Skin & Hair

Ricinus communis

A strong, fast-acting laxative with well-known efficacy for short-term constipation. Do not use it on your own to start labour.

Carrier Oil

Echinacea purpurea

Juice pressed from fresh echinacea plants may help with short-term prevention and treatment of colds. Dried echinacea tea is not covered.

Dried Herb & Tea

Aesculus hippocastanum

Standardised horse chestnut seed extract may help chronic venous insufficiency with swollen, heavy, aching legs; never eat raw conkers.

Clay, Soap & Other

Nigella sativa

Oil pressed from black seed. Small studies saw modest falls in blood sugar and cholesterol and limited benefit in asthma.

Carrier Oil

Cocos nucifera

An effective skin moisturiser; small studies found it helpful for children's atopic dermatitis. As a food fat, it is very high in saturated fat.

Syrup & Paste

Rosa damascena

Distilled from Damask roses, one of the world's most precious essential oils. Small aromatherapy studies suggest it may help ease anxiety.

Essential Oil

Prunus dulcis

Cold-pressed oil from sweet almonds. An effective emollient for dry, itchy skin; its effect on preventing stretch marks is inconsistent.

Carrier Oil

Anemone spp.

A flower marketed in cosmetics as "anti-wrinkle". No independent study shows the effect, and the fresh plant is poisonous.

Clay, Soap & Other

Plantago major

Broadleaf plantain is traditionally used as a tea for mouth and throat irritation and dry cough, and as a fresh leaf on minor skin wounds.

Dried Herb & Tea

Calendula officinalis

Calendula flower is traditionally used for minor skin inflammation such as sunburn, as an aid to heal minor wounds and as a mouth gargle.

Dried Herb & Tea

Matricaria recutita

A gentle herbal tea traditionally used for bloating and mild stomach cramps, common cold symptoms and mouth or throat irritation.

Dried Herb & Tea

Trigonella foenum-graecum

Fenugreek seed is traditionally used before meals for temporary loss of appetite and as a poultice for minor skin inflammation.

Seed

Equisetum arvense

Horsetail is traditionally used to increase urine flow in minor urinary complaints and, on the skin, to support healing of superficial wounds.

Dried Herb & Tea

Rosa damascena

The fragrant water left from distilling Isparta roses. Traditionally used as a skin cleanser and toner; food-grade rose water also flavours desserts.

Floral Water

Pistacia lentiscus

Mastic gum is a natural resin traditionally taken by mouth for mild indigestion and used on the skin for minor inflammation and small wounds.

Resin & Gum

Plantago lanceolata

Ribwort plantain leaf is traditionally used for throat irritation with dry cough, for cough with a cold and for minor skin inflammation.

Dried Herb & Tea

Salvia officinalis

Sage leaf is traditionally used as a gargle for mouth and throat inflammation, for mild indigestion and for excessive sweating.

Dried Herb & Tea

Hypericum perforatum

St John's wort oil (an oil macerate) is applied to the skin for minor inflammation such as sunburn and to help heal small wounds.

Carrier Oil

Melaleuca alternifolia

Tea tree oil is used on the skin only for small wounds, insect bites, small spots and mild athlete's foot itching; it must not be swallowed.

Essential Oil

Pistacia terebinthus

A traditional soap from South-East Anatolia made with terebinth fruit oil. Used to wash hair and skin; no healing effect has been shown.

Clay, Soap & Other

Hamamelis virginiana

Witch hazel leaf is used on the skin for minor inflammation and dryness, for haemorrhoid itching and burning, and as a mouth gargle.

Clay, Soap & Other

Achillea millefolium

Yarrow tea is traditionally used for loss of appetite, bloating and wind, mild period cramps and, on the skin, small superficial wounds.

Dried Herb & Tea

Argania spinosa

An oil from the kernels of the Moroccan argan tree, rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids. Used to moisturise skin and hair.

Carrier Oil

Montmorillonite / Illite (mineral)

A clay used in face masks to absorb oil and dirt. Drinking it is not recommended: it can contain heavy metals such as lead and arsenic.

Clay, Soap & Other