Make It Yourself - Herbal Sunscreen

Healthy Skin Herbs

Calendula

Known for its anti-inflammatory and skin healing properties. Slightly astringent and antiseptic.

Lavender

Lavender is a calming and relaxing herb. It is antispasmodic, antiseptic, and used to relieve sunburns, insect bites, cuts, blemishes, and muscular aches. A classic healing herb for skin – especially minor burns.

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe helps to both moisturize the skin while being mildly astringent to draw out heat. It is soothing and helps relieve irritation from sunburn, minor skin burns, rashes, and insect bites.

Neem Oil

Neem oil is a rich and thick (you may need to heat it in warm water to use it) golden brown base oil with a strong and nutty aroma.  Neem oil is derived from pressed neem tree nuts and has antiseptic, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties.  Neem also has a low natural SPF which will help protect your skin!

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil comes from pressed sesame seeds. Sesame oil is an antioxidant base oil and is a source of vitamins A and E and protein. Sesame oil has a long shelf life and also has a low natural SPF.

Refined Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a great ingredient for lip balms, lotions, deodorants, and is known as the ultimate skin softener. Makes a great after-sun treatment.

Olive Oil

Derived from the first pressing of ripe olives with beneficial vitamins and minerals. It is a great oil for infusing herbs, although in body care it is best used lightly unless you enjoy the aroma. In this recipe, you won’t be able to smell it in the end.

Beeswax

Beeswax is used as a thickener in recipes for creams, lotion, salves, butters and balms. It also adds a lightly protective barrier to the skin. If you desire a vegan recipe, you could replace it with carnauba wax.

Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter smells heavenly! Cocoa butter is hard at room temperature but easily melts at body temperature. This will help keep your final product solid until you rub it on. Great before, during, and after sun!

Shea Butter

Derived from pressed shea nuts, this butter is a cream-colored soft substance with a strong nutty fragrance.  Shea butter is a highly emollient, skin softening additive that’s great for lotions and creams, as well as body balms and nail care.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender Essential Oil contains all of the amazing healing power of lavender flowers, but concentrated into a highly aromatic and therapeutic oil.  A few drops go a long way, so I use this oil both as a soothing agent and for fragrance since it blends deliciously with the scent of the cacao and shea butter.

Make It Yourself Herbal Sunscreen 

Ingredients

1/8 cup organic Calendula or organic Lavender infused oil (Jojoba, Grapeseed, or Olive Oil)
1/8 cup Aloe Vera Gel
1/8 cup organic Neem Oil
1/8 cup organic Sesame Oil
1/8 cup organic Coconut Oil
1/8 cup Beeswax Pastilles
1/8 cup organic Cocoa Butter or 10 wafers
1/8 cup organic Shea Butter
40 drops organic Lavender essential oil
1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil

2 Tbsp Zinc Oxide (non-micro)

These tins work perfectly to store your natural sun block.

Directions

When making body care products that include oils and butters and other ingredients,  always melt butters first.  You can do this using a double boiler over medium heat.

1. In a Pyrex bowl, melt together coconut oil, beeswax, cacao butter, and shea butter over gently simmering water.

2. Once melted, add in your oils and your aloe vera gel.

3. Once everything is adequately mixed together, remove from heat and then stir in the zinc oxide if using. Be careful while doing this step, zinc can be irritating if it comes into contact with mucous membranes, especially in this powder form. Wear cloth around your nose and mouth and goggles. It is important to agitate as much as possible at this stage. Use a whisk to mix thoroughly.

4. Lastly, add in your essential oils and Vitamin E Oil. Stir until well distributed.

5. Pour into containers and let cool until solid before closing with a lid.

  

The sunscreen will be usable in about an hour, but will harden more overnight.  Apply a thin layer when out and about in the sun, every hour for optimal nourishment. 

Adapted From: Mountain Rose Herbs

Holiday Aromatherapy Recipe - Vanilla Spice

Vanilla cream mixed with cinnamon goodness. 

42 drops organic Cinnamon essential oil
42 drops organic Orange essential oil
25 drops organic Vanilla Absolute (roughly 1/4 teaspoon)
17 drops organic Nutmeg essential oil

Blending Directions and Tips:

Add all essential oils to a glass bottle. One 1/4 oz bottle will hold any of these blends. Screw cap on tightly and invert the bottle to blend the oils. Do not shake! Allow the blend to sit for a couple of hours, smell test, and make any adjustments to your liking.
Vanilla Absolute is a very thick oil. The container can be placed in a bowl of hot water to make it easier to work with. This will not effect the aroma and the oil with thicken again as it cools. It may be easier to use a measuring spoon for this oil.

Diffusing Directions:

Fill your essential oil diffuser reservoir with water. Add 5-6 drops of the essential oil blend. Light a tea candle in the base of your diffuser and enjoy as your space fills with the yummy aroma! If you are using an Electric Diffuser or our new Ultrasonic Diffuser, please follow the included directions. (The diffuser pictured is our Ceramic Diffuser, which is made in the USA).

Visit our website to see our full line of essential oil diffusers.

- See more at: http://mountainroseblog.com/diy-holiday-diffuser-blends/#sthash.Eb9pv20y.dpuf

Essential Oils for Beginners with Kathi Keville - PART 1

Castile Soap - The Wonder Soap

A truly luxuriant, extra mild and gentle liquid soap made from certified organic ingredients. No harsh chemicals, additives, colorants, sudsing agents or other ingredients, just pure derivatives from plant sources. Great for the face and body, or as an all-purpose wash, and it makes a wonderful base ingredient for your own soaps and shampoos. Enjoy the cleaning power of pure liquid castile soap that suds beautifully, without leaving a residue.

The Many Uses For Castile Soap:

• Body Wash = One small squirt on a wet washcloth, applied to a wet body
• Face Wash = 2-3 drops on wet hands, applied to wet face
• Shampoo = ½ Tbsp. in your hand, worked into wet hair
• Toothpaste = add a few drops directly to your wet brush.
• Shaving “cream” = Lather up with small dime sized amount of Castile Soap and shave
• Dishwashing Liquid = Pre- dilute 1:10 with water. Squirt on a scrub brush and scrub dishes
• Mop Floors = Use 1/2 cup Castile Soap into 3 gallons of hot water
  
• Wash Windows = Use 1 TBSP Castile Soap & Quart of water in a spray bottle
• Laundry = 1/3 - 1/2 c. of soap for a large load in a normal washer. Add ½ c. vinegar to the rinse cycle. Use half of these amounts for HE
• Pest Control = Use 1 TBSP Castile Soap & Quart of water in a spray bottle
• Ant Deterrent = Mix 1/4 cup Castile Soap with 1 Quart water in a spray bottle, spray areas where ants are seen. Ants don't like Peppermint or Tea Tree Scents
• Tub Scrub = 1 tablespoon liquid Castile soap and 1/3 cup baking soda
• Dishwasher Detergent
• Soap Dispenser Refill = 1 part castile soap to 4 parts water
  
• Dog Shampoo = Use a quarter size amount to give your furry baby a bath
• Veggie Wash = Use a small drop in sink full of water, give the veggies a bath in the water!
• Carpet Cleaner = 1/4 cup castile into 1 cup water
• All Purpose Cleaner = Mix 1/4 cup Castile Soap with 1 Quart water in a spray bottle
• Car Wash Liquid = Mix ¼ cup liquid Castile soap with hot water in a bucket 
• Baby Wipes = Roll of paper towels + 1 cup water 1 TBSP castile soap + 1 TBSP organic oil + 1 wipe container or gallon size zip up bag 
• Degreaser for Stovetops =  2-4 drops of Castile Soap with 2 cups hot water
• Clearing Congestion = Place 1 TBSP Castile Soap in Steaming Hot Water ~ Breath in the Aroma to clear congestion

More Recipes below:

Dilutions Cheat Sheet

Evidence of Aloe Vera’s benefits for your skin

Evidence of Aloe Vera’s benefits for your skin

Aloe Vera is contains amino acids, enzymes, vitamins and agents that may provide anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Benefits of Aloe Vera for Skin

*Aloe is hydrating to the skin
*Aloe helps skin feel refreshed & create a healthy glow
*Aloe can soften the appearance of damaged skin
*Aloe cools & soothes irritated skin

Condition	Description
Moisturizing	Aloe is an ideal moisturizer for those with oily skin or those that use mineral based makeup because it adds moisture without making the skin greasy.
Skin Acne	Aloe vera contains the hormones gibberellins and auxin which have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Giberellin helps the body grow new cells to the skin can heal more quickly without large amounts of scarring. Applying aloe can also reduce itchiness and blistering while helping to minimize the effects of skin problems like psoriasis, eczema and acne.
Skin Aging	The antioxidants in aloe include vitamins C, E and beta carotene among others. These ingredients work to keep the skin hydrated and firm to combat the signs of aging.
Pigmentation	Aloe can help to reduce the intensity of pigmentation, lightening dark spots on the face. This will help the skin look radiant and smooth.

Acetaminophen may boost blood pressure - Harvard Health Publications

Acetaminophen may boost blood pressure - Harvard Health Publications

When the participants took acetaminophen, average systolic blood pressure (the top number of a blood pressure reading) increased from 122.4 to 125.3, while the average diastolic pressure (the bottom number) increased from 73.2 to 75.4
Continue Reading on Harvard Health

Pain OTC Treatments Causing High Blood Pressure?

Pain OTC Treatments Causing High Blood Pressure?

"People with high blood pressure don't know the risks of taking some of these painkillers," says Nieca Goldberg, MD, a cardiologist and spokesperson for the American Heart Association. "They assume that anything you can buy over the counter is safe. But these drugs are chemicals that can cause side effects."

The problem isn't only with OTC painkillers. In fact, many remedies for colds, sinus problems, and evenheartburn contain the same ingredients.

If you have high blood pressure, keeping it under control is crucial. So, before you grab a bottle of pain reliever for your next backache, learn some dos and don'ts.

Continue Reading on WebMD

Medications and supplements that can raise your blood pressure - Mayo Clinic

Medications and supplements that can raise your blood pressure - Mayo Clinic

Some prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as supplements and other substances, can raise your blood pressure. These substances also can interfere with medications intended to lower your blood pressure.

Here are some medications, supplements and other substances that can increase your blood pressure. If you're using any of these substances and are worried about the effect it could have on your blood pressure, talk to your doctor.