List of ingredients in our recipes and their benefits

Alphabetical List of Ingredients

Benefits

Hazelnut oil for softer skin: Due to its light consistency, hazelnut oil deeply penetrates and softens the skin. Go to Anti-Cellulite Oil

Hazelnut oil as a base: Extracted from pressed hazelnuts, this clear, pale-yellow oil has a mild fragrance and is high in vitamin E and fatty acids. Hazelnut oil is one of the best base oils for homemade creams, oils and lotions because of its lightness and resistance to spoilage. Go to Anti-Scar Oil

Oils for delicate skin: Apricot-kernel oil contains vitamin A and has a light consistency, allowing it to penetrate deep into the skin. Hazelnut oil has a high vitamin-E content and is especially nurturing because of its unsaturated fatty-acid content. Go to Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Carrier oils for moisture and softness: Grape-seed, hazelnut and soybean oil, used in many body scrubs, penetrate the skin readily. They supply essential fatty acids to the skin, lending it increased elasticity and a soft sheen. Go to Body Scrubs

Hazelnut oil to soften skin: Light and penetrating, this oil is suitable for all skin types; it softens and conditions your hands and cuticles. Made from the pressed kernel of the hazelnut, the pale-yellow oil is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids and has a mild, nutty fragrance. It also resists going rancid. Go to Hand-Care Treatments

Hazelnut oil nourishes: This fast-penetrating, extremely light oil is one of the best oils for cosmetic use. It is high in vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids, which nourish the skin. Go to Suntan Oil

Henna adds strength and shine: Henna not only gives hair a deep, bright red tint, but strengthens it, coating the hair and tightening the cuticle, the exterior layer of the hair shaft that protects the inner layers. The result is a rich, healthy shine. However, henna and other natural tints are only temporary; they last six to eight weeks and gradually fade because they don't penetrate the hair shaft (as chemical colorants do). Although your hair must be re-colored more often with natural tints, what you sacrifice in "permanence" you gain in damage prevention. Go to Hair Tinting

Highlighting the hair: Use herbal rinses to bring out your hair's natural highlights. Steep the recommended herbs in 3 cups boiling water for 30 minutes, and strain. After shampooing, squeeze out excess water and saturate hair with herbal rinse. Towel dry using a dark towel. For blonde or light-brown hair, blend 1 tablespoon each of dried chamomile, comfrey and calendula. To make dark hair more vibrant, add 1 tablespoon of each of dried comfrey, powdered black-walnut hull and sage. To cover up gray, mix 1/2 cup of neutral henna with enough brewed coffee-usually about 1 cup-to make a gooey paste. Leave on hair for 30 minutes.  Go to Natural Cosmetics

Gentle herbal shampoo as a base: A good base for natural shampoo is a mild herbal shampoo, which can be found in many health-food stores. Buy a soap-based shampoo made with coconut, soy, olive or palm-kernel oil. Another good choice is a herbal baby shampoo. Avoid shampoos that include olefin sulfate, lauramide DEA, cocamide DEA, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium C14-16 or cocamidopropyl betaine, as they tend to be too harsh. Go to Shampoo

Dip some cotton balls into your favorite (cooled) herbal tea to place on your eyelids while you are relaxing during your treatment. Go to Dead Sea Mud Facial

Prepare an herbal hair rinse the same way you make a herbal tea: Pour a cup of boiling water over a teaspoon of herbs. Steep for 10 minutes, then strain. Message the rinse into the scalp gently and evenly; leave it on the hair without rinsing. Dry your hair with a soft towel. Heat can damage your hair; so try to avoid using a blow-dryer and allow your hair to dry naturally. Go to Hair Rinse

Beeswax and honey to soothe and protect: Beeswax is obtained by melting and cleaning empty honeycombs. It helps protect the skin naturally against bacteria because it contains antibacterial propolis. Honey soothes skin and firms tissue by plumping cells up with water. Go to Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Honey for minor inflammations: The enzymes and organic acids in raw honey helps to soften the skin, while giving it a warm sheen. Honey is also mildly antibacterial and can help heal minor inflammations. Go to Bran Bath

Honey for natural hold and conditioning: The components in honey will condition and nourish your hair and scalp. Honey provides hair with natural hold, shine and volume. It also keeps your scalp from drying out, which helps prevent the formation of dry flakes. Go to Hair Setting Lotion

To help you sleep: The dried blossoms of hops and lavender have sedative and toning effect on the whole body. They facilitate falling asleep and aid restful, deep sleep. Chamomile blossoms help dispel restlessness and gently calm the body and spirit, setting the stage for peaceful sleep. Go to Relaxing Baths

Hydrosol - The condensed water that is left behind when plants are steam distilled to make essential oil. A little like waters made from roses and lavenders and other herbs, except more pure and a little more concentrated. You can make your own waters, just by steeping an herb in warm water and straining. Or, you can purchase hydrosols. See below. What is a hydrosol?  Go to Anti-Wrinkle Cream   Go to Day Cream