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Nasal Irrigation
The removal of mucus from the nasal cavities will often help clear fluid from the middle ear, help sinus infections, and stop postnasal drainage and cough. To do this, the following instructions msut be carefully followed:
1. Mix 4 oz. of tepid water (it's not necessary to boil the water) and 1/4 tsp. of salt.
2. Blow the nose gently to remove as much mucus as possible. Use a nasal syringe.
This procedure may be done several times a day, or done whenever necessary, but it is suggested that it be done at least morning and night.
Natural deodorant vs. Antiperspirant?
Most people think that antiperspirants and deodorants are the same thing, but they aren’t. Antiperspirants work by clogging, closing, or blocking the pores with powerful astringents such as aluminum salts so that they can’t release sweat. (Note that aluminum can accumulate in the brain.) Deodorants work by neutralizing the smell of the sweat and by antiseptic action against bacteria. Deodorants are preferable because they don’t interfere with sweating, a natural cooling process. Baking soda works wonders because it neutralizes the odor of sweat. Just sprinkle a light covering of baking soda onto a damp washcloth. Pat on. Don’t rinse.
This tip—just using baking soda—has saved me on many occasion, especially when traveling.
Basic Deodorant Powder
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
A few drops essential oils such as lavender or cinnamon
Place the ingredients in a glass jar. Shake to blend. Sprinkle a light covering of the powder on a damp washcloth. Pat on. Don’t rinse.
Basic Liquid Deodorant
1/4 cup each witch hazel extract, aloe vera gel, and mineral water
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
A few drops antibacterial essential oils such as lavender (optional)
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake to blend.
Makes 3/4 cup
Shelf life: Indefinite.
Shiny Hair Rinse
Adapted from The Herbal Home Spa by Greta Breedlove (Storey Books, 1998).
This simple kitchen-cupboard recipe corrects the hair’s pH and removes residue from shampoo and other hair products, creating a healthy-looking shine and bringing out the natural highlights in your hair.
Now that the spring sun is out, let it show the shine in your hair!
INGREDIENTS
If you don’t want even the slightest lightening of color, omit the lemon juice and double the vinegar.
Juice from ½ lemon
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
To make:
1. Combine all ingredients in a pitcher or jar and mix well.
To use:
1. Shampoo and rinse hair as usual.
2. Pour the mixture on your hair and massage into the scalp and through the hair.
3. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.
French Flour Formula for Shiny, Silky Hair
Adapted from The Herbal Home Spa, by Greta Breedlove (Storey Books, 1998).
This simple flouring technique is all the rage in France, where the women are known for their beauty and this easy formula gives them lustrous, manageable hair. Evidently, flour smoothes the scales of the hair shaft. Who knew?
Find out the easy technique for hair so smooth and shiny, you’ll say “magnifique!” No more frizzies!
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup white spelt flour
1/2 cup barley flour
1 cup distilled water
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 plastic bag that can fit over the hair
To Make:
1. Sift the flours together in a large bowl.
2. Pour the water and vinegar over the flours and mix well.
To Use:
1. Spoon the flour mixture onto your dry hair.
2. Smooth the paste all over the hair shafts. (This treatment is for the hair. It is not harmful for the scalp, but the focus is on getting the paste on the individual strands of hair.)
3. Sweep the coated hair up on top of your head and cover with a plastic bag, securing with a hair clip or clothespin.
4. Leave on for 20 to 30 minutes.
5. Remove plastic bag and rinse the mixture off hair thoroughly using cool water. (Hot water will make the flour stick to the hair shafts.)
6. Shampoo as usual, rinsing with cool water.
Easy-to-Make Moisturizer
I’ve selected a few easy-to-make moisturizing products for you to make. Each has their own benefits.
Cocoa Butter Antibacterial Moisturizing Lotion
Cocoa butter is naturally water repellent and thus protective of the skin, it is especially useful for dehydrated skin.
1 tablespoon cocoa butter
2 tablespoons jojoba
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
Melt the cocoa butter and jojoba in a double boiler over medium heat. Once the cocoa butter is melted, stir in the aloe vera gel until thoroughly blended. Use by dabbing on your finger.
Makes about ¼ cup.
Using Essential Oils to Boost the Bath
Adapted from The Purification Plan: Clear Your Body of the Toxins That Contribute to Weight Gain, Fatigue, and Chronic Illness from the Editors of Rodale Health Books (Rodale, 2005).
Essential oils are natural substances extracted from flowers, herbs, fruits, trees, and grasses through a special distilling process. Many of these oils have been found to contain healing properties. Some are also known to affect the nervous system and can elicit either a calming or stimulating effect.
ESSENCES THAT SOOTHE
Basil: Helps ease muscle aches and pains. It is also used in skin toners.
Bergamot: Possesses antitoxin agents. Effective against acne and blemishes.
Cedarwood: Possesses antitoxin agents. Good for oily skin.
Chamomile: Helps skin conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and herpes.
Clary sage: Good foraging skin and varicose veins. Also known to have aphrodisiac qualities.
Cypress: Helps alleviate bruising, muscle cramps, and broken capillaries. Believed to help control cellulite.
Geranium: Helps ease breast tenderness and swelling.
Hyssop: Helps ease dermatitis, eczema, and acne. Helps reduce water retention.
Jasmine: A softener for dry, sensitive skin. Also believed to have aphrodisiac qualities.
Lavender: Helps soothe inflamed skin.
Mandarin: Good for scars and stretch marks. A great skin toner.
Marjoram: Has extra-strength calming qualities.
Neroli: Good for scars, stretch marks, sensitive and aging skin. Believed to have aphrodisiac qualities.
Patchouli: Helps soothe skin irritations. Good for aging skin and varicose veins.
Peppermint: Soothes muscle aches and pains. Helps constrict capillaries.
Rose: Good for aging skin. Believed to have aphrodisiac qualities.
Sandalwood: Good for dry and aging skin. Believed to have aphrodisiac qualities.
ESSENCES THAT ENERGIZE
Eucalyptus: Possesses antitoxin qualities. Helps heal blisters and other skin irritations.
Ginger: Helps fight congestion; improves circulation.
Grapefruit: Helps fight muscle fatigue and jet lag. Noted for its cleansing effect on the circulatory and lymphatic systems. Also good for oily skin.
Juniper: Known as a detoxifying agent. Also good for oily skin and blocked pores.
Lemon: Helps lighten skin pigmentation.
Lemongrass: Eases muscle soreness, bruising, and athlete’s foot. Good for aging skin.
Pine: Helps fight eczema and psoriasis.
Rosemary: Eases sore muscles. Good for oily skin.
Make Your Own Bath Oils
Adapted from Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair, by Dina Falconi.
Oil added to the bath helps to soften and nourish dry, damaged or stressed skin. The warmth of the bath helps the oil to be absorbed into the skin and provides an excellent moisturizing effect.
You can add any plain, herbal-infused or scented carrier oil to your bath. The carrier oils offer emolliency and nourishment for your skin, while essential oils promote various subtle energetic effects. Oil may also be added to a bath for nervous conditions, since it is said to nourish and protect the nerves.
Basic Oil Bath
Use 1-2 oz. of plain carrier per bath
Add oil to bathwater prior to immersion. Some good choices are coconut, olive, sesame or jojoba oil.
Basic Bath Oil Blend
This is a well-balanced oil blend for most skin types. It is nourishing and soothing and it is not too heavy or light. It provides an excellent base for the Aromatherapy Bath Oils that follow. This oil blend may also be used directly on the skin.
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 oz. olive oil
3 oz. almond oil
1 oz. sesame oil
1 oz. canola oil
1/2 oz. wheat germ oil
Pour oils in a jar, cap with a tight fitting lid and shake well. Add 1 oz. oil per bath. Makes 7 oz.
Basic Aromatherapy Bath Oil
You can create a wide assortment of aromatherapy oils for the bath by adding essential oils to the Basic Bath Oil Blend just described, or to any other carrier oil of your choice. These oils can also be used for massage. Use 1-2 teaspoons of Aromatherapy Bath Oil per bath. Note that the concentrated essential oils make the carrier oil stronger, so less oil is needed for the bath.
INGREDIENTS
15-30 drops essential oil of choice
1 oz. Basic Bath Oil Blend or other carrier oil of choice
Fill small-mouth jar with carrier oil, leaving 1/8 inch of space at the top. Add the essential oils drop by drop, cap the jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well. Use 1-2 teaspoons of oil per bath.
Disclaimer: Inspirational Treasures does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Inspirationaltreasure.net. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.
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