Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-04-22
NATURAL COSMETICS.
A List of Vegetable Products Good For
Teeth and Complexion.


Teeth and Complexion.
Almonds are very soothing to the
skin, and many foreign women use
crushed almonds instead of soap for
their fuco 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 q mere imitation. AS
for the so called almond soap it i
very rare that the almond has any
part in it. 1t somewhat resembles
almond in its odor, but this OuCl
comes froN oenzole, which is taken
from tar Oh 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
beautitieI.
Basil, though not Il cosmetic plant,
is a skin baautitier because it puri
ties tho air wherever it grows, and
pure air is skin beautfier. In IN
diu this llant is sacred to kriShna
and is named after the nynph be
loved 10y klishna It WAS he, in
fact who changed her into the
plant. 1t is also sacred to Nishnu,
and nccklet.! ANA rostlries are made
Of its stalks and roots. No HinduO
house is without it. Ii absorbs the
c:rbOnic uc.u of the air and gives
forth its disiniecting, vivi1ying oXy-
gen.
Benzoin is Il genuine cosmetic OF
nature. It 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,
M0hammedans, 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 a lotion, keeps
the skin wondrously soft and fail
and prevents premature wrinkles.
Cedar wood III 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 1t, and if the fingers and
nails are well rubbed in Il 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 to
the skin. Dill water is as good as
rosewater for the complexion, and
for some skins perhaps better. 1t
makes the skin paler.
Still another of nature $ cosmetics
is the elder flower, famous for its
cooling qualities. 1t makes an eX-
Quisite wash for the faco and an OK
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 air
coolers. 1t is "a fact that very few
epidemics visit places filled with the
perfumes CT spices-cloves, mace,
cinnamon, etc. A room pcrfumed
with spices and alyptus remains
cool Oh the hottest summer day and
deties 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,
adelphia Press.