Beauty

Bright Eyes with Eyebright

Bright, sparkling eyes not only look good but also feel great. Looking into a person's eyes gives us important tips about that individual's health. Tired, bloodshot eyes are a sign of ill health. Dark raccoon eyes show lack of sleep and are sometimes signs of allergies. Sight is precious, and regular eye checks with an ophthalmologist are important.

You can prevent eyestrain with a few home treatments. When working on a computer, look away frequently and change the focal length by looking out of the window often. Palming cupping your hand and placing it over closed eyes is the perfect antidote to hours of study or reading.

Another strategy: use the herb eyebright (Euphrasia officinale) to soothe and relax tired eyes. Make an eyebright compress by dipping a sterile gauze pad into a cool bowl of eyebright infusion. Allow excess infusion to drain off the pad, then place the gauze over your closed eyelid. Lie back and relax for five minutes while you listen to soothing music. Eyebright herbs are available at your local natural product store. While you're there, also look for lutein and bilberries, other supplements that promote eye health.

Lavender Lullaby

It's a hot, sultry summer night and the bedroom windows are open to catch a wisp of cool air. Instead of cooling breezes drifting into the bedroom, though, the sounds of crying babies and barking dogs keep you awake. Sleep is elusive and your mind starts churning with thoughts of the day ahead. Sound familiar? When the wonderful state of relaxation that leads to sleep just doesn't seem to happen, it can be even more frustrating to know you are keeping yourself awake.

At times like these, turn to the lavender lullaby. Lavender relaxes the body, calms the mind, and restores the spirit.

You can capture the aromatic properties of lavender in several ways. A few drops of essential oil of lavender on a cotton cloth tucked under the pillowcase will release the faintest lavender scent. Let lavender lull you to sleep by smoothing an organic lavender lotion over your body just before going to bed, gently massaging it into your arms. For a special treat, soak in a just-warm tub of water laced with lavender bath salts, while a lavender candle burns nearby to calm even the most stressed-out body. Lavender lulls the body into a restful, rejuvenating beauty sleep. Try it next time your tired body won't slow down.