NATURE'S SECRETS


Ever since the Garden of Eden, we have been fascinated with gardens and what secrets they yield. From delectable edibles to fragrant balms, we're all enchanted by nature's secrets. And, with the recent return to simpler lifestyles, more and more of us are looking for ways to add as much nature into our lives as possible.

Cool Girls Japan spoke with leading herbalist Eva Stapel to get some tips on adding a little bit of nature into our everyday lives. Based near the Black Forest region of Germany, Eva has been working with and using herbs for over twenty years. Making everything from herbal breads to body oils, Eva incorporates the use of herbs (most of them from her own garden) into almost every aspect of her life. She was happy to share some of her secrets with us.

Here is some of our conversation:

CGJ: Why have you incorporated herbal usage into your everyday life?

ES: I have incorporated herbal usage into my life because I love everything about herbs. They are beautiful, they smell good, they taste good and most importantly, they are good for you.

CGJ: What are some of the benefits that you receive from using herbs?

ES: Good health and mental well-being. I also have the satisfaction of knowing that I am not harming the environment. Something that is very important to me.

CGJ: List for us some of the ways that you have incorporated the use of herbs.

ES: My regular use of herbs is done through my cooking and in my daily skin care routines. For example, in cooking I love using different herbs to put a different spin on the same dish. I also use herbs in my cooking to help with better digestion of the food. In my daily skin care routines I use herbs in my bath followed by my homemade body cream or oil.

CGJ: You've been working with herbs for over twenty years now, what initially stated you to using them?

ES: I worked in the medical field, in a dermatology clinic. I closely watched how patients were prescribed medicines that didn't work and, on some occasions, how they did more harm than good to the patients. I began to experiment with herbs and saw them as a natural alternative to drugs and chemicals.

CGJ: What herbs do you most enjoy using?

ES: Oh, there are a few! I love lavender, tarragon, rosemary, coriander, peppermint, thyme and sage, just to name a few.

CGJ: Why do you enjoy using these particular herbs so much?

ES: I love everything about these herbs. They enhance my senses. They enhance a simple meal. I love that using something so simple can add so many pleasures into my life.


Interested in using herbs to enhance and add pleasure to your everyday life?
Try one of the following fabulous recipes from Eva Stapel's collection.

Relaxing Bath Oil
1 cup of honey or cream
10 drops of rosewood oil
10 drops of orange oil
Rose petals
Mix the honey or cream and oil together first, then add all ingredients to bath water.

Romance Bath Oil
1 cup of honey or cream
1 drop of ylang, ylang oil
2 or 3 drops of vanilla oil
2 drops of jasmine oil
2 drops of lime oil
Mix the honey or cream and oil together first (you can use more drops of oil if you use honey instead of cream),
then add all ingredients to bath water.

Rose Face Refresher
50 ml distilled water
1 drop of rose oil
Shake well before each use.

Basic Daily Oil
50 ml of jojoba oil
10 drops of orange oil
10 drops of rosewood oil
Shake well and let set for 30 minutes of so before first use.

NOTE: Please remember that even though they are natural, essentials oils and herbs should still be used with caution. Take special care to notice any skin irritations when using herbs. Discontinue use should any problems occur. Please feel free to send comments and questions to Eva Stapel to us here at Cool Girls Japan.



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