Roughly chop a quarter of a small cucumber. Put this into a blender with three to five houseleek leaves and process until smooth. Strain the mix through a sieve to extract the juice, you’ll want 50ml of this in the next stage. Separately, put 25ml witch hazel in a pan. Add a white or green…
A recent report said that ‘masks’ are the most searched-for skincare term on Google, they’re certainly hugely popular as a way to care for and soothe skin and as a simple self-boosting treat. I’ve suggested using green clay (otherwise known as fullers earth) but you could also use other clays (white kaolin, pink clay or…
Here’s a lovely recipe for easing hard-working feet. It makes the most of leaves you can gather from hedgerows and the garden. If you set the infusion going before you head out for a walk, it will be ready to warm and enjoy when you get back and need it most. Collect together equal amounts…
A traditional recipe for chapped hands. Take a whole houseleek and liquidize to express the juice. Strain this through a sieve. Shred two lady’s mantle leaves and then pound them with a pestle and mortar. Gently warm 1 teaspoon almond oil with 1 teaspoon honey until the honey has dissolved. Beat in the pulverised lady’s…
A herbal way to satisfy our modern desire for hand sanitising sprays, great to keep in the kit bag when out-and-about. Blitz your houseleek leaves and sieve to extract the juice. Put this in a small pan and slowly add 10ml herbal infused oil, whisking thoroughly together. As it cools, add 5ml thyme tincture and…
Houseleeks: our temperate alternative to aloe vera in skincare A perennial feature of the garden I grew up in was the spiky little plants that ran in shallow beds along the edge of the terrace. While I’d happily pluck flowerheads from elsewhere and shred petals into jam jars to make perfumes and potions, the sharp…
TEMPERATE SKINCARE: Do your values show in your selfies? Permaculture teaches us to think in systems: to observe the natural flows that occur and to ensure any interventions we make enhance the symbiosis. Recognising the constant regeneration and renewal of our own skin as an intricate, well-functioning natural system offers us a good perspective on…
You need very little kitchen equipment to make your own skincare. Most people have a whisk (or can improvise with a fork) and a spatula (which can be substituted by a spoon) but the ‘double-boiler’ can stop you in your tracks. Just what is it?
The shampoo market is declining as consumers seek more natural options, here’s our thoughts on ‘No Poo’
Whatever product you’re using, there are some ways in which you can increase its effectiveness and reduce any negative impact. 1. Soft water – if you’re lucky enough to live in a soft water area, enjoy it. Those with harder water coming out of their taps and shower heads do have some options: a. Install…
