NATURAL SKIN TONICS

Rose Water
Mix rose essence in water and shake thoroughly. Two tablespoons essence of roses is sufficient for 41/2 litres purified water.

Gypsy Rose Water
Take 2 handfuls of dark, scented rose petals and put them into a jar or a wide topped bottle. Now put I litre of water and 200 gms. of sugar into the bottle or jar. Keep this mixture for 2 hours, shake again, then strain and store it in a cool place.

Rose Water and Witch-Hazel Tonic
Mix 3 4 cup rosewater and 1/2 cup witch-hazel.

Flower and Herb Tonic
Mix 2 tablespoons of dried herbs of flowers or 3 handfuls of fresh ones to a pint of water. Pour the boiling water over the herbs and cover the pan to prevent steam from being lost. Let the herbs steep for a couple of hours. Strain and bottle.

Marigold Skin Tonic
Mix 2 tablespoons of dried flower of 3 handfuls of fresh ones to a pint of water. Now add 2 tablespoons of witch-hazel. It is good especially for a greasy and spotty skin.

Hollyhock Skin Tonic
Put 3 tablespoons of hollyhock leaves into half a pint of boiling water. Cover and simmer gently for five minutes. Leave to stand for half an hour, then strain and it is ready for use.

Elder Flower Water
Wash about a handful of elder flower and mix 6 tablespoons of boiling water into a large jar. Let them steep overnight, and strain it the next day.

Vinegar Tonic
To make a vinegar tonic, mix the following ingredients and leave them to stand for at least seven days, shaking the bottle twice daily. Strain before use.

1/2 cup cider vinegar (or wine)
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 tablespoon lavender
1 tablespoon rose petals
1 tablespoon rosemary, and
rosewater or orange - flower water.

Cucumber Tonic
Wash and liquidize half peeled cucumber. Put the juice in a saucepan, bring it to boil and simmer it for five minutes. Cool and strain it, then add I tablespoon of witch-hazel to every 2 tablespoons of the cooked cucumber juice. Store the juice in the refrigerator.

Orange and Lemon Tonic
Put one slice of orange, half lemon and two tablespoons of castor sugar into a pan with a cup of milk. Heat the mixture to near boiling point. When it cools, it is ready for use. Store it in the fridge.

Apple Tree Bark Tonic
Infuse 4 tablespoons of apple tree bark in 2 cups of boiling water. Add about 1 tablespoon of sage, and apply this to the face and neck.