More Plants Again!

A few days into budding, the flowers of my choy sum is fully bloomed. Amazingly, it does have a very sweet fragrance.
Choy Sum Flower
Impatiens balsamina, common name rose balsam or garden balsam, is a very beautiful plant with very showy flowers. It is also known as Touch Me Not, as the matured seed pods will explode when touched, spreading the seeds. This cultivar has a very nice blend of colours.
Touch Me Not
Since I can't eat this potato anymore after it germinated in my kitchen, I decided to plant it so that I can get some potato leaves to fight the invading ants. It seems to be growing quite well. Who knows if one day, war erupts and I have my own supply of food during emergency. :P
Potato
This is no lemon tree but it is lemon grass. Lemongrass is a very popular herb used in cooking in south east Asia. It took me quite some time to learn how to grow one. Hopefully this one will grow up and mature healthily.
Lemongrass
Having a neighbour who gardens as well, I get to snap his plants too. This is the flowers of star fruit.
Star Fruit Flower
Roses have a subtle but sweet fragrance that can make one feels very much in love.
Rose Shoot
Rose Shoot with Flower Bud
Rose Shoot with Flower Bud - Focused

Home Made Rose Toner

Having been troubled by acne throughout my teenage years, a simple and effective solution was much wanted. After some searching, I found this cheap yet effective solution - home made rose toner.

To make this simple rose toner, all you need are a small container, filtered/distilled water and some dried/fresh roses. The ratio of rose to water is quite dependent on how strong you like it to be. Around 3-5 flowers to 50ml would be quite a good ratio. To cut on cost, you can even plant your own roses. I have my own rose plants, so I can dry my own roses and prepare them for making my own toner. If you don't have a rose plant, you can get those dried rose buds or petals from herb shops. Commercial fresh rose flowers are not recommended because they are laden with pesticides, which aren't the least bit good for your face.
Dried Rose
First step is to measure your water using the container. Fill the container to the brim with water. Then pour the water into a pot and bring to boil. When the water is boiling, put your roses into the water and boil for another 30 seconds. Then remove the pot from heat and allow it to cool, covered (you won't want the sweet fragrance of the rose to escape). Once cooled, pour into your container and you have your very own rose toner!
Rose Toner
Store the toner in the fridge and it can last 1 week. If you wish to extend the shelf life of the toner, you can consider adding a few drops of essential oil (recommended 2-4 drops per 50ml of toner) after the toner is cooled. If you add essential oil, make sure you shake well after adding the essential oil and also every time before you use.

Essential oils that you can consider adding are tea tree, lemongrass, niaouli, lavender, palma rosa, ylang ylang, pine, petitgrain, rosemary, frankincense, carrot seed and eucalyptus. These oils are generally considered antiseptic, good for acne, scar healing or regeneration of skin cells.

In addition to that, peppermint and spearmint can give your face the cooling effect of menthol. They are also antiseptic. However, only a small amount should be used as these 2 oils may be sensitising.

Rose oil can be added into the toner for even more pleasing fragrance but rose essential oil is very costly. And I won't use cheap fragrance oil for they may have no therapeutic effect and may cause more health complications if applied onto skin.

Although essential oils are fun and effective to use, there are situations where they may be contra indicated, such as pregnancy, epileptic and so on. There may also be risk of allergic reaction or sensitivity. It is important to find out more from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before you use any of these oils.

With essential oils, the shelf life of the toner in the fridge can go up to 1 month. Oh, have I mentioned that by keeping the toner in the fridge, the cool temperature of the toner can give you extra toning effect? So, this is a fun, natural, green yet cheap way to make your own toner.

I've been using this toner and am very pleased with the result it delivers. I hope you all will find pleasure in this simple remedy too.

Rose Blooms

These are my latest rose blooms.
Red Rose Bloom
Pink Rose Bloom
I don't know if I have a green thumb or what, my roses seem to love to give me beautiful and fragrant blooms. They make my days happier. :D