Tea Tree & Thyme Healing Tonic

This is a great recipe for a product that can come in handy anytime of the year, but ESPECIALLY NOW, during cold and flu season! Easy, economical and very effective. This is from the book Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles.
The book says: "This recipe makes a very strong infusion of thyme. Combined w/tea tree, the resultant formula has antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties and makes a good preventive skin tonic to use when living or working around people who have a cold or flu. Pour it into a small, plastic [or glass ~KW<><] spritzer bottle and keep it w/you at all times so that you can spray it periodically on your hands and face, the telephone, and directly into the air to help purify the surrounding environment." [emphasis mine ~KW<><]
You will need an empty spritzer bottle. You can use an old, clean one that you already have or you can purchase cute, cheap ones at Hobby Lobby, Michael's or most other craft or health food stores. If you buy it new, wash it before filling.
You will also need:
~1 c. distilled water
~1 TB thyme leaves
~1-1/2 ts white willow bark 
~10 drops of tea tree essential oil

In a small saucepan, boil the water, remove from heat, add the thyme leaves and let it steep for about 20 minutes. Strain and pour into the spray bottle, add the tea tree oil, shake well.
Due to tea tree essential oil's potent properties, this tonic will keep unrefrigerated for approximately 1 month. Always keep a fresh batch on-hand.
 
You can also apply this to your face as a regular toner w/a cotton ball. Do not use on the eye area. As a face tonic it is recommended for: "all skin types, especially those w/weeping acne, abrasions, burns, infections, inflamed eczema, or psoriasis. Use daily as needed." This is my personal favorite face toner/astringent . . . however . . . I ADD 1 ts. of white willow bark to make it extra preventative for acne. Simply apply with a cotton ball after your wash your face with my oily skin face wash. 

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><