Morris tribune., 1898-04-06
NATURAL COSMETICS.
A List of Vegetable Products Good For
Teeth and Complexion.

| A List of Vegetable Products Good Fol-
Teeth and Complexion.
Almonds are very soothing to the
skin, and many foreign women use
crusht almonds instead of soap for
their face and hands to keep them
fair, soft and Ghite. 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
on is, 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 it's 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 a splendid
beautifer.
Basil, though not cosmetic plant,
is a skin beautifier because it puri-
fies the air wherever it grows, and
pure air is 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. It 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 its disinfecting, vivifying oxy-
gen.
Benzoin is a genuine cosmetic Of
nature. Tt is the gum of the ben
zoin tree. The best benzoin comes
from Siam. It is the frankincense
of the Jews and the incense of R
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 SUI
perior. A few drops added to water
makes what is called ''virSinaI
milk, " which, used as a 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 we'll rubbed in a 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
Feelings. Boil them and
use the water for the toilet. Here
also slice of cucumbe may beused |
instead of soap, with advantage to
the skin. Dill water is as good as
rosewater for, the complexion, and |
for some skins perhaps, better. It |
makes, the skin paler.
Still anotherof natures cosmetics
IS the elder flower, famous for it's
cooling qualities. 1t makes an ex-
Iuislte wash for the face and an ex-
,ellent oil for the hair.
i Lavender is not precisely a COS
netic, yet a few drops in the toilet |
water are very refreshing. The
1ygienic virtues of lavender are !
we'll known.
All spices are air purifiers and air
coolers, 1t is u fact that very few
9pidemics visit places filled with the
perfumes of spices-cloves, mace,
etc. A room perfumed |
With spices and eucalyptus remains
,ool on the hottest summer day and
lefies disease resulting from impure
air.
There is no better antiseptic in
nature than musk-real musk, of |
course. The Chinese use it also to
lye their hair and eyebrows.-Phil.
ldelphia Press.