Being Minted ~
Mint is one of those herbs when left to its own devices in the garden can run wild with no thought to your carefully designed haven that was planned with all 5 senses in mind. Suddenly being minted has a whole new meaning . . . .
Why not turn this invasive herb into a positive. Why not be minted in skin benefits? Why not be minted with the healthy benefits it has? Would your pocket not feel heavier with the all the savings you will make when you stop purchasing store bought versions and start making your own skin care? Do you not want less dangerous chemicals roaming around inside the body an
I for one vote to be minted.
Let's start by getting the skin in mint condition.
by Shauna
- Beauty is as Beauty Does - a Perspective
Beauty goes beyond skin-deep and what people see when they look at us. True beauty comes from within. It is that beauty that must be nurtured every day of our lives so we may share with others.
Credit to Shauna ~
The idea for this article was suggested to me from a fellow writer and friend on hubpages, Shauna, known as bravewarrior.
A terrific writer, supporter and follower of my work; she is minted not only with her ability to captivate readers but has an abundance of fresh mint and wanted some more ideas for ways to utilize her supply in the garden.
Thank you Shauna for the wonderful suggestion, I greatly appreciate it.
For keeping me on my toes by looking for new, interesting and varied solutions with mint, these recipes are dedicated to you!
Measurements
If you want to use dried mint or in fact any dried herb remember the quantity is different as dried herbs are more potent.
1 tablespoon of dried herbs = 3 tablespoons of fresh herbs
Variety is The Spice of Life ~
Mint is such a beneficial herb I am here to tell you that making your own skin care products from a minty orange face toner to a lemon mint foot scrub will not only improve your skin but they will be at a fraction of the cost compared to store equivalent products. If you have a bountiful supply of mint growing, utilizing it in different ways will guarantee your crop will not go to waste.
Enjoy these 5 skin care recipes which use readily available ingredients, are easily made and range from fresh once off applications to ones with a shelf life.
Olives
For an Alternative Use Lavender
- How to Make Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is produced as an essential oil or an infused oil. Originating in the wild thousands of years ago, it has become the most versatile member of the mint family with its many culinary and medicinal benefits. Making your own oil is easy!
Refreshing Minted Water
Mint Oil ~
Mint Leaves
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Glass Jar
Fine Mesh Sieve or Cheesecloth
Glass Bowl
Method:
- Wash the mint leaves carefully and pat dry with kitchen paper.
- Allow to dry but not to a brittle state.
- Crush or bruise the leaves with the fingers by scrunching up.
- Pop the leaves into the jar fill up to near the top.
- Pour olive oil over the mint up to the top.
- Screw on lid and if in a warm climate leave it in sunlight for a few days, giving it a good shake twice a day. If it is winter or a cold climate, leave for 4-6 weeks, shaking it twice daily.
- When it is ready, pour the oil through the fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a container to remove all the mint.
- Add the oil back into your glass jar and secure tightly.
- This will keep for 3-6 months.
Use it for both culinary dishes and beauty recipes that need oil and mint. Culinary ideas include dressings, dips, deserts, marinades, with potatoes . . . the list is long so you can be as adventurous and creative as you like.
Beauty recipes using oil or one that includes mint are perfect for this or use as a moisturizer on its own for either combination or oily skins in particular.
Suzie's Tip
Why not use the mint oil recipe instead of the almond oil? A great way of utilizing this product which will work wonders for the skin.
Foot Soak and Scrub
Lemon Mint Foot Scrub ~
1 lemon
12 mint leaves
2-3 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp sweet almond oil
Glass jar
Blender
Method:
- Chop up the entire lemon, removing seeds. Add to the blender and blend it until it is a pulp.
- Chop up the mint leaves finely and add these to a bowl with the sugar and almond oil. Add in the lemon pulp and mix well together.
- Apply to tired sore feet by applying to slightly damp skin in small massage movements all over the foot area to the top of the ankle.
- Pay particular attention to any dry, flaky patches, hard skin, eczema or fungal infections.
- Leave on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off with warm water or soaking them in a foot soak bowl making sure to remove all the scrub.
- Finish with a foot cream or massage oil to keep the tootsies in tip top condition all year round!
- If you have any left, store it in an airtight glass container in the fridge. This should last a few weeks (mine did), providing you do not allow any water into it as this will lead to bacteria forming.
- Make sure if washing mint, leaves are completely dry before bruising and when using scrub use a spoon or spatula to remove scrub and not fingers.
Cucumber and Mint Naturally Soothing
Suzie's Tip
For an extra kick add a few slices of cucumber to the mint and mash them in together. Cucumber is hydrating, soothing and takes care of any puffiness and dark circles.
cucumber
Dark Circle Mint Remedy ~
Sprig of fresh mint
2-3 slices cucumber (optional)
Mortar and pestle
Kitchen paper
Method:
- Wash and carefully pat the leaves dry with kitchen paper.
- Allow them to dry on a paper towel if necessary.
- Crush the leaves in the mortar with the pestle to a pulp.
- Apply the pulp with the ring finger gently patting it in under the eye area on dark circle. I recommend using the ring finger as it is less likely to drag the delicate skin tissue and the best finger to use for all eye treatments.
- Leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse off carefully.
Pat the eye area gently and apply an eye gel, eye cream or eye serum.
Suzie's Tips
Since you will be relaxing for 20 minutes or so why not apply your dark circle mint remedy at the same time to kill two birds with the one stone?
Fruit Acids
Fresh and Fruity Mint Face Mask –
Ideal for oilier skin this mask does a bit of everything! It deep cleans pores, exfoliates, tones, moisturizes, soothes, heals any pimples and has anti-inflammatory properties.
1 egg white
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint
1/4 -1/2 cucumber
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp apple juice
Blender
Small container
Method:
- Add all the ingredients into the blender and mix it to a smooth paste like consistency.
- Spoon it into your container.
- Apply to a cleansed and makeup free neck and face, avoiding the eye area.
- Take a break and lie down for 20-30 minutes.
- If you have some spare cucumber and mint leaves, why not combine this recipe with the dark circle remedy? Another option is to place a cucumber slice over both eyelids. Yes I know it is so often mentioned but cucumber really is amazing on the skin and on the eyes particularly.
- To remove the face mask, rinse off with warm water finishing with a splash of cold water to tighten the pores.
- Pat the skin dry before applying your serum or/and face balm.
Orange Peel
Suzie's Tips
For a mixed citrus toner add the peel from a mix of lemon, lime and orange for a perfect astringent for oily or combination skins.
Mentha
Orange and Mint Skin Toner ~
A simple but highly effective exfoliating skin toner that removes any excess oils, dead skin cells and helps tighten the pores thanks to the menthol and iron in the mint.
The citric acid in the orange helps restore the Ph balance of the skin and the combination with astringent witch hazel gives a smooth feel to the complexion. Sensitive skin may find this too astringent and should avoid.
3 tbsp fresh mint leaves
1 tbsp witch hazel extract (astringent)
Peel of an orange chopped up
1 cup of boiling water
8 oz glass bottle / jar
Wide mouthed glass container with lid
Sieve
Method:
- Crush or bruise the mint leaves to release the natural oils.
- Add them into the wide mouthed container.
- Add in the orange peel and pour over the boiling water.
- Allow to fully cool and apply the lid.
- I suggest leaving overnight in the kitchen giving a shake a couple of times.
- Strain the toner into your glass jar, removing all the leaves and orange peel.
- Stir in the witch hazel.
- Apply your toner after cleansing with a dampened cotton pad to remove the final traces of cleanser, refresh the skin and prepare the skin for your serum or/and moisturizer.
- As an alternative you can pour it into a spray bottle and use as an all over cooling body spray after the shower or bath.
- This toner should last a month and you can keep it in the fridge for extra cooling benefits.
Skin Beneficial Herb Garden
Food for Thought . . . .
The monetary savings on skin care can mount up with thousands of possibilities thanks to the extraordinary properties in our diverse supply of ingredients worldwide. The health benefits mount up too by choosing an all over healthier diet, lifestyle and awareness approach to choices.
Our hygiene and beauty regimes will benefit us and our families from head to toe by choosing less chemical, toxin and synthetic fragrance based products. The skin is our largest organ and absorbs a vast amount of all that is applied to it which goes directly into the bloodstream and from there starts circulating.Enjoy trying these homemade recipes and get minted!
"Creating health awareness through homemade beauty solutions"
Author Info ~
Information on the author, her bio and full body of works available @ Suzie HQ
Credit to homesteadbound ~
All dividers used in this hub are used with permission granted on hub, Creating Dividers to Use on Your Hubs
