MARGARETS Pages    FLOWER POWER               Page 2 (for easier download spread the information out )

EVERLASTING FLOWERS. Start preserving flowers to use in your own homemade products as soon as you've picked them.  Collect flower heads first thing in the morning  after the dew has dried. Choose flowers still in bloom, and take off any dead or damaged petals and preserve thus .. + crush and chop - remove petals, crush and chop with a wooden spoon on a board or pestle and mortar. + Hanging - good for flowers with strong stems.  Split into small bunches and tie stems together.  Hand in dry warm airy place away from direct sunlight until dried.

BEAUTY BOOSTERS.  try some and see how you feel. DRY SKIN SAVER 3 tablespoons elderflowers (fresh or dried), 3 tablespoons meadowsweet (fresh or dried), 300 ml (1/2 pint) fresh milk.

Mix together and leave stand for an hour.  Heat gently without boiling.  Cool. strain and store in glass bottle.  Use on clean damp skin. ROSY TONER (rose water is a gentle stimulant and will help put bloom back into sallow cheeks). 6 tbls. fresh rose petals, 1 tsp witchhazel, 300 ml (1/2pt) water. Make an infusion of rose petals by pouring over the boiling water.  Allow to stand for 30 minutes.  Strain.  Add witchhazel and shake well.  Keep in fridge. SUPER-SOFTENING HAND CREAM (for dry or chapped skin) 1 tbls marigold petals (fresh or dried) , small pot frangrance-free moisturiser, 1 tsp almond oil, 1 tsp vitamin E oil. Make an infusion of mrigold peterals by pouring over 150 ml (1/4 pt) boiling water.  Brew for 10 minutes, then strain.  Add a little to the moisturiser to make a smooth cream.  Mix together the almond oil and vitamin E oil and blend into mixture with wooden spoon.  Smooth it on last thing at night and cover your hands with pair of cotton gloves to retain the moisture.

HAIR CARE - place several drops of lavender in palm of hand, rub hands together and run hands through your hair beginning at scalp.  This can be done to dry hair before brushing or combing in the morning, or applied just before bed at night.  This helps sort out knots and tangles while leaving the hair beautifully fragranced.

HAIR RINSE - several drops of an essential oil, or blend of oils, can be added to 1 litre (2 pints) of warm water and used as a final rinse after washing hair.  Be sure the oil is completely dispersed in water before pouring it over the hair. A HAIR RINSE FOR DANDRUFF - 2 tablespoons of apple cidar vinegar (organic), and 2 drops of Rosemary oil to 1 litre (2 pt) of lukewarm water.  Agitate the water and use as a final rinse after shampooing.  Clary Sage is also effective, especially for greasy hair and dandruff, and can be used in place of Rosemary.

BLONDE HIGHLIGHTING RINSE - for best results shampoo and rinse in plain water first, then use this rinse regularly and dry hair in bright sunlight. 2 cups water, 1/2 cup dried chamomile flowers, 2 tablespoons chopped lemon peel, 1 tablespoon orange blossom water, juice of 1/2 lemon. Bring the water to boil, lower heat and stir in chamomile flowers and lemon peel.  Simmer 30 minutes, then covcr and steep for several hours or overnight.  Strain, squeezing all liquid from herbs.  Then stir in orange blossom water and lemon juice.  Pour through your hair several times, catching the liquid in a large bowl.

DEEPENING RINSE FOR DARK HAIR - use as a final rinse after shampoo/rinsing. 2 cups boiling water, 2 tea bags of plain tea, 1/4 cup dried sage leaves, 2 tablespoons dried rosemary leaves, 1 tablespoon dried stinging nettles. Pour water over teabags and steep covered for 15 minutes.  Remove tea bags, squeezing out liquid.  Reheat tea to boiling point, then pour it over the dried herbs.  Cover and steep for  1/2 to 1 hour.  Strain.  Pour rinse through hair several times, catching liquid in a bowl.

Aromatherapy is just the use of scented oils extracted from plants to improve health and well being.  Having burners around the home with essential oils in water, is pleasant and healthy.  A little goes a long way, so use a dropper for a specific amount.  The oils are high concentrated aromatic substances extraced from any part of a plant, flower, leaf, fruit, bark, roots.  It can take 2000 grams of rose peterals to produce 1 gram or rose oil. Methods of using the oils -- 1. vaporisation - a small dish is suspended over a candle burner.  The heat given off from the flame distributes the aroma through the air. 2. Bathing - few drops of oil added to a bath.  3. inhalation - few drops of oil in steaming water is inhaled.

WARNING - some oils are toxic and poisonous if used the wrong way. Use sparingly.  Seek the advice of a professional.

Click here to see Starr's Aroma Oils