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Page 77
Every two weeks, combine several drops of the essential oil blend with enough jojoba or olive oil to cover the entire scalp. Work in well, then cover the head with a towel. Leave undisturbed for as long as possible, preferably overnight. Wash hair and scalp thoroughly in the morning.
In addition, take circulatory herbs such as gotu kola, ginkgo and cayenne. Wild yam (page 29) has been reported to correct some cases of male pattern baldness.
After-shave lotion.
Prepare a tincture of rum and bay leaf by filling a pint jar with aromatic bay leaves and cover the leaves with rum. Leave in a warm place and shake the jar daily for a month. Combine 1 Tbsp. tincture with several drops of any masculine, woody or spicy oils, such as basil, cedarwood, cinnamon, clove, cypress, geranium, ginger, juniper, lemon, neroli, nutmeg, sage, rosemary and/or tea tree oils in any combination. If you don't like the result, discard it and start over, keeping track of your oils and proportions, but remember that working with full-strength oils can dull your sense of smell. Before applying to the skin, go for a walk in fresh air and test again. Remember to add only a few drops of oil; very strong fragrances can repel the very people you want to attract. Aim for something subtle and understated. Before using, dilute the tincture-oil blend with an equal quantity of water. When you have created an after-shave lotion that's to your liking, make a larger quantity using the same essential oils.
Insect repellent.
Use the same rum and bay leaf tincture to prepare an effective insect repellent. Citronella, bay leaf, lemon, clove, peppermint, myrrh, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, rosemary and tea tree oils repel flies, mosquitoes, ants and fleas. According to herbalists who experiment with live ticks, the most effective tick repellent is rose geranium.

 
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