Plant power

From soothing stress headaches to calming problem skin, natural remedies found in your garden or kitchen are cheap, eco-friendly and super effective, says Cinead McTernan

Best for... Burns and stings

Aloe vera is a spiky houseplant that’s great for soothing burns and stings. This succulent is easy to care for and will thrive in a bright spot.

 TRY IT: Simply snap off a leaf and wipe the jelly-like substance on any superficial burn or bite. It can temporarily stain the skin as it dries, but don’t worry, it washes off. Store the leaf in the fridge, snapping off sections as and when required. For extensive or severe burns, seek medical help.

Best for… Stress headaches

Studies show the calming benefits of peppermint can help relieve the symptoms of stress or tension headaches.  TRY IT: Dry fresh peppermint leaves in a very low oven and store in a sealed container. Place a heaped tablespoon of crushed, dried leaves in a cup and cover with boiled water, leaving to steep for 10 minutes. Remove the leaves and soak a cloth in the warm liquid, wringing it out before applying to the back of the neck or forehead. Leave on for 20 minutes.

Best for... Problem skin

Cucumber is a cooling ingredient that is great for the skin, while green tea helps draw out impurities from pores as well as hydrate.

 TRY IT: Peel half a cucumber and chop finely. Add to a saucepan and cover with water. Simmer over a low heat for five minutes. Cool and pour into a blender, blitzing for 20 seconds. Strain and pour the liquid into a container. Meanwhile, cover a green tea bag in boiled water and steep for five minutes. Add three tablespoons of the cooled tea to the cucumber water. Use twice a day after cleansing. Will keep in the fridge for four days.

Best for… Sore throats

Try this ancient combination to help soothe sore throats and congestion coughs. Thyme has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities, honey is known to have strong antiviral and antibacterial qualities, and apple cider vinegar is antibacterial too.

 TRY IT: Add four handfuls of fresh thyme, 85ml of honey and 375ml of apple cider vinegar to a jam jar. Leave on a work surface in your kitchen and shake it once a day for two weeks. Then strain and keep in the fridge for up to a year. Take one tablespoon every hour to relieve symptoms.

Best for... Dry eyes

Chamomile, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant qualities, makes the perfect natural eyewash.  TRY IT: In a saucepan, add half a teaspoon of salt to 250ml distilled water. Let it dissolve and then boil for five minutes. Steep two tablespoons of dried chamomile in the liquid for 10 minutes and strain using a coffee filter. When only very slightly warm, use an eye bath or egg cup to gently wash your eyes.

Best for... Bruises

Create a gentle, natural balm to help soothe bumps and bruises using daisies, which have antiinflammatory properties. Easy to harvest from your own lawn or from meadows and parks, they grow in abundance from spring right the way through to the autumn.

 TRY IT: Gather a handful of daisy flowers and place in a jar with a lid. Cover with olive oil and leave to steep for two weeks. Strain and discard the flowers. For every 100ml of oil, add 20g of beeswax. Melt together over a heat-proof bowl, placed over a saucepan of boiling water. Once the wax has dissolved, transfer into a sterilised jar. Keep in a cold, dark place for up to six months and apply topically to bruises.

Best for...

Rosemary and mint both help promote hair growth, while vinegar helps close cuticles to make hair smoother and softer. These natural ingredients can also help to banish an itchy scalp and dandruff.

 TRY IT: Put 30g each of fresh rosemary and mint in a jam jar and cover with hot vinegar which has been brought up to the boil, but not boiled. Steep for a week, remove herbs and store in a sealed container. Spritz on hair as a leave-in rinse. To treat dandruff, vigorously rub a little on your scalp and leave – there’s no need to rinse it off.

Stressed hair