Body & Soul: Hand Care Tips

<p>• Clean hands with soap and water.</p>
<p>• Put some fresh flower petals or herb leaves in a bowl of warm water and soak your hands for 10 minutes. Try lavender, calendula, mint, or rosemary. Use a gentle nailbrush and clean under each nail.</p>
<p>• Massage a rich hand cream or natural oil into your hands and cuticles. Gently push back your cuticles with a cotton swab. Never cut your cuticles–they are meant to protect your nail bed. Cutting can damage them and lead to infection.</p>
<p>• File your nails into square ovals, making sure all are the same length, using a paper emery board.</p>
<p>• For extremely dry hands, make a hand mask, using plain yogurt or sour cream with 1 teaspoon of honey mixed into it. Spread the mixture over your hands and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.</p>
<p>• Rinse off the entire mask with warm water, followed by cool water.</p>
<p>• Massage more hand cream or oil into your hands. Work from the base of your palm to your fingertips, one finger at a time.</p>
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<em>Janice Cox is the author of</em> Natural Beauty from the Garden <em>(Henry Holt and Company, 2002). For more information, visit her website at</em>
<a href=”http://www.janicecox.com/” target=”_blank”>www.JaniceCox.com</a>
<em>.</em>
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<p>Click here for the main article, <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/body-care/hand-and-nail-care.aspx?page=2″>
<strong>Body & Soul: Natural Hand and Nail Care for Gardeners</strong>
</a>. </p>