Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-03-24
NATURAL COSMETICS.

A List of Vegetable Products Good For
Teeth and Complexion.
Almonds are very soothing to the
skin, and many foreign women use
crushed almonds instead of soap for
their face and hanGs to keep them
fair, soft and white. Oil CT almonds
also may be rubbed into the skin at
night and is better than cold cream,
especially if really pure oil of aim
onds, and not mere imitation. AS
for the so called almond soap it is
very rare that the almond has any
part in it. 1t somewhat resembles
almond in its odor, but this odor
comes from benzole, which is taken
from tar oil and other substances not
injurious to the skin, but not so
beneficial as real almond powder, a
nut quantity Of which forms a
paste in the water and is splendid
beautitier.
Basil, though not a cosmetic plant,
is skin beautifer because it puri-
lies the air wherever it grows, and
pure air is a skin beautifier. In In
dia this plant is sacred to Krishna
and is named after the nymph be-
loved by Krishna. 1t was he, in
fact, who changed her into the
plant. Il is also sacred to Vishnu,
and necklets and rosaries are made
of its stalks and roots. No Hindoo
house is without it. It absorbs the
carbonic acid of the air and gives
forth its disinfecting, vivifying oxy-
gen.
Benzoin is a genuine cosmetic of
nature. 1t is the gum of the ben
zoin tree. The best benzoin comes
from Siam. 1t is the frankincense
of the Jews and the incense of Ro-
man Catholics, Hindoos, Buddhists,
Mohammedans, etc. The Chinese
fumigate their houses with it, and,
owing to its grateful perfume, va
nilla pomade and pastilles are made
with it. AS cosmetic it hasno su
perior. A few drops added to water
makes what is called virginia.
milk, Z" which, used as lotion, keeps
the skin wondrously soft and fair
and prevents premature wrinkles.
Cedar wood in powder or as tine
ture is excellent for the teeth and
imparts an agreeabl perfume to the
breath.
Citron is another substance that
can be used with advantage to the
face and hands instead of soap. No
toilet table, indeed, ought to be
without it, and if the fingers and
nails are well rubbed in quarter OF
citron every time the hands are
washed they will never require the
manicure's aid. During. the day,
indeed, it is better to rub the hands
with citron than to use water.
Cucumber is another of natures
own cosmetics. Never throw away
cucumber Feelings. Boil them and
use the water for the toilet. Here
also slice of cucumber may be used
instead of soap, with advantage tc
the skin. Dill water is as good as
rosewater for the complexion, and
for some skins perhaps better. II
makes the skin paler.
Still another of natures cosmetics
is the elder flower, famous for its
cooling qualities. 1t makes an ex.
quisite wash for the face and an ex.
cellent oil for the hair.
Lavender is not precisely cos
metic, yet few drops in the toilet
water are very refreshing. The
hygienic virtues Of lavender are
we'll known.
All spices are air purifiers and all
coolers. 1t is q fact that very few
epidemics visit places filled with the
perfumes of spices mace
cinnamon, etc. A room perfume6
with spices and eucalyptus remains
cool on the hottest summer day an6
defies disease resulting from impure
air.
There is no better antiseptic il
nature than musk-real musk, OF
course. The Chinese use it also tt
dye their hair and eyebrows Phil
adelphia Press.
ANY PERSON
Wishing to know the truth in regard to thei
health should not fail to send for valuable
and new 64-page Booklet which will be sen
FREE for a short time to those who mention
this paper. This book is published by the Gel
ebrated physician and specialist-Dr. Hatha
way & Co., Corner Fourth and Ne braskf
Streets, Sioux City, Iowa
hcHEcK EnR