Ecsema Fighting Lotion

How to Make an Easy Winter Hand Salve (aka Eczema Fighting Lotion)

How to Make Homemade Hand Salve (aka Eczema Fighting Lotion)

2 oz Shea Butter

.45 oz Avocado Oil

4 Vitamin E tablets (or .025 oz)

All three ingredients help with eczema.

First,  measure out the shea butter and avocado oil on digital scale then put them in my trusty Pyrex measuring cup. Put that into a pot of simmering water and let them melt together. When they were completely melted and mixed, took them off the heat and add the Vitamin E, then I let it all cool to room temperature.

The next step is to whip it up into a meringue like consistency. Do this by putting the soon-to-be-lotion into a bigger bowl and setting that bowl into a bowl filled with ice water and blending it with a stick blender. It must be cool to be able to whip up correctly. Then finished it off with a hand whip until it looked like meringue.

Put that into an old lotion container and I store it in the fridge. When needed, I pull it out and scrape off a bit with the back of your fingernail. It almost immediately melts with the heat of  hand and it’s so easy to spread on. Put this on about 2-3 times a day. This recipe is indeed fussier. 

Do you or your kids have ezcema? What have you done to help fight it off?

Source: http://asonomagarden.wordpress.com/2010/11/29/how-to-make-an-easy-winter-hand-salve-aka-eczema-fighting-lotion/

The Wonders of Ginger....

USING FRESH GINGER IN A RECIPE FOR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS!

Fighting Off Colds and Flu 

Wheezing, coughing, and a runny and clogged nose are common respiratory symptoms
during the winter months. Ginger can help ease these symptoms by acting as a decongestant to release phlegm. Ginger is also effective in helping to relieve asthma symptoms. The volatile oils and vitamins in ginger provide antiviral properties that help in the prevention and fast recovery from colds, sore throat, sinusitis and flu.

The University of Maryland Medical Center states that to treat cold and flu symptoms in adults, steep 2 tbsp. of freshly shredded or chopped ginger root in hot water, and drink two to three times a day.

• Combating Stomach Discomfort

Gingers healing properties come from it’s volatile oils (gingerols and shogaols), which are also responsible for it’s pungent taste. The oils cause more digestive enzymes to be produced which helps with the whole digestion process and neutralizes the acids that can cause nausea, cramps and even diarrhea. It also improves food absorption which helps prevent/relieve stomach aches and eliminates bloating due to excessive gas.

• Relieving Cramps, Morning Sickness and Motion Sickness

Ginger has demonstrated a success rate of 75 percent in curing morning sickness and stomach flu. It also relieves migraines and dizziness, and drinking ginger tea can relieve menstrual cramps. If you are a woman suffering from menstrual cramps, try placing a hot towel drenched in ginger tea over the pelvic area to relieve pain and relax the muscles. Drinking a cup of ginger tea can also provide a soothing effect.

To keep from being nauseous during a trip, drink a cup of ginger tea before setting off on your travels.

• Reducing Pain and Inflammation

Ginger is an extremely potent analgesic, acting as an all-natural painkiller without the harmful side effects. It also contains potent anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger tea can ease inflammation of the joints, which is commonly referred to as rheumatoid arthritis. It is also effective in alleviating tired, sore muscles and joints.

A warm ginger tea soak can lessen swelling and puffiness, or rubbing ginger oil on an affected area can help reduce pain. Intake of ginger twice daily has been shown to improve the pain and swelling of the joints in arthritic patients and improves their range of motion.

• Maintaining Normal Blood Circulation

Ginger contains chromium, magnesium and zinc which help to improve blood flow. Consuming a cup of ginger tea can help improve blood flow, as well as help prevent chills, fever and excessive sweating. The active components of ginger, such as minerals and amino acids, help make the blood flow smoothly, and may help prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease.

• Strengthening The Immune System

Packed with antioxidants, ginger can help improve the immune system. Consuming a little bit ginger a day can help foil potential risk of a stroke by inhibiting fatty deposits from the arteries. It also decreases bacterial infections in the stomach, and helps battle a bad cough and throat irritation.

• Relieving Stress and Coping with Depression

Ginger contains a potent antioxidant called gingerol, which helps cleanse the harmful chemicals our bodies produce when we’re worried, helping relieve psychological stress. Ginger also stimulates the production of stomach acid, crucial to digestion, which can break down when we’re stressed. That’s explains how stress can lead to an upset stomach! Hot water with a slice of lemon and chopped ginger is an excellent way to stimulate digestion.

Ginger tea is a remarkable stress reliever because of its comforting and relaxing scent. Simply taking a whiff of ginger tea may be all you need to help improve your mood. Also, some compounds present in ginger have the capacity to bind to human serotonin receptors, helping in the treatment and reduction of depression and anxiety.

• Treating Bad Breath

Gargling with ginger and lemon juice is a very good natural remedy for halitosis or bad breath. Add a teaspoon lemon juice and a teaspoon ginger juice to a glass of warm water and gargle with it once or twice a day.

• Healing Hypopigmentation Scars (White Scars)

Hypopigmented scars, or skin that has lost its’ pigmentation, can often be remedied with ginger. Just cut a fresh slice of ginger root and rub the juice over the skin two or three times a day. Cut a fresh slice each time you do it, and don’t rub the skin too hard. Ginger triggers the melanocytes that are not working under the skin, to react and mimic their neighboring cells. Hypogimented scars will appear to shrink and then blend between 4 to 12 weeks use.

 

• Fighting Cancer

A study at the University of Minnesota found that ginger may slow the growth of colorectal cancer cells. Ginger powder has also been proven to induce cell death in ovarian cancer cells.

Now that you know all that ginger can do…

here’s how to make ginger tea:

• Clean the root under cold running water, slice into roughly 1/8 to 1/4 inch ovals.
• Add to boiling water, and simmer for about 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours (depending on desired strength). Use about 2 to 3 ounces of ginger to half gallon of water.
• You can add a quartered lemon about ten to fifteen minutes before end of cooking if desired. Serve hot.
• Other options: Add honey or cinnamon. Both add to the taste and flavor of the ginger tea…and both have their own very beneficial health benefits. Honey is an excellent medium for transmitting the benefits of herbs such as ginger to the body, and cinnamon has a lot of the same properties as ginger, including relieving common digestive annoyances.

Source: 

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/11/using-fresh-ginger-in-a-recipe-for-health-and-happiness.html

Rosemary & Lavender Calming Spray

Miracle Solution:

Keep it handy should the need arise.

Rosemary & Lavender Calming Spray

-2 ounces water
-20 drops rosemary essential oils
-20 drops lavender essential oils

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a 2 ounce mister/spray bottle. Spray whenever necessary for calming effect. Shelf stable, no need to refrigerate, and will last indefinitely.

Tips:

-Rosemary has a revitalizing effect (relieving headaches and tension) and lavender is proven to reduce stress and anxiety.

-Keep a bottle in the car at all times. Spraying whenever the tensions rise. It’s especially useful on errand days. The results are literally amazing! There is immediate sense of calm.

- Leave a bottle in masters and children's bedroom. It’s perfect for use at any time!

Source: http://frugallysustainable.com/2011/11/holiday-travel-solutions-rosemary/

Soothe your dry skin with these natural tips and treatments

6 Natural Cures for Dry Skin

Soothe your dry winter skin with these all natural tips and treatments.

BY AMY WAHLBERG

#1: Dab on olive oil. When it comes to strategies for natural dry skin care, Gabriel swears by olive oil, an amazing multitasker. It instantly grooms dry cuticles, works wonders on hands and elbows, removes makeup, and soothes and conditions itchy, dry skin all over the body. ”When your skin feels extra parched, you can dab a thin layer of organic extra-virgin olive oil under your moisturizer for an extra dose of antioxidants and good fatty acids,” adds Gabri Olive Oil

#2: Try natural exfoliants like yogurt, papaya, and pumpkin.

You can find plenty of options for natural dry skin care in your kitchen, or in the produce and diary aisles of your supermarket. Yogurt, especially the plain Greek variety, makes an excellent cleanser with a mild exfoliating action that will remove dry skin and leave you feeling refreshed and comfortable. Gabriel says it’s a particularly safe exfoliant for very dry skin because it exfoliates using lactic acid, not scrubbing granules.

To add some oomph, try making Pecnikov’s Greek Yogurt and Papaya Enzyme Conditioning Mask for Face & Décolleté: Mix ½ cup of Greek yogurt with 3 tablespoons of mashed-up papaya, and apply to skin. Pumpkin enzymes are at play in her Pumpkin & Cinnamon Mask for Face and Body: mix one can of pumpkin and a ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Leave either mask on face or body for 5 to 15 minutes. Or treat your extremities to her Three Berry Antioxidant Hand and Foot Mask: Mix 3/4 cup each of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries with ½ cup kefir in blender. Drink any leftovers! Pumpkin

#3: Make a homemade skin scrub. Economical and effective, a combo of sugar and any oil you may have around the kitchen makes a rich, nourishing body scrub for dry skin, according to Gabriel. Simply mix equal amounts of fine brown sugar and oil, and rub on using light circular motions. For an extra dose of vitamins and minerals, add a tablespoon of honey. Pecnikov adds lemon juice to her recipe. Make sure to shower thoroughly afterwards! Homemade facial scrub

#4: Harvest the healing power of honey.  Honey is a time-tested cure for chapped, cracked lips, according to Gabriel. Apply a little organic honey in the evening and wake up to smooth, yummy lips. This trick also works to soothe cracked heels and rough elbows. Read More:Most Store-Bought Honey Isn't Honey At All, Tests Show Honey

#5: Try natural remediesfor dry hair. For dry hair, mix one egg yolk and a tablespoon of liquid castile soap to shampoo your hair and condition your itchy scalp. Egg yolks, when massaged into the hair and left to work for 5 to 6 minutes, may strengthen the scalp, and some believe it prevents hair loss, says Gabriel. Or try Pecnikov’s Hydrating Mask for Dry Overworked Hair: Mix 1 avocado with 2 tablespoons each of lightly heated grapeseed and olive oil. Massage into hair, and put plastic shower cap on head to retain heat and moisture. Leave on hair for 15 minutes. Double the ingredients for longer hair. Grapeseed oil

#6: And don’t forget to treat your skin from the inside out. “A diet rich in magnesium, essential fatty acids, vitamin C, and beta-carotene naturally feeds your skin from inside and makes it less prone to dryness," says Gabriel. She recommends feeding your skin with a meal plan that includes dark chocolate, salmon and other fatty fish, oranges, mango, and carrots.

Homemade Coconut Milk Shampoo.....

Do it yourself, easy to do, economical, effective and 

no chemicals added. 

Try it.

So here is my version of

Homemade Coconut Milk Shampoo:

1/4 cup coconut milk 

1/3 cup liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)

1 tsp vitamin E, olive or almond oil

10 to 20 drops your choice of essential oils (I used lavender) 

Combine all ingredients in a shampoo bottle or jar and shake well to mix. You can keep
it in the shower for up to one month….....just shake before use.

Use about a teaspoon every time you shampoo. (I used a little more, but my hair is pretty
long right  now!).

I loved pretty much everything about this shampoo. It smelled good…it lathered up nicely (which
I feel strongly about)…and after washing, rinsing and drying…my hair felt soft and smooth.

Ways to get rid of dark circles and more

DIY: 7 ways to get rid of dark circles/ANY type of scar/Stretch Marks.

These 7 ways I am sharing, are the MOST EFFECTIVE ways that makes those ridiculous scars disappear, no matter what type they are (acne scars, tissue scars etc). Make sure you are NOT allergic to any of the ingredients I am going to mention.

1st Solution: (For dark circles and scars) You Need:

1/2 tsp Turmeric
1 tsp yogurt (at least 10% fat)
4-5 drops Lemon Juice

Directions:

You can find turmeric powder in any Asian/Indian stores. Mix the ingredients together in a
small container and Apply it on the scar. Leave it on for as long as you can but at least 
more than 10 mins. It won't show results only in one go. Repeat the steps everyday until 
the scar is completely gone. Usually it takes around 2 weeks.

2nd Solution: (For Dark circles, scars and stretch marks) You Need:

Aloe Vera Gel

Directions: 

You can find this gel at any drugs stores/pharmacies. Take some gel (depends on the size
of the scar) and rub it on the scar in Circular Motions until your skin absorbs it.

3rd Solution: (For scars and stretch marks) You Need:

1 tbsp Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 tsp turmeric powder/ gram flour

Directions:

Mix them well and apply it on the scar. Leave it as long as you can. You can also rub
ONLY olive oil and leave it on the scar overnight. It will be more effective.

4th Solution: (For scars only) You Need:

A slice of lemon

Directions:

Just rub it on the scar in circular motions. Do not rinse it off. Leave it over night and rinse 
it in the morning. Or leave it as long as possible.

5th Solution: (For dark circles, scars and stretch marks) You Need:

Cocoa Butter

Directions:

You can find this at any drugstores/pharmacies. They are pretty cheap. For dark circles, just 
dab it on the skin under eyes. For scars and stretch marks, rub it in circular motions until they disappear. Usually takes 2 weeks.

6th Solution (For scars and stretch marks) You Need:

Bio-Oil

Directions: 

You can find these at any drugstores/pharmacies. Apply it as directed on the bottle. These
are effective on very old scars.

7th Solution: (For Built up tissue scars, acne scars and stretch marks) You Need:
Silicone Scar sheets
OR
Cica care Gel Sheet

Directions:

These are a little pricey but VERY effective. Buy them from drugstores/pharmacies. Apply it as directed on the pack. These also work on those tissue scars which are built up from stitches or any wounds. Works excellent on stretch marks too.

I hope it works on you all. Take care.