Quick & Simple Home Skin-Care With J. McLennan

By Jennifer McLennan: About once a year I get all mother-earthy and make my own creams and ointments.

There’s something aesthetically pleasing in seeing little glass jars, herbs in different colours and oils lined up on the kitchen counter.

These are my favourite skin care herbs.

Calendula officinalis- calendula

Calendula flowers are bright and colourful, used by the ancient Greeks, and in early Indian and Arabic cultures

Calendula is easily grown in temperate climates and flowers in the warmer months. The flowers are used either dried or fresh, internally and externally on the skin.

Calendula flowers are great as a skin remedy the calendula for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and wound healing properties.

Calendula ointment can be used to help heal wounds, cuts, grazes and minor burns.

Find out below out to make your own calendula ointment.

Melaleuca alternifolia- tea tree

Tea tree has been used historically by Aboriginal tribes for skin and respiratory infections.

Today, the oil is a must-have in the bathroom cabinet. Dab it on blemishes, skin breakouts or boils.

It can also be used in a steam inhalation for relief from sinus congestion.

Its anti-fungal properties make it a useful first-aid remedy for good for tinea, and a few drops added to your shampoo can help keep dandruff at bay.

The oil can be irritating when applied undiluted to the skin, so add it to a carrier oil (sweet almond oil is good)- 3 drops of tea tree oil to 12 drops of carrier oil. 

Aloe vera- aloe

Aloe is probably one of the most commonly used home remedies for skin ailments. 

Minor burns, psoriasis, skin wounds, sun burn, dry, cracked and damaged skin may benefit from rubbing on fresh aloe vera leaf, ointment or gel up to 4 times a day.

Aloe grows easily in the garden or in pots in direct sun. Cut of a leaf when needed and use slices to rub into the affected skin area.

Evening primrose oil

Evening primrose oil is extracted from the seeds of Oenothera biennis – evening primrose.

The oil can be taken internally or rubbed on externally to help maintain a healthy skin barrier and for relief from dry skin and inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis.

Calendula ointment

• 120g dried or 300g fresh calendula flower
• 60g beeswax
• 500ml olive oil
• Dark glass jars

1. Melt ingredients above in a glass bowel over heat.
2. Once melted place in warm oven for 3 hours.
3. Remove from the oven (protect your hands- it will be hot!), and with rubber gloves strain ingredients through a fine cloth to remove the herb, you will need to squeeze the cloth to remove all the ingredients.
4. Pour into glass jars.

This simple recipe makes a less solid ointment. You can experiment by adding more beeswax or coconut oil for a firmer ointment, which acts as a great lip balm.

If you would like to add essential oils to the ointment this can be done just before you strain it into the jars.

Make sure the glass jars are sterilised before pouring in the ointment.

The ointment should keep for 3 months, however adding a capsule of vitamin E or a few drops of tea tree can help prolong its shelf-life.

The calendula can be replaced with lemon balm, thyme, rosemary, lavender or chamomile.

Ointments are generally thicker than creams, but can last longer if stored well.

References available on request