Tag: Glycerol

Herb of the Day for June 29th is Witch Grass

Herb of the Day

Witch Grass

Folk Names: Couch Grass, Dog Grass, Quick Grass, Witches Grass

Gender:  Masculine

Planet:  Jupiter

Powers:  Happiness, Lust, Love, Exorcism

Magickal Uses:  Witch grass carried or sprinkled under the bed attracts new lovers. Witch grass is also used in all manner of unhexing and uncrossing rituals, the infusion is sprinkled around the premises to disperse entities, and when worn it dispels depression.

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Rose Oil Skin Softener

This lovely handmade lotion can be applied to pumiced elbows, knees, and feet.

4      tablespoons vegetable glycerine

1      cup rose water

4      tablespoons cornstarch

5      drops rose oil, optional

2      drops lavender, optional

Combine vegetable glycerin, rose water, and cornstarch, and heat over a double boiler to thicken. Cool, add rose oil and lavender (optional). Stir and apply to chapped or dry skin. Bottle any leftovers.

Herbal Toner

Here’s a recipe for a simple toner to be used within 3 days

For sensitive and mature skin:

1/2     cup rose, lavender, or Calendula water infusion*

1         teaspoon vegetable glycerine

1/2     cup witch hazel

For oily skin:

1/2     cup sage leaves, or

1/2     cup lemon balm, lemon grass, and lemon verbena, or

1/2      cup rosemary

1           teaspoon vegetable glycerine

1/2       cup witch hazel

*For an infusion, steep 2 tablespoons fresh herb for a combination of herbs (to equal 2 tablespoons) in half a cup of boiled water in a covered glass or porcelain container for 10 minutes. Strain before using.

For sensitive and mature skin, combine rose water, lavender water, or Calendula water as an infusion with vegetable glycerin and witch hazel. Apply with a cotton ball. For oily skin, infuse any of the herbs in half a cup of boiled water for 10 minutes and strain. Add glycerine and witch hazel. Refrigerate after using. After the toner dries and sets, apply a moisturizing cream or lemon.

Sunshine Brew Glycerin Body Soap

4    cups melt and pour glycerin soap base

2    tablespoons sunshine brew

Ground sunshine brew herbs (dried)

Yellow soap dye (optional, but if you do not use dye for this recipe, your

soap will appear a faint, murky yellow-green)

Soap molds or square Pyrex dish

4    vitamin E gel capsules

Grind sunshine herbs into a finer mixture-especially the ginger, this should be powdered. Follow soap-melting instructions as given on the package. Once soap has melted, with ladle, transfer soap to your Pyrex measuring cup. (If you melted the soap in the cup in the microwave, transfer won’t be necessary.) Whisk in desired amount of color and scent by following instructions given with those products. Add the two tablespoons of sunshine brews, and whisk. Add desired amount of herbs. Some individuals like very few herbs in their soaps, where others like a more generous amount–just remember that herbals can clog your drain if they are too large or you use too much. Break vitamin E gel capsules and add the liquid to your soap mixture. Vitamin E will help to preserve the chamomile. Makes approximately ten 6-ounce soaps.

Herbal Toner

Here’s  a recipe for a simple toner to be used within 3 days.

For sensitive and mature skin:

  • 1/2 cup rose, lavender or Calendula water infusion*
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerine
  • 1/2 cup witch hazel

For oily skin:

  • 1/2 cup sage leaves, or
  • 1/2 cup lemon balm, lemon grass, and lemon verbena, or
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerine
  • 1/2 cup witch hazel
  •  1/2 cup rosemary

*For an infusion, steep 2 tablespoons fresh herb (or a combination of herbs to equal 2 tablespoons) in half a cup of boiled water  in a covered glass or porcelain container for 10 minutes. Strain before using.

For sensitive and mature skin, combine rose water, lavender water, or Calendula water as an infusion with vegetable glycerin and witch hazel. Apply with a cotton ball. For oil skin, infuse any of the herbs in half a cup of boiled water for 10 minutes and strain. Add glycerine and witch hazel. Refrigerate after using. After the toner dries and sets, apply a moisturizing cream or lotion.

Herbal Moisturizer

Here is a handy-dandy moisturizer that you can make at home:

1     tablespoons herbal infusion (rose, lavender, marigold mint)

1     teaspoon honey

1     tablespoon vegetable glycerine or 2 tablespoons cocoa butter

A few drops essential oil (any kind), optional

To an herbal infusion, add honey and vegetable glycerin or cocoa butter. You can add a few drops of essential oil of your choice. Choose a herb that appeals to your senses and that you find pleasing.