Here’s how to make potions to fix everything from dry skin to smelly armpits

Making your own health remedies is easier than you think – and can save pounds in the long run.

Feel better trying these eight easy, organic, DIY ­treatments taken from new book Neal’s Yard Remedies: Complete Wellness.

They use herbs, essential oils and pure food to help everything from itchy skin and bad heads to nits and smelly armpits.

Muscle relaxer

A warm essential oil compress can loosen tissues, relieving ­muscle tightness and stiffness.

You will need: Enough hot water to fill a bowl, six drops of essential oil – a single oil or blend – a large bowl, a flannel, towel or clingfilm.

■ Fill a large bowl with hot ­water. Add the essential oil.

■ Place a flannel in the water and make sure it is soaked through. Remove the flannel and squeeze out the excess water.

■ Apply the flannel to the affected area, then wrap the flannel with a towel or clingfilm to ­insulate it. Leave the ­compress in place until the ­flannel is at body temperature. Repeat the process three times.

Dry skin reliever

An enriching balm is a good way to nourish, heal and soothe dry and damaged skin and nails.

You will need 15g beeswax, 10g shea butter, 2.5tbsp almond oil, 2tbsp jojoba oil, bain-marie – a heat-proof bowl in a pan of water – 17 drops of ­essential oils, lidded jars, ­thermometer, label.

■ Sterilise the equipment. Wash thoroughly then dry in an oven at 140C or in a microwave for 30-45 seconds.

Gently heat all the ingredients, except the ­essential oils, in a bain-marie until melted.

■ Once the ingredients have melted, pour them carefully into lidded jars.

■ When the mixture is about 40C, add up to 17 drops of your chosen essential oil.

Essential oils should make up five per cent of the ingredients for ­application to the body and one per cent for the face.

Leave to cool with the lid off, then seal with an airtight lid. Label with ingredients and date.

Nit spritzer

Add two drops tea tree, two drops eucalyptus and one drop lime essential oil to 20ml water. Pour into a bottle.

Shake before use as the oil and water will separate. Spray on the hair then use a fine-toothed comb to comb out the nits.

Headache tonic

Fill a small glass with tepid water and add 2tsp apple cider vinegar. If you wish, add 2tsp honey to taste.

Body odour settler

Infuse 2tsp dried lavender in 175ml boiling water. Add it to your bath.

Stomach soother

Add five drops sweet fennel essential oil to 10ml sunflower oil and massage into the ­abdomen in a clockwise direction.

Scalp conditioner

Steep 2.5g dried rosemary in 500g apple cider vinegar for two weeks. Strain into a clean bottle then add one or two dessert spoons to a litre water. Rinse into just-washed hair. Leave to dry.

Sleep enhancer

Infuse 1tsp each of dried ­passionflowers and chamomile herbs in 175ml boiling water.

Sip throughout the evening to help promote a state of ­relaxation before bedtime.

Adapted from Neal’s Yard Remedies Complete Wellness, published by
DK, £25.

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