Do you have a garden patch or a sunny balcony you can line with pots? If so, you can boost your health and upgrade your beauty routine the natural way. You can also improve your indoor air quality and remedy blemishes and other imperfections.
Which herbs are best? Part of the answer relies on the amount of space you have available. The following six varieties are easy to grow and offer a host of beauty benefits. Get ready to grow and glow!
1. Lavender (Lavandula)
Does your skin become dry and itchy during the winter? You’re not alone — the combination of harsh winds and dry indoor air can be brutal. Fortunately, you can remedy eczema and dry skin with lavender essential oil. Plus, inhaling the aroma of the blooms will help to calm your nerves and create a peaceful atmosphere for your home.
Lavender has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for treating conditions that result in redness and irritation. If you get angular cheilitis, which creates painful cracks at the corners of the lips, try blending a few drops of lavender essential oil with coconut oil. Apply liberally to the broken skin to help it heal more quickly.
2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
These beautiful flowering plants efficiently remove toxins like formaldehyde and ammonia from indoor air. If you live in a humid environment, make these blooms your best friends. Why? Overly moist conditions provide the perfect breeding ground for mold spores. When it’s left untreated, mold can pose severe health risks. Plus, it’s tough to look your attractive best when you’re sniffling and sneezing.
3. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
You need to get your beauty rest to look your best. Multiple studies indicate that valerian root may reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and improve the overall quality of rest. Additionally, the light purple blooms add beauty and fragrance to any garden patch or balcony. They grow to heights of approximately 18 inches, making them appropriate even for small spaces. The dried root does have a musty sock smell, so if you choose to dose with it, it’s best to add the powder into baked goods to mask the scent. You can also infuse coconut oil with the root powder and add a dollop to your evening cup of calming tea.
4. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Another herb that can help you get Zzz’s, chamomile offers a host of additional fragrance and beauty benefits. The white blooms add joy to many a sunny windowsill, but they can also add accents to your garden.
Do you have a stubborn pimple? Brew a pot of chamomile tea and apply it directly to the blemish. The anti-inflammatory properties of this herb will help to reduce redness, and the herb will also gently moisturize your skin without adding oil.
5. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
When you’re in pain, your face grows squinty. Over time, these wrinkles carve their way into your skin. Turmeric root is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory substances known to humankind, especially when you mix it with black pepper. You can drink it in a daily tea or add spice to Indian dishes with this plant. It grows to 3 feet in height and has thick, bushy leaves, which makes a splendid backdrop for displaying more colorful blooms.
6. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Your aesthetician might use witch hazel instead of rubbing alcohol to cleanse your skin. While it has strong antimicrobial properties, the extract won’t strip you of vital oils the way rubbing alcohol does. Witch hazel shrinks enlarged pores and clears up acne. It also helps ward off wrinkle-producing free radicals that damage your cells. The delicate yellow blooms will add a splash of sunshine and fragrance to your balcony or garden.
Make Your Life Healthier and “Scent”sational With These Herbs
You can make your life healthier and more beautiful with the use of these herbs — inhale deeply and enjoy their aroma!