REGENERATING

left: Use essential oils in the daily care of your skin to keep it supple and youthful.
right top and below: Lavender has long been valued for its healing qualities, as well as its unmistakable perfume, and is particularly beneficial in massage.

Even if there is no magical potion we can take to keep us forever young, there are certain plants that stimulate the growth of healthy new cells in the human body, most notably lavender and neroli.

The healing properties of lavender, known to the ancients for thousands for years, were rediscovered in the 20th century when a French chemist, accidentally burnt his arm. He plunged his arm into a jar of lavender oil, and was astonished at how quickly his wound healed, with very little scarring. Lavender is not only a powerful skin rejuvenator, it also helps normalize both dry and greasy skins and can be used for treating difficult skin conditions, such as acne: try adding a few drops to an unperfumed body lotion or face cream.

Weak, brittle or damaged nails can also benefit from lavender's strengthening properties. To encourage strong, healthy nails, you have to care for the cuticle as well as the nail as this is where nail growth begins: each evening, rub a few drops of lavender oil into the cuticles. After two or three months you should see some improvement as the treated nail grows through.

The delicate oil of neroli is widely used in commercially made perfume and skincare products and is particularly beneficial for dry or sensitive skin. It helps eliminate dead skin cells, improves the skin's elasticity, and is useful for all kinds of skin problems, including thread veins and stretch marks.

Regular use of both lavender and neroli oils in baths and in massage can help to maintain cellular reproduction at the levels that occur naturally in young people. Try experimenting with these oils on a daily basis, by adding a few drops to face creams, body lotions and/or baths oils.