craftgrrl | tea bags for the eyes (Reply)

so, i've copied this from a website... has anyone attempted to make these? i'd like to make a small basketfull for my mother-in-law. sounds easy enough, but for the blackberry part. do you think that they mean the leaves or the petals of the blooms? and where would i find blackberry petals when it isn't spring?! i know that i can get all of the other ingredients at the local health food store. i may just leave out the blackberry. advice? opinions?

~*~

"Tea Bags" For The Eyes- to help soothe and revitalize the eyes

Purchase unbleached tea bags (or make them from muslin or cheesecloth) and fill with: elder flowers, chamomile flowers, eyebright, calendula flowers, blackberry, fennel seed & rose petals.

Elder & Eyebright: Two of the more gentle herbs used for centuries to soothe the sensitive area around the eyes. They are also reputed to reduce wrinkles.

Chamomile: 17th Century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper said chamomile "taketh away weariness" and depression. Estheticians use it to reduce puffiness around the eyes.

Calendula: A well known herb for the skin which reduces swelling and comforts irritated eyes. It also counters bacterial and fungal infections.

Blackberry: The astringency of blackberry works to reduce soreness and redness in the eyes.

Fennel: Prescribed by ancient physicians both for eye problems and to prevent the aging of the skin. Longfellow wrote that fennel was "gifted with wondrous powers, lost vision to restore."

Rose: Roses are as healing as they are fragrant. They are highly antiseptic & rejuvenating to delicate skin, and their scent is said to be the most relaxing on earth.

Directions for use:
Place the tea bags in warm water, steep for several moments and place the comfortably warm and moist tea bags on closed eyes. Recline and relax for twenty minutes. Do not reuse tea bags.