This is the perfect time of year to pull out those blankets, make friends over a crockpot, and engage in some inner reflection. Embrace the fun. Here in Colorado, the shifting seasons can also mean more dry skin. Even if you live in a more opulent area, “ick” season has arrived. A bout of neurotic handwashing is almost inevitable. In fact, the winter months can make us feel sluggish. Below I’ve provided a few recipes to add sweetness and refreshment to your next cold evening at home.
Dim the lights, turn up the thermostat and make a cup of tea. Let’s do this thing.
Moisturizing Pumpkin Facial Mask
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons canned organic pumpkin
- 1 teaspoon of local honey
- 1 teaspoon rolled oats, ground (optional, for exfoliation purposes). Add small amounts of kaolin or rose clay until the desired consistency is reached. Ideally, you want to create a sticky, paste-like mask.
Instructions:
- Apply the mask in an even layer on the face. (If you’re feeling extra luxurious, apply it with a wide paintbrush. It feels super decadent.)
- If you’ve added an exfoliant such as ground oats, gently massage the mask as you apply. Let it sit until dry, or 10-15 minutes.
- When done, wash gently with warm water. Ideally, you should then massage a few drops of jojoba oil into the skin.
If you suffer from soap-induced dryness, don’t hesitate to try this mask on the back of your hands! Messy? Probably. Reassurance And smell wonderful? Certainly. Use less clay to limit astringency.
While nourishing foods are delicious, don’t forget that the ultimate way to avoid seasonal drought is, of course, to pay close attention to what we consume. Remember to stay hydrated with water, tea and broth. Daily fish oil is an incredible support. Finally, don’t forget the power of fat! Facilitate internal lubrication with avocados, oily fish, olives, coconut, lard of good origin, etc.
Warming cinnamon foot bath
My favorite way to add herbs to a bath without the mess is to make concentrated tea. Preparing the herb mixture before filling your basin greatly reduces the need to sift and clean plant material from a cumbersome container.
Ingredients:
- If you have some chopped and sifted cinnamon bark, a small handful of the spice (about ¼ cup) is sufficient.
Instructions:
- Bring eight cups of water to a boil, add the dried herb and simmer for about 10 minutes. In a pinch, you can also add 1-2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder directly to the foot bath. I don’t recommend using cinnamon essential oil or a full body bath with cinnamon because its power and effects can be overwhelming on the skin. To make this foot bath both invigorating and moisturizing, add marshmallow root. Half and half of each chopped and sifted herb, stewed as above, will make a delicious support for dry, cold cloves.
Happy winter everyone!
Writer Amanda Proscino is a certified clinical herbalist and nutritional health coach based in Colorado. In addition to her herbal and nutrition experience, she has a background in youth environmental education, public health and gender studies. Amanda focuses most on accessible therapies, harm reduction techniques, and creative intentionality practices. She can be reached at amanda.proscino@clinicalherbalism.com.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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