by Shelly
• Massage Oil:
What you will need--
-4 ounces of either apricot, sweet almond, jojoba, grape seed, or avocado oils
-50 drops of an essential oil blend or your choice
-Container with a flip top or pump tops
-Bottle 4 ounces of either apricot, sweet almond, jojoba, grape seed, or avocado oils with up to 50 drops of either a relaxation oil blend or a citrus oil blend.
Instructions:
Sweet almond oil or apricot kernel oil provides a good balance of massaging time and absorbency time. Use jojoba or grape seed oils if you want a lighter carrier oil and quick absorbing oil that will create more of a friction and a heated massage from rubbing the oil into the skin. Avocado oil is a great carrier oil to use during the winter months.
• Body Scrub:
What you will need--1 cup sea salt or coarse sugar (smoother grain for the body, rougher grains for elbows, knees and feet)-1/2 cup olive, canola, or jojoba oil-50 drops of your choice of essential oil blends.
Stir together the 1/2 cup of olive oil or canola oil which ever oil carrier you are using with this recipe with your essential oil blend of your choice. After the oils are combined, pour in the sea salt or the sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon till completely incorporated. Experiment with different types of salts and sugars till you get the grain you are seeking to use on your body or your feet. Scoop the mixture into a glass jar with a tight fitting lid, especially if you are going to keeping the mixture in your humid bathroom.
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Source: http://www.waxandbubbles.com/making-a-good-body-oil-and-body-scrub/
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
All Natural Moisterizing Coconut Cream Recipe
This is a very natural cream and is good for those who have skin reactions to synthetic ingredients. It must be kept in the refrigerator (treat it like a natural salad dressing) as there are no preservatives in it.
I like to use Extra Virgin Coconut Oil; it is unrefined, usually organic and still has a beautiful scent of coconut. If you don't want a coconut scent, use regular coconut oil-a semi-solid oil (this is not fractionated coconut oil).
Variation: Try rosewater in the place of distilled water.
Oil Phase
¼ cup Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
½ cup Almond Oil
2 teaspoons beeswax pellets (0.2 ounces)
Water Phase
¾ cup Distilled Water
1/8 teaspoon Borax (sodium borate) (optional- but helps with the consistency)
Prepare the Water Phase
-Measure Distilled Water and add to pot
-Measure Borax and add to cold Distilled Water
-Warm the water to about the same temperature as the oils (you can use a candy thermometer or judge for yourself)
Once the two phases are at about the same temperature:
-create a vortex in the water phase with a stick blender or in a blender (you can leave the water in the pot, pour it into another bowl or in the blender, I prefer to use a stick blender and the pot the water is in and then create the vortex )
-slowly pour the melted oils into the vortex of water, continually mixing for about 3-4 minutes. As it cools, keep stirring by hand for another few minutes.
-Pour into containers immediately before it sets up.
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Beeswax and Borax are available at natural grocery stores.
(borax- best to purchase the cosmetic variety, the impurities have been removed)
Online at http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/cgi-bin/Main.pl?AID=067528&BID=674and http://www.glorybeefoods.com/
Source: http://naturalskinandbodycare.blogspot.com/2007/09/all-natural-moisturizing-cream-with.html
I like to use Extra Virgin Coconut Oil; it is unrefined, usually organic and still has a beautiful scent of coconut. If you don't want a coconut scent, use regular coconut oil-a semi-solid oil (this is not fractionated coconut oil).
Variation: Try rosewater in the place of distilled water.
Oil Phase
¼ cup Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
½ cup Almond Oil
2 teaspoons beeswax pellets (0.2 ounces)
Water Phase
¾ cup Distilled Water
1/8 teaspoon Borax (sodium borate) (optional- but helps with the consistency)
Prepare the Water Phase
-Measure Distilled Water and add to pot
-Measure Borax and add to cold Distilled Water
-Warm the water to about the same temperature as the oils (you can use a candy thermometer or judge for yourself)
Once the two phases are at about the same temperature:
-create a vortex in the water phase with a stick blender or in a blender (you can leave the water in the pot, pour it into another bowl or in the blender, I prefer to use a stick blender and the pot the water is in and then create the vortex )
-slowly pour the melted oils into the vortex of water, continually mixing for about 3-4 minutes. As it cools, keep stirring by hand for another few minutes.
-Pour into containers immediately before it sets up.
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Beeswax and Borax are available at natural grocery stores.
(borax- best to purchase the cosmetic variety, the impurities have been removed)
Online at http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/cgi-bin/Main.pl?AID=067528&BID=674and http://www.glorybeefoods.com/
Source: http://naturalskinandbodycare.blogspot.com/2007/09/all-natural-moisturizing-cream-with.html
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Herbal Bath Bombs
From Rebecca's Garden (Episode REB-716) on HGTV (http://www.hgtv.com/)
You can purchase bath bombs anywhere from $5 to $10, but why do that when you can custom-blend your own? Here's how.
Materials:
2 cups baking soda
1 cup citric acid
1 cup corn starch
8 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon borax
1-1/2 tablespoons water
5 tablespoons light oil--like olive, jojoba or almondEssential oil--any desired aroma, such as lavender or chamomile
Steps:
First, measure out all of the dry ingredients in a big bowl. Once you've mixed them, use a sifter to get out the lumps.
Next, mix all of the wet ingredients together. Start with water, then add a little less than five tablespoons of light oil. Then add a few drops of essential oil to the mixture. Whisk until all wet ingredients are incorporated.
Slowly drizzle the water and oil mixture over the dry ingredients a little at a time, and continue mixing with your hands. It takes a while for the ingredients to absorb into the oil and water.
Keep the ingredients crumbly. You'll know the mixture is wet enough when it can hold its shape after being molded into a ball. If the mixture gets too wet, the citric acid will continue bubbling, which will zap the effervescence.
Mold the mixture into tight, firm sphere shapes. Each batch will make about seven bath bombs. Let dry for 24 to 48 hours. Check them after a couple hours of drying. If they've expanded in size, remold them to their original size.
Once the bath bombs are dry, store them in a decorative bowl or jar. Another option is to wrap them in tissue and cellophane.
Source: http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/herbal-bath-bombs/index.html
You can purchase bath bombs anywhere from $5 to $10, but why do that when you can custom-blend your own? Here's how.
Materials:
2 cups baking soda
1 cup citric acid
1 cup corn starch
8 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon borax
1-1/2 tablespoons water
5 tablespoons light oil--like olive, jojoba or almondEssential oil--any desired aroma, such as lavender or chamomile
Steps:
First, measure out all of the dry ingredients in a big bowl. Once you've mixed them, use a sifter to get out the lumps.
Next, mix all of the wet ingredients together. Start with water, then add a little less than five tablespoons of light oil. Then add a few drops of essential oil to the mixture. Whisk until all wet ingredients are incorporated.
Slowly drizzle the water and oil mixture over the dry ingredients a little at a time, and continue mixing with your hands. It takes a while for the ingredients to absorb into the oil and water.
Keep the ingredients crumbly. You'll know the mixture is wet enough when it can hold its shape after being molded into a ball. If the mixture gets too wet, the citric acid will continue bubbling, which will zap the effervescence.
Mold the mixture into tight, firm sphere shapes. Each batch will make about seven bath bombs. Let dry for 24 to 48 hours. Check them after a couple hours of drying. If they've expanded in size, remold them to their original size.
Once the bath bombs are dry, store them in a decorative bowl or jar. Another option is to wrap them in tissue and cellophane.
Source: http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/herbal-bath-bombs/index.html
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Getting Creative With Natural Soap
Natural Soap has become a popular and useful hobby for many home soap makers. In fact, some novice soap makers have taken to the art like a house on fire and are even looking to become commercially successful. Making natural soap is essentially about mixing lye and water in the correct proportions and adding the right amount of fat to it. The saponification process then takes over and makes a useable soap from unusable ingredients.
However, if you are planning to use your homemade soap as gifts for friends and family or make a business venture of it, then you will need to experiment a bit more. Adding essential oils, scents, colors, flowers and other beauty products is one way to make your homemade soap more appealing. Another way of course is to package it beautifully.
Here are some creative ideas to make your natural soap more appealing.
Colored soaps are a step up from the basic white or off white bars of old. However, if you want to keep your natural soap completely natural then avoid processed food coloring. Instead use colors made from natural products.
Turmeric is a disinfectant and adds a lovely yellow hue to your soap. Alfaalfa powder and chlorophyll impart a gorgeous green color to the soap. Ratanjot lends a pretty purple color and paprika works well for reds and oranges.
Adding an essential oil has the maximum effect on elevating your soap from just another homemade experiment to a coveted beauty product. Essential oils have recognized therapeutic properties and work wonders if used correctly. Since they are highly concentrated you should look at adding no more than a teaspoon to a 400g bar of soap. Rose and lavender are two of the most popular essential oils with soap makers. Avoid citrus oils since they can cause your soap to curdle.
You can add a natural loofah like oatmeal or almonds to your soap. The oatmeal and almonds help to scrub off dead skin leaving your skin smooth.
Adding dried flowers and petals can make your natural soap look extremely pretty. Add a few dried rose petals along with rose essential oil and you can get Cleopatra’s beauty care regime.
If you want to make a soap that moisturizes the skin try adding a carrier oil like jojoba, castor or avocado. Shea butter also works very well.
Once you’ve got your natural soap bars ready, use a paring knife and shave off one side of the bar. You’ll get a pretty wave design in no time at all!
If you plan to use them as gifts then invest in some soap molds. You can get soap molds in many shapes including hearts, roses, circles and many more.
You can even make paper wrapping for the soap bars and then customize the paper with the names of the recipients.
Homemade bars make lovely wedding favors. Customize the wrapping or the bar with the couple’s wedding details and give out as wedding favors.
So, natural soap can be made very exotic and appealing with a little effort on your part.
Source: http://www.making-homemade-soap.com/natural-soap.html
However, if you are planning to use your homemade soap as gifts for friends and family or make a business venture of it, then you will need to experiment a bit more. Adding essential oils, scents, colors, flowers and other beauty products is one way to make your homemade soap more appealing. Another way of course is to package it beautifully.
Here are some creative ideas to make your natural soap more appealing.
Colored soaps are a step up from the basic white or off white bars of old. However, if you want to keep your natural soap completely natural then avoid processed food coloring. Instead use colors made from natural products.
Turmeric is a disinfectant and adds a lovely yellow hue to your soap. Alfaalfa powder and chlorophyll impart a gorgeous green color to the soap. Ratanjot lends a pretty purple color and paprika works well for reds and oranges.
Adding an essential oil has the maximum effect on elevating your soap from just another homemade experiment to a coveted beauty product. Essential oils have recognized therapeutic properties and work wonders if used correctly. Since they are highly concentrated you should look at adding no more than a teaspoon to a 400g bar of soap. Rose and lavender are two of the most popular essential oils with soap makers. Avoid citrus oils since they can cause your soap to curdle.
You can add a natural loofah like oatmeal or almonds to your soap. The oatmeal and almonds help to scrub off dead skin leaving your skin smooth.
Adding dried flowers and petals can make your natural soap look extremely pretty. Add a few dried rose petals along with rose essential oil and you can get Cleopatra’s beauty care regime.
If you want to make a soap that moisturizes the skin try adding a carrier oil like jojoba, castor or avocado. Shea butter also works very well.
Once you’ve got your natural soap bars ready, use a paring knife and shave off one side of the bar. You’ll get a pretty wave design in no time at all!
If you plan to use them as gifts then invest in some soap molds. You can get soap molds in many shapes including hearts, roses, circles and many more.
You can even make paper wrapping for the soap bars and then customize the paper with the names of the recipients.
Homemade bars make lovely wedding favors. Customize the wrapping or the bar with the couple’s wedding details and give out as wedding favors.
So, natural soap can be made very exotic and appealing with a little effort on your part.
Source: http://www.making-homemade-soap.com/natural-soap.html
Friday, September 26, 2008
Organic Liquid Lecithin
Botanical Name- Derived from Soy Beans (Glycine max)
Origin- USA
Extraction- Gummed Soybeans
Shelf life- 18-24 months
Notes- No solvents were used in the extraction of this organic liquid Lecithin. It is currently listed as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) as a multi purpose food additive. Stores well under most conditions but extremes in temperature may cause a loss in quality. Ideal storage conditions are no less than 40 degrees and no higher than 100 degrees. Liquid Lecithin is a thick viscous semi solid resembling molasses and it may become further liquefied using a double boiler, microwave oven, or you may set your container in a pot of simmering water for 10-20 minutes. The line of lecithin offered by Mountain Rose Herbs is suitable for both food and cosmetic purposes.
Specifications
Color- Brown
Odor- Heavy resembling oil fats
Size-
Acetone insolubles- 63.3%
Acid value- 15.7 mg
Hexane insolubles- <0.01%>
Cosmetic Use
Lecithin is an emollient, which is a softening and soothing agent. In addition, it has magnificent moisturizing properties, and helps to hydrate the skin. The phospholipids naturally present in Lecithin are able to attract water from the air, and in doing so, increase hydration. This makes it an excellent additive for restorative creams, or for products designed for mature, dry, or overworked skin. It also has the unique ability to deeply penetrate the skin, and carry substances directly to the cells and the bloodstream. Because of this, it may assist the body in absorbing other properties as well. If a product is created with natural and healing ingredients, then the addition of Lecithin would actually bring those beneficial properties to the cellular level. Lecithin also has emulsifying, stabilizing, thickening, and suspending qualities. With these amazing and varied capabilities, the addition of lecithin could assist in the therapeutic and medicinal properties of your body care products.
Liquid Lecithin may be easily added to your products by simply blending it into your recipe. The amount of Lecithin used depends upon the recipe type and size, and on the product thickness desired. However, a general rule is 1/2-1 Tablespoon for a 19 oz batch of cream. We recommend experimenting with the amount in small batches.
Culinary Use
Made from organic soybeans, our Lecithin is a healthful and invaluable culinary ingredient. Lecithin is utilized throughout the food industry as an emulsifier, thickener, stabilizer, moisturizer, and mild preservative. It is often present in vegan or low fat cooking as an alternative to fat in baked goods, and improves moisture and texture at the same time. It may be added to a variety of baked items including breads, cakes, casseroles, and cookie dough as an anti-caking, pan release, and moisturizing agent. Bakers also employ Lecithin for its ability to help dough rise, create uniformity and suspension in the batter, and to lessen the dough’s tendency to be sticky while kneading. In addition, Lecithin is commonly used for its emulsifying properties in mayonnaise, margarine, shortening, salad dressing, and other water-oil combinations. For the same suspending and emulsifying properties, it is added to various sauces, gravies, soups, nut butters, and gravies. Lecithin is an important ingredient in chocolate, caramels, confectionary coatings for spattering control, to prevent crystallization, and as an emulsifier. In addition, it is also wetting, dispersing, and emulsifying tool for powdered products, such as cake mixes, cocoa powder, and instant powder mixes.
Medicinal Applications
Lecithin is a naturally occurring phospholipid, and is an excellent source of choline. Lecithin physically is made in our liver, and is necessary for every cell in our bodies. Without choline, the membranes of our cells would harden, which would prevent nutrients from entering and leaving the cell. Lecithin also helps cholesterol deposits from forming in our blood vessels, and is involved in the process of moving cholesterol through our bodies. Soy Lecithin chemically binds with cholesterol, and in this manner reduces the amount of cholesterol in the bloodstreams, and may lower cholesterol levels. It also assists with the neurotransmitters crucial for memory, muscle control, and brain function. Research suggests that Lecithin may be helpful for repairing liver damage, and protecting against liver damage. In addition, it may assist with the following:
Improves memory and cognitive functions
Menopause and post-menopausal conditions - (contains estrogen like compounds)
Poor nutrition and anemia
Diabetes
Neurologic disorders
Cardiovascular health
Improves energy and physical performance
Assists with the absorption of Vitamins A, D, E, and K
Psoriasis
Gallstones
Eases digestion
Promotes overall health and physical performance
Because of its many health and cosmetic benefits, this is truly an amazing ingredient. Lecithin may be easily added to your culinary or cosmetic recipes. We recommend that you try this wonderful product yourself, as it may prove to be a key ingredient for your overall health and well-being.
Precautions:
Although no drug interactions have been found, we recommend speaking with your healthcare practitioner before incorporating lecithin into your diet. Lecithin may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, loose stools, or diarrhea.
Source: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/lecithin_liquid.html
Origin- USA
Extraction- Gummed Soybeans
Shelf life- 18-24 months
Notes- No solvents were used in the extraction of this organic liquid Lecithin. It is currently listed as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) as a multi purpose food additive. Stores well under most conditions but extremes in temperature may cause a loss in quality. Ideal storage conditions are no less than 40 degrees and no higher than 100 degrees. Liquid Lecithin is a thick viscous semi solid resembling molasses and it may become further liquefied using a double boiler, microwave oven, or you may set your container in a pot of simmering water for 10-20 minutes. The line of lecithin offered by Mountain Rose Herbs is suitable for both food and cosmetic purposes.
Specifications
Color- Brown
Odor- Heavy resembling oil fats
Size-
Acetone insolubles- 63.3%
Acid value- 15.7 mg
Hexane insolubles- <0.01%>
Cosmetic Use
Lecithin is an emollient, which is a softening and soothing agent. In addition, it has magnificent moisturizing properties, and helps to hydrate the skin. The phospholipids naturally present in Lecithin are able to attract water from the air, and in doing so, increase hydration. This makes it an excellent additive for restorative creams, or for products designed for mature, dry, or overworked skin. It also has the unique ability to deeply penetrate the skin, and carry substances directly to the cells and the bloodstream. Because of this, it may assist the body in absorbing other properties as well. If a product is created with natural and healing ingredients, then the addition of Lecithin would actually bring those beneficial properties to the cellular level. Lecithin also has emulsifying, stabilizing, thickening, and suspending qualities. With these amazing and varied capabilities, the addition of lecithin could assist in the therapeutic and medicinal properties of your body care products.
Liquid Lecithin may be easily added to your products by simply blending it into your recipe. The amount of Lecithin used depends upon the recipe type and size, and on the product thickness desired. However, a general rule is 1/2-1 Tablespoon for a 19 oz batch of cream. We recommend experimenting with the amount in small batches.
Culinary Use
Made from organic soybeans, our Lecithin is a healthful and invaluable culinary ingredient. Lecithin is utilized throughout the food industry as an emulsifier, thickener, stabilizer, moisturizer, and mild preservative. It is often present in vegan or low fat cooking as an alternative to fat in baked goods, and improves moisture and texture at the same time. It may be added to a variety of baked items including breads, cakes, casseroles, and cookie dough as an anti-caking, pan release, and moisturizing agent. Bakers also employ Lecithin for its ability to help dough rise, create uniformity and suspension in the batter, and to lessen the dough’s tendency to be sticky while kneading. In addition, Lecithin is commonly used for its emulsifying properties in mayonnaise, margarine, shortening, salad dressing, and other water-oil combinations. For the same suspending and emulsifying properties, it is added to various sauces, gravies, soups, nut butters, and gravies. Lecithin is an important ingredient in chocolate, caramels, confectionary coatings for spattering control, to prevent crystallization, and as an emulsifier. In addition, it is also wetting, dispersing, and emulsifying tool for powdered products, such as cake mixes, cocoa powder, and instant powder mixes.
Medicinal Applications
Lecithin is a naturally occurring phospholipid, and is an excellent source of choline. Lecithin physically is made in our liver, and is necessary for every cell in our bodies. Without choline, the membranes of our cells would harden, which would prevent nutrients from entering and leaving the cell. Lecithin also helps cholesterol deposits from forming in our blood vessels, and is involved in the process of moving cholesterol through our bodies. Soy Lecithin chemically binds with cholesterol, and in this manner reduces the amount of cholesterol in the bloodstreams, and may lower cholesterol levels. It also assists with the neurotransmitters crucial for memory, muscle control, and brain function. Research suggests that Lecithin may be helpful for repairing liver damage, and protecting against liver damage. In addition, it may assist with the following:
Improves memory and cognitive functions
Menopause and post-menopausal conditions - (contains estrogen like compounds)
Poor nutrition and anemia
Diabetes
Neurologic disorders
Cardiovascular health
Improves energy and physical performance
Assists with the absorption of Vitamins A, D, E, and K
Psoriasis
Gallstones
Eases digestion
Promotes overall health and physical performance
Because of its many health and cosmetic benefits, this is truly an amazing ingredient. Lecithin may be easily added to your culinary or cosmetic recipes. We recommend that you try this wonderful product yourself, as it may prove to be a key ingredient for your overall health and well-being.
Precautions:
Although no drug interactions have been found, we recommend speaking with your healthcare practitioner before incorporating lecithin into your diet. Lecithin may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, loose stools, or diarrhea.
Source: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/lecithin_liquid.html
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