Fruit & veg as your pharmacy

Here are some ideas of how to make the most out of what is in the larder, so nothing will ever go to waste!!

Squeeze half a lemon into a small amount of water and apply to wet blonde hair and go outside into the sunshine on a nice warm day and leave to dry. Wash out later. This will help lighten hair naturally.

Rubbing lemon over dry elbows or knees will soften the skin whilst, if you have been preparing smelly food and your hands smell no matter how many times you wash them, just rub lemon over them to deodorize.

Placing a slice of cucumber over each eye and lying down and relaxing for 10 minutes will soothe any soreness or inflammation and tone the eye membranes. Also use this method for any areas of skin which is inflamed, burnt or red – just apply fresh slices over the whole area for 10 minutes.

Like the occasional avocado and suffer from dry skin? Then, once you have eaten it, rub the inside of the skin over a cleansed face and leave for 10 minutes. Rinse in warm water. What could be simpler?

Mash a ripe peach with a little left over cream and apply to the face for a face mask for dry skin whilst mashed ripe strawberries mixed with a little powdered milk and lemon juice will be great for oily skin. Rinse off with some more lemon juice in warm water.

To keep flies etc out of your kitchen, hang a string of garlic and they will keep out.

Got badly burnt in the sun by mistake? Make a quick remedy of natural honey mixed with lavender oil and apply immediately. The honey will soothe and moisturise whilst the lavender oil will repair the damage. Same applies for any emergency wounds as the honey dries to make a natural bandage.

Got bitten by an insect and have no lavender handy? Then, rub some onion or ginger over the area. Onion works nicely against a bee sting too – after removing the sting of course, whilst pure lemon juice is for a wasp sting.

Did you know that strawberries are excellent for menopausal women so eat plenty (but without the sugar and cream)?

Witch’s tip: try rose water sprinkled on your strawberries – it’s wonderful and no calories. Sweetens cheaper champagne too – just drop a few drops in with a strawberry – very Wimbledon!!

Cherries stop the formation of plaque on your teeth providing you eat enough of them?

All the brightly coloured fruit such as peaches, nectarines, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, apricots and oranges are full of carotene which converts to Vitamin A to keep your skin healthy so eat lots raw in your salads.