Natural Body Guru

We’ve all come home from a long day at the office, or a just from a long day, and wished we could wash the day off. Unfortunately the effects of a tough day usually affect our inside more than our outside, so washing off the day will often involve more than just a simple shower. In order to escape from the pains of the day we need to indulge all of our senses and achieve maximum relaxation with as little effort as possible. Aromatherapy is a time-honored method of doing just that.

Because the portion of our brains that translate scent into experience are so close to the portion of our brains that deals with memory, scents can often trigger vivid memories and emotions. With the right scents we can even create a sense of stillness, safety and relaxation. Finding the right aromatherapy for you may start out as a challenge but once you find the perfect blend, or the perfect oil, all of your hard work will have paid off. There’s nothing like the relaxation and relief that aromatherapy can provide. Start with a good aromatherapy diffuser and an aroma you know you’ll love and you’ll thank me for it!

I have all kinds of cutting boards that I use in the kitchen but I like my wooden cutting boards the best. Did you know that all those nicks and scratches on your cutting boards can hoard germs? Yes, they can so you should clean them well but not with harmful chemicals like my mother used to do. All you need for this cleansing is a little salt and some citrus. You can use lemon or grapefruit peel or the essential oil from either fruit or you can use both the fruit and the essential oil.

If you are using the fruit, cut it in half and remove the inside. Pour a small handful of salt on the cutting board and use the fruit peel to rub it into the cutting board. Clean both sides of the cutting board in this manner and then rinse well with hot water. You can use any kind of salt but the chunkier it is, the better it works for me.

If you are using the essential oil approach, pour a small handful of salt on the cutting board and add three drops of lemon or grapefruit essential oil. Use an abrasive sponge to rub in the salt and essential oil. Turn the board over and add more salt and 3 more drops of essential oil to the other side and do the same thing and then rinse your board with hot water. If you live in Florida like Andrea Butje, you may want to use both essential oil and the fruit, just work the salt and essential oils in with the fruit. Voila! Your cutting board is now germ free and ready for use.

All week we’ve talked about natural skin care, but today we’re going to talk about a different kind of natural cleanser. This cleanser is for your home, not your skin (although it will treat your skin well when you use it in you home.) To make this amazing natural cleanser, combine the following ingredient in a 10 ounce container:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 3 tablespoons castile soap
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 15 drops Siberian fir
• 15 drops lemon
• 10 drops cinnamon

Combine the baking soda, castile soap and white vinegar in the 10 ounce container  until you it forms a paste. Add the essential oils to the mix. Use this formula on any surface in your home that needs cleaning.

If you are concerned about using natural skin care products, you should use body oils instead of  perfume or cologne. Traditional designer brand perfumes are comprised of concentrated oils and 75% to 85% alcohol, ethanol and or water. When you purchase perfume or cologne, you  are paying a high price for the brand name, the advertising campaigns, the “cosmetics gifts” you receive for purchasing a certain dollar amount, the alcohol used, and the beautiful fancy packaging.

The alcohol and ethanol used make your perfume smell much stronger than it is but it fades within a few hours. As your perfume (or the alcohol in it) evaporates, it not only takes your fragrance but your natural body oils with it, drying your skin as it goes.  Body oils are pure, concentrated perfume oils in a cosmetic grade vegetable oil. They evaporate naturally giving your skin a softer, smoother feeling – plus they contain no alcohol, ethanol or water so many people who are allergic to perfumes and colognes can wear body oils with no problems.

There are a number of essential oils that combat bacteria and viruses but not many oils are also effective anti-fungals. Tea tree oil helps to control fungal infections by reducing the rate at which the fungus reproduces. It is often used as an alternative medical remedy to treat fungal infections like athlete’s foot.

With plants being living organisms, it makes sense that tea tree oil can treat their fungal infections too. By just diluting 4 or 5 drops in a spray bottle of water you can treat plant fungus and mold. This treatment will also rid the plant of a variety of insects which makes tea tree oil an excellent ally for your garden.

My great grandmother told me to eat my carrots because they would help me have great eyesight. This may be an old wives tale but it is true that the beta carotene which gives carrots their orange color has been shown in studies to help protect the eye, particularly the cornea, and to be useful in the prevention or slowing down of cataract formation and age-related macular degeneration.

Carrot oil is also an abundant source of carotenoids or antioxidants which  are important for fighting the effects of harmful oxidants, or free radicals in the body. Free radicals can attack and destroy healthy tissue, causing many health problems, one of which is cancer. Because of the antioxidants it contains, carrot oil can reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer and it is often used in sun tan oils to prevent over exposure to UV radiation from the sun.

Aromatherapy is a kind of alternative medicine that makes use of essential oils and other aromatics extracted from plant materials in order to affect the person’s health or mood. Aromatherapy is also widely used for its soothing effect to the body. Thus, those who need to improve their mood and calm their stressed muscles—preferably after a stressful time or work—best consider the use of aromatherapy. For some, it is also used to add a sweet fragrance to their homes.

You can actually make your own aromatherapy recipes using different aromatherapy supplies such as essential oils, aromatherapy diffusers, massage oils, and lotions. Just make sure that all the supplies and raw ingredients you will use are of top quality for best efficacy. If you are after spreading the scent of the aromatic ingredients, you can place them in hot baths to release the scent and let them linger in every corner of your place.

A simple regimen that only takes 10 minutes a day to complete can give you brighter skin almost instantly. The only supplies you need are warm water, cleanser, facial scrub, toner, cotton swabs, moisturizer, and a towel. Chances are you already have the vast majority of these supplies in your medicine cabinet and linen closet.

Start by rinsing your face with warm water, or steam, to open up your pores. Next, squeeze out some gentle facial cleanser onto your fingertips, rub together, and then massage into your skin. Twice a week use a facial scrub to remove dead skin cells. Rinse your face with lukewarm water, pat dry, and then apply a facial toner to tighten skin pores. When the toner has dried, apply moisturizer to your face, eyelids, and neck. The whole process should only take 10 minutes and will leave you with clean, healthy, glowing skin.

The health benefits of lavender essential oil are so numerous that I am continuing yesterday’s blog today. More uses for this important essential oil are:

• Respiratory ailments-lavender oil is used for respiratory problems including throat infections, flu, cough, cold, asthma, sinus congestion, bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. The best way to use the oil in this case is through the direct inhalation or aerial diffusion method.
• Skin care-lavender essential oil, because of  its antiseptic and antifungal properties is used to treat skin disorders such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and other inflammations. It also heals wounds, cuts, burns, and sunburns rapidly because it speeds the formation of scar tissue. A blend of lavender and chamomile essential oil is used to treat eczema.
• Hair care-lavender essential oil is useful for the hair because it is very effective on lice, lice eggs, or nits.
• Blood circulation–lavender oil is also good for improving blood circulation, lowering blood pressure and treating hypertension.
• Digestion-lavender oil is useful for digestion because it stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile thereby aiding in the treatment of indigestion, stomach pain, colic, flatulence, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Immunity-regular use of lavender essential oil through massage, inhalation therapy, or aerial diffusion provides resistance to diseases.
• Insect repellent-lavender oil is an effective way to repel mosquitoes and moths.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women and diabetics should avoid using lavender  essential oil. People with sensitive skin may develop an allergic reaction.

Lavender essential oil is the most basic oil to have in your home because of its various health benefits. It is a natural antibiotic, antiseptic, antidepressant, sedative, and detoxifier. Lavender oil promotes healing, prevents scarring, stimulates the immune system, and factors in the healing process by stimulating the cells of an injury to rejuvenate more quickly.

The health benefits of lavender essential oil include:

• Nervous system-its calming scent is a tonic for the nerves making it a great remedy for migraines, headaches, anxiety, depression, nervous tension and emotional stress. Its clean aroma removes  exhaustion and restlessness and increases mental activity.
• Sleep-it induces sleep making it an inexpensive natural cure for insomnia.
• Pain relief-it is a great natural remedy for pains caused by tense or sore muscles, muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains, and backache. A regular massage with lavender oil provides relief from pain in the joints.
• Urine flow-it is good for urinary disorders because it stimulates urine production,  helps restore hormonal balance, reduces cystitis or inflammation of the urinary bladder, and reduces associated cramps.

Lavender has so many healthful benefits that I will continue this blog tomorrow.