Recipe: Avocado Wash

This is a treatment that should be used, in cases where your scalp and hair is seriously damaged. As I mentioned before, the Avocado has an excellent abundance of natural fats, that the skin, scalp and hair love.

• 1/2 Avocado

Taking half of a ripe avocado meat, apply to hair and scalp, massaging it in for about 3 minutes. Let it set for another 2 minutes. Rinse out under COOL water until all contents are out. Hand dry your hair, preferably. Or dry under the COOL setting with your hair dryer. You don't want to create any further damage to your hair/scalp from using heat, when your hair is in this delicate state.

You should only need to use this treatment once or twice. (For Nappy/Kinky hair wash hair once a week. All other types of hair, can use this treatment twice in one week)

*Note: You will automatically notice that your hair will start to become super curly, this is a great sign. It just means that your hair is well moisturized. The botanical properties from the avocado in its rawest form, should help in bringing your hair/scalp back into a more healthier and balanced state.

Quick Tips: For the D.I.Y Beauticians

For all the readers who are developing their own custom Shampoos, Conditioners and Hair Food... here's a cool tip for your recipes:

Add Color Enhancing Ingredients to Your Recipes

Ever wish that your natural hair color was a little more richer or more vibrant, without having to dye your hair? There are several plants in the natural world, that have the ability to enhance our natural hair color. Causing your typical black hair, to become even more darker and richer looking. Or your red hair to become even more shiny and vibrant without having to dye your hair.

Here are some basic color enhancers...

Blond Hair:

• Chamomile
• Honey

Auburn & Red Hair:

• Cinnamon

Brown & Black:

• Lavender
• Basil
• Sage

Some more Recipes

For some requests. Here are some more herbal cosmetic recipes...

Herbal Cleansing Milk For Dry Skin


2 TBSP dried chamomile blossoms
2 TBSP dried rose petals
2 TBSP dried lemon balm leaves
2 TBSP dried calendula
2 TBSP dried comfrey
1 TBSP bee pollen
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup aloe vera gel
1/2 glycerin
2 TBSP honey
10 drops vitamin 'E' oil

[this recipe is good for 4 treatments]

Place the dried flowers and herbs and bees pollen in a 10 ounce (284 gram) glass jar with lid. Then, pour the boiling water into glass jar, cover and steep for 20 minutes. Strain out herbs (use a cheese cloth or muslin bag for better results), reserving the liquid. Pour liquid into a blender and add the remaining ingredients. Blend at high speed for 2 minutes. Pour contains into a wide mouthed jar. Keep refrigerated; mixture will last for a week.

[for 'normal' skin types, replace the chamomile blossoms and lemon balm leaves with dried elder blossoms and dried lavender. Follow the same procedure as mentioned above]

***

Dandruff Oil Treatment


1/2 cup grapeseed oil
2 TBSP cornmeal
1 TBSP apple cider vinegar
1 shower cap

Pour the grapeseed oil into a bowl, then add the cornmeal and vinegar.
Stir well to make a pastry oil.

How to use:

Rinse hair with warm water. Warm 1 TBSP of the oil mixture in the palms of your hands. Using your finger tips (not your nails!) in a circular motion gently massage the mixture into the scalp. Repeat until the entire scalp has been massaged. Place the shower cap over your head, and let it mix sit for 30 minutes. Rinse well, then shampoo as you normally would.

[ Recommend treatment to be used every other week or once a week. To prevent dandruff from ever starting]

***

Rosemary Water Rinse


Also a dandruff treatment. Use weekly.

1 cup of fresh rosemary
2 cups of boilling water

Place rosemary into a bowl, then pour boiled water over it. Let mix seep until it cools down, to lukewarm tempature.

After shampooing (and rinsing) the hair pour the mixture in the hair, massaging the mix through out the head. Rinse, then condition hair as usual.

***

A Personal 'Get Away' Bath


1 tbsp fresh rose petals
2 tbsp fresh comfrey (for aches and pain refief)
2 tbsp fresh elderflowers (1tbsp dred)
2 cups boiling water


Place the herbs into a 1-pint jar. Pour boiling water over the herbs and steep, covered, for 20 minutes to 4 hours (depending how strong you want the infusion to be). Strain liquid into the bath.

To Use:

Add mixture in to a tub half full of warm water. Relax in the tub for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse with tepid water and pat dry.

Home Style Cosmetic Recipes...

Buttermilk & Fennel Seed
Skin Cleanser
(Note: This is a good cleanser that is meant for people with 'oily skin'. Fennel seed is a strong astringent and will cause over drying or irritation on people with normal and dry skins.)


1/2 cup of Buttermilk
1 tbsp of fennel seeds

Place the buttermilk into a double boiler and heat them gently for 30 minutes. Cool and leave to stand for 2 hours. Strain. Pour the buttermilk into a clean, sterilized jar. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

[Taken from "A Dash Of Spice" by Kathryn Hawkins & Gail Duff]

***

Honey Water After Shave

This makes a soothing and refreshing aftershave
This is a variation of the recipe created by George Wilson (an apothecary to James II, 1685-88, of England).



1 tbsp honey
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 orange-flower
4 tbsp vodka
4 drops coriander oil
4 drops musk oil
4 drops juniper oil
4 drops vanilla oil

Put the honey into a large jug and pour hot water over. Stir until the honey has dissolved. Leave until quite cold. Add the orange-flower water, vodka, and essential oils. Pour the water through a funnel into a dark bottle. Cover and shake well.

[Taken from "A Dash Of Spice" by Kathryn Hawkins & Gail Duff]

***

Facial Scrub

Do not use if your skin is very sensitive.

	1 tbsp ground oatmeal
	1 tbsp ground dried lavender blossoms
	1 tbsp ground thyme leaves
	1 tbsp ground almonds
	4 drops lemon essential oil

Grind all dry ingredients finely and mix until uniform. Add essential oil and mix well. Store in a glass container. Use 1 1/2 teaspoons with enough water to make a paste. Gently massage into skin and rinse thoroughly.

[Taken from "E Audry"]