Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-07-22
NATURAL COSMETICS.
A List u Vegetable Products Good For
Teeth and Complexion.

A List u 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 hands to keep them
fair soft and white. Oil of 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 a mere imitation. As
for the so called almond soap 1t IS
very rare that the almond has any
mart 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 go
beneficial as real almond powder,
nut quantity" of which forms a
paste in the water and is splendid
beautifieT.
Basil, though not cosmetic plant,
is a skin beautifier because it puri-
fies the air wherever it grows, and
pure air is a skin beautifer. 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. 1t is also sacred to Vishnu,
and necklets and rosaries are made
of its stalks and roots No Hindoo
house is without it. 1t absorbs the
carbonic acid of the air and gives
forth it's disinfecting, vivifying oxy-
gen.
Benzoin is a genuine cosmetic of
nature. It is the gum of the ben
zoiu 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 a cosmetic it has no su
perior. A few drops added to water
makes what is called "virginal
milk, " 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 agreeable 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 arC
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 nature,
own cosmetics Never throw away
cucumber peelings. Boil them an,
use the water for the toilet Her,
also slice of cucumber may be use,
instead of soap, with advantage t,
the skin. Dill water is as good a
rosewater for the complexion, an,
for some skins perhaps better. i
makes the skin paler.
Still another of natures cosmetic
is the elder flower, famous for il
cooling qualities. II makes an ex
quisite wash for the faco and an ex
cellent oil for tho hair.
Lavender is not precisely CO.
metic, yet few drops in the toll,
water are very refreshing. II
hygienic virtues of lavender al
we'll known.
All spices are air purifiers aud
coolers. 1t is fact that very f,
epidenics visit places filled with t..
perfumes of spioes--cloves, mace
cinnamon, etc. A room perfume
with spices and eucalyptus remain
cool on the hottest summer day AM
defies disease resulting from impure
air.
There is no better antiseptic in
nature. than musk-real musk, of
course. The Chinese Use it also to
dye their hair and eyebrows.-Phil. |