Sage Tea for Darkening Hair
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 heaping handful of fresh sage leaves or 2 tablespoons of dried sage
2 cups of water
Bring water almost to a boil, remove from heat, add vinegar and sage leaves, and cover. Let steep for 30 minutes to an hour. The longer it steeps, the stronger. Rinse hair with this several times over a week.
Natural Coconut Oil Toothpaste doesn’t contain hazardous chemicals, fights cavities, has no foaming agents, and is cheap and easy to make!
2 tbsp baking soda
15-20 drops of peppermint, spearmint, and cinnamon oil or 10 drops of myrrh for powerful antibacterial effects.
Melt or soften oil and mix in other ingredients. Mix well. If using melted coconut oil, stir several times as it cools. Put mixture in a glass jar and it’s ready to use! Use a spoon to apply to brush
The Benefits of Coconut Oil Pulling:
Reduces plaque and gingivitis
Whitens teeth
Reduced bad breath
Healing bleeding gums
Reducing inflammation
Fighting tooth decay
Soothing a dry throat
Preventing cavities
Healing cracked lips
Boosting the immune system
Clearing the complexion and improving acne
Strengthening the jaw and gums
Reduces Streptococcus bacteria
Oil Pulling – Place one tablespoon of coconut oil in mouth, and when liquefied, swish it around for 15 minutes, covering all teeth and gums. Don’t gargle with it. Spit it into a trashcan rather than sink as it can clog drains. Rinse mouth with warm water, and brush teeth as usual. Do this a few times a week, or every day.
By massaging coconut oil into the gums every day for 10 minutes at a time, it can significantly reduce plaque and bacteria that cause decay. Oil pulling and chlorhexidine mouthwash are effective against gingivitis.
Conventional toothpastes contain the antibacterial chemical triclosan, associated with serious concerns about antibiotic resistance and disruption of the endocrine system. Endocrine disrupters can lead to breast, ovarian, prostate, and testicular cancer, preterm and low birth weight babies, precocious puberty in girls, and undescended testicles in boys. Fluoride is a toxic industrial waste that acts as a poison in the body in trace amounts.
Most toothpastes contain chemicals used to create foaming action, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), or sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES). Surfactants interfere with the functioning of taste buds by breaking up phospholipids on the tongue. Coconut oil helps to maintain a more natural balance of lipids on the tongue and offers powerful antibacterial properties. SLS has been associated with painful canker sores. Use toothpaste without SLS.
SEA SALT BODY SPRAY
Salt water make your hair look awesome and can also firm your skin. You know how a day at the beach leaves your skin feeling tight. This spray is a version of the same thing. – Wrinkles, pores and cellulite are reduced, but your skin won’t feel dry and parched. This is great for oily and acne prone skin. You’ll absorb the vitamins, minerals and trace elements from the salt through the skin too. Sea salt has a high concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium and bromide that naturally reduce skin redness, irritation and swelling. Epsom salts draw toxins from the body and are rich in magnesium. You can spritz your face or all the body. No need to rinse!
Use green tea as a base for its powerful antioxidants, tannic acids and polyphenols that sooth red, irritated skin and heal sunburned skin. Use distilled water if you don’t want to refrigerate.
1 cup cool green tea (or distilled water or other tea)
1 teaspoon Aloe Vera
1 tablespoon sea salt
Pinch of Epsom salt
2-3 drops of essential oil
Steep tea in very hot water for 5 minutes. Then discard tea bag. Combine all ingredients except Aloe Vera in a reusable spray bottle. Shake well to dissolve salt. Let cool completely then add Aloe Vera. Keep refrigerated.
SEA SPRAY FOR HAIR
Sea salt is great for oily hair as it naturally pulls out oil and moisture. To counteract the drying effects of the salt, add a small amount of oil to condition the hair.
Using chamomile tea and lemon juice will naturally lighten your hair as well. But if you use tea as a base, the spray will need to be refrigerated.
1 cup of hot chamomile tea (or distilled water if you don’t want to refrigerate)
1 tablespoon Epsom salt
Pinch of sea salt
1 teaspoon Aloe Vera gel
1 teaspoon coconut, almond or jojoba oil
4-5 drops of essential oil – like lavender or grapefruit
1 teaspoon lemon juice (for additional lightening)
Steep tea in very hot water for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags. Combine ingredients except Aloe Vera and lemon juice in a reusable spray bottle. Shake well to dissolve salt. Let cool completely then add Aloe Vera and lemon juice. Shake before each use and spray on clean, damp hair. Scrunch and twist with your hands to define waves.
Let hair air-dry. Apply more spray to dry hair for a stronger hold.
Parsley Tea contains immune-enhancing vitamins (C and A) and is a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C, not only nourishes skin, it reduces scars and blemishes and stimulates the production of collagen, which is the key to cell reproduction and repair. Flat leaf (Italian) parsley is more fragrant and less bitter than the curly leafed kind. Drink this tea for a month and you may find your face was spotless.
Soak parsley in water with a splash of vinegar.
Wrap in a towel and store in the fridge.
Bring a small saucepan of filtered water to a boil.
Put ¼ cup of parsley in a cup or teapot.
Pour the boiling water on top, let steep for 5-6 minutes
Splash of fresh lemon
12 Tips to Slow Down the Appearance of Varicose Veins
- Be aware if you are standing for long periods of time shake your legs every so often to prevent the accumulation of blood.
- Flex your feet. By contracting the muscles in your feet it can help force blood upward and out of the veins. If you are sat down for any period of time try flexing your foot up and down as you would when you pump a gas pedal or piano pedal. Also rotate your feet clockwise and counterclockwise to get the ankles moving and the blood pumping.
- Do not sit cross-legged; it increases pressure on the leg veins.
- Gentle exercise such as swimming and walking can strengthen the walls of the blood vessels and prevent or delay the development of prominent veins.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity that can put heavy pressure on the veins, e.g weight training.
- By sitting or lying down with your legs slightly elevated will improve the blood flow from the legs to the heart. If your legs are very swollen try sleeping with your legs elevated, forcing the blood up out of your feet and legs.
- By having cold or lukewarm showers you can shrink the veins.
- To stop swollen veins from getting worse it is recommended to apply elastic stockings or elastic bandages that provide support.
- Be aware of your weight, if you are overweight it will put unnecessary pressure on your veins.
- Take Vitamin B, vitamin C and zinc to help maintain the elasticity of blood vessels and strengthen their walls, this can prevent or delay the appearance of varicose veins.
- Wear elastic socks on long haul flights. Talk to your physician and if you have a prescription take blood thinners such as aspirin, which help to prevent blood clots and venous thrombosis.
- Get yourself some comfy shoes that have laces that can be loosened if needed and keep your high heels for special occasions. Walking in high heels can aggravate varicose veins.
Anti-age spot mixture
Dice a fresh onion. Transfer the bits into a Ziploc bag and pulverize them with a blunt surface. Afterwards, process the onion with half a cup of organic apple cider vinegar in a blender. Blend until you get a smooth texture. Soak one cotton ball in the mixture and apply it directly on your age spots. For optimal results do this every day for 2-4 weeks. Notice the first results within a couple of weeks.
Clear Skin of Blemishes and Freckles
Homemade cream of parsley leaf will relieve your skin of those pigmented spots and get rid of freckles! Parsley is rich in vitamins and minerals. The juice from it contains many essential oils and it has a high concentration of magnesium and potassium, both critical to staying healthy. It has been used to remedy fevers, kidney disease, urinary tract infections, Diabetes, and inflammation of the eyes.
Being able to remove redness, swelling, irritation, as well as bleaching the skin. Parsley leaf is a key in fixing those minor facial problems you may suffer from.
Parsley Facial Recipe
Four tablespoons of fresh or dried parsley leaf
400 ml of boiling water
Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice whichever you prefer.
Let water come to a boil. Chop parsley, add to the boiling water, and cook for about twenty minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain and add lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Use on your skin when you get up and before you go to sleep.
This will tighten the pores of your face and whiten your skin dramatically. The properties in parsley will help to get rid of freckles. Keep this lotion in the fridge and use everyday. In a few weeks, you will notice the difference in.
Get Rid of Wrinkles?
This toner can tone your face to get rid of those pesky wrinkles. Wrinkles are a sign of aging where the cells of the skin divide more slowly and dermis starts to thin. Facial expressions have been said to make certain wrinkles more prominent with age. Smoking also causes wrinkles, because smoking curbs the skin’s production of collagen, which is the main component of skin’s structure. If you want to reduce wrinkles, try this recipe.
• 2 lemons
• 1 glass of beer
• 1 glass of rose water
Juice lemons. Add the beer and rose water together and stir well. Clean the face and apply the mixture to the face. For best results put the mixture on before bed and leave it overnight.
Shampoos and Soaps You probably thought that the worst thing your shampoo could do to you is to burn your eyes, but it turns out that your shampoo could be deadly. The Center for Environmental Health based in Oakland, California, performed a study on shampoos and soaps and found that 98 included a possible carcinogen known as cocamide diethanolamine (cocamide DEA).
Cocamide Diethanolamine (cocamide DEA), a controversial ingredient found in body care items, has landed four personal care manufacturers with a lawsuit in California.
The Center for Environmental Health filed the suit after discovering the presence of cocamide DEA, the foam stabilizer and volumizer, in shampoos and soaps. In the state of California, Proposition 65 requires manufacturers to warn consumers over the risks of certain substances. Cocamide DEA is on that list because it is a suspected carcinogen. It was banned in the state last year after a study found it caused cancer in laboratory animals.
Some of the products that contain high levels of the illegal chemical are sold under well-known companies such as Colgate Palmolive, Paul Mitchell, and Prell. Lab tests also found the carcinogen in children’s products, such as a store brand bubble bath from KMart, and a shampoo/conditioner from Babies R Us. Other store brand products that contain the carcinogen came from Trader Joe’s, Walmart, and Kohl’s.
2 Tablespoons Dried Nettle Leaf
2 Tablespoons Horsetail Leaf (optional)
2 Tablespoons Natural Aloe Vera Gel
10 drops of Clary Sage Essential Oil
10 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil
10 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
How to Make Hair Growth Serum:
Boil the distilled water and add the dried nettle leaf and horsetail leaf.
Let the herbs sit in the water for at least 10 minutes or until water cools.
Strain the herbs out and pour the herb infused liquid in to a spray bottle.
Add the aloe vera and essential oils and shake well.
Store in the fridge for up to 3 months and shake well before us.
How to Use this Hair Growth Serum:
Spray liberally on hair roots once or more per day. I found that it was easiest and worked the best to spray on before bed each night.
Amazing Beauty Benefits of Tea. 2. Soothes sunburns. Missed a spot with the sunscreen and ended up with a sunburn? Cold compresses made out of tea bags can relieve pain and reduce redness.
3. Minimizes bug bites. To take down the sting and bumps, apply a used cold chamomile tea bag directly to the area and relax.
4. Reduces puffy eyes and dark under-eye circles.. The caffeine helps to shrink blood vessels underneath the skin and eliminate darkness around the eye area.
5. Rids smelly feet odor. Soak feet in a cool solution made of boiled tea. Tannic acid in tea is antibacterial and antifungal. It stops feet from sweating and smelling.
6. Tones and moisturizes dry skin. Spritz cool green tea onto your face twice a day to draw out impurities, shrink large pores and get a healthy glow.
7. If your legs are itchy and red after shaving, press a cool black tea bag onto your limbs. The tannins provide immediate relief from razor burns.
8. If you’re looking for a chemical-free alternative to dyeing your hair, try using tea. Its staining properties add color to naturally blonde or brunette locks.
SKIN TAGS – In most instances a skin tag is a harmless, benign tumor. Once you have checked with your physician and determined this, here are some natural ways to remove them:
Tea Trea Oil– Tea tree oil works very well for removing skin tags as well as moles. In fact, tea tree oil is used on various skin disorders. To use this all you need is a little tea tree oil and a cotton ball. Soak the cotton ball in the oil and apply it directly to the affected area. Do this once or twice daily for up to 4 weeks or until the skin tag vanishes.
Castor Oil– can be taken both internally and externally. Take a little baking soda and mix it with the castor oil to create a paste. Add some citrus oil as it will stink to high heaven. Apply it to the affected area and cover with a band-aid. The typical time it will take is 2-4 weeks before the skin tag vanishes.Apple Cider Vinegar-Apple cider vinegar works well for removing skin tags. Just like tea tree oil, you simply dab some directly to the skin tag. Unlike the tea tree oil, Apple Cider vinegar may cause a stinging sensation for a couple minutes after being applied. Typical time until the skin tag vanishes is 2-4 weeks.
Oregano Oil – This oil works very well for removal of skin tags. Apply the same as for Tea Tree oil. It is strong so may need to be diluted. Use extra caution when using any remedy on the face.
Even though they say wrinkles make you wiser, there are many ways to look wiser without the wrinkles that are natural, there is no need to buy expensive anti-aging cream or treatments. You won’t need to expend more than a couple of bucks… here is where the real wisdom is. Bananas and their peel have been used for centuries to help with many skin conditions, including acne, wrinkles, warts, psoriasis and poison ivy.
1. Mash a banana until it has a creamy texture and apply it to your entire face for 30 minutes, bananas have so much more going for them than just a delicious and nutritious treat.
2. Coconut oil is the best option when it comes to natural wrinkle removal, since it rebuilds our skin tissue and will also leave your face skin moisturized and feeling smooth and beautiful.
3. Pineapple juice can easily rival any treatment, in fact it is much better, because they are packed with the enzyme bromelain which naturally eats away our top layer of skin when applied topically and leaves the new fresh skin underneath.
Excerpts from an article by Joe Martino
The sun has never ever been linked to solely causing skin cancer. This myth was brought forward by the sunscreen industry, dermatologists and the cancer industry.
If you don’t use sunscreen your skin may burn. I say may because not everyone’s skin will burn. It depends on the health of your skin. If you are deficient in antioxidants and vitamin B, you are much more likely to get a sunburn as your skin is not healthy enough to take in the UV rays properly. Those with darker skin are able to have their skin act as a built in sunscreen.
Get your body well maintained with proper high quality nutrients, specifically vitamin B and antioxidants. Most diets contain eating a lot of acidic foods, fried-meats, heavy dairy products, fast foods and acidic pop. This is a perfect reason as to why many people will get burned in the sun. Their diets don’t contain healthy foods and their skin isn’t nutrient dense enough.
Sunscreen blocks the bodies ability to generate any vitamin D from the sun. Not only does it have a boatload of chemicals in it, it makes you vitamin deficient. There are easy natural ways of protecting your skin, why use chemicals that cause cancer and make you vitamin deficient?
Vitamin D is a very important nutrient to have proper amounts of in your body as it is responsible for the decrease of 4 out of 5 cancers of every kind as well as many other diseases when levels are properly maintained in the body.
Environmental Working Group, a Washington-based nonprofit, released their annual report that nearly half of the 500 most popular sunscreen products may actually increase the speed at which malignant cells develop and spread skin cancer because they contain vitamin A and its derivatives, retinol and retinyl palmitate. The FDA has known about the dangers of vitamin A in sunscreens since ordering a study 10 years ago, but has done nothing to alert the public of the dangers. “Retinyl palmitate was selected by (FDA’s) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition for photo-toxicity and photocarcinogenicity testing based on the widespread use of this compound in cosmetic products for use on sun-exposed skin,” said an October 2000 report by the National Toxicology Program.
According to AOL news, other problems with sunscreens include the use of the hormone-disrupting chemical oxybenzone, which penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream, overstated claims about performance, and the lack of needed regulations and oversight by the Food and Drug Administration.
Sun Burn Cream
2 tablespoons of fresh water
1 tablespoon of witch hazel
1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
2-4 teaspoons of baking soda or cornstarch
1-2 cups of fresh mint leaves, or 1 teaspoon of peppermint oil
2 tablespoons fresh, clean, water
Put 2 tablespoons of fresh water, 1 tablespoon of witch hazel, and 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel in a small mixing bowl. Stir together and cover, letting the mixture blend and infuse for 2 hours.
After 2 hours, add 2-4 teaspoons of baking soda or cornstarch, and 1-2 cups of roughly chopped fresh mint leaves. If it seems too runny add more baking soda or cornstarch slowly, or if it’s too thick, add small amounts of water slowly until desired consistency is reached.
Transfer to a container with a tight fitting lid, and store in a cool dark place for 24 hours to let the cream fully infuse. Apply as needed.
Oils and Their Natural Sunscreen Power SPF
Carrot Seed Oil SPF 38-40 Red Raspberry Seed Oil SPF 28-5
Wheat Germ Oil SPF 20
Castor Oil SPF 6 Avocado Oil SPF 4-15
Macadamia Nut SPF 6 Shea Butter SPF 3-6 Almond Oil SPF 5 Jojoba Oil SPF 4 Coconut Oil SPF 2-8
Olive Oil SPF 2-8
Sesame Seed Oil SPF 2-4
1/4 cup beeswax
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 fluid ounce raspberry seed oil
1 fluid ounce soybean oil
1 fluid ounce wheat germ oil
2 Tbsp. carrot seed oil
2 Tbsp. aloe vera gel
4 vitamin E capsules
15 drops lavender oil (or your favorite essential oil)
Melt the beeswax in an old pot placed into a large pot with boiling water. Add the coconut oil and wait until it’s almost completely liquid.
Pour the beeswax and coconut oil into a food processor (I use one specifically for all my DIY recipes).
Add the other ingredients and blend well.
Pour your sunscreen into a clean Mason jar, store in a dry, dark and cool place and use like regular sunscreen.
In case you’re wondering about the SPF of this sunscreen I have to admit that I’m not entirely sure. The SPF value of coconut and lavender oil is around 8 and herbs such as aloe vera and wheat germ have been shown to effectively absorb solar radiation and protect the skin from harmful sunrays.
Both vitamin E and the ingredients in carrot seed oil are powerful antioxidants, and soybean oil has a natural SPF of about 10.
Thanks to the beeswax, this sunscreen is even somewhat water-repellent!
Zinc Oxide has long been used as an effective and inexpensive sunscreen. Slathered on thick and full strength, it offers excellent sun protection. This is an alternative to the harsh chemicals in store bought sunscreen. Keep in mind that you need to apply this sunscreen more often than commercial sunscreen.
1 teaspoon zinc oxide (available at the pharmacy)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Measure the zinc oxide and olive oil into a bowl and use a fork to mix the ingredients together completely.
Put a tiny bit of toothpaste into a small cup and mix in:
one teaspoon of baking soda
one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide
half a teaspoon of water.
Thoroughly mix and then brush your teeth for two minutes. Remember to do it once a week until you have reached the results you want. Once your teeth are good and white, limit yourself to using the whitening treatment once every month or two.
2 tablespoons bentonite clay
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 tablespoon dried, finely ground sage leaf
1 tablespoon xylitol (optional for sweetness)
½ tablespoon pure sea salt
15-20 drops peppermint essential oil
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly with wooden spoon. Drip essential oils into the mixture and stir well to combine. Transfer to a small container with a tight fitting lid. A small squirt bottle can be used. Note: Bentonite clay loses its beneficial properties when contact with metal, so use plastic or glass when mixing and storing your tooth powder.
Benefits of Ingredients
Bentonite clay – This natural clay has the unique ability to bind to toxins in the body. It is useful in eliminating toxins from heavy metals in your mouth, like mercury from mercury fillings. This clay will never bind to any of the beneficial elements in your body. Bentonite clay is also rich in minerals that can nourish teeth and gums.
Baking soda –Baking soda gently polishes teeth and naturally whitens your smile. Baking soda is less abrasive than most commercial toothpastes.
Sage – Sage has natural tooth-whitening abilities and is known for its astringent properties..
Xylitol –A pinch of stevia powder can be used as a substitute.
Sea salt – Pure sea salt is full of tooth-nourishing minerals, and is especially helpful in healing irritated gums.
Peppermint essential oil – This essential oil has antibacterial, antiseptic, and pain-relieving properties. Peppermint is said to be beneficial for mouth and gum infections. It adds a cool, minty flavor to the tooth powder.
Coconut oil as with the butters, forms a protective thin layer on the skin to keep moisture in. This light oil is also wonderfully soothing to the skin.
Herb-infused oil – You can use any liquid oil for this such as grape seed oil, almond oil, jojoba oil and apricot kernel oil. Olive oil can be used but the end result will be a heavier body butter that may be a bit greasy.
Hydrosols are made from steam-distilled herbs. They have a mild but wonderful scent and they contain all the health benefits of the herb they were distilled from. Rose hydrosol, calendula hydrosol and lavender hydrosol are great to use in body butters.
Aloe Vera is wonderfully nourishing to the skin. It helps soothe dry and inflamed skin and adds elasticity to healthy skin. It is often used for acute skin problems such as sunburns and bug bites
Borax powder is added to help emulsify the oils and the waters together and it also serves as a mild preservative.
Body Butter Recipe
3 oz of shea butter
2 ounces of mango butter
1 ounce of coconut oil
.5 ounce beeswax
3 ounces of infused oilWater portion:
2 ounces of hydrosol
1ounce of aloe vera
essential oils of your choice
1/4 teaspoon boraxSlowly melt the butters and wax in a pan on very low heat. Once melted, turn off the heat and slowly add the oil. When you add the oil you might notice parts of the liquid become solid again. Stir to be sure that it all melts together. Once the butters, wax and oil are combined, pour into the container to mix it. If you are using a blender pour the mixture in blender and set aside until it is at room temperature. If using a cake mixer place in the bowl you will use to whip it up. While waiting for butter mixture to cool, mix the hydrosol, aloe vera, essential oils and the borax. Once the butter mixture has cooled use blender or mixer to mix it. Slowly add the hydrosol, aloe vera, essential oils and borax mixture. When the hydrosol mixture is mixed in, pour into jars and label. Store at room temperature.
It’s best to rub in a light layer of the body butter just after a hot shower while the pores of your skin are still open. Within minutes it will soak into your skin. The result is soft and glowing skin. A little goes a long way!
3 tsp jojoba oil
3 tsp apricot-kernel oil
1 tsp beeswax
5 tsp rose water
1/4 tsp borax
5 drops carrot-seed essential oil
Place jojoba oil, apricot-kernel oil and beeswax in a saucepan and heat over low heat until the beeswax has melted. Remove mixture from heat and quickly blend all the ingredients with a whisk. In a second saucepan, warm rose water over low heat. Add the borax and stir until completely dissolved. Set aside. Gently place the saucepan containing the oils and wax in a shallow ice bath. Do not to splash water into the pan. Slowly drizzle rose water and borax into the mixture, rapidly whisking as you do so. The cream should set quickly. When cool, mix in the carrot-seed essential oil.
Transfer the cream to a small glass jar and store in your refrigerator for 2 months.
This Coconut Oil Body Butter only requires one ingredient. Other ingredients are optional. Try varying the oils to create a completely different experience with each use.
1/2 C. coconut oil (required)
1/2 C. Shea butter
1 tsp vitamin E oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil
Place all ingredients in a glass bowl. Mix with a wire whisk until whipped into a light airy consistency. 3. Spoon the body butter into a glass jar and cover tightly. Store in a cool, dark place. Apply after bath or shower.
2oz olive oil
1.5oz beeswax
4 Tbsp lemon zest, dried
4 drops rosemary essential oil
1 Vitamin E tablet
Place the oil and 2 Tbsp lemon zest in a pan. Heat on medium until lemon turns brown. Strain the oil and repeat this step with the 2nd 2 Tbsp of lemon zest. Place lemon oil and beeswax into top of a double boiler or a bowl set into a saucepan of boiling water. Gently melt them together. Add essential oil, and pour in the contents of a vitamin E tablet. Heat and stir until mixture is melted. Strain into pocketsize containers and let cool.
Many people in this day and age of showers don’t know about the great detoxing ability of a herbal bath… let alone the stress busting abilities that taking a warm bath can do for the mind/body. The skin is our largest organ of elimination. Herbal baths eliminate toxins from the body.Detoxifying bath:Ingredients:
1. Epsom salt – 1 to 4 cups
2. Baking soda – 2 to 4 cups
3. Add a mixture of grated ginger, rosemary, seaweed, and perhaps lavender, lemon peel, rose petals, and chamomile. You may add sandalwood, ylang ylang or any other herb or essential oil that you like. Make sure to use the ginger because ginger is a good detoxifying agent for your body. Put the herbs in a cloth bag and let them soak in the water for a while.
Epson salts are great for detoxing estrogen from your body, excess thyroid hormones, poisons, food additives, artificial food colorings, artificial food additives and hormones of all kinds.
Baking soda is very alkalizing and helps to alkalize your body.
Skin clears up, you have less anxiety and irritability, and feel more relaxed, soothed, and in general much better. It can also help you sleep better and boost your metabolism and at the same time help you lose weight. Enjoy your herbal bath for 30 to 40 minutes
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/3 cup liquid Castle Soap
1 tsp vitamin E, olive or almond oil
10 to 20 drops essential oils of your choiceCombine all ingredients in a glass jar and shake well to mix. Store it in the shower for up to one month. Shake before each use.Banana Honey Oat Mask
1 banana
1 Tb honey
1/3 cup oatsBlend ingredients together until you have a thick and smooth consistency to spread on your skin. Wash face with warm water, and then cover it with your mask. Leave it for 10-15 minutes. Gently rinse your face in warm water and pat dry with a towel.Pore Strips
1 Tbsp unflavored Gelatin
2 Tbsp milk
Measure gelatin into a disposable container. Quickly add milk to the container until you have a chunky consistency. Add more milk if you’re uncomfortable with the volume of chunk. Microwave your mixture for about 10-15 seconds. It will become creamier in the microwave. Stir around and start applying it IMMEDIATELY to your face. Act quickly because the mixture solidifies very fast. Let it dry for about 15 minutes. Peel off the crusted mixture until removed. Rinse your face with cool water.Lip Gloss
1 Tbsp Solid vegetable shortening
1 tsp Honey
Unsweetened powdered drink mix (i.e. Kool-Aid)
Hot waterIn a small bowl, mix the vegetable shortening and honey. In a separate bowl, mix the drink mix and 1/4 tsp hot water until it has dissolved. Stir in as much of the drink mix as possible. The more you can dissolve, the stronger the flavor will be. Add one drop of the water mixture to the shortening/honey base. Stir well. Repeat until you get the color/flavor combination you want. Pour into a clean container or old lip gloss pot (Altoid tins work). Store in the refrigerator. This will keep for one week.Peppermint Deodorant
6 Tbsp unrefined coconut oil
1/4 C. arrowroot starch
1/4 C. baking soda
4 capsules Vitamin E oil
20 drops peppermint oil
In a double boiler or in the microwave, soften the coconut oil. Mix everything together until smooth. Transfer to a glass jar. If it becomes too soft in warmer weather, store in the refrigerator. Apply a small amount under each arm with your fingertips and gently rub in.
Honey Cuticle Cream
1.5 oz beeswax
3 oz olive oil
1 Tbsp honey
In a double boiler, melt the wax and oil together. Stir in the honey, and pour into tins or other containers.
Oats & Honey Exfoliant
1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp ground rolled oats
1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
In a food processor, grind oats until almost flour. With a fork, mix in the honey and apple cider vinegar until smooth. Wet your face. In circular motions, gently apply a small amount of the scrub. Leave on for 10-15 min. Rinse off with warm water, and moisturize.
Vanilla Cream Massage Oil Lotion Bar
3 Tbsp Shea Butter
1 Tbsp Cocoa Butter, grated
2 Tbsp Virgin Coconut oil
2 Tbsp Sweet Almond oil
1/4 tsp Vitamin E (1 capsule)
1 tsp confectioners sugar
6 drops Vanilla Essential Oil
In a double boiler, mix Shea and Cocoa butters over low heat until melted. Stir in the almond oil. Remove from heat. Drop in the vanilla essential oil and whisk briskly to incorporate it into the liquid. Whisk in the Vitamin E and sugar. Pour the hot massage oil lotion into ice cube molds or muffin tray. Let cool. Once they’re cool all the way through, remove them from the molds store them in a glass jar until ready to use.
Strawberry Foot Cream
2 oz glycerin
1/2 oz corn syrup
1/2 tsp strawberry extractCombine glycerin with corn syrup, and stir. Mix in extract. Continue stirring until well blended. Transfer to a small glass jar, and rub into your feet as needed.
Rosemary & Orange Bath Salts2 C. epsom salt1 C. course sea salt
½ C. baking soda (aluminum free, if possible)
2 Tbsp dried orange rind
2 Tbsp dried rosemary
10-20 drops rosemary essential oilCombine the epsom salt, sea salt, and baking soda in a glass bowl. Mix well. Add in the essential oil and herbs. Mix well. Store in glass jars until ready to use.
Lavender and Lemon Bath Salts
2 C. epsom salt
1 C. course sea salt
½ C. baking soda (aluminum free, if possible)
2 Tbsp dried lemon rind
2 Tbsp dried lavender
10-20 drops lavender essential oil
Combine epsom salt, sea salt, and baking soda in a glass bowl. Mix well. Add in the essential oil and herbs. Mix well. Store in glass jars until ready to use.
Lavender and Rose Petals Bath Salts
2 C. epsom salt
1 C. course sea salt
½ C. baking soda (aluminum free, if possible)
2 Tbsp dried lavender flowers
2 Tbsp dried rose petals
10-20 drops lavender essential oil
Combine epsom salt, sea salt, and baking soda in a glass bowl. Mix well. Add in the essential oil and herbs. Mix well. Store in glass jars until ready to use.
Full tub bath teas (where bath tub is as full of water as can be) are a little bit larger than the sitz bath. The sitz bath teas can be used as footbath teas.
Lavender, peppermint, chocolate mint, chamomile, catnip, rosemary, citrus
Lavender, roses, rosemary, peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint
Each single tea bag is filled with herbs and has just the right amount of herbs for a luxurious bath
Collect and dry wild Cedar tips from the woods and pack them into small cotton muslin bags. Herbs or Spices: Use Lavender and Cedar Tips, but any fragrant herb or spice can be utilized. Some ideas include Cardamom, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Myrrh, Peppermint, Lemongrass, Lemon Verbena, Rose petals, Rosemary, Star Anise, Spearmint, and White Sage.
Coarsely grind herbs and spices in a coffee grinder to release their scent. The resins and spices will be too dense for a coffee grinder, but you can coarsely break them up using a mortar and pestle.
Organic Bath Tea
Ratios of oatmeal to herbs and salt can vary based on your preferences. For the Bath Tea shown above, we used a ratio of 1/2 oatmeal, 1/4 salt and 1/4 herbs. Be sure to use organic ingredients, reducing pesticides and chemicals that will contact the skin.
organic oatmeal
sea salt
lemongrass
red rose petals
peppermint leaf
Hibiscus flowers
Mix together ingredients until it looks great and smells good. Fill cotton muslin bags with mixture. Tightly close the bag. For use, drop the entire bag into a tub of warm water to soothe and relax.
Organic Tea and Bath Soak
1/4 cup dead sea salt
1/4 cup Himalayan pink salt
1/2 cup Epsom salt
1/4 cup organic calendula petals or flowers
1/4 cup organic chamomile flowers
1/4 cup organic lavender flowers
1/4 cup organic comfrey leaf
1/8 cup organic passionflower
4 mL organic geranium essential oil
2 mL organic sweet orange essential oil
2 mL organic basil essential oil
Bath Herb Mix Recipes:
Recipes are based the three things people want of a bath; to heal dry skin, revitalize and stimulate the mind after a long day, and to relax. Add rolled oats (coarsely ground in the blender) for moisturizing and soothing, epsom salts for muscle relaxation and Celtic sea salt for its healing properties. Powdered milk and citrus peel are also good additions.
Be sure your recipient doesn’t have an allergy. Chamomile is a common allergen to those with ragweed sensitivities. Some herbs should not be given to pregnant women. Your skin is a semi-permeable membrane and anything that comes into contact with the skin will have an effect.
Soothing: Calendula petals, eucalyptus leaves, lemon balm, rolled oats, espsom salts, Celtic sea salt.
Relaxing: Rose petals, lavender leaves, white sage, rolled oats, epsom salts, Celtic sea salt.
Stimulating: Mint leaves, lemon grass, rolled oats, epsom salts, Celtic sea salts, a dash of lemon grass and mint essential oils.
Skin Softening/Healing:
· Chamomile
· Plantain
· Linden
· Rose Petals
· Ground Almonds
· Calendula flowers
· Chickweed
Stimulating:
· Mint (various)
· Lemon Grass
· Basil (various)
Relaxing:
· White Sage
· Calendula
· Rosemary
· Lavender
· Eucalyptus
· Rose Petals
· Thyme
· Bee balm
· Lemon Balm
· Chamomile
· Bay Leaf
· Jasmine flowers
Bath Tea Bag
2 tablespoons dried Peppermint Leaves
2 tablespoons dried Rosemary Leaves
1 tablespoon dried Basil
1 tablespoon dried, chopped Lemon Rind
1 tablespoon dried, chopped Orange Rind
1 tablespoon ground Oatmeal
5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
2 drops Lemon Essential Oil
2 drops Orange Essential Oil
Bath Tea
1 oz lavender/rose
1 oz peppermint/rosemary
2 cups borax
Epsom salt
Bath Alternates
Bergamo, thyme, sage, lemon balm, lemon peel, catnip
Soft skin = calendula/ elder flowers.
