Since there have been enough questions this month to post, here are some recipes for you to make your home your own Spa

Walnut Hand and Foot Scrub

In the summer we tend to walk around with no shoes or open sandals to expose our feet. we need to show them some tender loving care. Here is one solution. Castor Oil is particularly good for hte nails and skin. When combined with Olive Oil, it enhances the nails' flexibility and rendersthem more pliable and less prone to chipping and breaking. Which if you have been a beach bum this sumer you know how cracked and dry your nails get from the heat and sand. The ground walnuts provide the appropriate friction for the removal of the dead surface cells, while replenishing the skins moisture.Your heels will heal faster than you can imagine. Honey is a natural antiseptic and bacteria inhibitor. It is also high in Potassium and is ideal for any skin treatment.

Recipe:

1/2 Cup shelled walnuts
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Castor Oil
1 teaspoon Honey

Grind walnuts to a course powder.
Add Olive Oil, Castor Oil, and Honey to make a thick paste.
Vigorously rub feet with the paste. Rinse with warm water.
Pat dry and moisturize. This treatment is most effective when you use it 2x a week.

Green Tea Tonic

This simple toniccleanses, tones, and soothes. It is recommended for aging and tired skin.

Recipe:

2 teaspoons of powdered Green Tea
1/2 cup of boiling water

Steep Green Tea in water after the boiling calms.
Wait ten minutes for it to cool.
Aply tonic with cotton or gauze.
Use daily for best results

Cranberry and Savory Acne Inhibitor

The acidity in the cranberriesworks as a mild astringent and toner. Savory, which the Greeks originally considered to be an aphrodisiac, and which posesses antiseptic propertiessimilar to those found in Oregeno and Thyme, helps cleanse the skin of excess oils.

Recipe:

1 tablespoon dried Savory leaves crushed
1/2 cup of boiling water
1/2 cup Cranberries

Place dried savory in a small bowl and cover with water that is no longer boiling.
Allow to steep for 15 minutes, then strain liquid and set aside.
Place the cranberries in a blender and puree'. Strain pulpand combine the liquid with the Savory infusion.
Soak cotton pads or gauze in the liquid (you could even use a washcloth)and leave on face for 15 minutes.
Try to avoid the eye area. Removes pads or washclothand rinse with warm water. Not hot, not cold, but warm.

Herbs at A Glance (a quick view chart of a few herbs and their uses)

Herbs At A Glance

Cayenne ( capsicum annuum)- If spicy is not your style Cayenne can be ingested pill form. Full of Vitamin C, Iron, Potassium, and Niacin. It is used in the treatment of Asthma, Toothaches, Digestive Ailments, and the Common Cold.

Dandelion ( taraxacum officinale)- Though not as common today as in times past, dandelion is still regarded as one of the best herbs for building up the blood and curing Anemia. It has been used in treating Diabetes and Liver Disease

Uvi-Ursi (arctostaphylos uvi-ursi ericaceae)- Known as a healing herb, medicinal uses include treating kidney stones, incontinence and bladder infections. Externally, the herb is used to treat muscle strains and swelling. The leaves and berries contain tannic and other acids, giving it astringic and antiseptic qualities. Colonial Americans used an infusion of the leaves and the berries to stop poison ivy from spreading.

Yarrow (curcuma zedoaria)- fossils of Yarrow Pollen have been identified in archaeology that dates this plant back at least 60,000 years. Traditionally yarrow rots were used in Chinese astrology and Achilles used it in the Trojan war to stop the flow of blood. It contains anti-inflammatory properties like azulene and related compounds. The plant also has Salicylic acid derivatives and is used to treat fevers and reduce pain. Native Americans use the plant extensively in treating burns, colds, cramps, earaches, indigestion, hemorrhages, swollen tissues, toothaches, wounds and sores.

Black Cohash- Lowers blood pressure-cholestoral levels, reduces mucus, relieves hot flashes, and is good for the cardiovascular system.

Cats Claw- Cleans Intestinal tract, anti-oxidant, intestinal problems, cancer, tumors.

Goldden Seal- Anti- inflammatory, strngthens the imune system note:do not give to small children.

Kava Kava- Depression, insomnia, stress, and urinary tract infections.

Milk Thistle- Liver cleanse- reconstruction (not to be taken in springtime because the liver is purging itself in the spring)

Yellow Dock Root- Purifier and cleanser, improves colon-liver functions