The season of partying and celebration is now hear but the efforts involved in making plans for this time can be stressful and leaving us feeling fatigued and exhausted.

It’s very important that we take time to take care of ourselves

Dry skin

Seasonal Winter can really play havoc with our skin which can become particularly dry and sore. This is because the cold air has a drying effect on our skin which is then compounding by the drying effects of central heating and covering up with thick woolly layers. As our skin is not on display like it is in summer we do rather tend to neglect our exfoliating and moisturising routines. It’s a good idea to stock up on creams containing the following list of herbs to keep our skin nourished and healthy during these months. The lovely thing about these herbs is that they are also suitable for children.

Chamomile

Chamomile makes a superb therapeutic cream especially for treating skin conditions which can be exacerbated by anxiety and stress. This will aid skin healing and reduce redness and itching especially if our skin has become dry and itchy. Chamomile cream is the perfect choice to rub into your skin after bathing. Remember to pay special attention to problem areas such as feet, knees and elbows.

Lavender

This is the choice herb for skin which is red and sore after exposure to freezing biting winds. In particular wind burn (Also sunburn but we are unlikely to be experiencing this in the cold winter months!). Its anti-inflammatory properties take the heat and redness away from affected areas and reduce pain and discomfort.

Marigold

Marigold is hailed as a soothing herb both internally and externally. When applied it creates a nourishing barrier which protects us against the elements.

Echinacea

Echinacea works on our immune system helping to strengthen it and fight off all types of infections and viruses particularly the ones that give rise to colds and flu.

This invaluable herb that can treat a wide range of conditions especially where infection is a feature e.g. abscesses, boils and ulcers. In these circumstances it is advisable to take a bath containing Echinacea or simply applying it directly to the skin as a cream. It can also be used to treat and soothe eczema; this is because Echinacea exhibits a cortisone like affect in reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair. It is worth remembering that when our immune system is compromised, any skin conditions we may be suffering from may be exacerbated at this time.

Thyme

Thyme is a powerful antiseptic. A lovely way to enjoy its benefits is to use it in the bath where it stimulates circulation and helps alleviate chills and lethargy. It is especially good for bronchitis, pleurisy, coughs and colds, and pneumonia; it helps shift phlegm owing to its expectorant properties. Thyme also has a local anaesthetic effect so it can be used as a crème or balm externally for aching muscles.

Eucalyptus Just pour a few drops of the oil into some hot water, place at towel over your head and inhale, its soothing and decongesting effects are instant. Its main use is antiseptic and expectorant. Camphor This amazing tree can live for up to 2000 years. It is most affective when the first symptoms of colds appear. It is both cooling and stimulating as well as being anti-inflammatory. It is great in the bath especially when aches and pains are a problem, as well as this just inhaling the essential oils can help alleviate nasal congestion allowing us to breathe more easily. The festive season can be a stressful time of year for many of us. It is hard to get used to the lack of daylight hours and many people succumb to SAD syndrome more commonly termed ‘winter blues’ St Johns Wort This is such a great herb for this time of year as it boosts both our immune systems and our mood. As well as its soothing and healing properties, it has antiviral properties. St Johns Wort is probably the most important herb for treating depression. I normally recommend that people take herbal baths in the evening to promote healing and rest but this herb, being both uplifting and stimulating, is good to use at the start of the day so if you wake up feeling down and lacking in energy try a St Johns Wort bath to give a positive start to your day. Passion Flower This plant has wonderful soothing properties and has a relaxing effect on the nervous system. It is particularly good for insomnia; soaking in a warm bath with passionflower helps promote a restful night’s sleep. Herbalists particularly favour this herb when treating patients with anxiety especially, where panic attacks and palpitations are a feature. It can even help people with High blood pressure as it has a hypotensive action. Lavender This aromatic, soothing plant is well known for its relaxing properties. Like Passion flower it is great for insomnia and is especially suitable for children. It can be used in a variety of different ways including teas, baths, creams. It is a popular essential oil and can be used in an oil burner in bedrooms half an hour before retiring or drops of the oil can be put on the pillow. Chamomile is less sedating than Lavender and Passionflower and is indicated mainly for anxiety. It is very helpful for those who suffer from ‘nervous stomach problems including IBS and ‘butterflies’. Again it can be taken internally but is also lovely in the bath. For nervous gripey stomach complaints massaging some of the cream over the abdomen can often bring comfort and relief. With Love Gabriella

Complimentary Jüst Products: Marigold Skin Cream

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana)

Seasonal Witch Hazel is native to North America where it has a history of use in swelling and inflammatory conditions of the skin.

European settlers would use hazel twigs as divining rods in order to locate water and gold, I have no idea whether or not this was successful. They also used witch hazel to treat painful muscles, compression wounds, strains and back pain.

This plant is a key remedy in stopping bleeding and inflammation both internally and externally. It is the main constituent in many haemorrhoid (pile) ointments where it quickly stops bleeding and soothes inflammation and itching. Many face washes and crèmes use witch hazel extracts to fight spots and acne and to take redness out of the skin. It is also good for mouth and gum infections especially ulcers where it brings soothing relief. It is great for bringing comfort to varicose veins when directly applied, the best way to do this is to soak bandages in witch hazel and then wrap around the affected leg. It can also be used for insect bites and stings as well as burns; it was an essential of our grandmother’s medicine cabinets. Cotton wool soaked with Witch Hazel solution is great for puffy eyes, whether due to insufficient sleep or hay fever, it also extends to help treating swollen eyelids due to infections.

Internally Witch Hazel has long been appreciated for its styptic (stops bleeding) properties for centuries, it was particularly employed after childbirth and to ease heavy menstrual bleeding, today herbalists use it for diarrhoea and dysentery and in conditions where there is bleeding of the stomach which is particularly likely in those individuals who take NSAIDS (aspirin, ibuprofen etc) on a regular basis. It must be said that taking too much Witch Hazel internally can cause stomach irritation so always consult an herbalist first. I would urge everyone to have a bottle, tub or tube of witch Hazel in your car or handbags in the summer months especially if you are off to an out door event where the probability of getting bitten or stung is high.

Complimentary Jüst Product: Camomile and Witch Hazel Bath, Lavender and Witch Hazel Shower Gel, San' Activ Shampoo

Almond (Amygdalus Communis)

Seasonal From the same family as Plum, Peach, Cherry and Apricot, this small attractive tree has been popular in London’s gardens since Shakespeare’s time. It originates from North Africa, West Asia and the Mediterranean regions. It is especially prevalent in Syria and Palestine and there are numerous biblical references to it. In Hebrew it is called ‘Shakad’ which roughly translates as ‘hasty awakening’. Jewish people carry staffs of Almond blossoms to the synagogue on important festival days. The blossoms are very delicate and pretty and may be pink, lilac or white in colour. They are one of the first blossoms of spring. The Greeks evolved a system of communication using herbs and flowers which enjoyed a revival in the Victorian era, in this system Almond blossoms signify hope. The early English name for it was Almande, probably from the Latin Amandela.

We normally associate Almonds with sweets and pastries of which there are numerous recipes. I am sure you have all enjoyed sugared Almonds at birthday parties as children. This tradition probably originates from 19th Century Germany where it was and still is customary at weddings to present the bride and groom with almonds at the wedding banquet to ensure fertility. In Spain and Italy Almonds are dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Eating almonds was said to be divinatory and symbolized a journey which may or may not be successful depending on whether the almond turned out to be bitter or sweet.

Almonds have been grown commercially since the middle ages; they became an incredibly popular food being in present in an enormous amount of mediaeval dishes. According to the famous herbalist Gerard, they also prevented intoxication, it was said that 5 or 6 needed to be consumed; this is likely where the tradition of eating salted almonds at dinner parties comes form. Almonds can be pounded and mixed with water to make almond ‘milk’ a great alternative to cow’s milk and a useful convalescence food. It is very rich in calcium and other minerals; to get the nutritional benefits from almonds they need to be well chewed otherwise they are difficult to digest. Almond flower contains no starch which makes them a useful ingredient in cakes and biscuits suitable for diabetic people, the lack of starch prevents dangerous fluctuations in blood sugar levels in diabetes.

Bitter almonds are used to make marzipan, remember though that bitter almond is very toxic in large doses, this is worth remembering if you make your own. I have talked so much about the culinary and traditional uses of this tree that I really ought to say a word or two about the medicinal properties. Taken internally sweet almond oil is demulcent, that is, soothing, making it great for acid indigestion, it is also mildly anti-inflammatory. Almond oil soothes tickly dry coughs and sore throats, it is also a mild and gentle laxative. An old remedy for kidney and gall stones involves beating almonds and mixing them with barley water, I don’t know if this is effective or not but it would certainly taste good.

Externally, almonds make a soothing beautifully scented and luxurious body lotion , as well as being a great moisturizer for very dry skin, it is also good for sensitive or damaged skin, take a bottle on holiday with you as it really soothes sun burnt skin and will leave you smelling delicious. Even Culpepper himself recommended almonds as a skin remedy.

Complimentary Jüst Products:Almond Milk, Skin Function Oil, San' Activ Shampoo

Arnica (Arnica Montana)

Seasonal This perennial plant is native to the mountainous regions of Europe and Siberia. It is cultivated in North America. The flowers are orange yellow and resemble daisies. In the middle ages Arnica was placed under roofs to protect the house from lightening, sometimes it was burned and a saying was recited asking bad weather to leave.

The key property of Arnica is its ability to prevent bacterial growth, promotes circulation and blood flow, strengthens the heart, sooths pain and inflammation. Many people are recommended to use arnica just before and after surgery and also after accidents, it must be noted however that Arnica is toxic if taken internally, it may even be fatal, for this reason use should be restricted to homeopathic preparations or external applications in the form of crèmes salves, tinctures etc.

Arnica crème is very popular amongst athletes and sports people owing to the fact that it in invaluable for joint, muscle and bone pain, painful tendons, bursitis, backache bruises and badly healing wounds. The speed to which bruises heal when arnica crème is applied is remarkable, bruising can also be prevented altogether if applied soon after accidents. Its wound healing properties are due to the presence of thymol which is a powerful natural antiseptic, you may recall me mentioning thymol in a previous article about Thyme where it is present in large quantities.

Many clinical trials have been conducted with this plant and when used topically(externally) it has demonstrated the ability to act as an anti-inflammatory and assist normal healing processes by facilitating the transport of blood by dilating the subcutaneous capillaries. Another valuable addition to out medicine cabinets.

Complimentary Jüst Products:Pedibalm, Pedicream - Herbal Foot Cream, Body Fresh Gel

I hope you all have a long, sunny, healthy summer; I will be back in autumn. Until then happy holidays.

With love