Herbal Preparations (from common household ingredients)

Easy homemade oatmeal mask:

1 part dried herb mix + 2 parts oatmeal + liquid (enough to form paste)

The goal of this is to find items you already have around your house to make a soothing mask. I have created a list of options for both the herbs and liquid so that you can hopefully find something that works for you and does not require a trip to the store.  

Herb choices: Use one or combine multiple herbs. 

Where do you find these in your home? Check your teas - you may have some of these herbs among your herbal teas. Check your kitchen spices - there are bound to be one or two of these. Check outside - some of these grow in our natural landscape or in our gardens.

Lavender, chamomile, and oatmeal

Lavender, chamomile, and oatmeal

  • Lavender (Lavendula off)- calming, anti-inflammatory antimicrobial

  • Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)- calming, antimicrobial

  • Marigold (Calendula)  - calming, healing

  • Rose petals (Rosa.) - Astringent, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory

  • Rose hips (roses that have gone to seed) - Antioxidant - great source of vitamin C!

  • Peppermint (Mentha piperita) - cooling, drying

  • Sage (Salvia off.)- Astringent, antimicrobial

  • Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant

  • Yarrow (Achillea millefolia)  - Healing, astringent, anti-inflammatory. Tends to be cooling and drying

 

Liquid options: choose one or more:

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  • Plain yogurt

  • Egg white

  • Honey (warm)

  • Oil - grapeseed, almond etc

  • Lemon juice 

  • Water

  • Apple cider vinegar 

 

Directions:

  1. Choose your herb(s). Add 2 tbsp herb(s) to a grinder or mortar and pestle or food processor. I use a coffee grinder.

  2. Measure out 4 tbsp oats and add to chosen grinding/blending method

  3. Grind herb(s) and oatmeal together to make a fine powder. (it’s okay if it is chunky if you are not using a grinder)

  4. Choose one:

    1. Add 2 tbsp powder to about 1 tbsp liquid and create a single mask. Powder can be saved in a container for later use. Some of the powders are edible and taste great in muffins or pancakes (depending on the chosen herbs)

    2. Combine all of the herb and oatmeal mix with about 3-4 tbsp liquid and make enough for multiple uses - store the mask in the fridge until ready to use.

  5. To use:

    1. Gently cleanse face and neck with warm water

    2. Apply mask to face and neck

    3. Leave on to dry (about 10-15 min)

    4. When ready to remove, apply a warm wet cloth to your face and neck - allow it to sit long enough to re-wet the mask - then gently wipe off the mask for soft, glowing skin.

Completed single mask made with lavender, chamomile, oats, warm honey, and yogurt

Completed single mask made with lavender, chamomile, oats, warm honey, and yogurt