can store these leaves in the refrigerator for 2 weeks; amazingly, they ‘seal’ themselves at the cut edges). Slice off the ends, trimming the spikes off the sides with a sharp knife. Then place the aloe flat on the chopping board and run the knife inside the skin, slicing it off as you would skin a fish – be careful, the gel is very slippery and your knife can slide all over the place. Turn and repeat, taking off the skin on the other side. You’re left with a gooey mass of slippery gel, and you can pop this straight into the blender.
A Simple Cream
This is an incredibly simple recipe for a basic cream. Once you have mastered this, and trust me it isn’t rocket science, you can adapt it to your own needs by mixing and matching it with other ingredients.
250ml warm water (you could swap this for any herbal decoction or infusion you like)
2 tsp beeswax
6 tsp emulsifying wax
40ml sunflower oil (you can experiment with other oils such as almond, olive, etc, or even use oils infused with herbs)
2 tsp vitamin C powder (optional)
6–12 drops whichever essential oil takes your fancy (optional)
1 Combine the beeswax, emulsifying wax and oil together in a pan and heat very gently until the waxes fully dissolve.
2 Pour the warm water in a thin stream into the oil and wax mixture, whisking vigorously all the time. You should see an instant colour change as the mix turns creamy white. Don’t panic however if it looks a little thin textured, this will thicken significantly as it cools. Although very simple to get right, this is the single most important stage of making a cream. If you simply bung in all the water in one go, or don’t whisk the mixture well enough as you are adding it, the two liquids will not combine to form the smooth emulsion you are looking for. Slow pouring and vigorous whisking are key.
3 Stir in the vitamin C powder (which acts as a natural preservative) and essential oils if desired, and bottle up in clean screw-top jars.
USE Apply the cream liberally wherever you feel the need.
STORAGE Will keep in the fridge for up to 1 month.
Elder and Neem Insect Repellent Gel
This all-natural mozzy repellent conveniently doubles up as a cooling, anti-inflammatory ‘aftersun’ gel. Sweet and spicy, the combination of savoury neem and lemony citronella makes it smell miles better than anything you can get over the counter. Glycerine is available in most pharmacies, and can usually be found among the cough syrups. Neem oil and citronella essential oil can both be bought from health food shops.
8 heaped tbsp fresh elder leaves and buds
about 100ml glycerine
50ml neem oil
4ml citronella essential oil
100g aloe vera gel
1 Rinse the elder leaves and buds in running water. Pat dry with a paper towel, then bruise with a pestle and mortar or rolling pin. Place in a clean, sealable glass jar, then pour on enough glycerine to cover the plant material and close the jar. Leave for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain through muslin. The resultant liquid is known as a glycerite (basically an infused glycerine), and is one of the easiest ways to extract the best out of a whole range of herbs.
2 In another bowl, add the neem oil to the citronella essential oil and stir. Pour in 50ml of the elder leaf glycerite and whisk together thoroughly to make a gel. Finally, stir in the aloe vera gel and pour into a 300ml bottle.
USE Massage the gel into the skin, especially exposed areas like ankles, wrists and neck, avoiding the eyes. Cover the whole body and remember to re-apply after washing or bathing in the evening or at night. A little goes a long way since it’s quite strong.
CAUTION If any irritation occurs, wash off at once.
STORAGE Will keep for up to 1 year in a cool, dark place.
Aloe and Slippery Elm Antiseptic Poultice
This is an indispensable item of the homemade first-aid kit – an antiseptic ‘drawing’ poultice to help treat infected cuts, skin ulcers, boils, bites and stings. Its team of botanical ingredients can help draw out poisons, reduce inflammation and pain, and accelerate healing.
10g slippery elm powder
20g manuka honey
18ml aloe vera juice
4ml lavender essential oil
Mix all the ingredients together in a clean screw-top jar.
USE Clean and dry the affected area, apply the paste, then cover with a plaster and/or bandages. Change the dressing every 12 hours.
STORAGE Keeps for up to 1 year in an airtight jar.
Manuka Honey Wound Healer
The antiseptic powers of manuka honey have been used for centuries by the Maori people in its native New Zealand to draw out infections. By teaming it with lavender, another potent antiseptic, you get a simple and effective salve to aid the healing of wounds, from infected cuts to ulcers.
1 jar manuka honey
2 drops lavender essential oil
sterile wound dressing
USE Clean and dry the wound, ensuring no foreign objects are present. Mix the honey and essential oil together and apply the fragrant mix directly to the wound. Dress the wound with a sterile dressing.
Change the dressing daily, twice daily if necessary. When changing the dressing, it is important that you wash the wound with sterile water (or boiled and cooled water) or saline solution. Reapply the honey mix before redressing.
Herb Robert Cream
Herb Robert is a dainty wild geranium that grows freely in gardens and the countryside, often as a common weed. It was traditionally used as a cure-all and this gentle cream can help soothe a variety of skin conditions, including bruises,