Make it Yourself Monday-After Sun Spritzer

4 oz. Aloe Vera Juice (Water) *can be made from aloe powder
2 oz. Witch Hazel
1 oz. Distilled Water
30 drops German Blue Chamomile Essential Oil
15 drops Lavender Essential Oil
15 drops [Egyptian] Geranium Essential Oil
Preservative of Choice (use according to manufacturers directions)
*baking soda

Add all the ingredients together, mix well, then pour into a bottle with a spray top. While not necessary, storing this product in the refrigerator will extend the shelf life AND add to the cooling relief it offers.
 
Need more relief? You can mix some of the above with baking soda and apply a thin layer to a sun burn. This makes a wonderful cooling and soothing paste, much like a (facial) mud mask.

Frankly Speaking Friday- Illipe Butter

Although illipe butter is hard, and not liquid, it is still quite exotic, so I decided to add it into this series of posts, I hope you will indulge me! 


Illipe butter comes from the nuts of the shorea stenoptera which is a tropical tree that grows in southeast Asia, Borneo and Sumatra. The tree grows from 16 to 49 feet tall, and has two inch seeds which are enclosed in a thin shell, with wing-like attachments, similar to the whirly birds of maple and elm trees.
It flowers October through January, and after the nuts fall to the ground, never before, they are gathered by natives and set to dry in the sun. Once dried, the shells are placed in rice mortars where they are pounded with the pestles until the seeds break away from the hard shell. From there the whole nut, which is the seed, is sent to be rendered where it is cold pressed. The resulting butter is a hard creamy white to light yellow color, with a slight, nutty odor. The locals have been making butter from the illipe nuts for countless centuries, traditionally using it for both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes.

Illipe butters chemical composition parallels that of cocoa butter, and it has nearly the same triglyceride composition, but it is lighter and has a [slightly] higher melting point. This butter, which  is quite hard at room temperature,  melts quickly and easily when it comes in contact with the skin.  And, while it may be this high melting point that makes it a prized ingredient for soaping (as it creates a nice hard bar of soap), surely it is its skin benefiting properties that make it  prized for cosmetic applications.  

Illipe butter  is probably most renown for its skin softening quality, but it also has long-lasting moisturizing attributes. It  restores the skins elasticity, helps to reinforce its natural moisture barrier, reduces the degeneration of skin cells while restoring their flexibility and elasticity, and prevents drying which leads to the development of wrinkles. Illipe butter is used in a variety of sun protection and skin care products, as well as massage creams, soaps, balms, make-up foundations, and hair conditioners. It is beneficial for the treatment of numerous skin and hair disorders, especially chronically dry skin, mature skin, sunburn, sores, damaged skin, and mouth ulcers.

Illipe butter has a shelf life of two years, but it should be kept in a dark, cool location, away from moisture. You may use anywhere from 3 to 100% in your lip stick, lip and body balms, creams, lotions, hair conditioners, make-up foundations, and hard soap recipes. Try this exotic butter in your soap for not only a firm bar, but a highly moisturizing one. But for a real treat, use it directly on the skin, without any additives. You won't need much, because a very little goes a very long way!




*Reminder; references and bibliographies for informational posts are available by following the reference tab at the top of the page 

Recipes to Help You Manage the Summer

Summer is here and for many that means dealing with insects, insect bites, sunburns, and minor cuts and abrasions resulting from being outside a lot, enjoying the weather. So here are a variety of recipes to help you manage the inconveniences of being drawn to nature!

SUNBURN RELIEF

1 cup aloe vera gel 1 cup yogurt (plain) 1 cup vinegar (apple cider)

Mix all of these ingredients together in a jar and keep in the refrigerator. Shake well before using. Use on sunburned skin once an hour for the first three hours after a burn to provide relief. Make sure to keep away from eyes and nostrils.

AFTER SUNBURN OIL

10 drops lavender essential oil 5 drops chamomile essential oil (Roman) 2 drops geranium essential oil
2 oz apricot seed oil
2 ounces sweet almond oil

Mix all of the ingredients together and gently rub over sunburned skin. This is also very good to use when you want to replace moisture taken from sun exposure. Try adding one tablespoon of this mixture to your bath, for over all soothing, cooling and healing. This mixture will help to reduce peeling, but if you do peel, keep in mind that your body is ridding itself of damaged layer of skin and healing. This mixture will also help to stop the itching, which is often a sign of healing.



MINOR WOUND WASH

1/4 cup tea- tree tincture* 1 cup witch hazel

Mix together and place in a dark, glass or plastic bottle, one with a spray pump will be quite handy. Store in a cool, dark place and it will keep from eight to twelve months. This is a great recipe to always have handy for those times when you get a scrape or abrasion. As a matter of fact, I always packed this in our camping kit.

Wash minor cuts and abrasions first, then spray or dab this on. It may burn a bit, but better to suffer a tad now than get infected!

* A tincture is alcohol and herbs/flowers combined. The alcohol is used to pull the essential oil from the herb/flower and to suspend it there for later use. While you can make your own tincture with 90 proof vodka, fresh herbs/flowers and a few months of wait time, it is quite a bit simpler to purchase tea-tree tincture in your local health food store. If, however you'd like to give it a go, all you need to do is bruise about six tea-tree leaves and push them into a bottle of 3/4 cup of 90 proof vodka or other low smell, 90 proof alcohol. Shake the bottle vigorously, then place it in a cool, dark place. Once a week shake the bottle for about a minute. After two months, strain the liquid, throwing away the plant material and retaining the liquid. This tincture should remain good for about a year.

RASH RELIEF

This rash relief formula is quite easy. Just add the following ingredients to your favorite unscented, uncolored lotion.

1/2 tsp. chamomile tincture*

1/2 tsp evening primrose oil

4 drops stinging nettle tincture

Mix the tinctures and oil together, the mix with an equal amount of lotion. Rub mixture over the rash, leave on for one hour, then wash off with tepid water. Of course if the rash persists or if you run a temperature with the rash, you should see your physician.

*As noted in the previous recipe, you can purchase tinctures at your local health food store, or you can make your own, whichever you prefer.

MOSQUITO AWAY SPRAY

1/2 cup eucalyptus leaves
1 1/2 cups cedar wood shavings

3 cups rubbing alcohol

Mix ingredients together in a large bowl or jar. Cover and let stand 5 days. Strain the solid ingredients out and save the remaining liquid. Store tightly sealed. To use, pour into a small spray bottle and spray lightly on skin.

BUG BITE RELIEF

Here are three remedies for AFTER you are bitten by insects.

• When bitten by a mosquito or black fly, place one drop of lavender essential oil directly on the bite. But only use this directly on the skin if you know for certain that you do not have a sensitivity to lavender. If you do not know this, add 2 drops to one teaspoon of oil and, after mixing, rub a small amount of oil into your skin, at the inside of your elbow. If it itches or turns red, wash off with soap and water and do not use lavender again in any form. If it doesnt bother you, cover with a band aide and wait 24 hours. Then uncover and check skin. If there is not redness, swelling or irritation, then you are good to use the essential oil. *Know that some people still do not recommend the use of lavender directly on the skin, as sensitivities can build, change, and develop when you least expect them.  
• For multiple bites, take 1 cup of vinegar (apple cider) and mix with 10 drops of essential oil of lavender and 5 drops of essential oil of thyme. Blend well and add to a tub of tepid bath water. Pour mixture into the tub and swish to mix well before putting yourself or your child into the tub. Soak a washcloth or a sponge in the water and then use it to liberally wipe down the body areas affected by bites. Make sure to keep this water away from the eyes.
• Take 1/4 cup sweet oil and mix in 5 drops each of eucalyptus, thyme, chamomile, and oregano essential oils (you may substitute oregano extract if you'd prefer), This bug bite soother recipe will last about 6 months, so you can have a bottle on hand all summer long!

Mask and Peel Your Face to Beautiful Skin

So now that we've cleansed and the steamed the face, step three, the next step is to mask and peel. This is a necessary step to further remove residue deep within the pores of the skin. It also nourishes the skin as it replenishes essential vitamins and minerals. -----Quick Skin Tightening Mask----- Beat an egg white until it is frothy. Apply to the face. The mask will tighten as it dries. After five minutes, rinse off thoroughly, first with warm water, then with cool. Pat skin dry. -----Soothing Mask Peel----- Ingredients: 1 small cucumber, 2 oz green tea (steeped and strained), 2 oz chamomile tea (steeped and strained), 1 packet unflavored gelatin, 1 oz aloe vera gel In a blender puree a peeled and seeded cucumber, then run the puree through a sieve (you can use a coffee filter or cheesecloth if you don't have a sieve), reserve the juice. In a small sauce pan, combine the green tea, gelatin, and chamomile tea. Heat on low, stirring until completely dissolved. Remove from heat and pour contents into a glass bowl. Add the cucumber juice and aloe gel to this mixture, then place into the refrigerator until it starts to thicken, approx. 25 minutes. When it is ready, spread mixture over your neck and face with your fingers. Allow to dry for 20 minutes, then peel off the mask. Rinse with warm water then pat dry. You can use this mask every morning, or if you are suffering from a sunburned face, you can use it three times a day. This mask is especially good for irritated skin. The cucumber is cool and soothing, and a mild astringent. The chamomile and green tea help to alleviate puffiness. The aloe vera will help to heal sunburned skin and to maintain the moisture balance of the facial skin. -----Protein Mask----- Ingredients: 4 Tbs. chickpea flour, 1 ripe banana, 1 egg Peel and mash the banana. In a bowl, combine the flour and the banana. Blend into a paste. Beat the egg, then add to the flour banana mixture. Once combined, apply to your face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse well with warm water, and pat dry. Chickpea is a great skin-softening exfoliator. It stimulates circulation while rejuvenating the facial tissues. Bananas are rich in vitamin A and potassium. They are a natural emollient and help to reduce puffiness and redness. The egg tightens skin pores to leave your skin feeling fresh and revitalized. ----- Restorative Mask------ Ingredients: 4 large pineapple chunks or 1/2 cup canned, drained pineapple, 3 Tbs. cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil Put the pineapple and oil into the blender, blending until almost smooth. Apply the mixture to the face with your fingers. Leave on for 15 minutes, rinse with warm water and pat dry. Pineapple is a mild astringent and skin freshener. It contains bromelain, an enzyme which helps rid the skin of dirt and dead cells. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, and helps to counteract histamines. Olive oil is a good source of natural vitamin E and has excellent healing properties. It will help to restore the skin 's surface. -------Nourishing Mask ------ Ingredients: 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 carrot, 1 avocado, 3 Tbs. honey Cook and mash the carrot. Peel, pit and mash the avocado. Then combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well, then spread over face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water and pat dry. Carrots are high in anti-oxidant vitamins and beta-carotene. Heavy cream is high in calcium and protein. Avocados are a natural and rich source of vitamin E . When you add these all together you get a facial mask that, when used regularly, will improve skin texture, rebuild collagen and diminish age spots. ----- Cleansing Peel----- Ingredients: 1 packet unflavored gelatin, 3 Tbs. distilled water, 1 papaya Peel and seed the papaya, then place in the blender and blend thoroughly. Then strain it and save the liquid. Combine the gelatin and water in a small saucepan, and dissolve over a low heat. Once dissolved, put gelatin in a small bowl. Add the papaya juice and place in the refrigerator until the mixture begins to set, approx. 20 minutes. Spread the mixture over your face and neck and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse with a soft sponge or cloth dipped in warm water, then pat dry. The natural enzyme papain is found in the papaya. It effectively removes dead skin cells.

Recipes for problems

Sooth BEE STINGs with a simple home recipe. Mix 1/4 cup of baking powder with 3-4 drops of chamomile oil or extract. Then, run the powder through a sifter a few times. When mixed well, add enough water to make a paste. Stirring in a little at a time to ensure the proper consistency. When you have the paste made, apply to the affected area and toss out the left over, as there is no shelf life. With help for BUG BITES, mix 1/4 cup of sweet oil (sweet oil is the purest form of olive oil. Ask your pharmacist for it if you cannot find it), 5 drops of eucalyptus, oregano pure, and thyme essential oils (you may use oregano extract instead of EO if you want), and 6 drops of chamomile essential oil. Mix together well and store in a dark, glass bottle. It is best to keep in a cool, dark location also. There is a 5-6 month shelf life, so you can make a batch & use it all summer long! For SUNBURNS mix equal amounts of aloe vera gel, plain yogurt, and apple cider vinegar. Keep the mixture in the refrigerator and be sure to shake before you use. Apply once an hour for the first three hours, then as desired. This mixture will remain good for 1-2 weeks. For PROBLEM SPOTS on your FACE (pimples and acne), mix 1tsp. of tea-tree extract, 2 tsp. of witch hazel, and 1/4 tsp of wintergreen oil. Mix all together and shake well. You may store in a bottle for about 6 months. Dab a cotton ball into the solution and dab onto the problem area. This mixture has anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antiseptic and analgesic properties. **Again, the basic recipes are from the Good Earth Bath, Beauty and Health Book written by Casey Kellar. Now see how good this book is? It is definitely worth the money to purchase it!