Body Care

* Almond oil for cleaning and softening skin

* Cucumber is gently astringent. Use it by itself or in a carrier oil. It is well known for applying to tired eyes - you can't help but rest your eyes if you've got pieces of cucumber sitting on them!

* Carrot juice can be used for preventing wrinkles and as a face tonic. Use a juice extractor, or grate some carrots and squeeze though a fine mesh or gauze to release the juice.

* Cocoa butter is a well-known for its softening effect on skin. It is often used in hand creams.

* Eggs – the yolk is full of lecithin, which is very nourishing for the skin. You can use it as a face treatment. You can also make a face mask using just white of egg. It has a tightening effect upon the skin. It is easy to source good organic eggs for your organic body care programme.

* Milk and cream are good in anti-wrinkle creams and face masks. Milk can be used for morning skin cleansing routine, just add a few drops of your favourite fruit or vegetable juice. Use cotton wool to apply it. Rinse off with plain water.

* Henna is a useful conditioner for hair, giving body and shine. It has been used as a safe hair colourant since the time of the Pharaohs. Black henna does not really exist - it is usually composed of Indigo but some producers also add harmful additives too.

* Honey can be added to a number of ingredients. Honey has healing and anti-bacterial properties and may be of benefit in skin that is under stress. Many people swear by it in the treatment of burns. Include it in preparations with other ingredients or even use it by itself.

* Lanolin is a preparation from sheep's wool. It can be useful in skin care products as a base. If you do decide to use it make sure that you obtain medical grade lanolin. It is regarded as very safe but some people can have an allergic reaction to it, especially non-medical grade lanolin

* Lecithin is used by every cell in our bodies so is normally a good nutritional supplement. It can also be used in skin preparations as a surfactant (a substance which helps other substances to spread easily on surfaces). Mix it with cocoa butter, lanolin and almond oil or other oils of your choice. You may need to heat the oils together to get them to mix but use the least heat you can, as heat often destroys the nutritional properties of oils.

* Oats contain many vitamins and minerals which are tonic for the skin. They are calming and soothing in effect. Oats contain natural oils which are very beneficial for the skin.

Soak them in milk or water for a few minutes and then use the liquid to cleanse the skin. You can also put a few handfuls into a secure bag made from a porous cloth like cheese cloth, or muslin. You can then add it to your bath water. You can use it as a body rub. Discard the contents after use.

* Olive oil can be used for skin treatments with other oils, or by itself.

* Rose oil and rose water are useful in tonics for the skin of the face or body.

* Soft fruits such as raspberries, strawberries, peach and plum can be used applied directly to the skin or in preparations. They contain valuable enzymes and vitamins. Just crush them and use the juice.

* Tea is well known for its enriching powers on dark hair. Use it as a rinse after washing your hair. It also makes a good face lotion as it has a tonic effect.

* Wheatgerm oil is naturally rich in vitamin E. It can be used as a skin nutrient internally or externally. Don't store it for long periods as it will gradually lose potency.