Rose Dusting Powder

Watch Terri demonstrate the economical and effective way to create your own botanical powder. On Channel 3, Your Life A-Z.

See it now!
 

Botanical Bath

The Restorative power of water – from the ancient Greek and Roman baths to the modern Jacuzzi – has been undeniable. A good soak is often prescribed to reduce stress, but it can also to soften, nourish and refresh the skin, rejuvenate a tired body and spirit, along with treating sore and aching muscles. By adding herbs or essential oils to your tub, you can customize and boost the effectiveness of bath time. So next time you draw a bath for yourself – or for you loved ones – include a selection of pure-plant-products.

The most healthful baths are warm that start at room temperature from 70-98 or even up to 106 degrees F. The most therapeutic way to finish is with a cool shower, but not before bed time.

Drawing a botanical bath, wrap herbs in a muslin bag, cheese cloth, or a piece of clean cotton. Tie to the bathtub spigot and run the hot water through the plants selected.

Make a botanical bath infusion by pouring a couple of cups of boiling water over approximately a half cup of dried herbs loose, or in a muslin bag, steep, covered for 15-20 minutes. Strain and pour into your bathwater, or, if you’re using a muslin bag, you can use it to scrub with, too!

Skin Soothers:

• Agrimony
• Calendula flowers
• Chamomile Flowers
• Mugwort
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme

Relaxation:

• Burdock root
• Catnip
• Comfrey
• Elder flowers
• Hop flowers
• Hyssop
• Jasmine flowers
• Lavender blooms
• Lemon balm
• Linden flowers
• Marjoram leaf
• Marshmallow
• Meadowsweet mullein
• Passion flower
• Sassafras
• Slippery elm bark
• Valerian root
• Vervain
• Violet leaf
• Yarrow flowers

Rejuvenating Stimulation:

• Angelica
• Basil leaf
• Bay leaf
• Comfrey leaf
• Eucalyptus leaf
• Fennel seeds
• Lemon peel
• Lemon thyme
• Lemon verbena
• Lovage root
• Nettle leaf
• Peppermint leaf
• Savory
• Spearmint

 
Chamomile contains apigenin, a flavonoid which has antioxidant properties and may inhibit skin tumor formations.

Health and Beauty Benefits of Dry Brushing

Dry Brushing is based upon the ancient Chinese concepts of acupuncture and acupressure. The Chinese recognize three million nerve points spread over the surface of the skin. For example the tip of your big toe is connected to the pituitary gland. Dry brushing is systematically designed to take advantage of these myriad connections. By applying friction to the acupuncture points, your entire nervous system is stimulated and invigorated and the beneficial effects are directly conveyed to every organ, gland, muscle and ligament in your body. Indirectly even the production of red and white blood cells is affected. The immediate result of a brushing session is a feeling of intense well being.

Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells and surface dirt, a very important step in proper skin care because removing dead skin cells allows the skin to function efficiently and to absorb more moisture. Cellular regeneration is the key to youthful skin and essential oils encourages the regeneration of new cells. The circulation stimulating properties of the oils oxygenate the blood which in turn energizes the cells. The best times to apply essential oils are following a bath or facial steam, when pores are open and circulation is increased. Also following exfoliation is a beneficial time since the skins pores have been cleansed and circulation is optimal. Examples of exfoliation are dry brushing, scrubs, clay masks, and baths. Warm the carrier oils slightly to increase absorption into the skin.

Vinegar “Beautiful” for dry skin

• 1 pint Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 cup each Chamomile, Mint, Parsley and Primrose Petals

Steep this in a sunny window in a sterilized dark glass jar, that’s well sealed for 3 weeks. Shake daily then strain and rebottle.

Eco-ista Tip: This is great as an astringent for the face.

Dew of the Sea Scrub

• 3 ounces fine Dead Sea Salt
• 1 teaspoon organic Kelp powder
• 4 oz jar with a tight fitting lid
• 1⁄4 cup Dr. Bronner’s Hemp Peppermint pure Castile Soap
• 1⁄2 ml. 10 drops Therapeutic Grade Pure Rosemary Essential Oil

To make, combine in a glass or stainless mixing bowl the salt and kelp mixing well. Place in the 4 oz jar. Pour the castile soap over the salt mixture, add the essential oil and mix until combined.

To use: Rub a scrub in the tub...

Eco-ista note: The name rosemary comes from Latin, and means “dew of the sea”. Rosemary oil derived from a fragrant shrub with needle like leaves and blue flowers, calms apprehension while stimulating the spirit. Associated with the Greek God Apollo, the God of medicine, Rosemary is known for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

EFA Citrus Scrub

• 1 cup Sucunat (Sugar Cane Naturally)
• 2 teaspoons pulsed Calendula Blooms
• 1⁄4 cup EFA oil Apricot Kernel, Hazelnut Oil, Sesame, Sweet Almond or Udo’s 3.6.9 Blend
• 1⁄2 teaspoon Jojoba Oil
• 1ml. 30 drops Therapeutic Grade Pure Grapefruit- pink, Orange- sweet, or Bergamot
• Essential Oil

Mix together all the ingredients in a large glass bowl.

Spoon into a clean jar with a tight fitting lid. Massage a tablespoon or two all over your body to gently exfoliate and moisturizes your skin. Store any remaining scrub in a cool dry location. A good stirring before you use it is best.

Eco-ista note: Body scrubs are helpful because they stimulate circulation. A gentle scrub can counteract stress, help rid the body of excess built up fluid and really energize your whole system. Oils of citrus peels can help improve skin, promoting circulation and collagen production. A symbol of health and happiness, it is also known to stimulate circulation and reinforce the immune system, relieve stress and reduce cellulite!

Exfoliation:

Is the removal of dead skin cells and surface dirt, a very important step in proper skin care because removing dead skin cells allows the skin to function efficiently and to absorb more moisture.

Hair Care Essential Oil Guide

Healthy, natural hair care is basically a very simple undertaking. Here are some tips of how essential oils can help!

Basil: Oily hair. Promotes growth

Chamomile: Fine to normal hair. Gives golden highlights

Clary sage: All types of hair. Dandruff treatment

Lavender: Normal hair. Scalp treatment for itchiness, dandruff, and even lice!

Lemon: Oily hair. Gives golden highlights; treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands

Myrrh: Dry hair. Treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands

Patchouli: Oily hair. Dandruff treatment

Peppermint: Dry hair. Promotes hair growth

Rose: Fine hair. Soothes scalp

Rosemary: Oily hair. Dandruff treatment; promotes hair growth

Tea tree: Oily hair. Treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands

Ylang-ylang: Oily hair. Dandruff treatment

Herbal Tooth Powder

• 1/4 cup Baking Soda
• 1/4 cup Calcium Bentonite Clay powder
• 1 tablespoon fine gray Sea Salt
• 1 teaspoon dried Raspberry leaf
• 5 Essential Oil drops Fenne, Peppermint, Spearmint, Orange, Tea Tree

Yield: about 1/2 cup

Baking soda, an ingredient in many commercial products, lessens the mouth’s acidity. Raspberry leaf is good for the gums and mildly astringent. Tea tree oil is effective against gingivitis and plaque buildup.

Pour the Baking Soda, clay powder and salt into a medium-size mixing bowl. In a spice mill or coffee grinder, grind the dried herbs into a powder. Add the raspberry leaf, to the Baking Soda mixture. Mix well with a wire whisk. Add the Tea Tree oil, again mixing well. Place a clean hand towel over the bowl, covering it completely. Let it cure overnight. The next morning, mix well again with the wire whisk. Place in a wide-mouthed style jar. It will last indefinitely if you keep moisture out of the jar.

To use: Wet your toothbrush first, then sprinkle a small quantity of powder into the palm of your hand and then dip your brush. Brush thoroughly and gently in an up and down motion. Brush the tongue too. Rinse, and feel the freshness of your mouth. Equal time brushing for two minutes is optimal.