. This will help you get the most benefit from your ingredients by releasing their properties fully.
You need the to use a container made from a non metallic material, but in this case you need to bring the mixture to a slow boil and keep it boiling for about 15 minutes. The lid of the pot should not be put on tightly; instead, leave it at a bit of an angle to let steam escape. After 15 minutes, take the pot off the stove and let it steep for another few minutes (5 to 10 are recommended). Strain as above, and then use the liquid.
If you take the time to do some research first, the whole world of natural beauty products isn't really so intimidating. Figure out what you would like to treat, find out what herbs are needed and how to prepared them, and you will be well on your way to a whole new hobby.
