Aromatherapy, Bath and Body Recipes, Essential Oils, Sugar Scrubs, Salt Scrubs,

Aromatherapy for Headaches

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:40:00 +0000

Headaches are one of the most common of medical complaints. Most people experience headache pain at one time or another. Everyone, young and old, male and female, suffers from headaches from time to time. These may range from minor, nagging headaches to full-blown, incapacitating neurovascular migraines.

Most headaches are not caused by serious medical conditions. The most common classifications of headache pain are tension, cluster, and migraine. Another disturbingly common type of headache is the rebound headache, which appears to be the result of taking prescription or non-prescription pain relievers daily or almost daily. The good news is that there are a growing number of natural alternatives to treat headache pain. Aromatherapy is one of the choices a growing number of people are turning to for effective relief of primary headache pain.

The powerful effects of your favorite essential oil seeps deep in to the nervous constitution to reduce the pain emanating from different lobes of brain. Head aches are known to originate out of many internal and external influences; deep strain inflicted in your mental constitution is known to be a major cause. Several aromatic oils have the capacity to prevent and/or reduce the throbbing pain caused by emotional stress and rigors.

The following aromatherapy recipes can also be used as a preventative measure, and can even help ease your pain. Once you've guessed what is triggering your migraines, prepare the appropriate recipe mixture by pouring the oil essences into a 10-ml bottle, and adding vegetable oil to fill. Make sure that you are mixing this concoction very well.

If the pain persists even after trying the suggested remedies above, you are suggested to visit your physician for further consultations.

Aromatherapy Blend #1 – Head aches due to negative emotions
3 drops Roman Chamomile8 drops Lavender

Aromatherapy blend #2 – Head aches due to muscular tensions
4 drops Lavender5 drops PeppermintMassage the forehead, temples, neck and shoulders.

Aromatherapy blend #3 – Head aches due to nervous tensions
3 drops Roman Chamomile3 drops Neroli5 drops Marjoram

Massage the forehead, temples and solar plexus very gently. Breathe it in deeply and slowly.

Pour 15 drops of this aromatic blend into the bathtub and soak for at least 15 minutes.
Useful Oils for Head Ache

Lavender and Sweet Marjoram will both help to relieve the intensity of pain, while Roman Chamomile is generally soothing and very relaxing. For sinus congestion related head aches, add Eucalyptus and/or Peppermint for their decongestant properties. Sweet Marjoram is particularly useful for headaches association with menstruation, while True Melissa or Rosemary can help to relieve a migraine.

Inhalation: This method can bring relief to headaches and migraines if used as soon as symptoms begin to appear. Add 2 drops each of Sweet Marjoram, Lavender, and Peppermint onto to a tissue; for a migraine, add 1 drop of True Melissa. Inhale deeply three times. Symptoms should subside with in minutes.

Application: To relieve a tension headache, moisten your forefinger with 2 drops of Lavender and rub gently over your temples, behind your ears, and across the back of your neck. Apply two times, if necessary.

Massage: Dilute 3 drops each of Lavender and Eucalyptus in ½ fl oz (15ml/2½ tsp) of carrier oil and use the mix to massage your forehead and behind your ears, pausing to apply gentle pressure around the hollows on the outer corners of the eye bone.

Bath: Add 3 drops each of Sweet Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, and Lavender to a bath to help relive tension headaches.

Aromatherapy oils bring a refreshing change in treating head ache and migraine related pains; the biggest advantages of using these oils lie in its magical properties of healing power.

Cassandra Stinchcombe - Find out more about how aromatherapy can help to improve the quaility of your health and life. Visit http://www.envisionaromatherapy.com today.

Stop Smoking With Aromatherapy

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:03:00 +0000

Aromatherapy and essential oils change moods and influence how you feel. Try experimenting with the oils of thyme, ylang ylang and pine.

Put ten drops of each oil mixed with ten drops of a carrier oil suchas jojoba. Inhale this mixture often and see if it helps stop thecraving for cigarettes.

Another blend that might help relieve the effects of nicotineaddiction includes lavender, marjoram sweet, palmarosa, frankincense,geranium, cedarwood and vetiver. This is a strong blend of oils, butten drops of each oil mixed with an equal part of jojoba oil helpsrelieve anxiety, stress, restlessness, nervousness and thewithdrawals of nicotine. This blend can be inhaled through a tissue, cotton handkerchief orcotton ball. Use it in a room diffuser around you for support too.Single oils such as peppermint, cinnamon or nutmeg help with thefeeling of needing to smoke. Keep the bottles around you and pick oneup if you feel the need for a cigarette.

Black pepper oil is another singular note essential oil that worksfor some to stop smoking. Experiment with some of these when tryingto stop smoking naturally. Some oils may work better than otherswork, keep trying until you find the one you like. Mix them up as well.

One day try one oil and another day try a different oil. Youwill find they may work differently on different days.

How to Make Your Own Essential Oil Skin Care Remedies

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:58:00 +0000

To make your own essential oil skin care recipes is quite simple....if you know a few basic concepts. Before you start your own essential oil skin care remedy the most important thing to be aware of is your unique skin type.

You should base your essential oil recipes on one of four skin profiles; normal or combination skin; dry or mature skin; sensitive skin; oily or problem skin.

I have listed below the best essential oils to use with each skin type along with 4 simple strategies you can use today to apply these remedies.

Using essential oils as the basis for herbal remedies is not a new concept. Did you know essential oils have been used by many indigenous populations across the world for thousands of years?
Essential oils and are derived from roots, seeds, leaves, and skins of the plants. In fact, the essential oils contained within plants and flowers is what gives them the scents and fragrances that we all know and love.

What makes essential oils such a great alternative to toxic synthetic oils used in most mainstream cosmetic and skin care products? Simple, essential oils contain hormones, vitamins, and other natural elements are found within essential oils. Even though the oils vary in concentration when in their natural form they are nevertheless are therapeutic in nature.
Nobody knows exactly how essential oils work, but we do know that they are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream.

The best places on the skin to administer essential oils are on the face, behind the ears , the eyelids, and inside the wrist. These areas on the skin are thin, which allows for easier absorption.
To make your own essential oil recipes work effectively you first have to know what skin profile you have. Here are the four major skin profiles and the essential oils appropriate for that skin type.

Know Your Skin Type
1. Normal or Combination Skin: If you have normal or combination skin make your own essential oil skin care recipes using these oils:

Calendula Essential Oil - soothes, heals and restores
Chamomile Essential Oil- anti microbial, calms and restores
Marshmallow - softens, revitalizes and hydrates
Olive Leaf - repairs, tones, firms and anti-oxidant
St. Johns Wort - moisturizes, refreshes, tones
Lavender Essential Oil - soothes, relaxes and regenerates
Rose hip Seed - regenerates, moisturizes and heals

2. Sensitive Skin: If you have sensitive skin make your own essential oil remedy using these oils:
Chamomile Essential Oil - anti-microbial, calms, soothes
St. Johns Wort - moisturizes, astringent, refreshes,
Witch hazel - drains, astringent, anti-free radical
Carrot Seed - regenerates, tones and heals
German Chamomile - anti-bacterial and wound-healing
Rose hip Seed Oil - regenerates, moisturizes, heals

3. Oily or Problem Skin: If you have oily or problem skin make your own essential oil recipes using these essential oils.
Echinacea - purifies, stimulates, calms
Plantin - astringent, soothing and healing
Witch hazel - drains, astringent, anti-free radical,
Tea Tree - astringent, regulates and repairs
Lemon Myrtle - astringent, anti-bacterial and repairs
Jojoba - nourishes, moisturizes, anti-free radical

4. Dry or Mature Skin: If you have dry or mature skin make your own essential oil recipes using these oils:
Gotu Kola - anti-wrinkle, anti-aging, heals
Organic Hops - stimulates, tones, dark circle treatment
Nettle - circulation enhancer, anti-inflammatory
Geranium Essential Oil - tones, softens, soothes, balances
Rose Essential Oil - anti-wrinkle, regenerates
Avocado - moisturizes, nourishes
Rose hip Seed Oil - regenerates, moisturizes, heals

4 Simple Strategies For Essential Oil Skin Care
Once you make your own essential oil recipes here are some simple strategies for skin care that you can use:

1. Make your own essential oil facial compress: Add two to five drops of essential oil to a basin filled with water, stir, then immerse a clean washcloth. Squeeze out excess water and apply cloth to face.
2. Massage your body with essential oil. Add twenty to twenty-five drops of essential oil to two ounces of canola or other vegetable.
3. Drop eight to ten drops of essential oil for your skin profile in the bath. Use warm water to relax, or cool water to invigorate or calm inflammation.
4. Add essential oil to simple moisturizing products, ten to twenty drops for every two ounces.

Adam Waters exposes the hazardous toxins that lurk in mainstream and so-called "natural" skin care products with hard-hitting product reviews at http://www.natural-skincare-authority.com that cut through the corporate hype and spin. To find out how you can lead a 100% natural non-toxic lifestyle sign up for your free mini-course, Natural Skin Care Secrets.

The Wonders of Epsom Salt

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:17:00 +0000

By Carol Belanger
Epsom salts are named for the mineral rich waters of Epsom, England, where they were known at least as far back as Shakespeare's day. When bathing, the magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) is absorbed through the skin and is an inexpensive and natural way to reduce stress, treat skin problems, and draw toxins from the body.

It has been a long time remedy natural remedy for a number of ailments. An Epson salt bath is known to relieve aching limbs, muscle strain and back pain. In addition, it has been known to heal cuts, reduce soreness from childbirth and relieves colds and congestion. Furthermore, Epson salt will flush toxins and heavy metals from the body.

It is a natural stress reliever too. Stress drains the body of magnesium. An Epson salt bath absorbs magnesium into our body thus helping to relieve stress. The magnesium helps to produce adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of calm and relaxation.

Ithas many uses, as an all body exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and promote circulation, as a foot soaking agent to smooth, relax and refreshes your feet and neutralize odors, and as a facial exfoliate.

Below are some easy skin care recipes using Epson salt. The cost is minimal yet very beneficial for your skin.

Just Like the Spa!
Massage a handful of Epsom Salt mixed with 1-tablespoon bath oil or olive oil and rub all over wet skin to cleanse exfoliate and soften the rough spots! Rinse well. Note recommended on freshly shaved legs.

Easy Facial Cleanser:
Mix ½ Tsp of Epsom Salt into cleansing cream for a deep-pore cleansing. Massage on skin. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry.

Epsom Salt Detox Bath Recipe
1 Cup Epsom salt1 handful sea salt2 Tablespoons bath oil
Pour the ingredients into the tub while the tub is filling.

It has wonderful properties and uses that are beneficial to the mind, body, and soul. In addition, the cost of a box of Epson salts is so minimal compared to all the fancy packaged skin care products, that you can indulge yourself as much as you like.

For those people that suffer from high blood pressure, heart problems, or diabetes, you should consult your doctor prior to using it in the bath. Additionally, the information provided above is not intended to replace the care or advice of a physician if you suffer from skin disorders, severe stress or anxiety, or other health problems.

Carol Belanger, author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes
For wonderful homemade skin care recipes, including body scrubs, facial peels and masks, etc., visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

How To Whip Up Luxurious Bath and Body Products For 25% The Retail Price

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:12:00 +0000

By Katherine Durkes

If you think about making your own spa products - such as lotions, body washes, and exfoliating scrubs - you probably think it sounds difficult. It probably brings to mind lots of weird ingredients, chemicals, and slaving away over a hot vat of goo for hours. After this article, you'll know that nothing could be further from the truth!

In fact, using my method (which I call The Easy Way), making your own bath and body products takes less time than going to the mall, and you get twice the quality of skin care.

There are two ways to make your own bath and body products - The Hard Way, and The Easy Way. The Hard Way means investing a lot of time in books and trial-and-error in your kitchen, and a lot of money in ingredients. Often, you need patience and perseverance as you attempt to make a basic lotion or liquid soap, but it doesn't come out as well as you'd hoped. Heck, you don't even get to the fun part, which is adding the scent and color!

The Hard Way is what is taught in soapmaking classes, websites, and books. It can be fun and rewarding because of the natural ingredients and the high-quality products that result. Shea butter lotions... aloe body washes... If you are prepared to invest the time and money, and you have a lot of patience, The Hard Way does pay off. You get wonderfully moisturizing products in your favorite fragrances - even hard to find ones - that are much better than Bath and Body Works.

The problem is, The Hard Way is often incredibly discouraging to beginners. As they pour their failed body wash down the bathtub drain, most beginners start to wonder if it's really worth the trouble. Sooner or later, they go back to the mall and pay too much for what is essentially drugstore-quality products in fancy bottles and scents.

The Easy Way of making bath and body products is, well, easy! With The Easy Way, you get all the benefits - the natural ingredients, the high-quality skin care products, and your favorite scents - for only 10% the work. The Hard Way is like baking a fancy Julia Child cake recipe, but The Easy Way is more like making a cake mix.

The Easy Way uses professional unscented product bases (also called "cosmetic bases") that are specially manufactured for this purpose. These bases are made with natural ingredients, such as shea butter, avocado oil, aloe, and goats' milk, so you still get high quality skin care, the same as if you had made the bases yourself with The Hard Way.

You can get unscented bases for almost any liquid product you can think of: body lotion, massage cream, bath oil, shower gel, bubble bath, salon-quality shampoo and conditioner, body scrub, hand soap, and face wash.

To these basic products, you add your own fragrance, color, and other special ingredients, such as silk proteins and botanical extracts. You can even experiment with natural anti-aging ingredients such as carrot seed oil, green tea extract, and collagen. These ingredients are what makes your products unique!

If you compare three bottles of shower gel from Bath and Body Works, The Body Shop, and Origins, you will see a lot of similarities in their first few ingredients. That's because they're all taking a basic body wash and making their own improvements on it, just like you can with The Easy Way.

There's no need to reinvent the wheel (or a basic body wash.) If what you want is to quickly and easily create your own high-quality spa products, The Easy Way is the method for you!

Katherine Durkes is an experienced teacher of bath and body. She runs a popular website on how to make bath and body products with articles and e-books, as well as the Yahoo Group “Home Bath & Body.” Her first e-book, “The Fast Guide To Making Bath Bombs (& Fizzies)” has over 10,000 downloads and has been featured on About.com and in Ready Made Magazine.
To find out more about The Easy Way of making products, you can request a quick 8-page PDF about The Easy Way with a recipe and photos. Just send a blank email to productreport@excellentlivingguide.com, and it will be emailed to your inbox. You must be able to receive attachments over 1MB (it's 1.1MB.)
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katherine_Durkes

Good Reasons To Choose The Natural Bath And Body Products

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:10:00 +0000

By Casey Madisson
A natural bath and body product has ingredients that are made solely from natural ingredients from herbs, oils, roots and flower extracts. To help retain their nutrients, these ingredients are often mixed with other agents. The agents used are humectants, preservatives, surfactants and emulsifiers such as mineral water, oils and soap. Basically, a natural product carries no synthetic chemicals.

Can I make my own natural skin care solution?

These products can be made by anyone. Many people make skin care solutions in their kitchen. Salt baths can be easily created with some kitchen sea salt, natural oils and even herbs like turmeric. But since there is now a growing number of companies that are promoting the natural body product, we no longer have to spend time in the kitchen pounding on orange peels into a pulp or blending ingredients before being able to use them on our skin. Therefore, using this is definitely more convenient. The product is ready in a jar and can be stored easily.

What are the benefits of using a natural bath and body product?

These products usually nourishes from the inside out. The ingredients found in it actually work with your skin's natural functions. For example, they are able to stimulate the normal production of sebum in your skin. They are also able to build natural barriers to protect and support healthy skin without the harshness. Basically, using these products is like fitting a glove over cold hands rather than applying heat, which may burn or cause dryness.

First, these product is gentle on your skin, since its ingredients harmonize with your body's natural processes. This means you can take as many baths as you want with the product without developing skin irritation.

The agents mixed in it can also control the toxic ingredients of natural derivatives like vegetable and animal extracts. Therefore, these products are preferred over home made concoctions.
Natural ingredients also have high medicinal value. Thousands of years ago humans have been using natural ingredients to treat simple cuts to deep wounds. It's no wonder natural products are now being manufactured to heal the body as well as the senses. For example, lavender oil used in a bath can promote both a soothing and relaxing effect.

Unfortunately, natural bath and body products have short shelf life. However, this is because it has no added chemicals. Also, the product may not act as immediate remedy for severe skin conditions, but can be safer as a gentle treatment that gives you positive effects in the long run. For best results, use natural bath and body products for skin health maintenance.

Pamper yourself with nature's bounty. Visit online bath and body shop for the top natural bath and body product for you.

Aromatherapy For Allergies - A Healthy Alternative

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:05:00 +0000

Aromatherapy For Allergies

The idea of using aromatherapy for allergies was initially met with a lot of apprehension. It seemed doubtful that a few essential oils could make a difference for allergies that caused difficult symptoms such as breathing problems and hives. Today however, aromatherapy has emerged as one of the leading natural ways to help combat allergic symptoms.

When looking at aromatherapy for allergies, it is important to understand how aromatherapy works and what triggers allergies. Aromatherapy is a completely natural mode of treatment- absolutely no chemicals are used at any stage. The oils and bases are made out of naturally occurring products. These are absorbed into the body and can have physical and psychological effects. The oils trigger certain processes in the body in a completely natural manner.

So how can this help with allergies? Allergies too are caused by a trigger- usually these are in the environment, such as dust or pollen. Sometimes allergies occur because of certain foods like seafood. But there is something that is common to all forms of allergic reactions and that is the stress that the body undergoes. Aromatherapy for allergies can greatly reduce the stress a person is under. This in turn has remarkable effects on the allergic reaction itself.

Using aromatherapy for allergies is both natural and effective but it should be approached in the right way. First of all, keep an allergy journal before actually starting any treatment. Every time you have an attack, note the place, the symptoms and the possible triggers. Always consult with your doctor before starting a program. If you plan on taking a certain essential oil for a certain allergy, make sure it is cleared by your doctor first. Discussing your complete plan of action gives you a chance to clear any questions you may have. If you are taking other kinds of medicine for your allergies, you need to make sure they won't react with the aromatherapy course.

For a number of people, stress itself can trigger an allergic reaction. This can be easily dealt with- just run your self a nice, warm bath and put a few drops of lavender or chamomile in it. Soaking in this for a while will rejuvenate you and cause your stress to just melt away. Some allergic reactions are respiratory ones, triggered by animal hair, pollen or dust. In these cases, using a few drops of essential oils like frankincense or rose in a humidifier can ease allergy symptoms.Indigestion and irritable bowels are common ailments that can also be eased with aromatherapy for allergies. When you feel discomfort, gently massage your abdominal area with a base containing oils like ginger or rose otto. Then apply a warm compress on your abdomen. Remember that none of these methods will work if you don't use pure and natural essential oils. There are a number of artificial and chemically-created oils in the market that can have adverse effects on the body. Make sure that you buy your oils from a reputed dealer.

Aromatherapy offers a natural way to alleviate the symptoms and stress of an allergic reaction. Since it is a completely natural treatment, you don't have to worry about side effects or the buildup of chemicals in your body. Using aromatherapy for allergies is a healthy and wise alternative.

Aromatherapy Travel Insurance- Essential Oils for your Journeys

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:34:00 +0000

Aromatherapy Travel Insurance - Essential Oils For Your Journeys
by: Misty Rae Cech, ND

Going on a trip is usually thought of as a wonderful experience, one that you and your family may have planned and looked forward to for some time. To have the most fun - to get the most out of the experience - it's important that you and your loved ones have the means to overcome those little ailments and discomforts that can make the experience range from mildly unpleasant to downright unbearable. How can we include a little 'Trip Insurance' to our already overstuffed carry-ons or mini-vans? Aromatherapy has an answer with some readily-available essential oils.

Motion sickness, bug bites, digestive difficulties, and general travel weariness - to name a few - are common discomforts experienced when venturing away from home. A small collection of inexpensive essential oils can provide great relief from these amusement-threatening ailments. 'Treatment' with these oils is simple - ranging from inhaling a little oil from a tissue, to adding to a bath, to drinking a drop with a warm cup of water. And, thankfully, relief often comes quickly because of the oils' powerful properties and compatibility with our own bodies.

Peppermint and Ginger Essential Oils - Tummy Troubles and Clearing the Head

We'll begin with 'getting there' - any trip starts with traveling. By car, boat, plane, or otherwise, motion sickness commonly effects many people, particularly children. This can easily make the 'traveling' portion of your experience absolutely no fun. Enter Peppermint essential oil.

Peppermint has long been used to calm uneasy stomachs, and is easily used. One drop (it is strong!) in a cup of warm water, sweetened if you like, can be sipped before and during the voyage. For the fussy ones, a drop can be added to a small amount of honey and taken from a spoon for the same effect.

Ginger essential oil is also known for it's calming of upset stomachs - a little inhaled from a tissue or diluted in a carrier oil and rubbed on the abdomen can bring relief. One can also add a drop of ginger to warm water and drink as a strong tea - this may be effective for some food-related stomach issues as well, particularly when combined with the abdomen massage method.

Peppermint can also be uplifting to the weary driver or passenger - a drop or two placed on tissues in the car or near your seat will release the aroma into your surroundings. Be careful with this oil however, as getting it on sensitive areas of the skin (directly under the nose, and certainly near the eyes) can cause irritation. Tissues with the oil on it should not touch these areas directly.

Lavender Oil - the Great Soother

Lavender has been called 'a medicine chest in a bottle' due to its wide range of effects. The aroma of Lavender is uplifting and relaxing, useful for stress in congested airports or crowded highways. Breathing this very safe essential oil is effective for adults and children alike - inhaling drops from a tissue directly, or from one's placed in your surroundings can help you and your companions be at ease.

Plus Thyme, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus - Cleansing and Keeping Bugs and Bites at Bay

Lavender essential oil is also an effective wound-healer because of it's anti-inflammatory, mild antibacterial, and skin-regenerative actions. It can be used directly in case of burns, mixed 50:50 with Tea Tree and put on band aids to prevent infection, or blended with Thyme Linalol and Eucalyptus (2:4:2) and added to a bowl of water for an effective disinfectant wash.

Lavender is very useful for treating bites and stings - just place a little 'neat' (undiluted) on the affected area. This versatile oil is also a component of an insect repellent blend comprised of equal parts of Lavender, Thyme Linalol, and Peppermint, and a double-dose of Lemongrass essential oil. A drop or more placed on tissue or cloth about your room can keep the insects out of your space; 3 drops of this blend per teaspoon of carrier oil can be regularly applied to the skin - or you may mix a similar amount into any lotion you may have.

Lavender can be used in combination with Geranium, Chamomile, Peppermint and Eucalyptus oils in relieving the effects of jet-lag. Getting out of this weary state as quickly as possible makes any trip more enjoyable. This requires getting yourself and companions in-synch with local time, having good rest at night and perhaps a gentle lift in the mornings and throughout the day.

To get yourself into the swing of local time, relax and be ready for bed with equal parts of Lavender and Geranium essential oils - Chamomile may also be used in place of the Geranium, and works especially well for soothing children (if they are irritable for ANY reason).

Add a few drops to a bath or use in a massage oil. For a morning eye-opener, do the same using equal amounts of Peppermint and Eucalyptus. You will find these useful at other times when you need a little clarity and lightening-up.

Lemon Oil - the Purifier

Lemon also has some wonderfully diverse uses. It is effective as an antibacterial, but not so strong as to be an irritant. Adding several drops per quart to your drinking water will help purify it, and the water can act as a disinfectant to be used in washing your fruits and vegetables – the need for this certainly depends on your location, but it not a bad idea whenever bacterial contamination may be a possibility. Further, regularly drinking water with added lemon oil can gently stimulate the lymphatic and digestive systems, helping alleviate that sluggish feeling that often accompanies extended plane and car travel.

Eucalyptus Oil - For Keeping Cool and Cold Relief

Eucalyptus - the Narrow Leaf variety is a favorite - has a great range of uses as well. It can cool the body when too hot, and protect it when too cold. It is found in almost all formulas used to relieve congestion, can support circulation, and bring lightness to a travel-weary head.
Eucalyptus oil can be used like peppermint to uplift and invigorate during long intervals in an automobile. It can be added to a cool bath or used on a cold compress in cases of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (accompanied by, of course, copious amounts of water and electrolytes!), and used in a similar manner to reduce fever.

Eucalyptus oil may be blended with Geranium as a massage oil (3 drops Eucalyptus and 2 drops Geranium per teaspoon of carrier oil) to relieve heat cramps. For congestion relief, to a drawn bath, add 1 drop Eucalyptus, 3 drops Lemon, 2 drops Thyme, and 2 drops Tea Tree - soak and breathe deeply - or simply add a few drops to a steaming bowl of water and inhale.

These are just a few examples of ways to make your travel experiences more enjoyable with aromatherapy. With a little effort, you can expand your knowledge of these oils, discovering further uses, and find other oils that work well for your particular needs.

These essential oils are readily available, and fairly inexpensive - though caution should be used when buying oils, as some can be adulterated, and others are mass-produced with techniques that may limit their therapeutic benefits. The more pleasant and 'well rounded' an oil's aroma, generally the higher the quality. Your nose will know! And as with any aromatherapy application, start slowly - essential oils deserve a healthy respect.

About The Author Misty Rae Cech, ND, is a naturopath and yoga instructor practicing in Boulder, Colorado. She is the owner of http://www.ananda-aromatherapy.com and http://www.anandaapothecary.com.

Goat Milk Soap Recipe - Easy And Fast!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:12:00 +0000

Soap making is an easy and fun craft hobby. But soap making can be a great part-time business. Many folks pull in an extra thousand or two a month with a part-time venture.
What's the appeal of handcrafted soap? Commercial soaps are usually drying and many are actually synthetic detergents. Your kitchen crafted soap can work better. It has a special, moisturizing luxury feel. Plus you have the option of customizing it with different ingredients ... especially scents in literally infinite variety. This can be a goat milk soap recipe or any other kind of milk as well.

This gives you one of our proven recipes and the basic instructions to put it all together.
Our specialty is milk soap. We made over 30,000 bars of soap like this in our kitchen sink over a four-year period. We sold all that soap at craft shows and festivals and through our own catalog. Though you can make soap using water instead of milk, you will like the milk soap better ... guaranteed!!!

Lightly Lavender Goat Milk Soap Recipe
11.3 ounces (320 grams) Coconut Oil
11.7 ounces (330 grams) Palm Oil
15.5 ounces (440 grams) Olive Oil
3.9 ounces (110 grams) Almond Oil
6.1 ounces (175 grams) Sodium Hydroxide
15.5 ounces (440 grams) Whole Milk
2 1/3 Tablespoons Lavender Essential Oil
1 Tablespoon Almond Oil

Now for some "inside information". To make any soap, you mix fats and an alkali or lye. All soap is made that way. The cured product is harmless. You can brush your teeth with it. You can even eat it. It won't hurt you!

But the lye and the uncured soap mixture are very caustic. It will burn your skin. It will blind you if it gets in your eyes! You absolutely must wear goggles when you make soap and it's best to wear rubber gloves and long sleeves too.

Equipment You Will Need
2 Stainless Steel Pans
1 Plastic Pan
Rubber Spatula
Thermometer (90-200 degree F Range)
Scale For Weighing Material
Molds For Soap (Plastic Tub)
Hand Held Stick Blender (Optional)

Soap Making Step-by-Step
1. Weigh oils and combine in stainless steel pan.
2. Heat slowly until everything melts. Cool to about 110 degrees. Do not include the scent oil or the small amount of almond oil.
3. Weigh lye in a plastic container. Remember the gloves and goggles.
4. Weigh milk and pour into a separate stainless steel pan.
5. Put 2-3 inches of water in your sink and add ice cubes. Put your pan with milk into ice water.
6. Slowly pour the lye into the milk. Take twenty minutes to do this, stirring all the while. Monitor the milk temperature and keep it below 150 degrees so it does not burn. When all the lye is added, let the mixture cool until it is 110 degrees.
7. Add the lye/milk mixture to the oils, stirring while you do so; now stir the soap mixture until it begins to gel. It's time to stop stirring when a thin stream of soap drizzled on top of the soap mixture lays on top. This is called tracing. If stirring by hand this may take 45 minutes. To speed things up the trick is to use your hand blender to stir the soap for 30 seconds, let it rest for a minute and repeat until it traces.
8. Add scent oils and the extra almond oil.
9. Pour into prepared molds. Let sit for 24 hours. Remove from molds. Cut into bars and set aside to cure for 4 weeks.

These are basic instructions. Lots of soap making books are out there, but many make it so complicated it's tough to get going. Even if you consult some of those books, return to these instructions for the basics. Try this recipe. You will love the results.
Al Bullington has made and sold soap for years through his family soap business.
There are insider "secrets" for making and marketing soap that are hard to find. Find out more about them here: Click Here!

Mud Baths - A Truly Unique Experience

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:10:00 +0000

The benefits of a mud bath have been realized for centuries, and date back to the days of Cleopatra, who used Dead Sea black mud. Today, mud bath therapy is a popular past-time used by day spas and even physical therapy clinics. There are also several locations for natural mud baths, which form from the combination of hot springs and volcanic ash. The Ischia Island in New Zealand and Calistoga, California are prefect examples of these natural phenomena.
Mud Bath Benefits

Many advocates of mud bath therapy will argue about the multitude of benefits, and back their claims with scientific evidence. However, the main reason mud baths have remained popular is because they are so darn relaxing. The warm feeling of being wrapped up in a cocoon of soft mud simply feels good, and can instantly make one forget about their daily stresses. The warm temperature aids in perspiration, which is said to cleanse the pores. The natural ingredients in a mud bath are also said to relieve muscle and joint pain, improve skin complexion, and even remove harmful toxins from the body.

How Does it Work?
Many day spas and physical therapy clinics attempt to replicate the natural mud bath phenomena; however nothing is as good as the real thing. For example, in Calistoga a member of the parks staff will help you in the deep warm pool of mud (usually around 100 degrees F), while you remain suspended there for ten to fifteen minutes. Once complete or satisfied, the attendant will help you out of the bath and wash you with cold water and washcloths.

The feeling of a mud bath is unlike any therapeutic experience on earth. The mixture of mud and natural ingredients allow you to float in the soft warm mud, as you float just below the surface. With virtually no pressure points on the body during the treatments, the feeling of weightlessness achieved by a mud bath is unmatched.

Some spas add to the experience by allowing one to take a nice mineral whirlpool bath, followed by a steam room treatment and then a soft blanket wrap to top off the day. The entire process can take up to 2 hours, depending if you opt for a massage afterwards. It's truly a one of a kind experience.

What's In a Mud Bath?
Before the commercialization of mud baths, native Indians used volcanic ash and warm spring water to wrap themselves in a kind of mud bath. Today, a few additions have been made to enhance the therapeutic experience. Peat moss is a popular ingredient that aids the body float in a mud bath, and adds to the smooth texture. Recently spas have added aromatherapy ingredients, such as lavender or eucalyptus. Most spas will mix these ingredients with boiling mineral water and nearby volcanic ash, which completes the mud bath recipe. Surprisingly mud baths remain sterile from client to client due to the boiling water.

http://whirlpool-baths.info is a website devoted to giving you the very best information regarding luxury and beauty baths. Whether making bath salts is your thing, or you want more information about mud baths, we've got you covered!

Aromatherapy- Scam or the Real Deal

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:24:00 +0000

The term "aromatherapy" came into being back in the 1902's. As with many discoveries, The initial realization of the concept was the result of an accident. It occurred in the laboratory of a French scientist named Rene Maurice Gattefosse. He was working with essential oils in the lab when he burned his arm. Essential oils are aromatic liquid substances extracted from flowers, trees, grasses, roots, fruits and leaves. Gattefosse quickly reacted to the burn by inserting his arm into a tub of the nearest liquid, which happened to be lavender essential oil. Afterwards, he was very surprised at how quickly the burn healed and at how little scarring was evident afterwards. This spurred much more investigation into the workings of essential oils and aromatherapy over the ensuing years, and now everyone can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy, which has been defined as the art and science of using essential oils to promote health and well being.

Many people think of aromatherapy as an expensive practice that requires the services of an expert, but that's not necessarily true. There are many books that go into the whys and wherefores of aromatherapy and essential oils. Anyone can go online or to their local health food store and purchase one of these books and some essential oils and get started for very low cost. If you really want to save money and have the time, you can even purchase seeds in order to grow herbs that yield essential oils.

One reason for the popularity of aromatherapy is its use as an alternative to prescription drugs. While there isn't an aromatherapy cure for every medical condition, ailments such as PMS, earache, muscle and joint pain, poor digestion, lack of energy, insomnia, diarrhea, allergies, headache, depression and anxiety, among others, have responded well to treatment with aromatherapy in many cases. People who are fearful of the side effects of prescription medications would be good candidates for the aromatherapy alternatives, with the main side effect of that type of treatment being saving a lot of money.

If you plan to treat yourself with aromatherapy, then it's prudent to read up on the guidelines and techniques first. For example, I saw a website that indicated that individuals with heart problems should never use peppermint oil. Not knowing (or ignoring) that piece of advice could be catastrophic, so make sure you know what you're doing before you start.

Some mainstream medical practitioners have questioned the effectiveness of aromatherapy, and on the other side, some serious boosters of the modality are disturbed by the recent mass marketing of the essential oils and books that claim to teach all about the practice, thinking it should be left to experts. As with most health issues, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle. However, if you're interested in finding out more before you invest any money, the Internet is a great place to search for information and get both sides of the story.

Click on over to The Health And Fitness Guide at http://www.thehealthandfitnessguide.com to read more about aromatherapy, using aromatherapy against stress, and everything else having to do with health and fitness.

Natural Hair Care Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:16:00 +0000

Healthy shining tresses are every womans dream. With new, expensive hair products being launched everyday; one finds it difficult to choose the right hair care product. Excessive usage of chemically formulated products like shampoos, conditioners, dyes, etc, the natural oils present in our hair and scalp are striped off very easily. For a luxuriant head of healthy hair whilst saving money give some of the below mentioned natural hair care recipes at try - you will definitely not be disappointed.

Massage a well-beaten egg into freshly washed hair. Rinse it with cold water after five minutes. Avoid hot water or else you will have scrambled eggs in your hair.

Mayo is an excellent hair conditioner. Massage it thoroughly and rinse it carefully in cold water. Hot water will set the mayonnaise in your hair, so avoid it.

Give your hair a final rinse with not so strong smelling beer to get a lovely shine.

Lightly heat the rosemary oil, massage it on to the scalp and let it sit for several minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.

If itchy scalp is your worry, apply some yogurt. Wrap your hair with a towel for 15 minutes and then rinse. Yoghurt will chase away the dandruff too.

Mix three parts of water to one part of vinegar; soak or spray your hair in this solution to remove any shampoo buildup. Rinse as usual and you will find hair that is easy to manage and style.

Essential oils like ylang ylang if added to either shampoo or conditioner will stimulates hair growth and act as hair rejuvenator.

Rinsing your hair with juice of 2-3 lemons will bring shine back to the dull hair.

Home made conditioner recipe: Apply paste made with mashed avocados and mayonnaise for 15 minutes for maximum effect. Cover your head for 15-20 minutes and rinse it off with a gentle shampoo.

For a nourishing hair conditioner, try this - heat three tbsp of coconut oil and 1/2 cup jojoba oil on low heat. Make a smooth paste with four tbsp powdered white clay and one cup water.

Combine the oils and white clay paste properly. Apply it on dampened and clean hair, massaging it onto the scalp. Cover for 15 minutes and shampoo thereafter. Jojoba oil used in hair care softens the scalp skin and gives extra shine and bounce.

To cut the grease of oily hair, add one or two tbsp of cider vinegar during the final rinse.

Olive oil is an excellent conditioner for dry hair. Massage your hair thoroughly especially the ends and middles. Wrap a warm towel around your head for 30 minutes, as oil will penetrate the hair shaft. Then wash it using a gentle dry hair shampoo.

After washing your hair, wash it with some milk and let it sit for 15 minutes or so. Rinse off with warm water to get the softness and natural shine.

For oily hair, beat one egg white and simply apply it on dry hair. Leave it till it dries and becomes crusty. Wash it off with cold water and shampoo. This will help reduces the oiliness if done regularly.

If your hair is damaged, try this pack. Mix juice of two freshly squeezed lemons, two egg yolks, one egg white and a tbsp of honey. Apply onto the hair and let it rest for some time. Shampoo and rinse off with cold water.

Kevin Pederson guides us about the various needs and wants of our skin and hair through his site. hair and skin care Using natural recipes for hair care will automatically make your hair healthier.

Aromatherapy Massage with Essential Oils

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:12:00 +0000

Massaging with essential oils transforms the body and soul; it enhances a general well-being and a positive consciousness of the mind. Scents of essential oils have powerful properties that may awaken memories of long ago, remove anxiety, repose the restless mind, loosen tight muscles and offer many benefits that may render persons exposed to them healthier in body and soul.
A massage is beneficial in itself; aromatherapy essential oils heighten the experience of pleasure and relaxation. Essential oils originate from herbs and plants that grow in exotic countries in the Orient, Asia, and India, though some may be found in European tropical terrains. It may be useful to be acquainted with the names and uses of the most recognized essential oils. There are approximately 11-12 essential oils:

• Rosemary oil may be effective in increasing circulation in the extremities, open congested respiratory tracts, elevate and heighten awareness while soothing the mind and musculature, and clear up skin.

• Lavender oil is best known for repairing sunburn, skin infections and other skin related afflictions. Also, it may have healing powers in rheumatism, abdominal cramps, insomnia, inflammation and insomnia.

• Sandalwood is well known as a moisturizer and for its property for skin repair. It warms and calms agitation, and some have found it to be an aphrodisiac.

• Eucalyptus oil has been used by therapists for centuries throughout the world to open congested respiratory tracts and inflammation of the same. It has also been used for relaxing tight muscles and other aches and pains.

• Sweet Orange may soften the skin and relax stressed muscles. It may relieve constipation, poor circulation, and other stress related ailments.

• Patchouli oil has been around for long many years and has been used as the bases for perfumes man’s colognes in the past. It heals insect bites and some infections.

• Peppermint oil may heal asthma, colic, fevers, colds, cramps, vertigo, and migraine head-aches. Peppermint oil stimulates the depressed heart, eases apathy.

• Frankincense, Geranium, Jasmine, and Rose oils generate healing vapors that may clear the lungs, skin and some infections.

• Tea tree oil is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antiseptic.

Essential oils are highly concentrated and their usage must be with the knowledge and understanding as to when and where their applicable. Avoid using the following oils on pregnant women: Marjoram, Myrrh, Sage, Fennel, Jasmine, Juniper, Basil and Cedar-wood, and others indicated to be harmful to the embryo.

Oils are drawn from plants through most commonly known method of distillation and produce minute quantities that are potent and concentrated. For practical use these drops of potent oils are diluted by so-called “carrier” or “base” oils that also function to facilitate the absorption of the oils into the skin.

Benefit of Combining Massage Therapy with Aromatherapy
In the beginning aromatherapy oils were not applied with a massage. In the Egyptian culture approximately six thousand years prior to our time doctors recommended using aromatherapy oils to intensify the effect of the massage. Massage therapy incorporates reflexology and manipulation of the body; a good masseuse will know where and how to concentrate on particular pressure points that will release tension in selected areas such as the lower back, shoulders, etc. Essential oils will create an ambience that intensifies and heightens relaxation; the pleasurable scents brighten the mood.

It is arguable whether essential oils can be as effective without the massage therapy. Of course, essential oils have healing properties; Eucalyptus, for example, opens congestion in the chest and it is used globally by mothers of sick children for generations. However, should you apply the Eucalyptus oil with a massage on a miserable child whose every breath is painful you shall accomplish in a shorter period of time a greater comfort for a sick child.
It is without a doubt more advantageous to combine massage therapy with essential oils.
About the Author

Tamra Cantar is a freelance writer on topics of interest and has a website dedicated to providing the visitor with useful information and resources for Aromatherapy. Visit AromaOilEssentials to learn more about using essential oils during a massage and find the massage oil that's right for you.

Boost your Immune System Naturally with Aromatherapy

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:39:00 +0000

The ancient cultures in the East have used essential oils and aromatherapy for thousands of years to help to boost the immune system among other things; the West is just now catching on. Aromatherapy has proven itself to be a safe and effective way of protecting and enhancing your immune system.One of the biggest causes of problems in our immune system is stress, which is an issue for almost everyone. Some stress can be a positive thing, but an abundance of stress can wreak havoc on your body by causing excessive levels of the hormone, cortisol. The reason for the existence of this hormone goes back to primitive times and is there to help us react in dangerous circumstances. The problem us that the same substance is also utilized to return your system back to the pre-danger state so if you are in a semi-constant state of stress you maintain high cortisol levels.

Why does this affect your immune system? The presence of an abundance of cortisol in your blood for long periods lowers your immune response. The way to use aromatherapy to enhance your immune system begins with using essential oils like chamomile, lavender, and tea tree oil that help you to relax. These can be heated to form a vapor, used in massage oils, or as we are seeing often now, put into aromatherapy candles.A massage performed with essential oils is helpful with your circulation, relaxes you and nourishes your skin. In addition the vapors will help to take away anxiety as you inhale them.

Your skin is your body's first line of defense against infection and keeping it from entering your blood. Use Tea Tree Oil as a powerful antiseptic to help keep your skin healthy and to treat problems like warts, burns, and acne.Another powerful essential oil that has been used to treat bacteria since biblical times is frankincense. This scent was burned frequently in temples and other public places where many people gathered because it was known then to be a powerful bacteria and virus fighter. It is widely used for its ability to boost the immune system.Take a lesson from the ancients and implement aromatherapy into your health regimen. It will help keep you from getting sick and if you are sick it will assist you to recover more quickly. It doesn't to much matter whether you choose to burn the essential oils as a vapor, use as massage oil, or use aromatherapy candles, just know that they will strengthen your immune system and try to decrease stress as much as possible.

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ - Free Articles Directory
About the Author Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more about scented candles and aromatherapy candles at http://www.aromatherapycandlesplus.com

Make Your Own Baby Wipe Solution; Baby Wipe Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:39:00 +0000

Wipe solutions are so easy to make and can save you money too! Use them for cleaning sticky hands and messy faces as well as dirty bottoms. Unlike commercial wipes, these recipes don't contain alcohol or chemicals, and they smell good. Use these recipes on cloth wipes or make your own disposable wipes and save even more money! To make disposable wipes, cut high quality paper towels in half, or leave whole for full-size wipes.

Common Cloth Wipe Solution Ingredients:Many wipe solution recipes contain similar main ingredients, which are used for the same reason in each recipe. These are the common ingredients and why they're included:
Oil: Helps the wipe glide across baby's skin and keeps skin soft
Soap: Cleanses by removing all traces of urine and feces
EO: (Essential Oil) Added for antibacterial and/or aromatherapy purposes.
Water: The main ingredient in each recipe, cleanses the diaper area and dilutes the other ingredients.

The type and amounts of oil, soap, EO and water that goes into a recipe is what gives each cloth wipe solution it's own distinct "personality". Have fun trying different recipes until you find the ones that you like best! How to Use Cloth Wipe SolutionsWhen mixing solutions it works best to start with oil and end with water. The oil will coat your measuring tools so the soap slips right off. Be sure to add the water slowly or you'll end up with a ton of bubbles! Most of the time it's easiest to gently mix the wipe solution in a bottle with a cover, then pour it into the storage container. There are many different ways to store and apply wipe solutions to your wipes, try a few of the following ideas to find the one that works best for your family. You may discover that one system works great at home and another works great away from home.

Here's some ideas to get you started:
Use a spray bottle to spritz baby's bottom or the wipes. (For baby's comfort we prefer spraying the wipes)
Use a bottle with a pull-up spout (like on bottled-water bottles) to dribble solution onto the wipes.
Warm solution and place in an insulated container to provide warm wipes for baby.
Place the solution into a commercial baby wipes container and dip wipes into the solution.
Place cloth wipes in a commercial baby wipes container and pour wipes solution over wipes.
A commercial baby wipes container can be placed in a wipes warmer to provide cozy warm wipes for baby.

Don't store solution or wet wipes for a long time because they can become musty and the wet wipes may even grow mildew - ewww! Check your solution and wet wipes daily, and mix smaller batches of solution frequently instead of large batches less often to avoid mustiness. We mix fresh solution once a week, store it in a bottled-water bottle, and have not had any problems with mustiness.

Almond 'n' Chamomile
Steep the tea bags in the hot water then add the oil.
2 chamomile tea bags
2 teaspoons almond oil
2 cups hot water

Anti-Fungal
Omit vinegar if baby has a raw rash.
1/4 cup white vinegar1 tablespoon calendula oil
A few drops lavender oilA few drops tea tree oil
1/4 cup 100% aloe vera gel
1 cup water

Anti-Fungal Too
Similar to the other anti-fungal recipe, but less vinegar and water.
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon calendula oil
A few drops lavender oilA few drops tea tree oil
1/4 cup 100% aloe vera gel
1/2 cup water

Basic Wipe Solution
This basic recipe can be adapted by changing the type of soap or oil.
1/2 cup baby oil
1/2 cup baby wash2 cups water

Castile Solution
Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap comes in several yummy scents!
1 tablespoon almond, apricot, or other oil
1 tablespoon Dr Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap
2 drops tea tree oil
1 drop lavender oil
1 cup water

Chamomile 'n' Honey
Brew the tea, add the honey, and drink any leftovers!
1 chamomile tea bag
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup boiling water

Easy Peasy
Just three simple ingredients...
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons baby wash
1 1/2 cups water

Eight is Great
Similar ingredients as other recipes, but in different amounts.
1/8 cup vegetable oil
1/8 cup baby wash
8 drops lavender oil
4 drops tea tree oil
2 cups water

Fruit 'n' Veggie
Dr Bronner's soaps can often be found in organic markets.
1 teaspoon fruit or vegetable-based oil (apricot, olive, grapeseed, etc)
1 tablespoon vegetable-based soap (like Dr. Bronner's liquid castile)
1 teaspoon 100% aloe vera gel1 cup water

Just One
Just one "something" of each ingredient for this recipe.
1 chamomile tea bag
1 teaspoon oil
1 teaspoon baby bath or shampoo
1 drop lavendar oil
1 cup hot water

Lavender 'n' Tea Tree
Lavender and Tea Tree are popular EO choices for wipe solutions.
1/8 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon baby shampoo
4 drops tea tree oil8 drops lavender oil
3 cups water

Lanolin & Glycerine
Lanolin and glycerine moisturize without oil.
1 tablespoon liquid glycerine
1/4 teaspoon liquid lanolin (100% pure)
1 tablespoon baby wash
1-3 drops Essential Oil
4 cups water

Lotion Potion
Baby lotion adds more softening power to this solution.
1 tablespoon baby oil
1 tablespoon baby soap
1 tablespoon baby lotion
1 cup water

Magic Baby
Baby Magic products are usually easy to find in local stores.
1/2 cup Baby Magic oil
1/2 cup Baby Magic wash
2 cups water

No Measuring
Don't measure for this one, just estimate amounts.
2 squirts baby oil
2 squirts baby wash
1 drop EO
1 cup water (about)

Olive 'n' Tea Tree A great natural wipes solution.
1/4 cup olive oil (extra virgin not necessary)
1/8 cup gentle baby bath
A few drops tea tree oil
4 cups water

Shampoo Style
Baby shampoo works as well as baby wash.
1 tablespoon baby oil
2 teaspoons baby shampoo2
1/2 cups water

Soapless
This recipe relies on the essential oil to cleanse, instead of using soap.
1-2 drops tea tree oil
1-2 drops lavender oil
1 cup water

Zany Apricot Solution
One of our favorites, the apricot oil smells heavenly!
1 tablespoon apricot oil
1 tablespoon unscented baby wash
3 cups water

Zany Lavender Solution
Our other favorite, the lavender is calming for us and our son.
1 tablespoon baby oil
1 tablespoon lavender scented baby wash
2-3 drops lavender oil3 cups water

Amy S. Nogar has been using cloth wipes and wipe solution for over 17 years with her infants and young children. She is the founder of Zany Zebra Designs and encourages parents to slow down to enjoy everyday routines with their children.

Homemade Natural Body Scrub Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:22:00 +0000

All of us are unique, and so are our bodies. With body scrub recipes, you can meet your skin's needs because you can try out differrent ingredients and look for best results. Skin will respond differently to different oils and different exfoliating agents.
Here are the best of the homemade body scrubs:

One of the most popular body scrub recipes is the one for brown sugar body scrub. It is often described as yummy and soothing. Certainly, it is not caloric, so if you are on a diet, you can freely enjoy it without worrying about gaining weight :)
Brown sugar is full of molasses which makes it brown and moist. Its grains are smaller than of regular, white sugar which makes it a perfect exfoliant. It is not too harsh on the skin, it is gentle and easily sloughs off dead skin cells. It smells great, warms the skin up, and leaves it smooth and luscious.

Brown sugar body scrub
Ingredients
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground oats
2 tablespoons aloe vera gel1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon almond oil (in case you don't have almond oil, use olive oil, it is a great substitute).

Preparation
Before you start preparing this scrub, grind the oatmeal using a coffee grinder or food processor. It has to be of sandy consistency, flaky and light otherwise it will scratch the skin.
Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. Mix until it resembles a paste
It should be applied on moist skin, the best time is after you took a shower. It will help the skin cells slough off faster.

Use circular motion and massage gently using your fingertips.
Rinse off with warm water.

What do these ingredients do?
Oatmeal is hypoallergenic. In case you have sensitive skin, using the oatmeal is highly recommended because it is soothing and there is no risk that it will irritate the skin. Oatmeal is benefitial to oily skin as it is extremely absorptive and picks up on excess oil. It helps dry and itchy skin and is widely used in cosmetics.

Aloe vera gel is gentle on skin, it speeds its healing and reduces the possible irritation and pain.
The next brown sugar scrub contains lemon which is a great natural disinfectant. It opens up the clogged pores and cleanses them thoroughly so your skin can "breathe" better.

Brown sugar lemony body scrub recipe
Ingredients
1/ cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sea salt
1 tablespoon of coconut oil (as with the previous scrub, you could use olive oil)
1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablepoon of honey

Preparation
Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. Mix until it resembles a paste
It should be applied on moist skin, the best time is after you took a shower. It will help the skin cells slough off faster.

Use circular motion and massage gently using your fingertips.
Rinse off with warm water.

Honey body scrub
Ingedients
3/4 cup of honey
1 cup of sugar (you could use brown sugar, even better than regular sugar)
1 cup of sea salt or Kosher salt
1 tablespoon of jojoba oil
1 teaspoon essential oil of your choice: Lavender, Orange...

Preparation
Mix the dry ingredients first.
Add oil and mix until you get a paste-like mixture
It should be applied on moist skin, the best time is after you took a shower. It will help the skin cells slough off faster.
Use circular motion and massage gently using your fingertips.
Rinse off with warm water.
Honey is excellent as it is a strong antibacterial agent.

Yummy chocolate body scrub recipe
Ingredients
3 tablespoons of cocoa powder
1 cup of brown sugar
1 tespoon of vanilla oil (extract will work)
Olive oil as needed (you could use vegetable oil too, but not if you have oily skin)

Preparation
Mix all the ingredients except for olive oil.
Start adding olive oil, gradually until the mixture starts looking like a paste
It should be applied on moist skin, the best time is after you took a shower. It will help the skin cells slough off faster.
Use circular motion and massage gently using your fingertips.
Rinse off with warm water.
Variations:

Strawberries body scrub recipe
You could always mash a handfull of strawberries, add an essential oil of your choice, a bit of oatmeal, a bit of honey and use it as a scrub. There are no specific amounts, add oil until you get the pasty consistency.

Strawberries act similar to honey, they dissinfect the skin, smooth it out, and decrease the appearance of dilated pores.

Coffee body scrub recipe
Recently, ground coffee has been recognized as an excellent way to treat and prevent cellulite. Use it in any body scrub that contains oatmeal, add a tablespoon or so. Apparently, it increases the circulation of the underlying skin layers and distributes clusters of fat that give the skin the "orange skin" appearance.

Ingredients
2 cups of ground coffee
1/2 cup of sugar or sea salt
2-3 tablespoons of massage oil of your choice

Preparation
Mix all the ingredients. Start off by taking a quick, warm shower. Then, start applying the scrub, gently massaging the skin. Rinse off with luke warm water.
Salt and baby oil body scrub recipe
Mix enough Kosher salt (sea salt works well, too) and baby oil. Blend until pasty and apply as described in other scrubs.

Biljana Drake is an avid collector of homemade skin care recipes. For more great skin care tips, facial masks recipes, homemade remedies, visit her website http://www.skin-care-recipes-and-remedies.com

Fresh, Organic, Handmade, Bath and Body to Die For!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:11:00 +0000

I've been wanting to let everyone in on a secret. A yummy, mouthwatering, luxurious, absolutely dreamy secret. One of my all time favorite companies on this earth is LUSH Cosmetics. I am very happy that Lush is now a sponsor of my blog, A Peaceful Hour.

This is not your traditional bath and body store. Think, fresh, handmade, loaded with good for you natural ingredients, deli style, sell by dates, butcher paper, priced by weight. Soaps piled high like strange, exotic cheeses and hand sliced for you. It's like a dream come true for the bath and body connoisseur.

"Karma" is my favorite scent. I am not a huge patchouli fan but let me tell you, the way they have it balanced out with the citrus is amazing! (Karma Soap to the left)

The first product I ever tried was the Lush Bath Bombs. These huge, perfectly shaped, almost softball sized bombs will slowly fizz away in your tub, releasing all the most nourishing oils and scents. All their products have funky names. One of the most classic and most popular bombs is the Sex Bomb. Made with jasmine, clary sage, and ylang ylang.

The Hand & Body Dream Cream is a moisturizer that many people will tell you is the best thing they have ever put on their skin. Made with tea tree, lavender, oat milk, olive oil, and chamomile. Nothing beats it!

Many of us aren't fans of the bar of soap these days with so many great liquid soaps out there but you will surely change your mind when you feast your eyes on these Handmade Natural Soaps. They are just too tempting to pass up. My eyes are popping out of my head when I'm in the store, I can never decide which one to try next. These soaps are vegan and made with fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, and pure essential oils, for a cleansing experience beyond the ordinary. You won't believe the lather.

Holiday Scented Pine Cones for the Fireplace

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:20:00 +0000

Better get working on these quick! They take a month to cure in a garbage bag!
They make your home smell amazing though when you toss them into a crackling fire. Or you can just leave them out sitting in a pretty bowl to scent your home. They make great gifts too!

About 2 pounds of pine cones
1/2 pound of cinnamon sticks
4-6 oz dried orange peels
Essential Oils
Large garbage bag

Take a glass bowl and add equal parts of cinnamon oil and sweet orange oil, (about 2 ounces each) then add a dash each of a few of your favorites choosing from the following: cedarwood, pine, frankinsence, myrrh, and clove.

Tie up in a garbage bag and shake every couple days. It will be ready in about four weeks.

package in cute bags or boxes as Christmas gifts and keep some near your wood burning fire place to toss in when the mood strikes you.

Aromatherapy for Weight Loss, Fast!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:14:00 +0000

The results are in for this natural weight loss formula using pure organic essential oils. This organic essential oil formula is a perfect balance of aromas for curbing your appetite, as well as helping to relieve food cravings, enhance your digestion and metabolism and burn excess fat!
Here's the basic recipe for a potent synergistic weight loss blend: Pure Organic Essential Oils of Pink Grapefruit, Sweet Orange and Lemon. The oils in this recipe are formulated in a 1:1:1 ratio!
I can assure you the basic pure essential oil recipe I am sharing with you is an incredible combo for the magical effect of suppressing your appetite, burning excess fat, increasing your metabolis and enhancing your digestion, FAST!

Here's some information on the essential oils in this recipe to help you understand why this particular combination of oils work so powerful for fast weight loss!

FIRST INGREDIENT: Pink Grapefruit oil, has a long standing reputation as a "dieter's friend" and is often recommended for treating eating disorders and overweight or obesity issues and is especially helpful for controlling sweet cravings. It has been used effectively in anti-cellulite blends.

Pink Grapefruit is a cleansing and revitalizing tonic with a bright, crisp aroma that will energize and uplift your spirit. I can't help but think of the Beatle's song, "Ruby in the Sky with Diamonds," whenever I take a whiff of Pink Grapefruit because it sparkles just like diamonds and leaves me feeling all warm and happy inside.

Pink Grapefruit is also recommended for enhancing one's self esteem and definitely gives you an added sense of "you can do it!"

SECOND INGREDIENT: Sweet Orange which has a very sweet and fresh orange aroma that's warm and inviting, a rejuvenating and uplifting tonic for the mind and emotions.
The friendly scent of Sweet Orange oil will immediately freshen and enliven your mood, creating an inner ambiance!

As with other members of the citrus family Orange's natural astringency makes it an effective tonic for the circulatory and lymphatic systems.

Sweet Orange stimulates the release of lactic acid that builds up in the muscles which causes stiffness and contributes to loss of desire for activity and movement.

Orange oil acts to replenish skin cells and smooth out an uneven complexion, lines and wrinkles. Orange is a decidedly happy oil and eases physical and emotional tension.

THIRD INGREDIENT: Lemon is the potent third ingredient in my appetite suppressant recipe. Lemon oil acts as a powerful cleansing tonic. It has a tart and tangy, clean lemon scent and smells like the freshly grated peel.

Lemon is a known physical tonic and helps stimulate blood and lymph circulation to effectively cleanse and tonify the body. It is useful for treating circulatory problems such as "spider" veins, or broken capillaries.

A strong germicide Lemon is highly antiseptic and helps to purify and rid the body of toxins. Its natural astringency makes it excellent for the removal of waste products and fatty tissue.
Lemon is popular in anti-cellulite blends!

TIP FOR USE: Inhale this powerful weight loss blend of pure essential oils just before eating to control and curb your food cravings and hunger pangs. Not only will it stop your incessant urge to eat it will also improve your digestion and metabolism, as well as help you burn excess fat - FAST!

To lose and maintain weight loss FAST try this powerful weight loss recipe made. Be sure to use pure organic essential oils for best therapeutic results!

Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and may produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Aromatherapy is a complementary and alternative healing therapy for improving your physical, mental, and emotional health.

PLEASE NOTE: There are many cheap chemical copies of essential oils available, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results always use ethically wild crafted or pure, organic essential oils that are pesticide free!

KG Stiles is a certified aromatherapist practicing in Ashland, OR USA PurePlant Essentials is her line of pure organic essential oils. KG specializes in formulating aromatic remedies for weight loss, colds & flu, insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, menopause, anti-aging, skin care and more. Click to learn more & purchase APPETITE SUPPRESSANT Click to learn more & purchase WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT Click to learn about & purchase PINK GRAPEFRUIT More info? Contact: KG Stiles Springhill Wellness Center, 2520 Springhill Drive Ashland, OR USA (541) 941-7315 Mahalo!

Homemade Fabric Softner

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:49:00 +0000

A clean one gallon milk container
1 cup baking soda
7 cups of water
6 cups of white vinegar
15 drops of Lavender oil
15 drops of Madarin oil

Add baking soda and half of the water slowly to the gallon milk jug.
Slowly add the vinegar to the jug. (it might fizz so, just go slow)
Add the rest of the water and gently swirling while convering top with your hand.
Add essential oils.

Keep in your laundry room and add to the final rinse cycle. Give it a good shake before using. Experiment with essential oils too! Peppermint and Lavender might be nice! What about Sage and sweet orange? Have fun with it!

To make dryer sheets just add some essential oils to a very slightly dampend sponge or piece of cotton fabric and place in the dryer with your laundry. This won't soften clothes but it will leave them smelling wonderful! Make sure you are using a pure essential oil and not one that is mixed with a carrier oil for this.

Great Pumpkin Spa Products

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:29:00 +0000

I love pumpkin so much that I decided to dedicate another blog post to satisfy my "Pumpkin Fever!" Pumpkin is so wonderful for your skin, no wonder it's the hottest trend in high-end spa's around the world right now! Here are some wonderful pumpkin products to enjoy at home this fall!

Treat Apple Butter Facial Treatment with Pumpkin and Aloe

Eminence Organic Skincare. Pumpkin & Orange Masque

Bidwell Botanicals Spiced Pumpkin Sugar Scrub

Healthy Sexy Hair Pumpkin Enzyme Therapy Mist

Healthy Sexy Hair Pumpkin Whipped Souffle Styling Creme 4.0 oz

Healthy Sexy Hair Pumpkin Puree Treatment Masque 8.5 oz

Aromatherapy and Emotional Well Being Article

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:21:00 +0000

Another article of mine called: "Aromatherapy and Emotional Well Being" has been published can now be seen on EZineArticles.com
http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Aromatherapy-and-Emotional-Wellbeing&id=766179

Pumpkin Spa Recipes: Pumpkin Face Mask, Pumpkin Sugar Scrub

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 12:46:00 +0000

Exfoliate and pamper your skin with Pumpkin this fall! Pumpkin contains over 100 ingredients that help skin look and feel younger. Pumpkin is high in zinc, which is really good for the skin, high in beta carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin A. Vitamins A and C are antioxidants.

Nourishing Pumpkin Facial Mask
3 tablespoons of pumpkin. (You may use canned or cooked natural pumpkin )
1/4 teaspoon of jojoba, or almond oil, or coconut oil, or another light oil

1/2 teaspoon of honey
1/4 teaspoon of milk

Spread on clean face as a mask. Leave on for 15-20 minutes. Clean face thoroughly with warm water to uncover a smooth, glowing, youthful complection.

Foaming, Brown Sugar and Pumpkin Exfoliating Scrub ( I LOVE this one!)
1 cup of brown sugar
4 tablesoons of natural pumpkin
1/4 cup of almond oil (or another light oil)
1/4 cup of unscented (or vanilla scented) liquid body soap of choice
1/4 tsp of vanilla

Mix all ingredients together and use to gently exfoiliate your body, rinse in the shower with warm water. Keep remaining product in an airtight container in the fridge.

Essential Oil Bug Repellent Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 00:19:00 +0000

Okay, so October isn't typically a "buggy' month but for some really odd reason it seems like my town is infested with black flies. eeeyyyyuck! All my neighbors have been complaining about it too. Everyone is spraying chemical stuff around their homes. I'm offering them a natural aromatherapy recipe for repelling bugs, especially those nasty, yucky, flies...

Natural Bug Repellent for inside the Home
Great for getting rid of annoying, flying pests

15 drops of Citronella Essential Oil
15 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
10 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil
Mix up well with one to two cups of water in a small spray bottle. Mist area where bugs are seen.

If you get fruit flies in your kitchen, just put these oil in a small, shallow, bowl and leave it sitting out near the area where the insects are seen. Make sure it's out of reach of children and pets though.

To make a cream for your body to repell bugs.... add the above oils to some unscented body lotion. Smooth on your skin to repel insects.

RECIPE: Vanilla Orange Brown Sugar Scrub

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 20:56:00 +0000

Okay here's what my friends are getting for Christmas this year. I might have to throw something else in too, since this now will not be a surprise, as I'm sure they are reading my blog on a regular basis. Yes, I am talking to my Plainfield Sistahs. You better be reading my blog. (Tapping my foot ,with my arms folded across my chest)

Vanilla & Orange Brown Sugar Scrub
1 cup sugar (3/4 brown, 1/4 white),
4 Tbs Cocoa Butter
1 tbsp Vitamin E Oil
4 ounces of sweet almond oil
10 drops of Orange Essential Oil and 10 drops of Vanilla Bean Fragrance Oil

Mix everything together, spoon into a pretty glass jar and decorate with ribbon. Tie a wooden scoop to the neck of the jar. I'll post some resources for some cool glass jars, wooden scoops, and fragrance oils later.

Some of you might be wondering what "fragrance oils" are..... I've been talking about essential oils all this time. I'll get to that in Mondays blog post, I promise!