Instead of featuring an edible recipe this week, we’re offering some summery body- care potions you can whip up in your kitchen. They’re from “Organic Body Care Recipes: 175 Homemade Herbal Formulas for Glowing Skin & a Vibrant Self,” by Stephanie Tourles (Storey Publishing, $18.95). The author, a holistic aesthetician, will be at the Tattered Cover, Colfax, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday to sign her book and demonstrate a recipe.
Here are a cleanser and tonic from the book.
Strawberry Cleanser
Strawberry juice has gentle astringent and bleaching properties and is best used as a light cleanser for those who do not wear makeup. It can also serve as a tooth cleanser and whitener – it’s very refreshing and helps eliminate onion and garlic breath.
Ingredients
4 very ripe, medium-sized strawberries, sliced and green stems removed.
1 drop peppermint or lavender essential oil (optional)
Directions
In a small bowl, thoroughly mash the strawberries with a fork (or use a mortar and pestle). Press the resulting pulp through a mesh strainer or squeeze through cheesecloth or nylon stocking and catch the juice in a small condiment bowl. Add the essential oil (if desired) and stir to blend.
Application tips: Apply juice to face, neck and décolleté with a saturated cotton square (avoiding eye area), and massage with fingertips for about 1 minute. Rinse with cool water.
Recommended for: oily, combination, acneic or normal skin.
Use: daily when fresh strawberries are in season
Follow with: astringent or toner
Prep time: 5 to 10 minutes
Blending tools: mortar and pestle or small bowl and fork
Store in: do not store; mix as needed
Yield: 1 application
Chilled Cucumber Tonic
Chilled cucumber juice is ever so smoothing, calming and hydrating. It’s a classic for reducing swollen under-eye “bags” and for helping skin recover from drying airplane travel.
Ingredients
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cubed
2 tablespoons distilled or purified water
Directions
Prepare the cucumber and place in a blender with water. Blend on medium or pulse if necessary until thick, juicy pulp forms. Transfer the pulp into a strainer and catch the juice in a bowl.
Pour the juice into a storage container.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days, then discard.
Application tips: Use a cotton cleansing pad, apply approximately 1 teaspoon of juice to the face or more as necessary for other parts of the body. Avoid eye area.
Recommended for: all skin types, especially irritated, inflamed, dehydrated, sunburned, windburned or itchy skin
Use: daily or when cucumbers are fresh and in season
Follow with: moisturizer
Prep time: approximately 10 minutes
Blending tools: blender
Store in: small plastic or glass jar
Yield: varies; 1/4 to 1/3 cup juice, depending on type and ripeness of cucumber
