It has long been the habit of southern ladies to fill their gardens with the finest herbs and fruits suitable every facet of her day. Our dear ancestors knew the curative, culinary, and cosmetic secrets of her garden, and each part of the plant was of benefit.
The southern lady knew the joy of a plump, perfumed strawberry, and she knew the use of the raspberry leaf.
She knew that old southern mint scented winter sachets and rosemary brightened her skin. No corner of the southern home was without the benefit of her garden's bounty.
Those fragrant rows of verbena, lovely fluffs of mint, or prim lines of lavender provided the southern lady with the sweet scents for her home, the flavorful blends for her kitchen, and the fragrant melange for her old fashioned beauty rituals.
Old Southern Beauty
Few things will set-to-straights like a healthful beauty tonic. These lovely southern tonics were passed from mother to daughter for hundreds of years. A beauty tonic will help tone and purify the skin while and make wonderful alcohol-free aperitifs or digestifs. There are many lovely vinegar compounds and infusions available, but these recipes may be tailored to suit your concerns. We have as many tonic recipes as there are afflictions.
Lovely Elixir
It is a rather endearing habit among the ladies in my family to refer to an especial favorite as a lovely elixir. I quite like that. I use the Berries and Herbs Tonic exclusively, but I will make the savory tonic for others. These are wonderfully versatile, and effective.Those fragrant rows of verbena, lovely fluffs of mint, or prim lines of lavender provided the southern lady with the sweet scents for her home, the flavorful blends for her kitchen, and the fragrant melange for her old fashioned beauty rituals.
Old Southern Beauty
Few things will set-to-straights like a healthful beauty tonic. These lovely southern tonics were passed from mother to daughter for hundreds of years. A beauty tonic will help tone and purify the skin while and make wonderful alcohol-free aperitifs or digestifs. There are many lovely vinegar compounds and infusions available, but these recipes may be tailored to suit your concerns. We have as many tonic recipes as there are afflictions.Lovely Elixir
Whether one wishes to improve the complexion’s clarity or restore vitality, these old fashioned tonics are a fitting addition to a day’s ablutions. Indeed, beauty tonics will improve the efficacy of ou
r skin care regimen.
Ritualr skin care regimen. These lovely elixirs have been taken for centuries to purify the liver and balance pH. Taking a vinegar tonic before each meal will also help moderate blood sugar and keep off excess weight.
It is the old tradition to take two teaspoons before each meal or to serve as a cooling drink by mixing two teaspoons to one cup mineral water and serving over ice.
Since each will last for six weeks, you may vary the ingredients to meet your personal requirements. Southern ladies would ensure that their gardens were filled with the many herbs and fruits which would best serve her requirements. Many of the old southern gardens still hold testament to the lovely rituals and ablutions.
As we approach the heat of deep summer adding mineral-rich southern molasses to your tonics will be especially fine. A wonderfully effective addition to the savory tonics is hot chili peppers. Not only will the capsaicin actually create a cooling effect, it will add a pretty glow to the skin.
It is the old tradition to take two teaspoons before each meal or to serve as a cooling drink by mixing two teaspoons to one cup mineral water and serving over ice.
Since each will last for six weeks, you may vary the ingredients to meet your personal requirements. Southern ladies would ensure that their gardens were filled with the many herbs and fruits which would best serve her requirements. Many of the old southern gardens still hold testament to the lovely rituals and ablutions.
As we approach the heat of deep summer adding mineral-rich southern molasses to your tonics will be especially fine. A wonderfully effective addition to the savory tonics is hot chili peppers. Not only will the capsaicin actually create a cooling effect, it will add a pretty glow to the skin.
Adding chamomile or basil to a summer tonic will revive the skin and brighten the hair.
Old Southern Garden
Old Southern Garden
Savory-Sweet Beauty Tonic
1 c water
1 c vinegar (I use rice wine vinegar)
1 c molasses
1 c diced fresh tomatoes (I often substitute grapes and omit half of the molasses)
Enough chopped fresh herbs to pack a 32 oz fruit jar (I use rosemary, French thyme, and oregano)
1 fresh jalapeno, diced and deseeded (optional)
Mash tomatoes (and jalapeno) and add vinegar, push through a strainer. Seal in a fruit jar and allow to macerate for three days. On the third day, add vinegar mixture, water and molasses to a pot and gently simmer for twenty minutes. Allow to cool thoroughly. Pack fruit jar with herbs, tamp down. Add cooled mixture to fruit jar. Seal and refrigerate. Use within six weeks.
1 c vinegar (I use rice wine vinegar)
1 c molasses
1 c diced fresh tomatoes (I often substitute grapes and omit half of the molasses)
Enough chopped fresh herbs to pack a 32 oz fruit jar (I use rosemary, French thyme, and oregano)
1 fresh jalapeno, diced and deseeded (optional)
Mash tomatoes (and jalapeno) and add vinegar, push through a strainer. Seal in a fruit jar and allow to macerate for three days. On the third day, add vinegar mixture, water and molasses to a pot and gently simmer for twenty minutes. Allow to cool thoroughly. Pack fruit jar with herbs, tamp down. Add cooled mixture to fruit jar. Seal and refrigerate. Use within six weeks.
Old Southern Garden
Berries and Herbs Tonic
Berries and Herbs Tonic
1 c vinegar
6 c fresh berries (I use mulberries, blueberries, or raspberries, but strawberries are most common)
sugar or honey to taste (I do not use any)
Enough chopped tarragon, lavender, rosemary, mint, or verbena to pack a 32 oz fruit jar
Mash berries and add vinegar (if you are using blackberries or raspberries, push mix through a strainer). Seal in a fruit jar and allow to macerate for three days. On the third day, add vinegar mixture and sugar to a pot and gently simmer for fifteen minutes. Allow to cool thoroughly. Pack fruit jar with herbs, tamp down. Add cooled mixture to fruit jar. Seal and refrigerate. Use within six weeks.
What you have not taken within six weeks may be mixed with enough white vinegar to dilute the color and used as a skin or hair toner.
6 c fresh berries (I use mulberries, blueberries, or raspberries, but strawberries are most common)
sugar or honey to taste (I do not use any)
Enough chopped tarragon, lavender, rosemary, mint, or verbena to pack a 32 oz fruit jar
Mash berries and add vinegar (if you are using blackberries or raspberries, push mix through a strainer). Seal in a fruit jar and allow to macerate for three days. On the third day, add vinegar mixture and sugar to a pot and gently simmer for fifteen minutes. Allow to cool thoroughly. Pack fruit jar with herbs, tamp down. Add cooled mixture to fruit jar. Seal and refrigerate. Use within six weeks.
What you have not taken within six weeks may be mixed with enough white vinegar to dilute the color and used as a skin or hair toner.
Another wonderfully, informative post, Searcy.Truly Nothing was wasted in the old days- how wise and knowledgeable our forebears were.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Claire
Dear Claire,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I am often surprised by how many of the truly effective, old-fashioned tonics and remedies seem to fall out of use.