yarrow, rosemary, pennyroyal (but not during pregnancy!) or peppermint.
2 drops thyme oil, 2 drops tea-tree oil, 4 drops lemon oil, 1 drop eucalyptus oil. Swish round in the bath water before getting in. Don't use if you're nauseous or running a high fever.
Sip pineapple juice during the day; it soothes the sore tissues without giving the coated feeling your throat gets during bad head colds.
equal parts of sage and rosemary, with a spoonful of honey. Pennyroyal tea with honey is also good, but do not take during pregnancy.
Equal parts of marjoram and lavender oils, used in an oil diffuser or rubbed gently into the temples, often cure my tension headaches.
Camomile, sage, rosemary, peppermint, wormwood; any of these made into a tea and drunk will ease a headache.
In a small vial (perferably of dark or opaque glass) mix 10 drops lavender oil, 10 drops peppermint oil, 10 drops marjoram oil, 10 drops rose oil, 5 drops clove oil. Carry with you and inhale to cure a headache.
Chop an unpeeled cucumber into milk and simmer. Cool and apply to the affected area.
Yarrow is good to stop a bleeding cut incurred by shaving; just bruise a fresh leaf and press it to the spot for a few minutes.
In 1/2 cup water mix 5 drops each lavender and tea tree oil. Dip cotton wool in the mixture and swab the area until clean of dirt and other impurities.
cover the eyes with any of the following and lie down in a darkened room. Be sure to keep the eyes closed! Cold tea bags, raw potato slices, raw cucumber slices.
8 parts rose petals, 4 parts mint, 4 parts rosemary, 1 part crushed clove.
Approximately equal quantities of rose petals, chamomile, mint and rose geranium. Add a few drops of neroli essential oil (and I like a drop of clary sage too). This one’s quite strong and floral.
Stuff your pillow with mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). It produces truly spectacular technicolour dreams. I like to add a drop or two of clary sage oil to help me get to sleep, and because it has the quality of being able to open the third eye. It also produces euphoria but don’t overdo it because in large quantities it can cause headaches.
Directions for all herb baths:
Soak about 1/2 cup of herbs in water overnight. The next day, simmer for about 10 minutes and strain the liquid into the bath water.
OR: Place about 1/2 cup of herbs into a drawstring bag made of fairly loosely woven material (cheesecloth is ideal), or place in the centre of a circle of material, and secure tightly. Tie the bag on the tap so that hot water from the tap flows through it.
Comfrey, alfalfa, parsley, orange peel.
Yarrow, rosemary, camomile, comfrey.
Peppermint, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus.
bay leaf, rosemary, hyssop, lavender.
Drink heaps of water before going to bed, and drink more every time you wake up during the night.
Peppermint OR 2 drops Sandalwood, 2 drops Juniper, 2 drops Grapefruit. Both these blends are designed to reduce nausea, refresh and uplift.
camomile, comfrey root, sage, nutmeg. Or: thyme, nettles, rue, camomile, dill, mugwort, comfrey.
Add half a cupful of bicarbonate of soda to your bath to soothe aching muscles and joints.
Use a large handful each of camomile, eucalyptus, sage and comfrey root. Simmer for 15 minutes in a litre of water, strain and add the liquid to a warm bath. Soak yourself for half an hour.
Massage Oil Add to 100 ml carrier oil (grapeseed, macadamia, almond or olive) 20 drops lavender oil, 10 drops rosemary oil, 10 drops eucalyptus oil, 5 drops peppermint oil. Shake well to mix and leave several days to blend.
Take a handful of camomile flowers and add to 100 ml carrier oil. Leave the oil in a warm place for two weeks, and use as a massage for sore, aching bodies. You can also make this oil by adding 40 drops essential oil of camomile to 100 ml carrier oil. The scent will also ensure you a good night's sleep.
Mix 1 part lavender oil with 4 parts carrier oil and use to massage the aching back.
For mosquitoes, etc, apply a dab of undiluted lavender oil or tea tree oil to the bite. If there are many bites, take a bath containing half a cup of cider vinegar, 10 drops lavender oil, 5 drops thyme oil. Apply lavender or tea tree oil to all bites after the bath. You can also dab on witch hazel,or a potion of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in water. Herbal Bath to Soothe Insect Bites: some or all of rosemary, orange peel, camomile, alfalfa, comfrey, eucalyptus, mint, lemon balm, parsley.
bay leaf, rosemary, hyssop, lavender.
2 drops Rosemary, 2 drops Cedarwood, 2 drops Lemon. Creates a nice fresh scent that gets rid of odors and is quite masculine.
2 drops Rosemary, 2 drops Juniper, 1 drop Lemon. Like deep breaths of fresh air.
2 drops Geranium, 3 drops Bergamot. This is a flowery, cheering blend to balance the emotions. If you don't mind using expensive oils you can add 2 drops Rose.