Make It Yourself Monday- Recipes for the Face

Creamy Face Wash Recipe


16 oz liquid Castile soap
4 oz of your a plain facial moisturizer (unscented)
16 drops bergamot essential oil
8 drops tea tree essential oil


Combine all of the above ingredients in a glass bowl and use a stick blender to mix it well. After its mixed, you can put it into a bottle and add a pump. This mixture is great for clearing up blemishes without drying your skin, and you do not need to use much of it to get the job done. In fact, using too much liquid will make it difficult to get your face rinsed quickly.




 Acne Steam  


This is an herbal water steam that is good for blemish-prone skin.
You will need; 


1/2 cup Calendula petals
3 drops Lavender essential oil
2 drops Bergamot essential oil
1 drop Tea Tree essential oil
2 tsp. raw honey
 a small amount of Jojoba oil


Boil 8 cups water, then stir in the 1/2 cup of calendula petals. Cover the pot and allow it to steep for 10 minutes, then add the essential oils and the honey. Mix well and then pour the herbal water into a large ceramic bowl. Sit down and put your face over bowl, draping your head with a bath towel.  Make sure to keep your eyes closed, and allow the steam to moisten your face until the water has completely cooled. Then pat your face dry and finish the treatment by massaging a small amount of Jojoba oil into your skin.






Exfoliating Facial 


3 oz. sweet almond oil 
4 oz. Almond meal
2 oz. Cider vinegar 
2 oz. Distilled Water 
6 drops Geranium Essential Oil (norm skin) OR 
Lavender (for oily or sensitive skin) 




Mix all of the ingredients together, blending until it is paste-like. This may take about 2 minutes, so don't loose heart. Once mixed, rub in a circular manner all over your face and neck. Exert a small amount of pressure, but be careful to not abrade the skin. Once applied, rinse off with tepid water, pat dry, and moisturize as normal.

Teaching Tuesdays - Steaming for Your Health

As you probably are aware, there are several different ways to reap the therapeutic benefits of essential oils. If you want more information about these various methods you can read this old post.
One fast, simple, inexpensive, yet effective, method is to inhale them, and this is what I want to focus on today. Inhalation can be accomplished in a few different ways. Perhaps the easiest way is to simply place five drops of your oil choice(s) on a tissue or a cotton ball, then sniff for five minutes. Of course you can always diffuse oil(s) in a burner or a light ring, but this will disperse scent throughout a room, and is perhapse better suited for mood altering treatments rather than acute treatments. Another inhalation method is steam. Steam can be used for both the aromatherapy benefits and/or skin care treatments. For acute issues, such as headaches or cough and congestion due to colds, steam is an excellent delivery system [for the therapeutic benefits of the essential oils]. The oils are carried deeply and immediately into the lungs, as well as being absorbed through the skin pores. As part of routine skin care, steam should be used once a week because it deep cleans the face. It opens the skins' pores, extracts impurities, and increases the blood circulation to facial capillaries. There are several combinations of essential oils to benefit various types of skin issues, and skin types. See this old post for some recipes and suggestions. For today however, I want to concentrate on acute issues that can be relieved by utilizing the steam method of inhalation.

To begin with, let's understand how to prepare, and then how to use a steam. Take one gallon of spring or distilled water and place it in a pan, heat until it is almost brought to a boil. Set out a glass bowl large enough to hold the water. While your water is heating, prepare your oil blend in a small glass dish/cup. Do not use metal as it may cause an unwated chemical reaction. Know that heat breaks down some essential oils, therefore you may need to allow the water to cool slightly before you mix in those oils,in order to maintain their full therapeutic value. Once the water is properly heated and the recipe prepared, carefully pour into your glass bowl. You will then need to place a towel over your head and lean your face over the bowl, keeping about 12 inches away from the water. Relax as you breath in the vapors and your skin absorbs the steam. Make sure that you exercise extreme caution so that you don't scald your skin. When you first breath in, if the inside of your nose feels like it is burning, uncover and wait a few minutes for the water to cool down before you try again.

Now that you are all prepared, I have listed some essential oils to help you get you started. These lists are by no means all inclusive, they are not even all that I have categorized in my personal notebook. But, since there are over 300 known essential oils, I had to pare it down!  Just be sure to use only therapeutic grade essential oils. While you can blend several oils together, you will want to keep the total drops to about 8-10 per gallon of water. Until you get comfortable with mixing essential oils, I suggest that you use equal parts of the oils that you select. The combinations are endless, so use what smells good to you, and learn what works best for you. 

ESSENTIAL OILS

For Headache Relief                                                                

Lavender                                                                                   

Blue Chamomile                                                                        

Eucalyptus                                                                                 

Grapefruit                                                                                  

Jasmine                                                                                     

Marjoram                                                                                   

Peppermint                                                                                  

Rosewood                                                                                   

Red Thyme                                                                                 

Rosemary     

  For Cough Relief  

All Spice

Rosemary

Eucalyptus  

Tea Tree

 Red Thyme

Sandalwood  

Black Pepper                                                                        

Angelica Root

Jasmine

Rosewood

                                             For Migraine Headache Relief                                             

    Angelica Root                                                                               

     Basil                                                                                                 

     Clary Sage                                                                                   

     Citronella                                                                                        

     Peppermint                                                                                   

     Valerian                                                                                          

For Sinus Headache Relief

 Lavender

 Eucalyptus   

 Spearmint 

 Peppermint 

 Rosemary 

 Cardamom

 Bronchitis Relief

  Cedarwood

  Angelica Root

  Cypress

  Myrr

  Hyssop

  Frankincense

  Lemon

  Lime

  Rosemary

  All Spice

                           Eucalyptus  *Not for children* 

                                                                                      

      For Congestion associated w/ colds and flus                                   

Marjoram

Ginger

Grapefruit                                                                      

Patchouli

Tea Tree

Asthma Relief

Clove

Cypress                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Eucalyptus                                                                

Fennel

Frankincense

Myrtle

Myrrh

Hyssop

Pine                                                                        

Rose                                                                                                                                                                     Tea Tree                                                                           

Red Thyme                                              

For Sinusitis Relief

Cajeput

Camphor

Tea Tree

Red Thyme

 * Clary Sage- for Whooping Cough  

 *Cedarwood is good for respiratory infections                                                                                                                                               

**Please read this page for an important disclaimer and warnings related to essential oils**                                                         

*Essential oils have several indications, and can accomplish multiple outcomes. While I have narrowed the lists to only address these few acute ailments, each oil fits onto several lists, in several categories. For instance,  Eucalyptus is an antiseptic, antiviral, deodorant, and has insecticidal properties. It also fights mental fatigue. Tea Tree works well for sinus relief, sore throats, and chest-colds, and is an excellent inhalant for asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions, yet it also works well as a topical antiseptic for skin injuries, and in rubs for arthritis. Lemon Grass has invigorating and antiseptic properties, is an  anti-depressant, and tones and fortifies the nervous system. In a bath it is used for soothing muscular nerves and pains. And, while Ginger rids the body of flu-type symptoms and respiratory ailments, it is also a good stimulant and cleanser. So, as you can see, the blending of oils can be quite intricate.  Even a simple, one or two ingredient steam can offer you several benefits.
                 

To illustrate my point, consider the Rosemary Peppermint Facial Steam. It is used as a facial steam to                                     open the skins' pores and extract impurities. In fact, it is highly recommended for skin with acne problems.  However, this steam will also clear the sinuses, alleviate headaches,  and reduce bronchitis, cold and flu symptoms. It also helps relieve muscle spasms. So, if you happen to have a cold or headache, using this steam for your weekly skin care treatment, will make you feel better and cleanse your skin at the same time. Many birds, one stone!  If you want to make this recipe, simply add 4 drops of peppermint and 4 drops of rosemary essential oils to the water, but make sure that you allow the water to cool slightly before doing so. Steam for 10 minutes before patting the skin dry.

The Home Spa Treatment

The long, hot summer is behind us, leaving the long, hard, cold, winter before us. To help make it through, try some of these spa-like recipes in the privacy of your home!!You could even invite friends over and make an entire home spa day!

SALON-TYPE HOT WAX HERBAL TREATMENT

1 cup beeswax (either grated or block)

10 Tbs. sweet almond oil

8 Tbs. virgin olive oil

5 drops lavender essential oil

3 drops chamomile essential oil

*For stiff, sore hands/feet, instead of the lavender and chamomile, add

5 drops wintergreen, 3 drops peppermint, and 2 drops of camphor essential oils

In order to keep a steady, even heat, this formula is best done in a crockpot. The wax should be cool enough to use when it forms a crust over the top. Use extreme caution when dipping your hand or foot into the wax. Hot wax will burn! If the crock pot is not large enough for you to fit your hand/foot into, pour the wax treatment into a pan that is deep enough and wide enough for them to fit and use it immediately.

Melt the beeswax in the crock pot on low heat (using medium or high heat can cause a fire!) Once melted, add all of the oils and stir well. Make sure that the wax is not too hot to use by inserting a candy thermometer to test it. 91 to 98 degrees works well. Dip one had/foot in the mixture at a time, then sit back and relax as it dries. Allow the wax to set up, 7-10 minutes is the average time, then peel of the wax. Save the peeled off wax, as you can remelt and reuse it several times. The formula should remain good for about a year, but if it gets too dry or looses its aroma, simply add a little more oil. Store the wax in a container out of direct sunlight.

SPA-TYPE AROMATHERAPY FACIAL STEAM

Steaming is a simple concept that produces a great effect on your skin and your mood. Simply put some water in a pan, bring it to a boil, drop in the proper essential oils and turn down the heat to low. Drape a towel over your head to direct the steam to your face and bend over the steam. There will be enough steam for your face for about 2-3 minutes. Once done, pat the skin dry and moisturize.

Steaming allows you to get the benefit of the essential oils on your skin and in your lungs, while the heat opens the pores and sweats the impurities out of them. Wash your face and neck prior to steaming so that you will work the true grime from the skin, not surface dirt.

For relaxation, peace of mind, cleansing and toning of skin,

use 2 drops each of the following essential oils. Bergamot, Clary Sage, Geranium and Lavender.

Don't forget about you hair when doing your in home spa day! Here is a spa-quality hot oil treatment that is wonderful for dry hair (do NOT use if you have oily hair), and a Herbal Conditioning Pack that is good for all hair types (when used once a month).

SPA-TYPE HERBAL HOT OIL TREATMENT

1/4 cup virgin olive oil

1 vitamin E capsule 400U or more (pierce and squeeze the contents into the mix)

1 Tbs. coconut oil

1 Tbs jojoba oil

3 drops lavender essential oil

1 drop rosemary essential oil (may substitute cedarwood EO if prefered)

Mix all together, then rub into clean, towel-dried hair. Leave on for 5 to 10 minutes, then wash out.

Stored in a bottle, this mixture will stay good for 2-3 months.

The following Herbal Conditioning Pack is full of deep conditioners and is great for all hair types when used once a month . It is alike a mud pack without the mud!

SALON-TYPE HERBAL PROTEIN CONDITIONING PACK

1 tbs. coconut oil

1/8 cup sweet almond oil

1/8 cup aloe vera gel

3 Tbs. gelatin mix (mix 1Tbs. unflavored gelatin in 2 1/2 Tbs. of cold water. Stir. Put in microwave to heat water to boiling, then stir again)

2 drops geranium essential oil

3 drops rosemary essential oil (may substitute bay EO if desired)

Mix all together and stir well. After shampooing, put mixture on towel-dried hair. Leave in for 5-10 minutes, then wash out. This mixture does not have a shelf life, so use it as soon as it is made.