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Essential Oils: Chamomile

Compared to other essential oils, chamomile can be a little more expensive… but it is worth the price! Chamomile is a great all-around essential oil — it is mild enough for use on all skin types and is known to be great for easing stress and tension. Look for German chamomile or Roman chamomile, but get the German variety if you can. You’ll know you have the real deal on your hands if the essential oil has a blue-green color. Other chamomile varieties will show up as a paler yellow color. The other varieties of chamomile do the same things; … Continue reading →

Homemade Hand Sanitizer

The other day, I visited my best friend in the hospital. She had surgery for ruptured discs and although the operation went well, I still wanted to stop by and see her. We visited during my lunch hour then I left to go back to work. Once I got in the car, I realized I hadn’t washed my hands. I am probably not as fanatical about washing my hands as I probably should be, but for some reason, I always feel incredibly germy after leaving the hospital. I was afraid I’d stick my fingers in my mouth unconsciously, so I … Continue reading →

Aromatherapy for Depression

There are a lot of reasons you can get depressed. You can lose a loved one, a beloved pet, or your job. You can get divorced, be physically or emotionally abused, or be under a lot of emotional or financial stress. Some people get depressed when they retire, because it is a major lifestyle change. Some people are just depressed because they are lonely. No matter what the reason for the depression, whether it is chronic or acute, aromatherapy may help. What can you use to help your depression? Room diffusers, air fresheners/room sprays, massage oils, and skin and hair … Continue reading →

Post-Sun Remedies for Skin and Hair

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A day in the sun doesn’t have to end in sunburn… but sometimes it does. Even if you don’t come home as red as a lobster, you may still feel sticky, grimy, hot, and tired. Some of these post-sun remedies can help refresh your skin and hair after a day at the beach, pool, or park. Aloe vera — my favorite post-sun remedy. It feels cool going on and relieves some of the heat. Aloe has a long history of being a healing plant — you’ll find lots of products that contain aloe on the shelves these days. Personally, I … Continue reading →

Herbal Stress Soothers

Thanks to both internal (PMS) and external factors, I’ve been feeling pretty stressed lately. When I found myself snapping at friends, family, and coworkers, I decided it was time to stop and do some damage control. First, I made a plan. I wanted some physical activity to help blow off steam and I wanted something to help me relax when I was done. For the physical side, I decided to clean the apartment. I’d have the added bonus of a fresh, clean home when I was done — and the chance to work some stress out of my system. For … Continue reading →

Skin Care in the Air

Travel can be rough on your skin. Really, it can be rough on your whole body: sitting still for hours, cramped conditions forcing weird contortions, and more. But for today, let’s focus on your skin. Despite being often surrounded by moist, fluffy clouds, the air inside an airplane is dry. Like desert dry — humidity levels can be as low as five percent. What does that mean for your skin? It means the air can strip away moisture and leave wrinkles and other imperfections more pronounced. As crummy and cranky and tired as flying makes me feel… I sure don’t … Continue reading →

How To Make Herbal Water

An herbal water is a refreshing, cooling, cleansing rinse for face and body. Best of all, herbal water is very easy to make! Gather your herbs. Try to do your harvesting early in the morning, before the sun burns off all the dew. Crush one once of herbs into one cup of water. Crushing (rather than adding the whole herbs) helps release the essential oils and other good stuff in the plants. If you’re using flowers, bruise them, rather than crush them. Pour the mixture into a ceramic or enamel pot. A metal pot is okay, but ceramic or enamel … Continue reading →

How To Make An Herbal Aftershave

If you have sensitive skin, shaving can be a serious irritation! It can leave you with itchy, red razor bumps. Try these recipes for a soothing herbal aftershave to help keep your skin happy. For a stimulating aftershave that will help heal nicks and wake you up, you’ll need: A large jar (preferably dark colored glass) Fresh sage leaves Fresh yarrow flowers Fresh or dried lavender flowers Fresh eucalyptus or peppermint leaves Fill the jar halfway. Use three parts sage leaves, one part yarrow flowers, one part lavender flowers, and one part eucalyptus or mint leaves. Fill the jar the … Continue reading →

Cool Summer Spa Treatments At Home

It’s hot. It’s humid. So how are the hottest spas around the country cooling people off? Try home versions of some swanky spa treatments to cool off and pamper yourself. Peppermint Conditioner: add a drop of peppermint essential oil to a dollop of your usual conditioner. (You might want to mix this up before you get into the shower! Use a little bathroom cup and leave it where you can reach it from the tub.) Massage the peppermint conditioner into your hair and scalp. Rinse with lukewarm water — the peppermint will make everything feel cooler. Aloe Body Wrap: in … Continue reading →

Treating Sprains and Strains

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Your muscles connect to joints and bone by tissues called tendons. When a muscle contracts, the tendon is pulled, allowing the joint to move. If the tendon becomes stretched or torn, you’ve got a strain. Another kind of tissue — ligaments — helps stabilize your joints. If the ligament is stretched or torn, you’ve got a sprain. So what causes a sprain or a strain? Stress. If your muscles and joints are moving in a way they aren’t ready for or just aren’t supposed to be moving, you can end up with a sprain or strain. If you do have … Continue reading →