Summer Flowers Facial Wash

In a mixing bowl, mix 1/4 cup each of these dried flowers: elderflowers, white clover blossoms, red rose petals, calendula petals, and chamomile flowers with 1/4 cup dry uncooked oatmeal. Store in a tightly lidded jar. Put a tablespoon of the mix into a reusable teabag and place in a pretty bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon vinegar and 2 cups boiling water. Let steep and remove herb bag. Soak a soft cloth in the warm wash, and apply to face to tone and tighten pores.

Elderflower Face and Hand Lotion

Put 8 ounces milk or buttermilk into a small saucepan. Add 1/4 cup honey and a handful of fresh elderflowers on their stems. Stir to incorporate the honey, and warm on lowest heat for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and steep covered for 3 hours. Strain out elderflowers and pour into a pretty lidded jar. Use on face and hands, to soften and clean. Keep refrigerated.

Herbal Healing Salve

Into a saucepan over very low heat, melt 1/4 cup vegetable shortening. Cut up very small: several fresh plantain leaves, a handful of fresh chickweed and 1/4 cup fresh goldenrod leaves. Add herbs to the melted shortening. Stir to mix well, and allow to heat for about 15 minutes, stirring often to insure herbs will not burn. Remove from heat and strain thru cheesecloth or muslin into a small lidded jar. Cap tightly, cool completely and keep refrigerated. This makes a protective ointment to cover a cut, scrape or other skin irritation.

Herbal Beauty Cream

This makes a very rich thick cream which must be kept refrigerated. Make only a small amount each time, as it is best used within the week.

In the microwave, boil a cup of water in a small bowl, add 1/2 cup rose petals and 1/4 cup elderflowers. Cover and let steep for 20 minutes. Leave until cool and then strain, reserving the tea liquid.

In blender container put 1 egg (at room temperature) and 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Cover and blend on high until thoroughly combined. With blender still running, take off cover and slowly add 1/2 cup vegetable oil. Then slowly add 3 tablespoons of the cooled rose petal tea. Then when thoroughly blended, very slowly add 1/2 cup vegetable oil. Blend until thick. Ladle into small covered jar and keep refrigerated. Use small amounts on face and hands.

These recipes are from the book I am writing. I have tested them and hope they will turn out nicely for you.

How about some more recipes we haven't tried yet? Thanks for trying these out, and I could use some feedback.

Jeanine