An ancient teaching from the Indian Ayurvedic System of longevity and health is that whatever you put on your skin is the same as eating it. Think of that next time you slather some lotion on your skin! I have long been a fan of natural beauty and using products from the kitchen cupboard for beauty treatments. So here is one of the few recipes I have gathered over the years. ( An excerpt from my book Notes from the Witches Kitchen)“In a far kitchen in the woods a sweet fragrance wafts on the evening air. There is lemon balm and lavender, almonds and sugar, fruit from the garden of the goddess and honey from the hive. The Witch is preparing The Goddess Within. She is on the pollen path.”
HAREM SCRUB
Mix to a paste:
1 tsp ground, dried citrus peel
3 tsp ground almonds
2 tsp oatmeal
1 tsp crushed, dried rose petals
2 Tb Almond oil
1 pinch clove powder
1 pinch nutmeg powder
2 drops Neroli (or a citrus oil, pettigraine
or lemon)
2 drops sandalwood (or patchouli)
Grind together in a mortar and pestle
until you have a paste.
After a hot bath, dry your body and whilst standing in the bath, begin to roll the mixture over your skin. Massage into dry areas. What you are doing is attempting to cover the skin in a very fine layer, which is why you need to roll the paste over your body.(Alternatively a bath boy may be employed in this task)When you have finished, begin to brush the fine dust off. Gently wipe any remaining areas of paste with a damp flannel.