The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-10-27
BEAUTY-GIVING PLANTS AND
PERFUMES.
[Harper's Bazar, November 81

| Hdrp6r'S Bdzdr, November 8.
Nothing is more potent in its effect on
health than the perfume of certain herbs
and flowers, in which are concealed the
real and only secrets of beauty. Some
authors have said, and most justly, that
''scent is the sense of the imagination, :"
and it is fact that perfumes have the
power to raise or depress the spir is and
imagination more than any other out
ward influence. Plants and flowers carry
| pleasant sensations to the brain. In the
midst of them our ideas are brighter,
and We feel younger and better. And
when we cannot be surrounded by these
the juices we extract from them serve
also to revive our health and strength
and fill our being with pleasant sensa-
tions. But not all plants and flowers
have this power, though all have some
particular influence, and it is for this
reason that we cannot do better than
give short list of those best adapted to
i've health, strength and beauty, both to
the mind and body.
1t is an excellent practice to rub your
whole person with perfumed spirits or
oils, which friction, even more than the
bath, will maintain and give health,
strength and elasticity to the body. This
is now much recommended by all doc
tors, who occupy themselves with beau
ty-male and female. Aromatic oils,
however, being unfavorable to eur pres
emit style of dress, aromatic aud spiritu-
GUS liquids and vinegars are preferred,
and are more adaptable to our Northern
constitutions. The aromatic vinega s
and Hungary water, Athenian water,
etc., are the best you can use for after
bath frictions, or all frictions, even when
you cannot take bath. Respecting thu
whole system, nothing is more delicious
than the scent of spices such as pimeu-
to, mace, cloves, nutmegs, ETC., which
have the greatest reviving qualities, both
for mind and body.
Anise is as valuable as a scent as it is
as medicine, especially to ladies of weak
or impaired digestion, which it mitigates
considerably. No essence, however, has
so many qualities as balm, or balsam, it's
very name having become synonymous
with "reviving scent" 1t has several
names, according to it's quality and the
place where it is grown. One of the
most common of its names is melissa,
and this forms the chief ingredient of
the celebrated eau des Cdrmes, so much
in favor with French ladies'. 1t was also
the favorite perfume of Emperor Charles
V. when he retired into the monastery of
st. Juste, and he used it for bathing pur-
poses, as we'll as to refresh his head when
overworked.
Bay leaves stepped in rum is excellent
to strengthen the hair. Holy basil, worn
on the person, has the same property as
camphor. 1t is disinfectant, and on
this account is it called ''holy," and is
worshipped in India, being sacred to Kir-
shna and Vishnu. 1t is grown in every
Hindoo house, and daily watered and
worshipped by the household. In the
morning the women walk round and
round a pot of the plant, praying to it
for the blessings of the day; that is, for
the health which it's emanations can i'm
part. Knowing this, holy basil should
have place in every garden.
Benzoin is one of the most valuable
perfumes and cosmetics known. 1t is the
incense of the ancients. 1t comes to us
as a gum, extracted from a tree that
grows in Borneo, Java, Sumatra and
Siam. 1t is the frankincense of the East,
and the incense of all modern churches
where Incense is used. The Chinese burn
it in their houses. Mixed with water,
for toilette purposes, it has sweet va
nilla scent. 1t gives softness, frmness
and smoothness to the skin. 1t is espe-
cially beneficial to fair persons.
Borsse, which resembles the "forget-
hC-hoU pldht, 10 oloO lSflfibS anu iC-
freshing. and should not be omitted from
our gardens.
Cedar wood is invigorating, and is ex-
cellent not only as a prevention against
moths, but also as tooth tincture when
stepped in spirits of wine. 1t was cele-
DRAFTED even in Solomon's time, and was
used by Egyptians In the preparation of
their mumm;es.
Cucuubers, cut In slices and stepped
in spirits, are among our valuable cos
metics for so ening and clearing the
skin.
Dill-water is another famous skin me-
dicameut. 1t is mixed with one-half of
| rose water.i
Sweetbrier is healthy scent.
| Elder flowers are too we'll known to
need recommendation. Two pounds OF
'Aef flowers are requiem to a gallon OF
G., "'i till the water is reduced to
wafer. '.sve to cool and filter.
tvo-tbirds then -, hsneysuckle,
Geraniums, heliotrop,, ptsuls
hawthorn, jasmine, are all odoru.
to be cultivated in our gardens al
houses.
No plant has more virtues than laven-
der, which, with melissa and mint, used
to be worshipped as divine by the an
clients, being attributed with properties
that keep ills from those who used their
juices. In fact, they contain great n.y.
gieuic properties. AS for lavender, it
has little of bergamot, citron and am
Der in its perfume. 1t is very strength
ening to the nervous fevers. AS fric-
ton water it is extremely tonic. Its ma
tive place was Persia, but it has become
thoroughly English, the greatest laven.
der fields in the world being now in Eng
land
AS a toilette water it is quite equal to
eau DIES Cologne, and perhaps even more
refreshing.
Lemons, either sliced or grated, and
then steepei in water or spirits, are re-
viving. Never throw away any part of
a lemon or its peel; in the lack of any
thing else, this, stepped in water, is an
excellent astrigent for the skin, and re-
freshing at the same time. The same
may be said of lime-lime- water being
one of the best washes for the skin vet
known, and it is also an antidote against