Jekka's herbal recipes

MARIGOLD MOISTURISER

150g (5oz) emulsifying cream (such as Vaseline)

70g (3oz) glycerol

80ml (3fl oz) water

30g (1oz) dried marigold (calendula officinalis) flowers or 75g (3oz) fresh whole flowers

Method

Melt the emulsifying ointment in a glass bowl over a pan of boiling water. Add the glycerol and water and stir until all the ingredients have melted. Add the herb, stir well and simmer for three hours. Check the water doesn't boil dry. Strain the mixture through a wine press or jelly bag fitted into a jug. Once strained, stir the molten cream constantly as it cools to prevent it from separating out. When set, use a small spatula to fill a dark glass jar with screw top lid. Store in the fridge or a cold larder for up to two months.

Tip: The same method can be used with chamomile (chamaemelum nobile) and St John's Wort (hypericum perforatum). Chamomile is good for eczema and other allergic skin conditions and St John's Wort for cramp and neuralgia.

FACIAL STEAM

3 tbs dried herbs, comprising equal parts of chamomile, chervil, lavender, lemon balm, spearmint, curly mint and thyme

1.5l (3pt) freshly boiled water

Method

Place the herbs in a bowl, pour over the slightly cooled, boiled water. Hold your face over the steam at a distance of 30cm (12in), or 45cm (18cm) for those with sensitive skin. Cover your head, shoulders and the bowl with a towel and inhale for five to 10 minutes. Rinse your face with tepid water, then splash with cold.

Tip: For oily skin, use marigold flowers, dried horsetail, sage leaves and yarrow leaves. For mature skin, use dried elderflowers and tansy flowers plus dried tansy and lemon verbena leves.

Warning: Avoid facial steams if your skin is very dry, has visible red veins or if you're suffering from a heart condition or asthma.

TONING FACE PACK

2 tbs dried lady's mantle leaves and flowers, spearmint leaves and mallow leaves

1 tsp crushed fennel seed

1 tsp crushed juniper berries

575ml (1pt) water

2 tbs ground oatmeal, almonds or Fuller's earth (clay)

Method

Combine the herbs in a saucepan with the water. Cover, bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, strain and cool. Put the two tablespoons of ground oatmeal into a bowl. Add two to three tablespoons of the herbal infusion and mix well to form a paste. Spread fairly thickly over your face, avoiding the area around the eyes and mouth. Leave for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Use once or twice a week.

Tip: For oily skin, use chamomile, yarrow, parsley and peppermint to equal either two handfuls of fresh herbs or 2 tbs of dried herbs. For dry skin, use two handfuls of fresh houseleek, mallow and borage leaves or 2 tbs of dried herbs and 1 tsp of crushed flax seed.