DIY: Raspberry Leaf facial toner

Following a comment I made on my facebook profile about how I make raspberry leaf facial toner, I had 14 requests to provide the instructions to make it.  Including from my friends Chelsea (from Australia)  and Jenn (from America) - 'Hi ladies!'. 

I decided that others may want the DIY instructions for this too, so here it is!

What you need

• dry or fresh red raspberry leaves
• vodka or apple cider vinegar
• water
• a large heat proof jar
• muslin cloth (or other fine cloth to strain the liquid)
• kettle (to heat water)
• funnel (to decant toner easily)
• sterilised jars or bottles to store the toner

What you do

• In a heat proof jar place one cup of raspberry leaves
• boil some water and add one cup of water to the leaves
• stir
• add 1/4 cup of vodka or apple cider vinegar (this preserves the liquid)
• leave in a dark spot for at least 4 hours (can be left to infuse for up to a week)
• Once you are happy with the strength of the infusion strain through muslin cloth that has been draped over and in a funnel.
• decant into small dark bottles or jars
• label them with the contents and the date made (with vodka it can last for up to 2 years at least, with apple cider vinegar the use by time is usually halved)

What it is good for

Red raspberry leaves have a high amount of tannins giving them an astringent property making them good for minimising pores, reducing inflammation, and soothing irritation. They are also rich in Polypeptides, a type of Amino Acid, known to assist in cell regeneration, making the leaves good for reducing wrinkles and healing scar tissue.

How to use it

As a facial toner, place an amount of the infusion onto a cloth or cotton bud and wipe over face after cleansing. Leave to dry then apply moisturisers/ sunscreen as you normally do.

As a sunburn soother, apply liberally to effected area, to assist in soothing and healing the sunburn. repeat as needed.

NOTE: there are many ways to make facial toner, this is just one way; I use this method as it is quick, easy, and does not require any speciality tools to create it!

raspberry leaf

When I cannot obtain fresh raspberry leaves I buy them dried from MudBrick Cottage.

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 NOTE: The information in this blog does not constitute the practice of medicine, and does not replace the advice of your health care provider.

DIY: Rosehip oil

Rosehip oil, when topically applied, is useful for treating dry skin, to help prevent wrinkles, to assist superficial burn scars to heal, to minimise scarring, to treat acne, and treat excema.

To make rosehip oil at home you only need a few things.

UTENSILS
A large saucepan
A small saucepan
A funnel
A dark glass bottle
Piece of clean muslin

INGREDIENTS
Rosehips (fresh or dried) chopped up into small pieces
Carrier oil (such as almond oil or apricot oil)
Water

METHOD
Put about two centremetre depth of water in the large saucepan, and place on a stove top on lowest heat.
Place the small saucepan inside the large saucepan
Into the small saucepan add your rosehips and your oil(the ratio is one part rosehips to two parts oil)
Place a lid on the small saucepan
Allow the mixture to steep on the low heat for four hours (check the water level in the big saucepan occassionally to ensure it hasnt boiled dry)
Turn the heat off and allow the mix to cool
Place the funnel into the dark bottle
Place the muslin cloth lightly into and over the funnel
Carefully pour the rosehip oil mix into the bottle through the muslin (to strain the rosehip bits out)
Then cap the bottle and store in a cool dark place.

(The rosehip bits can be discarded, they are good in the compost bin)

The rosehip oil can be used as it is and applied to the skin as an intesive moisture treatment and scar reducer. It can also be used as a base for balms and lotions.

This is a quick and easy method to make rosehip oil, I make mine this way and am always pleased with the results.

Why not try it for yourself?

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 NOTE: The information in this blog does not constitute the practice of medicine, and does not replace the advice of your health care provider.

Spotlight on Herbs: Astringents

Astringent herbs constrict, contract, and tone tissue to reduce the flow of fluids such as from blood loss or excessive perspiration. They vary in strength and can be either sedative or stimulant in action.  They all however have the same ultimate action, which is to promote tissue firmness and strengthen the condition of skin or muscles.

Astringents are useful in toning the digestive tract, stopping internal haemorrhages, and in treating throat conditions by toning and cleansing the mucous membranes. Astringent herbs are also used cosmetically to firm and tighten skin.  

In herbs it is often the presence of Tannins that give them this astringent action.

A well known astringent herb is Witch Hazel ( Hamamelis virginiana ), it is used topically as a facial toner and can help reduce the inflammation and redness of acne as well as fight the bacteria on the skin.Witch Hazel is also useful when topically applied to sun burn to reduce the pain and swelling of the effected skin. 

Witch Hazel, when consumed as a tea, can help to alleviate the symptoms of intestinal distress (such as diarrhoea) , and when the tea is steeped and left to cool, it makes an effective gargle to treat sore/blistered throats.

Witch Hazel in bloom

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NOTE: The publication of information regarding alternative therapies, herbalism, aromatherapy, and the like, in this blog does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your health care provider.