Alfalfa sprouts are available in the produce section of most grocery stores. They’re also easy to grow at home. Use only organically grown seeds (available at most natural food stores and some garden shops).
To grow your own sprouts, first wash 1/4 cup of alfalfa seeds, place them in a bowl or jar, and then cover with lukewarm water. Let stand overnight. Drain and rinse the seeds, and then drain again thoroughly. Place the seeds in a large glass jar, cover the top with a piece of cheesecloth or nylon mesh, and secure tightly. Place the jar on its side, so the seeds form a thin layer, and leave in a dark, warm, humid place. Rinse the seeds at least three times every day by pouring lukewarm water into the jar, swirling it around, and draining it. You should begin to see sprouts develop in 3 to 5 days. When small green leaves appear, you can place the jar in direct sunlight. When they’re about 1 inch long, store the sprouts in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay fresh for 3 to 5 days. Yield: 1 ounce.
- 1 tablespoon fresh alfalfa sprouts
- 1 teaspoon rice flour or ground oatmeal (optional)
Cut the sprouts into small pieces with kitchen scissors. For a smoother, cleanser-like paste, mix in rice flour or oatmeal and a little water.
To use: Wash your face with the alfalfa sprouts, and then rinse well with cool water. This treatment can be used all over the body.
For more spring beauty recipes, see:
- A Self-Care Routine for Spring
- Egg Mask Recipes
- Elbow Grease Lotion Recipe
- Three Musketeers Aftershave Recipes
Janice Cox is an author, the beauty editor for Herb Quarterly magazine, and a frequent speaker at Mother Earth News Fairs. These recipes are reprinted from her book, Natural Beauty for All Seasons, available below.
Seasons change and your skin care routine can, too. In Natural Beauty for All Seasons, natural beauty expert Janice Cox walks readers through 250 body, bath, and hair care recipes that they can make on their own during each season! Not one of the recipes calls for any more skill than being able to boil water. And an introductory section reveals what equipment is necessary and where needed ingredients can easily be found. Janice Cox is an author, the beauty editor for Herb Quarterly magazine, and a frequent speaker at Mother Earth News Fairs. These recipes are reprinted from her book, Natural Beauty for All Seasons, available below. Order from the GRIT Store or by calling 800-234-3368.