Treat Yourself to a Midwinter Spa Day: A Homemade Herbal Valentine’s Gift to Yourself!

By Jessica Rogers April 1, 2023 21 mins read 51 Views

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For now, love yourself and enjoy this one ...

By Beth Schreibman Gehring

It's midwinter and many people are trapped inside because of the cold weather. A homemade herbal spa day is a great way to beat the winter blues, and to celebrate St. Valentine's Day. This is a great way to reconnect with yourself and bring the beauty inside.

A herbal spa day is a romantic and easy way to soothe your winter skin. It uses ingredients like rose petals, essential oils and jasmine. You can create body butters, potions, or lotions that not only are good for your skin but also have a soothing and rejuvenating effect on your mind, body, and soul.

Gather all the ingredients needed for your herbal spa day. You can either find my top-rated recipes or search online for body butters and lotions to make your own blends. Rose, geranium and jasmine are some of the most popular essential oils for skin care. For an added touch, you can add dried flowers such as jasmine blossoms or rose petals to your blends.

My clients always know that if it can be eaten, it can be put on their bodies. This is generally safe advice. However, you should be aware of any allergic reactions to any ingredient.

These are my top picks for homemade body care lotions or potions:

Raw honey is my favorite because it's antibacterial, rich in antioxidants, moisturizing and soothing. It's great to calm parched or broken skin and give your complexion a lift. The inclusion of raw honey in any recipe can really give your skin a radiant glow. Raw honey can be combined with ingredients such as ghee and avocado to create a beautiful face- and hair mask.

Because it is a great base for any facial or body masque, I never run out of sterile French green Clay. It's like a mini-mud bath that you can use at your home. To make simple face masks, I mix green clay with olive oils and gentle essential oils, such as rose oil. I then apply the mask to my skin and leave it for about 15 minutes before washing off.

Himalayan salt is another excellent ingredient to nourish my skin. It's similar to Epsom salts but better when it's used in a bath. Salt is a great salt for everyday pains and aches. It's also great to use in homemade salt scrubs.

Ghee, or clarified butter, is a great moisturizer for hair and skin. Ghee gives skin a soft glow that isn't possible with other oils, according to my observations. You can use it in the same way as regular butter, so it doesn't smell strange. This makes it an excellent base ingredient to add essential oils and fragrant petals to skin-softening treatments.

Make my favorite body butter by adding one cup of ghee to a small bowl. Six drops of rose essential oils, six drops each of jasmine and holy basil essential oils are all you need. Mix all ingredients together using a fork. As with any other body butter, use this mixture as usual. This blend is a favorite of mine because it's so good for your mood, vitality, and skin.

If you have a jasmine plant that is blooming, take the blossoms and gently mix them into the butter. Then, place the container in a warm, but not hot, place. You can then take them out after a few days. Jasmine enfleurage is what you will get. Enfleurage refers to the art of creating fragrance by releasing oils from fragrant flowers into fat.

Coconut oil, which is rich in fatty acids and moisturizes my skin and hair, is another favorite moisturizer. Coconut oil can be used to remove make-up, but it tastes best when combined with coarse brown sugar and some essential oils to create a sugar scrub. Coconut oil is a great massage oil by itself. But, when you add a little vanilla essential oil to it, it turns into a delicious treat.

To start your day blissfully, you should find a quiet place in your home that can be peaceful and calm. Get some fresh flowers to start the day. Relax, light some candles, and enjoy some soothing music. This day is all about connection. Bring nature in. Start by closing your eyes for a few moments and taking a few deep breaths. To write down any thoughts I have before I begin, I keep a notebook close by. This journal is for me to clear my mind and allow me to fully enjoy the food I have prepared.

After you've gathered all your supplies, take a warm shower or bath to open your pores. This will prepare your skin to receive the pampering you're about to give it. Apply your homemade lotions or potions to your skin after a relaxing bath. Pay attention to areas that are dry. Massage the products gently into your skin.

A relaxing foot bath is the best way to pamper yourself on Valentine's Day or any other day. This recipe uses pine essential oil, which I love for emotional balance and respiratory support. Rose geranium is an oil I use to reduce hot flashes in older women. This foot bath is made with hot water, Himalayan salt, some of my favorite crystals and smooth rocks that I have brought back from various rivers and seas, fresh kombucha in any flavor, fresh catnip, and rose geranium, which are wonderful for gently exfoliating skin. To diffuse essential oils, I use three drops of each oil, but not more than two. I also add 1/4 teaspoon olive oil.

After soaking your feet for 15 mins, make a cup of tea and dry your feet. After exfoliating your feet with the salt or sugar scrub of your choosing, rinse your feet again and then smooth your feet with some of our amazing jasmine body butter. Next, wrap your feet in warm socks.

Wrap yourself in a warm blanket to end your spa day. Relax and take a few deep breathes. You may even fall asleep for a time. Pay attention to your first thoughts when you wake up. These are often the ones that lead to important life changes. Enjoy another cup of tea, or a glass wine, and enjoy the moment. Do not forget to have a piece of delicious chocolate!

This homemade herbal spa day is a great way to celebrate Valentine's Day. It also allows you to connect with your self in a way that's easy with our hectic schedules. This is a great way to bring nature in during winter and alleviate any midwinter blues.

Medicinal Disclaimer. It is against the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. to recommend or advise herbs for medical or health purposes. This information should not be construed as a recommendation of or endorsement of any medical or health treatment. Before you try any herbal treatment, please consult your doctor.

Credits:1) Winter scene by C. Moore; 2) Dried herbs, Canva; 3) Dried rosebuds (Victor Wong Creative Commons); 4), Herbal body butter, Canva; 5), Tea and journal (Canva); 6) Tea (Canva).

Beth Schreibman Gehring loves all things green, delicious and growing, beautiful, magical, fragrant, and miraculous. She is also a lifestyle blogger, storyteller and occasional wedding and event planner. Her seasonal palette of love and life helps her clients and readers fall in love with their lives. Jim, Beth's husband of 40+ years, lives with her and has 17 sets of vintage dishes, hundreds, of books, two cats and one dog. They also have a garden of herbs, fruits, vegetables, old rambling roses and too many vintage perfume bottles. Soon, they will be adding heirloom chickens to their household! She published Stirring The Senses in 2014. Join her in her gardens at https://bethschreibmangehring.substack.com/, or contact her at [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

What herb heals all wounds?

The answer to this question varies depending on the type and severity of the wound.

The herb comfrey (also known as knitbone) has long been used for its healing properties, particularly for skin injuries such as cuts and bruises.

Studies suggest that comfrey contains allantoin, which helps speed up healing. Other herbs commonly used for healing wounds include calendula, plantain, and yarrow. These herbs help to reduce inflammation, stop bleeding and speed up the skin's healing process.

In addition to herbs, honey has also been found to have powerful antimicrobial properties that can help prevent wound infection.

Herbs for wound care is an age-old practice that continues to be used today. However, herbs should not replace medical treatment, and always consult your doctor before using herbs for healing. With the right herbs, you can give your body the support it needs to heal naturally.

How do you make medicinal herbs?

There are many different methods to make herbs into medicinal products. The most common method is to dry the herbs in a warm, dark location before grinding them into a powder or extracting their essential oils. This can be accomplished by hanging herbs upside down in bunches, laying herbs on a drying screen, or using a food dehydrator.

Once dried and ground, herbs can be stored in airtight containers for future use. Other herbs may require special preparation, such as infusing herbs into oil or vinegar, making tinctures with alcohol, or distilling herbs to create essential oils.

Learning the correct techniques for preparing herbs can help ensure that they retain their medicinal properties and potency for optimal health benefits. Using fresh herbs is usually best, but herbs can also be grown in a pot or garden and harvested when they are mature. Herbs can be purchased at health food stores, online retailers, and specialty shops.

No matter where herbs come from, the preparation techniques remain the same; drying herbs in a warm location followed by grinding or extracting the essential oils. You can make your medicinal herbs with the right herbs and preparation techniques.

When making herbal preparations, it is essential to remember that herbs can vary in potency, so always dilute herbs before use or follow the directions on any product label. Additionally, herbs are best used fresh, as many of their beneficial components degrade over time.

Following safety guidelines and paying attention to the potency of herbs can help ensure that you get the most benefit from your herbs. With a bit of practice and preparation, anyone can make therapeutic herbs with medicinal properties. Remember that herbs should never replace any medical advice or treatments prescribed by a doctor. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before using herbs medicinally.

What is the difference between "regular" and smoked paprika powder?

Regular Paprika Powder (Piment d'Espelette) is an essential ingredient for our recipes. We use it for its intense flavor and color. It's also used as a spice and seasoning agent. Smoked Paprika Powder (Paprika Chorizo) adds a smoky taste and aroma to dishes. Both types of Paprika Powder come from Spain, where they grow the best peppers in the world.

Smoked Paprika Powder (Chorizo Paprika) is made from red peppers, which are dried slowly in special ovens. This gives them a rich flavor. They are then ground and mixed with salt, garlic, and spices.

Regular Paprika Powder (Espelette Paprika) is made by grinding green bell peppers without additives.

What is the difference between herbs and spices?

Herbs are used for cooking, and spices are used for seasoning.

Herbs have more intense flavors and can be used to cook dishes, while spices can bring out the flavor of foods without altering the taste.

Spices can also be added to food during preparation, such as curry. Spices may be bought individually, or whole packages may be purchased. There are many spices, including black pepper, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, parsley, rosemary, sage, salt, thyme, turmeric, vanilla extract, etc.

The best way to ensure that you are selecting the right spice for your dish is to read the label carefully. If there is an ingredient list, look for "spice" among the ingredients. A common mistake cooks make is buying too much of a particular spice because they do not realize how little they need.

There are a few basic rules to follow when choosing which herb or spice to use. For example, most herbs are fresh, whereas spices tend to last longer. Also, herbs are generally found in small quantities, while spices come in larger containers. Finally, most herbs are usually sold loose (or ground), while spices are packaged in jars or cans.

As long as you are careful to select the correct herbs or spices, you will find that adding them to recipes makes preparing meals easier. After all, spices add flavor to various dishes, while herbs can help improve the appearance and aroma of food.

Is eating raw basil good for you?

I'm sure everyone knows that fresh herbs are great for cooking but did you know that you could eat them too? Raw, uncooked herbs are packed full of nutrients and vitamins that we normally have to cook.

They contain more antioxidants than any fruit or vegetable. And they also help our immune systems stay strong and healthy.

The best way to enjoy these delicious little green gems is to eat them raw from the garden. But there's nothing wrong with enjoying them cooked, either. They taste even better when sautéed in olive oil and served alongside pasta or rice.

There are lots of ways to incorporate raw herbs into recipes. Add them to salads, soups, sandwiches, wraps, omelets, stir-fries, and pesto.

Just make sure you wash them well first!

Is it okay to use dried herbs instead of fresh ones?

It is best to pick up fresh herbs whenever possible when using herbs.

Although dried herbs are convenient, they don’t provide the same benefits as fresh herbs.

Fresh herbs contain essential oils that give your food a unique flavor. These oils help preserve the nutrients within the herb.

Dried herbs lose all their flavor after drying, so they cannot replace fresh herbs.

You should only use dried herbs if you absolutely must. Otherwise, you should get your fresh herbs from the market.

Statistics

The global herbs market is expected to reach more than $125 billion by the end of 2025.
Herbs are among the most popular and widely used medicinal remedies. According to a survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health, herbs were used by over 38% of adults in the United States.

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How To

What to look for in herbs?

Herbs contain natural compounds that may help treat various conditions. In addition, herbal remedies may provide relief when used along with conventional treatments.

Herbal remedies include teas, capsules, tablets, ointments, creams, lotions, oils, and topical applications. Some of these products are meant to be taken internally, while others are applied externally.

The most common uses of herbal remedies include relieving minor aches and pains, treating cold symptoms, reducing fever, controlling coughs and sore throats, easing digestion problems, soothing skin irritations, alleviating menstrual cramps, and providing general health benefits.

When buying herbs, look for the following:

Freshly picked plants. Avoid dried herbs unless they've been stored in a cool place. If possible, buy herbs directly from farmers' markets.
Pure extracts. These are made by extracting the active ingredients from herbs using alcohol or water. Look for 100% pure extractions.
Certified organic herbs. Organic herbs must meet strict standards set forth by the USDA.
Natural flavors. Many herbs have strong scents that can overwhelm other foods. Adding flavorings such as vanilla, almond, or orange helps mask their smell.
Potency. The amount of active ingredient per unit weight varies depending on the type of herb.
Packaging. When purchasing herbs, check the packaging to ensure that it's clean and free of chemicals.