Minty Fresh
Hello all! This month, inquiring readers write in and ask:
Hi Witch Hazel,
I read in one of your columns regarding eczema that the person should stay away from caffeine, cigarettes, and mint. I get the caffeine and cigarettes part, but why mint? Numerous other sites claim mint is good for eczema. I haven’t tried it, but I’m wondering if my mint shampoo and conditioner aren’t making the problem worse.
Some insight into this mint thing would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Cinka
Hi Cinka!
Mint contains volatile oils with a chemical property that can aggravate skin conditions in some people. Here’s an interesting thought for you though. When someone has an internal ulcer, they must stay away from the same three items because it opens up the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. Change your shampoo and conditioner to something non-allergenic and see what happens. Also, do invest in a good but mild exfoliating scrub so that you can rid yourself of the dead skin cells. Otherwise they will only further clog your pores and you will end up with flaky skin and pimples on top of them.
Hello Hazel!
I wanted to share this simple, minty fresh astringent recipe. I combine a tablespoon of fresh peppermint or spearmint with a cup witch hazel in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and allow it to steep for a week. After that time, I strain it and use a teaspoon per application on a piece of cotton wool. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Hope you and the regulars find this useful!
Blessed Be, Cathy
Thanks Cathy! Astringents are great for removing excess oil, especially as the temperatures rise, and it helps tighten pores. One recommendation to our readers; please take caution when trying herbal remedies if you believe you have sensitive skin or any allergies.
Mint can be a great addition to any garden and is easy to grow. It thrives in partial shade and moist soil and doesn’t require fertilizer unless the soil substandard. You can harvest the leaves at any time. The oils in mint are in glands in the leaves. Crushing them with a mortar and pestle releases the oils and the pleasant, strong, and soothing flavor.
To start your own mint plants, you can purchase organic seeds from Seeds of Change or check out the offerings from Heirloom Seeds.
Apparently our editor Mistress recommends both and her thumb matches her hair (both are green).
Dear Witch Hazel,
I’ve been interested in herbs since I was in my early 20’s, and have recently been looking for a website that had practical herbal info I could use. I found the link to your column through a web search I did on parsley, and having read through some of the pages, your column is the best page I’ve found by far. I’ll definitely be bookmarking your page!
Ariadne
Thanks for the compliments, Ariadne. Here at Morbid Outlook we strive to deliver clear and concise information for the reader without having to get caught up in too much scientific jargon. Glad you are enjoying this column as well as the rest of the webzine!
Hello,
I’ve been suffering from depression and anxiety for about 8 years now. I was wondering if you know of any herbal solutions that might help deal with or relieve the symptoms?
Thanks, Quinn
P.S. I love Morbid Outlook!
Hi Quinn!
We are happy here at Morbid Outlook that you are enjoying the magazine. That being said then you probably know what is coming next. If you are having anxiety and depression that is severe and that has been going on 8 years, you really need to seek professional assistance because it could very easily just be a chemical imbalance in the brain. While we are not able to prescribe treatments, I can safely say that some have found St. John’s Wort to be helpful in mood elevation. However, if you are experiencing these symptoms from brain/chemical insufficiencies, herbal remedies will mask the issue only temporarily and will not be the full solution you are seeking.
Please check your phone book as there are some low cost and cost free access to therapy available in most cities these days. You owe it to yourself to heal enough to enjoy your life without having to find a dark cloud over your head for any longer.
Write back and let us know how you are doing!
Thank you writing with your questions and your compliments! Think of something you’d like to see answered here? Drop me a line at witchhazel@morbidoutlook.com. I can’t promise a personal reply, but I will try my best to answer your questions in an upcoming column. |
