If your feet look anything like mine after gardening in flip-flops for months on end, then they will be in need of a little tender loving care.

I am such a fan of all things natural, so here is my super fast recipe for my own Gardeners’ Hand & Foot Salve.

For best effect, give those paws a good buff all over with a pumice stone, then scrub with a little olive oil mixed with Epsom salts and a few drops of peppermint essential oil. Soak in warm water for five minutes then wash the scrub off, dry and apply this home made balm. Cotton socks will let it really soak in so this is great to do before bedtime.

This salve can be used for hardworking hands and feet, it is deeply nourishing and contains plenty of natural goodness to help heal cracks and dryness.

Ingredients:

70g beeswax

70g cocoa butter (or shea)

220g olive oil

20g honey

20 drops of each of the following: rosemary, lemongrass, lavender, tea tree and peppermint essential oils.

Method:

Weigh the first three ingredients into a glass jug, add the honey, then boil a small amount of water in a saucepan. Turn the water down to a simmer and then carefully place the jug into the pan creating yourself a water bath. Stir the contents of the jug continuously with a metal spoon until they have melted completely, add the essential oils, then remove carefully from the water bath and pour into whatever receptacles you have. The silver pots are very inexpensive and easy to obtain from eBay. They make fabulous gifts for people too!

Allow to cool completely before popping the lids on top. Job done.

Carry a small pot in your handbag and have a big pot by your bed. Wonderful.

Edit: We have also discovered that this particular combination of oils is fantastic at keeping mosquitoes away so use on pulse points whenever you are at risk of being nibbled!