Floral Healing Facial by Elizabeth TenHouten

Calendula is a beautiful flower that is closely connected with skin health. It’s commonly used as a homeopathic remedy for several skin ailments, including relief of skin inflammation, bruising, slow healing wounds, and eczema. Calendula also has anti-fungal properties and is widely known to be antimicrobial and an excellent skin purifier. Carrots are rich in vitamin A, known for supporting acne-prone skin. Sweet almond oil is a wonderful natural moisturizer. Because calendula is antimicrobial, it’s an excellent skin purifier.

In her new book, Natural Beauty, beauty expert Elizabeth TenHouten lays out a philosophy of beauty that encompasses physical, mental and spiritual well-being, an integrated approach that addresses the whole person. Natural Beauty includes a wide variety of all-natural beauty tips and tricks drawing on everyday ingredients with amazing healthful properties. The Floral Healing Facial recipe below is just one of many excellent ones found in the book:

Ingredients:

3 cups water

3 carrots

4 tablespoons organic honey

2 tablespoons sweet almond oil

2 tablespoons dried calendula flowers

Preparation and Application:

Cut carrots into chunks with the skin on (the nutrients are in the skins, so no need to peel, just wash well). Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Throw in carrots. Boil until the carrots are soft, about 15 minutes. Mash them in a bowl. Add the organic honey and almond oil. Add calendula flowers. Mix until you have a smooth orange paste. Place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to cool. It’s a good idea to use a tongue depressor for application to avoid depositing the oil and germs from your fingertips onto your skin. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse with cool water to seal the pores.

Reprinted with permission from Natural Beauty: Homemade Recipes for Radiant Skin & Hair. ISBN: 978-1-57826-446-9, $20.00 (hardcover). New from Hatherleigh Press. Distributed by Random House.