Herbs For Pampering, Not Just Cooking

By all these lovely tokens September days are here, with summer's best of weather and autumn's best of cheer. ~Helen Hunt Jackson

We think of herbs as culinary or ornamental most of the time, but they can be used other ways as well. The following recipes are easy to make and will give you an idea of what you can do with your herbs beside cook with them. If you don't grow herbs you can also buy bulk dried herbs online or look for fresh herbs in the produce section of your grocery store.

This is a neat recipe because if you grow fennel you know that you always have a HUGE amount of seed each year, and it's nice to have another use for it.

Fennel Cleanser

1 tablespoon fennel seed
1 cup boiling water
1 cup honey
2 tablespoons buttermilk

Lightly crush the seeds, pour over the boiling water and steep for at least 30 minutes. Strain after cooling into a glass bowl or measuring cup. Add the honey and the buttermilk . Pour into a bottle and refrigerate. Use to cleanse your face gently then rinse.

Mint Footbath

Dozen sprigs of mint
1/2 cup cool water
10 cups boiling water

Puree the mint and the cool water in a blender or a food processor. Pour this into a wash basin or any container you can fit both of your feet into. Add the boiling water and cool to a comfortable temperature. Soak both feet together until the water turns cold. Pat dry and use a good moisturizer.

Lady's Mantle Rinse

4 tsp. dried lady's mantle leaves
1 cup boiling water

Pour the boiling water over the herb in a glass bowl or measuring cup. Steep for ten minutes or until cooled. Strain and place into a small jar. You can use immediately or chill and use any time within 24 hours. Use cotton pads or cotton balls in the mixture and cleanse your face and neck. You can also add to your bath.

We have more herbal recipes on OFL:
http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/pamper.html