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What is paradise, but a garden, an orchard of trees and herbs, full of pleasure and nothing there but delights.

Chemical Free Home & Beauty Products

9/7/2015

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What's in your daily beauty essentials kit? If you're like the average consumer, the answer unfortunately is - lots of chemicals and endocrine disruptors 😕 not to fear, there are plenty of high quality natural beauty products on the market due to demand, thankfully. Soaps, deodorants, face wash, moisturizer, oils and shampoos can have really scary chemicals in them that are not meant to be in the human body. Our skin is our largest organ and we absorb a tremendous amount through the skin, more than we may realize. So, it is super important to use products without harsh chemicals such as parabens, heavy metals, synthetic fragrances & colors, GMOs, BHA, BHT, phthalates, formaldehyde, PEG compounds, petroleum, siloxanes, sodium laurel sulfate & triclosan to name a few. 

The absolute best way to go is making your own beauty products at home, but if you're like most people, you may find it hard to make time to do so. In that case, I'm sharing here a few of my favorites (pictured above):

AFRICAN BLACK SOAP - Shea butter all-in-one soap great as body wash & shampoo. 
DEAD SEA MINERAL MUD - Aspen Key Naturals makes a great soap bar which I love to use for face wash. Lunaroma coffee Dead Sea mud is a fabulous face mask for pulling toxins from the skin. 
WITCH HAZEL - Thayer's organic witch hazel with aloe is a great toner. 
TINTED MOISTURIZER - Physicians Formula Organic wear
VITAMIN E OIL - Jason skin oil is fresh, calming and nourishing for the skin. I use it on my face everyday. 
DEODORANT - Tom's of Maine aluminum free. Avoid "antiperspirants" as they contain aluminum typically which is why they block sweat by blocking sweat glass and swell around the hair follicles. Natural deodorant works just fine. Who wants aluminum near their mammary glands? Not this girl! I also have a recipe to make homemade deodorant and it's really easy. You can find more about making homemade deodorant on my previous blog post. 
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I would say that our mouth is pretty important, wouldn't you? Most of the toothpastes on the market today are loaded with fillers, chemicals and sometimes even gluten (I have no idea how this happens). However, there are many great natural and organic toothpastes available. Again, one can make their own toothpaste at home, but if you are in the market to pick up a new toothpaste, I can highly recommend this one made by Himalaya Botanique - Neem & Pomegranate. This toothpaste is Fluoride FREE, Saccharin FREE, Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) FREE - the ingredients are specially formulated to bring you a positive teeth brushing experience :) 
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Lots of people these days use dishwashers in the West. However, there are still plenty of us that hand wash our dishes and for that, my suggestion is to find a natural, chemical-free dish detergent that will clean your dishes while also allowing you to be a responsible inhabitant of the planet by not putting a bunch of junk down the drain and into the water ways. I really like this Green Tea & Lime dish soap made by PURACY which is all natural, non-toxic and PLANT-based.  I often hear people say that "natural" soaps won't cut grease well enough. Well, I beg to differ. The soap can be used on several different surfaces, not just dishes and contains NO Triclosan, paragons, phosphates, SLS, SLES, MEA, DEA, TEA, petrochemicals, animal by-products, dyes or caustics - So, it doesn't dry out your skin like some dish detergents do. It is also nice that it is made in Austin, Texas by an earth and community conscious company. For every sale, PURACY donates all natural products to local families and kids that are less fortunate.
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Homemade organic deodorant

11/30/2014

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Well, it finally happened....I made my own deodorant. As you probably already know, most antiperspirants/deodorants contain some pretty harsh stuff, such as: aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex and many other fun names which are difficult to pronounce. To put it simple, you don't want those ingredients in your armpit, being that many lymph nodes and glands are there and nearby, which means it goes directly into your body, as most things do through the bodies' largest organ: the skin. Some of the common chemicals used in your average deodorant are actually known carcinogens and now, thankfully, there are many studies coming out providing us as the consumer, with valuable information on what to avoid. Even if you have already been using a 'natural' deodorant, you may be tired of the hefty price tag, like myself and so I decided to make my own. This DIY recipe is easy and was inspired by my friend, Brandy Lynn on her blog: amindfulmantra.com 


To make you need: 1 empty deodorant container or small jar, 1/4 c (melted) coconut oil, 1 Tbsp baking soda, 1/8 c cornstarch, 1/8 c arrowroot powder, 3 drops each of the following essential oils: lavender and sandalwood. You can omit the essential oils or add ones you like. Also, place in refrigerator for a few mins to set and then you're good to go! If you live in a hot climate or keep your house very warm you may want to keep it in the refrigerator to avoid melting.
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The Power of Essential Oils

3/6/2014

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Written by Timothy Miller ND

Essential oils and aromatic plants are far from a new thing! The use of aromatic plants can be dated back to ancient times with the Egyptian civilization. Their use began almost exclusively as part of religious and cultural traditions. However, in the advent of the 20th century, the use of aromatic plants and their extracted oil (called an essential oil) as medicine became known.

Essential oils are 20-70 times more potent than their whole plant counterpart. That means that the essential oil of Rosemary, for instance, is 20-70 times more concentrated and powerful than Rosemary leaves/flowers themselves! Super impressive, right?! That is why essential oils should be diluted for topical applications, otherwise they could irritate the skin. This is also why they should not be taken internally without medical supervision.




In countries like France and the United Kingdom, essential oils are used in what’s called “medical aromatherapy.” Practitioners will use essential oils as medicine. In the United States, things haven’t quite yet caught up to speed. More often than not, practitioners will use essential oils as part of a massage or air diffuser to support relaxation. We haven’t been using them for all that they’re capable of.

In spite of how essential oils are used in the United States, their health properties are noteworthy. Essential oils have traditionally been used for cuts, burns, muscle spasms, skin infections, insomnia, stress, headaches, nausea, pain, inflammation, amongst other concerns. Essential oils can also be used energetically to balance the chakras and stimulate acupuncture points.

Studies are showing tea tree oil as an effective agent in killing staph/MRSA infections, peppermint oil in killing herpes simplex virus, and rose geranium oil in killing the trichophyton fungus (responsible for causing toe nail fungus).

Essential oils are forces to be recognized. Their incredible therapeutic properties are only beginning to be understood in this country. Moving forward, only more time and energy will be invested in them and more research conducted. They are nature’s gift that just keeps on giving.

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Making natural herbal infused oils at home

6/6/2013

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How to make your own natural herbal infused oil in a few easy steps
Shared by Martina Protze

Make your own oils from scratch. Once made, these oils are suitable for a range of uses, they can be burned in a candle oil burner to add fragrance to the air, excellent to use at your altar instead of incense, use it to anoint candles for candle magic, add to baths for for spell work purification and for silky and heavenly soaks, make it into perfume, use for a variety of skin conditions, use it as massage oil or even just a delicious cooking oil or salad dressing.

See below for instructions.

Olive, almond, sunflower or coconut oil work best.

1. Find a large, clear, clean glass jar or bottle with a tight lid.

2. Pack fresh, clean, whole herbs loosely into the jar, use any herbs you like or a mixture, you can experiment with smells and tastes or if you need a specific one for a spell or potion only use that.

3. Cover the herbs with oil. High quality olive oil is best, but any good quality vegetable oil will work.

4. Put the lid on as tightly as you can, and set the jar on a sunny windowsill - this is best done in the summertime, but can be done in winter if you have a window that gets maximum amount of light, even in winter.


5. Leave the jar on the windowsill for 30 days, shaking it gently once a day.

6. Find another large, clear, clean glass jar or bottle with a tight lid, a large funnel, and some cheesecloth. Pack the cheesecloth fairly tightly in the funnel. Set the funnel in the empty jar, and wrap some cheese cloth around where the mouth of the jar meets the funnel, to prevent spillage. You can also use a fine sieve but it won't work as good.

7. Slowly pour the oil into the clean jar through the funnel. The cheesecloth will strain the herbs, letting the oil filter into the jar.

  • This does not make essential oil. Essential oils are the herbs compressed to make oil.
  • This makes diluted oil. There is no need to further dilute this oil.
  • Experiment with mixes. Fill the jar with a mix of chamomile, vanilla and lavender to ensure pleasant sleep. Mix vanilla and cinnamon to fill your kitchen with cooking scents.
  • Lavender is soothing, cinnamon invigorating, mint fresh. White willow bark has a spicy smell, sage is used by Native Americans for cleansing, chamomile is used to soothe and help sleep. Do some research about your favorite scents, and see what you can find.
  • In the Autumn try using rosemary which also has astringent and healing properties as well.
  • In the summer pick or purchase mint to make a refreshing oil
  • White willow bark (or any kind of bark or nuts or roots) may need to be soaked in water first, left in the oil longer, and/or used as freshly as possible.
  •  Some herbs can be used dried, like cinnamon, but for the most part, dried herbs lose their essential oils, so best to use fresh.
  •  Store oil in a cool, dark place, and smell it occasionally. If it smells rancid, don't use it.

Source: Wicca Teachings
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Congestion & Cough

5/29/2013

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Eucalyptus for sinus congestion and cough
Shared by Martina Protze

It is common in Italy to find fresh sprigs of Eucalyptus casually tied on to 
shower heads. 

When you take a hot bath or shower, the steam will release the eucalyptus oils. 

Eucalyptus is a natural decongestant, taking a shower with one can help to clear up sinuses and loosen cough.



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Herbs supporting detoxification

5/28/2013

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Organic Gum Acacia
- relieve symptoms of diarrhea 
- bulk up bowel movements and improve electrolyte absorption 
- used as an emulsifier 

Dandelion
- laxative and diuretic qualities
- rheumatoid arthritis 
- liver-cleansing product
- stimulates bile production
- supports the immune system

Organic Milk Thistle
- cleanses liver and gallbladder

Black Walnut
- anti-bacterial growth in GI
- anti-inflammatory
- reduce the lifespan of harmful bacteria.

Wormwood
- aid with digestion
- anti parasitic


Cilantro
- rids body of dangerous toxic metals 

Alfalfa 
- stomach ulcers
- stimulate a healthy appetite

Peppermint
- helps cough associated with colds and flu
- helps with sore throats and sinus inflammation
- aids the body in fighting off bacteria
- lung cleansing 

Eucalyptus
- lung cleansing
- helps fight bacteria, and attacks viruses
- topical ointment for chest and nasal congestion 
- calming, soothing properties

Stinging Nettle
- works against microorganisms
- antioxidant 
- anti inflammatory 
- reduces blood pressure

Source: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/top-10-detox-herbs/
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