Oatmeal Calendula - Herbal Bath Blend. - DIY

This is an adult variation of the Herbal Baby Bedtime Bath Blend. It's soothing for the mind & body. The main difference is there are more epsom salts added to the adult version. The salts mixed with the baking soda help to detoxify and cleanse the body, while the calendula & oatmeal is healing and  soothing for the skin. Lavender helps calm and relax us, & helps to make us sleepy and eases stress.



 

What You'll Need:

• Chamomile Flowers


• Lavender Buds


• Calendula Flowers


• Oatmeal (You can grind the oats up if you'd like)


• Epsom Salts


• Baking Soda


• Lavender Oil

Tools:

• 
  
  
  
  • Airtight Mason Jar (Or other such jar)
  
  
  • Organza Baggies (reusable)
  
  
  
  

To Make:

I mix mine straight in a big jar but if you prefer a mixing bowl and to funnel contents into jars later, that's okay too. ^_^

1. 1 Part Epsom Salts to 1 part Oatmeal. This will act as the base for the blend.


2. 2-4 tsp of baking soda


3. Depending on your preferences, add in as much or as little as you'd like of Chamomile, Calendula & Lavender Flowers. (I put 2 tbs or so of each to a mason jar)


4. Add in 5-10 drops of lavender oil & shake, shake, shake all of the ingredients together until evenly combined.


5. Keep stored in an airtight jar.

To Use:

Scoop some into an organza bag and toss the whole thing into the tub! The reason I like to use organza bags for this blend is because the oatmeal makes the tub very slippery. *So be careful!*

Enjoy!

Happy Bathing! ~ <3

I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs & Starwest Botanicals for all of your herbal healing needs! You can purchase any extra supplies over at Amazon.ca. Images Edited using PicMonkey. Some of the links here are affiliate sites. & Please also see my disclaimer. Thanks Friends.

DIY Solid Exfoliating Bars.

This bar has many nourishing ingredients in it, used to exfoliate and moisturize your skin. These bars are great for everyday exfoliating as well as healing stretch marks, cellulite & providing moisture to your skin. 

The caffeine in coffee helps to stimulate blood circulation to the affected area so the healing process can begin. Honey is also known for helping to reduce stretch marks and cellulite by removing toxins from the affected areas. Calendula & Coconut oil are amazing at healing nearly anything & they work as intense moisturizers as well.

We talked a bit about the benefits of coffee for our skin over in the post: Exfoliating Coffee Cubes - For Stretch Marks & Cellulite. 

This recipe is completely customizable to suit your preference but I've outlined the basic recipe that I like to use.



 

 

What You'll Need:

• 1/2 cup Coffee Grounds. ( I used the grounds after making a pot of coffee so they were nice and damp )


• 1 1/2 Organic Cane Sugar ( may need a little more)


• 1/4 cup Organic Ground Oatmeal (optional)


• 2-3 tbs Coconut Oil


• 1 tbs Calendula Infused oil (Infusing your own oils) 


• 1-2 tbs Organic Honey (Raw) (optional) a Vegan alternative is Agave Nectar.


• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract. (optional, it just smells amazing!)


• 2 drops Peppermint oil for scent (or your favorite scent. You can find a huge list of amazing essential oils at Mountain Rose Herbs or Starwest Botanicals. )

Tools:

• Mixing Bowl & Spoon


• Silicone Molds of choice. (I used THESE round ones and THESE square ones) (The circles may be a bit more of a gentle shape for your skin - also easier to hold)


• Airtight jar for storage

To Make:

Put all of your ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir until everything is combined evenly.

I added a bit more sugar to my mix so it wasn't quite as sloppy as the top stage. It'll definitely take much longer to cure this way.

You want to make sure the consistence of the mixture is a little on the damp side. This will evaporate as we let them cure and turn them solid. I've put together some photos of what the stages should look like below.

Scoop into your molds and press down firmly so there are no air bubbles.



 

Here comes the part where patience comes into play. Much like allowing soap to cure, these bars will take a while to completely solidify. They should then be stored in an airtight jar or container.

*Some people suggested putting them in the oven on the lowest setting for a few hours to dry them out faster. ( I was trying to rush things for the craft sale at the beginning of the month) I tried this and it just turned out to be a massive mess. The mixture boiled over and started melting itself to the bottom of the oven. I definitely don't recommend doing it this way. I think patience is key here.

Allow them to dry completely somewhere safe, dry and clean like you would soap. No where that has any humidity. It'll take a few weeks for them to solidify completely.

Once they look the the end photo above, you can stretch the mold from side to side like you would an ice cube tray and gently push them up out of the mold without them breaking.

I allowed mine to sit out between brown paper for a few more days. They are now rock solid.

To Use:

Bring the bar into the bath or shower with you. Gently massage in circular motions.

The bars stay solid and gradually break down while you use them. They stay together very well and work wonderfully for exfoliating.

You will have bits of oatmeal and coffee floating around with you + the oils so just be careful as it could make the tub slippery. 

Happy Exfoliating! ~ <3

 

I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs & Starwest Botanicals for all of your herbal healing needs! You can purchase any extra supplies over at Amazon.ca. Images Edited using PicMonkey. Some of the links here are affiliate sites. & Please also see my disclaimer. Thanks Friends.

Other posts you might like: 

Calendula Healing Salve

50+ Uses for Coconut Oil 

Tattoo Balm - DIY All Natural Healing.

Natural Tattoo Healing Balm is extremely effective during the healing process of your new tattoo. This will help speed the healing and protect your new tattoo from any infections etc. (If you take proper care)

This balm is loaded with anti inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic properties making it perfect for new tattoos. Calendula also has natural restorative properties which helps to build strong skin cells and heal wounds. You can even use this on your healed tattoos to keep your skin nourished and the ink bright.

As you may or may not know, I have a few tattoos... ( ;) )

[caption id="attachment_1262" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Photos: Jay Terry + PPOC, Cyprian E & My Lovely Geofferson Dean - 2011[/caption]

I have always only used vitamin e oil to speed the healing process. Once I found out about the healing powers of calendula and started using that as well, I noticed my tattoos were healing much brighter.

The following recipe is for a 50ml jar. You can calculate the amount from this base recipe if you are making a bigger batch. Basic calculations would be 1 part beeswax to one part other ingredients. (depending how soft or firm you want the balm, you can take out or add more beeswax)

---

 What You'll Need:

• 2tsp Calendula Infused Oil (You will need Calendula Flowers & Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Hemp Seed Oil)


• 2 tsp Vitamin E Oil


• 1 tsp Shea Butter (optional)


• 25 ml Coconut Oil


• 10 ml Beeswax (Vegan Alternative)

---

1. Melt beeswax first. You can do this using a melting pot, double boiler or pan on the stove. (medium heat)


2. remove from heat.


3. While the mixture is still hot, add in coconut oil and shea butter.


4. Next pour in vitamin e oil & calendula infused oils. Stir everything until it is combined evenly.


5. Pour into your container & allow to cool before using.

---

It is recommended to keep the tattoo clean with unscented, natural soap. Keep it moist and don't let it dry out. Apply this balm regularly to clean tattoos.



Happy Healing!

I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs & Starwest Botanicals for all of your herbal healing needs! You can purchase any extra supplies over at Amazon.ca. Images Edited using PicMonkey. Some of the links here are affiliate sites. & Please also see my disclaimer. Thanks Friends.

Calendula, Tea Tree & Lavender Healing Oil - DIY

I recently attended the Harvest Routes festival where I was a vendor selling some of the items I make here on this site. (as well as a few new ones, I will put up shortly). To my surprise, the two top sellers were the Calendula Healing Salve & a brew of oils I make at home and use for everything but that I haven't uploaded yet.  I decided I should share this simple recipe here with you.

As we know already, I am a massive fan of the healing abilities calendula holds and we use it around our homestead for so many different things. I have added posts here on Calendula Tea - for treating wounds and skin irritations. Calendula Poultice - also amazing for treating different rashes, cuts, scrapes, eczema, hives etc & a Calendula Salve - Acne Blend. I use calendula in my Herbal Baby Bath Blend, as well as an adult version that I will add soon. We use it in our Oil Cleansing Method, and also our Oil Pulling Method. It's even in our Coffee Tired Eyes Cream, just to name a few. The list is basically endless as to what calendula can help with. I think it's my all around favourite ingredient. It's gentle enough to use on baby, and powerful enough to help heal a mountain man! ;)

This oil blend has both Tea Tree & Lavender essential oils mixed in with it, to amplify it's healing abilities. Tea Tree is a powerful anti-fungal, antibacterial, and wonderful disinfectant, helping to keep wounds or skin irritations from getting infected. Lavender is very soothing to the skin and can help reduce redness and irritation, it enhances blood circulation, helps relieve pain, works as a disinfectant and helps to eliminate nervous tension. (these two are always in our acne blends) This mix will help boost immunity to where it is applied. An all around amazing mixture of oils.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• Calendula Infused oil (Or learn how to infuse your own HERE - You will need dried Calendula Petals for this.)


• Tea Tree Oil


• Lavender Oil

TOOLS:

• A double boiler / heating pot (If you're infusing your own oil)


• An airtight storage jar(s) for your finished product.


• Funnel, stir stick

TO MAKE:

You can do this two ways, If you're only making one bottle for yourself, you can fill it most of the way with your base oil (Calendula infused) and add in 5-10 drops each of Lavender and Tea Tree oils. OR if you are planning a big batch for gifts or sale, you can mix everything in a big container and pour it into your single containers afterwards. In our 150 ml containers I usually put 5-10 drops of each essential oil into the container and shake it all up. Just be sure you are diluting it enough to not irritate your skin.

VOILA!

Some Of The Things This Blend Is Useful For:

• treating wounds


• deep cuts


• eczema


• acne


• scars


• bites and stings


• damaged skin


• burns


• slow healing or infected wounds


• bedsores


• boils


• wrinkles


• sensitive skin


• baby bum rashes


• itchiness


• sunburns


• fungal infections

The list really goes on and on, if you have anything important I should add to it, please leave me a comment below!

<3 - Happy Healing!

I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs for all of your herbal healing needs! You can purchase any extra supplies over at Amazon.ca.
Images Edited using PicMonkey. Some of the links here are affiliate sites. & Please also see my disclaimer. Thanks Friends.

My New Favourite Way to Brush my Teeth!

I'm still working on an updated version of our original Fluoride Free Toothpaste. I really want to try out the activated charcoal method that everyone is raving about, but in the meantime, this neat little recipe has been helping me with tooth sensitivity and stains. It's giving me an overall cleaner feeling, my teeth feel smooth and my mouth feels fresh.

In a way it's similar to our Herbal Oil Pulling Method but instead of the pulling, it's brushing. Plus I added a few bonus ingredients for sensitivity and freshness.

What You'll Need:

(I used a 180ml container)

• 1 part Calendula Infused Oil (Infusing Your Own Oils)


• 1 part Coconut Oil (equal parts of both, I used about 5 tsp each)


• 5-10 drops of Peppermint Oil (optional- for fresh breath)


• 1-2 drops of Clove Bud Oil (optional - for tooth sensitivity)

• Squeeze container of sorts


• Funnel

To Make:

Using either Fractionated Coconut oil or melted Unrefined Coconut Oil, mix together with Calendula infused oil. Drop in Peppermint and Clove Bud Oils, stir well and using a funnel, poor into your container.

I have used this on it's own, and also switch between first putting this on my toothbrush and sprinkling some baking soda on top for extra stain pulling power.

Happy Brushing <3

What are your favorite all natural methods of brushing your teeth? I'd love for you to share with me in the comments below.

I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs for all of your herbal healing needs!
Images Edited using PicMonkey. Some of the links here are affiliate sites. & Please also see my disclaimer. Thanks Friends.

Shop Spotlight ~ Sunny Bungalow + A GIVEAWAY!! {CLOSED}

Meet Deborah Davidson! She runs the online shop Sunny Bungalow, based out of Springfield Massachusetts.

[caption id="attachment_790" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Debbie & Jon "A selfie of my BFF (Jon) and me"[/caption]

Sunny Bungalow’s beautifully unique products are handcrafted with all natural ingredients.  REAL Soaps, Bath Bombs and Oil Cleanse Method Serums. (with new and exciting products on the rise) Prices range from an amazing $3.00 to $18.00.

Hi Debbie Thanks so much for joining us here! <3

Tell us a bit about your shop, benefits of your products & what got you started:

I have always had extremely sensitive dry skin. Years ago I purchased some handmade soap and noticed a revolutionary difference in my skin. At the time I really didn’t understand why the handmade soaps made such a difference. It was like night and day after the first use. I started digging a bit deeper into soap production and I was astounded at what I learned. Most commercial bars of soap in your local grocery stores and other big box stores are detergent bars. The labels will say “Beauty Bar” or just the name of the soap without stating anywhere the word soap. Detergents have all but replaced soap-based products for laundering, dish washing and household cleaning. Detergents (alone or in combination with soap) are also found in many of the bars and liquids used for personal cleansing. True soaps are the result of a chemical reaction between vegetable or animal fats, water and lye. When combined they transform into soap and glycerin, with no lye remaining in the soap. This reaction is called “saponification” which literally means “the making of soap”.

I wanted to go back to the old-fashioned simple remedies. Naked products with only the essential ingredients added. I started making soap with some high quality soap crafting bases. For beginners this is so much fun! Especially if you have young ones, everyone can get involved since there is no lye involved. As time moved on, I really wanted even more control over the ingredients that were in my soap. I started researching how to make real soap with the butters and oils of my choosing. For me this is when the fun really started. I was making soap almost every day when I would get home from work. By the way, I work full-time as an RN.

[caption id="attachment_803" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Sunny Bungalow on Etsy![/caption]

A friend of mine encouraged me to hang a shingle on Etsy. I was completely intimidated because there are a lot of seriously talented folks there. But here I am ...and having a blast! I love creating new recipes or just putting a twist on an old-established one. My Etsy sales might subsidize my insatiable need to create. I am constantly making new items to try, so come back often to visit.

I have over 30 years’ experience in the medical profession as an RN. Our skin is our largest organ. Most items on the shelves are filled with synthetic ingredients to increase shelf life, texture, and appearance. I started experimenting and researching more economical and handcrafted ways to make the same item. The items that I would make myself I preferred and I knew they were healthier for my skin. I pride myself on using only what’s needed to produce a soap or skin care item. If there isn't a distinct purpose and/or benefit, I leave the item out. Most items are scented with only essential oils. Because not all scents can be recreated with essential oils only, some products will contain fragrance oil. All items will be marked with what scent or essential oil was added.

I produce small batches of each item in my shop. This helps me maintain a fresh and accurate inventory. It also helps me artistically so I can keep creating new products with different twists. My wish is that you think of Sunny Bungalow as your little shelter against all the toxic ingredients out in the marketplace that we are rubbing into our skin. I always try to include the benefit of each product in my website description so folks can choose items that will help with their individual skin needs.

What is your most favorite ingredient to use in your products, and why?

It is so hard to choose just one item because the best soaps are made with a combination of oils. Instead I will explain

[caption id="attachment_806" align="alignright" width="300"] Beer Soap![/caption]

a few of the items I use that make Sunny Bungalows soaps extra special. I love substituting different liquids for the distilled water. For instance I have soaps that the water has been substituted with Champagne or Beer or Aloe Vera juice. Sometimes I like to add a pinch of Bamboo Silk. This adds a nice luxurious slip and creaminess to the soap. A lot of soapers use Tussah Silk, but in order to obtain that silk, many silkworms are killed. I just couldn’t have that on my conscience, so I use Bamboo Silk. Dead Sea Mud is my most recent new addiction. It is so detoxifying and pampering to your skin. I also love using local wool to felt soaps. They are so cute it’s like soap in a blanket. The wool has natural antibacterial and exfoliating properties and shrinks around the soap as it melts.

Another product that I just started experimenting with this past week is Black African Soap (BAF). BAF is renowned for its skin moisturizing capabilities. It is naturally a wicked soft soap. I originally wanted to make it from scratch but I hit a few roadblocks. Black African Soap recipes are closely guarded secrets. Very little information is available online to produce the real deal. The other stumbling block was the potash. The potash they use is created from burnt plaintain leaves, almost impossible to get over here. I have sourced some real BAF from Ghana for rebatching. Rebatching is when you melt down soap and add your own touch and remold. Keep your eyes out on my website for this new creation.

What are your Ultimate Goals and Dreams for Sunny Bungalow to accomplish?

My five-year plan is to eventually have my own little soap shack. I would love to have a little shop near my home where I can teach soap making. Initially it will only be open on weekends, since I work full-time. The shop will have soap supplies that folks can purchase and soap classes for cold process and melt and pour. It will also have a section where students can put any items they make up for sale. What a wonderful vision where folks can come together out of this busy technology filled world and make something that our ancestors have made for centuries.

{I love this idea! What an amazing goal to have! I can't wait to see photos of the grand opening when your dream becomes reality!}

From where do you draw your inspiration from?

I wish I could list one place I draw inspiration from. I think about soap all the time. I can’t shut it off. Between my probable ADD and OCD, it’s fantastically overwhelming! My family gives me so much inspiration! Jon, my partner in life, has endless encouragement and assistance for me 24 hours a day.


[caption id="attachment_791" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Jon all decked out (Looks like something out of Breaking Bad right?)[/caption]

My two kids Haley and Parker (19/16) are always asking to try out a new soap I made or giving me an idea they saw and would like to see recreated. My customers also give me a lot of inspiration. They might request a special scent or moisturizing property.

My most recent weird inspiration came from some graffiti I saw. The color combination hit me so hard and I had to create it immediately. 

Sometimes I get a new essential oil or fragrance and I imagine the color combination then run to create. The Dead Sea Mud I mentioned earlier was originally purchased for face masks, but of course I had to try it in soap. Pinterest is always inspiring me as well as Etsy.

[caption id="attachment_807" align="alignleft" width="300"] Pineapple Orchid Soap with All Natural Sustainable Sea Sponge[/caption]

The soap sponges you see were originally inspired by Tropical Sea Sponges on Esty. He is a diver who obtains sustainable sea sponges. His girlfriend had some soap sponges posted on their Etsy shop. I emailed her and asked if she would mind if I did a sea sponge soap like hers. She loved the idea! She said she only posted her soap sponges to help her BF sell more sponges.

Tell us about Sunny Bungalow's Future Products:

Right now I am readying for some home soap parties and Holiday craft fairs. Keep your eyes on the website for these up and coming potions I am working on. Lip Balms - all natural, made with some local organic beeswax. I have had a ton of requests for Yoga Mat Sprays (to cleanse the mat after class). Facial toners are brewing as I write this. Witch Hazel infused with Rose Hips, Rosemary, Orange and a few more to be named. I am currently perfecting a shaving soap up in time for the holidays. See? I told you, the flood of ideas never stops lol

What's your favorite product to make?

My favorite product to make is soap. I love the process from start to finish. It is so Zen for me. Gathering the oils, carefully mixing the lye, swirling in additives and the final un-molding. Every time I un-mold a soap, I feel like I get a personal gift from the universe. The process is so magical to me. My next favorite product to make is the oil cleansing serum. The special essential oils used are added drop by drop into the carrier oils. Sometimes I feel like a mad scientist with my serum bottles and droppers.

What's your favorite to use and why?

Is it weird if this changes all the time? Currently my first favorite item to use is my facial oil cleansing serum. There are no harsh chemicals involved, no suds. Nothing to strip your skin of its oil. This is preferable because, when you strip your skin of its sebum, it goes into overdrive, trying to create more, which leads to clogged pores, blackheads, white heads, and irritation.

[caption id="attachment_787" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Facial Oil Cleanse - All Natural Handmade[/caption]

This week my other favorite item is my Pink Himalayan Sea Salt Bar. This is made with 100% coconut oil and Pink Himalayan Sea Salt 1:1 ratio. Increased circulation, antiseptic effects, soft skin without a greasy feel and reduction in fluid retention are just some of the benefits. The fine sea salt throughout the bar slowly dissolves as the soap is used. Over time, the soap takes on the appearance of a smooth stone.

[caption id="attachment_788" align="aligncenter" width="300"] All Natural Handmade Pink Himalayan Sea Salt[/caption]

Thanks so much for sharing with us Debbie! I loved learning all about your process and faves as well as your inspirations. You are definitely one talented crafty lady!

 Here are the amazing items Debbie sent over for me to try

(and at the bottom of this post you can find all the amazing items she included for the GIVEAWAY!)

Thank You SO much Debbie for your generosity! The items are absolutely exquisite and smell divine!

The Herbal Healing Mama's Reviews: <3

NAG CHAMPA:

Nag Champa is one of my all time favorite scents & this blend is truly amazing! A beautiful mix of patchouli, sandalwood, and dragon's blood working together to create a spiritual experience. (exactly as it states on Sunny Bungalow's Etsy page)

I love the texture of this bar, the colours and swirly pattern make it very unique. It was a wonderful surprise that the bar's colours started shimmering when I started using it! So beautiful!

This bar has such a thick rich lather and an amazing aroma that filled up the bathroom nicely for an extra relaxing experience. I have this bar sitting out in my bathroom tray and it continues to keep the bathroom smelling amazing!

This bar is made with olive oil, coconut oil, mango butter, castor oil, & Nag Champa Fragrance Oil making it especially nourishing to the skin.

This is definitely my new favorite Nag Champa blend!

This is a soap and aromatherapy session all in one!

____________________________________________________________

FRENCH LILAC

This scent is PURE! It brings me back to when I had a massive Lilac bush on my front yard! It inspired me to be sure to plant another at our new house.

Again, I have to compliment the texture of this bar! I love how beautiful it is!

This bar is made with coconut oil, shea butter, olive oil & Lilac FO making it amazingly soft and silky! My skin felt so moisturized after using this bar! You can actually watch the lather sink its moisture into your skin.

The scent lingered long after my bath. I probably looked crazy to everyone, continuously smelling my arms. ^_^  Same as the Nag Champa, this bar has built in therapeutic properties. The scent is so light and calming. I could see this being a perfect 'before bed' bar. Absolutely delicious!

PINK HIMALAYAN SEA SALT

I have wanted to try one of these SO BADLY! I must admit - all the hype is true! This soap is AMAZING!

This bar is made with coconut oil, Pink Himalayan Sea Salt & Grapefruit Essential Oil. I have to admit, I am not typically a fan of grapefruit scents (as eating grapefruit makes me sick :( ) BUT I am absolutely addicted to this scent! It's light and beautiful!


This salt bar is so exfoliating! I loved how the pink salt started to show through when I started using it. It had the perfect amount of lather and moisture.

The really neat thing about this bar, is after a few uses, it starts to take on the appearance of a smooth stone.

The shape of this bar is perfect! It curves perfectly to fit in your hand while you exfoliate away. I Loved this bar!

YUZU BAR

IT SPARKLES!

This bar is lovely! It's ingredients include: coconut oil, unrefined shea butter, olive oil, sunflower oil & castor oil.

It's absolutely moisturizing with a nice light lather. This bar was absolutely perfect for shaving with. 

Both boys (Hubby & Son) in the house said this one was their favorite scent. My son tried it out as well and loved it. He said it made his bath extra relaxing. (He is so right!)

About the Scent: (Straight from Sunny Bungalow's Etsy Page) Yuzu, also referred to as Japanese Grapefruit, is not your ordinary grapefruit scent. Yuzu begins with top notes of mandarin, tangerine, lemon satsuma, and ruby red grapefruit, middle notes of bergamot, and base notes of oakmoss.

I enjoyed this one very much!  

JASMINE CHAMPAGNE

This bar is seriously so gorgeous I didn't want to get it wet! ^_^ BUT believe me, it was SO worth it!

As soon as I started using it I watched it fill the tub with shimmer and sparkles! Beautiful!

This scent is heavenly! Made with shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, love, bamboo silk, champagne & jasmine fragrance oil.Yes, you read correctly! Champagne! Mmm.

Such a thick nourishing lather, leaving your skin feeling amazing!

 This is definitely a moisture rich bar! One of my favorites!


 

I am so happy I got to experience these amazing soaps! I 100% recommend Sunny Bungalow's Products! These are some of the finest and most nourishing soaps I have ever had the pleasure of using. Each bar has it's own unique purpose. Each scent is accompanied beautifully by the look and texture of the bar. I enjoyed each and every single one of these and am so thankful that Debbie sent them out for us to try!

FIND SUNNY BUNGALOW ONLINE!

Website | Instagram |  Facebook | Pinterest  | Twitter | Martha Stewart

 

NOW FOR OUR GIVEAWAY

of All Natural, Handmade items

- WHICH INCLUDES:

From Sunny Bungalow:

• Love Dust Soap


• Lilac Soap


• Nag Champa Soap


• Yuzu Soap


• Pink Salt Soap

From The Herbal Healing Mama:

• Calming Lavender Rose Bath Blend - 6oz (Included is a reusable bath tea bag)


• OM- Aromatherapy Herb Jar Necklace (stress release)


• Chakra Votive Candle


• 2 Coconut-Champa Tea Light Candles


• Organza Baggie full of Calendula

CLICK HERE TO ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY!!

Thanks everyone for joining us here. Good Luck! <3

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

We had an amazing 4469 entries! That you all so very much! <3

(Check your email & fb tab for the winner)

 <3

If you are interested in applying for shop spotlight of the month - please see the Opportunities Section of the blog.

Thanks Friends. <3

Make Your Own Calendula Herbal Healing Poultice

Okay, I know I've been on a massive Calendula kick lately, I cant help it! It's just useful for so many things! Hopefully soon I will have the herbal spotlight on calendula published, and then I'll move onto another herb. <3



We went over some of the many benefits of Calendula in these posts:

• Calendula Tea (Infusion)


• Calendula Salve


• Acne Blend Calendula Salve

The basic greatness list of what Calendula is good for treating:

• acne


• eczema


• inflammations or infections in the mouth


• lacerations


• burns


• wounds


• ulcers


• deep cuts


• bites


• stings


• damaged skin


• frostbite


• slow healing or infected wounds


• bedsores


• boils


• wrinkles


• sensitive skin


• baby bum rashes

and so much more.

The idea of the poultice (alongside the other methods posted below) is to draw out an infection.

I have been using herbal poultices for most of my life. I've used them for my animals in the past as well. We used to make up herbal poultices for a patient's skin issues when I was working in Home Caring. I find them highly effective.

Now that you know a bit about the benefits of making a poultice with calendula we can move onto the how. :)

To Make The Poultice:

• Crush a tbs or two of dried Calendula Flowers. (or you can use the strained flowers from the tea infusion / compress for this)


• Pour hot water over them but just enough to make a paste of sorts.

To Use The Poultice:

• Put the crushed flower paste either directly on the wound or you can put a layer of cheesecloth on the skin first.


• Cover the mixture with a bandage / cheesecloth or a towel


• Some people use plastic wrap to keep the warmth and moisture in, but I usually just put a few strips of medical tape on the edges of the towel or cheesecloth to hold it in place.


• Allow to sit for a few hours (if you can)


• Remove wrap and rinse with cool water.


• Allow to dry.


• Follow up with Calendula Salve (optional)

COMPRESS / Method:

To make a herbal compress with Calendula, see the post Calendula Tea for instructions. The tea compress can be used alongside this poultice and followed up with the Calendula Salve. I find it most effective to use all 3 methods together. I start out with a cool compress, allowing it to soak in for at least 20 minutes, put on the poultice and leave that on for a few hours, pat dry or allow to air dry and then apply the Calendula salve. You can also bandage over the salve if needed.

Happy Healing! <3

I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs for all of your herbal healing needs!
Images Edited using PicMonkey. Some of the links here are affiliate sites. & Please also see my disclaimer. Thanks Friends.

Oil Pulling - Highly Effective Herbal Infused Method.

I'm sure most of you have heard of Oil Pulling. I had been doing the coconut oil method for quite some time with pretty fantastic results BUT I still had some issues with sore gums, inflammation and sensitivity. Not nearly as bad as before I started oil pulling but I needed some extra relief..



It suddenly hit me. CALENDULA! Why not try mixing some of my Calendula Infused Oil into the coconut oil for extra healing benefits. I had made up a Caledula Tea which helps speed up healing, reduces inflammation, heals infections etc. I use this tea often to heal sore throats, issues with teeth & gums & infections, so why didn't I think of this earlier?

It made perfect sense. If oil pulling has all of these oral health benefits and the Calendula Infused Tea works so well for improving oral health, wouldn't this be a powerhouse of healing?

You could even pull with the recipe for the 'Calendula Salve' as long as you didn't add in any essential oils or beeswax.

I can honestly say, I noticed a HUGE difference after just one oil pulling session with this mix! I was so excited, and after using it for only a short time now, I am noticing amazing results! Any painful gum or teeth issues have been resolved, my mouth feels overall cleaner and healthier & improving muscles in your jaw results in less teeth clenching, I find. I used to have bad lock-jaw every morning and that hasn't happened once since I started oil pulling!

I think I will use the calendula mix in between straight coconut oil pulling.

You'll have to let me know if you try this! <3

SO what is oil pulling?

• Oil pulling or oil swishing is a folk remedy where oil is "swished" (kavala graha) or "held" (snigda gandoosha) in the mouth. - Wikipedia.


• Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy for oral health and detoxification. It involves the use of pure oils as agents for pulling harmful bacteria, fungus, and other organisms out of the mouth, teeth, gums and even throat. - Oil Pulling - The Habit That Can Transform Your Health.

What are the said benefits?

It is said to detoxify teeth & gums, remove stains from teeth and improve oral hygiene. Because bacteria and infection can enter the blood stream through the mouth, it is important to keep up your oral hygiene.

Practitioners of oil pulling claim it is capable of improving oral and systemic health, including a benefit in conditions such as headaches, migraines, diabetes mellitus, asthma, and acne, as well as whitening teeth. Its promoters claim it works by pulling out "toxins", which are known as ama in Ayurvedic medicine, and thereby reducing inflammation. - Wikipedia

Some insights from Henry Happened on OIL PULLING 101: 10 Tips for Making It Work:

• reduced headaches, insomnia, PMS, sinus congestion


• general detoxification benefits


• overall increased oral health


• reduced inflammation in the body, including reduction of arthritis symptoms


• pain relief


• skin problems (eczema, acne, rashes) reduced

How does it work?

Take a spoonful or two of the oil of your choice. Coconut Oil is a very popular choice because of its antibacterial, antimicrobial properties.

Swish and "pull" the oil in your mouth for 10-20 minutes. (I suggest doing this while you are busy with something else. Shower, checking emails, etc. 20 minutes seems like an eternity otherwise. I am oil pulling as I'm writing this blog post! ^_^) If your mouth gets tired, take a break or swish with less force.

NEVER swallow any of the oil - it is FULL of the toxins that it has pulled from your mouth.

Spit it into the toilet or trash. Because coconut oil solidifies, it could clog your pipes so avoid spitting it down any drains.

Rinse your mouth thoroughly with hot water, & brush your teeth. Some people recommend rinsing with hot water + baking soda as it's supposed to restore the pH balance to your mouth. You can also try out our All Natural Toothpaste. (I'm working on an updated recipe)

How often to pull?

There is no strict schedule for oil pulling. (At least not that I'm aware of.) Some people recommend a few times a day. I usually oil pull every other day, once. I have noticed a difference, so maybe doing it more often would be more beneficial but I'm not entirely certain. If any of you have experience with how often it should be done, maybe you can let me know.

Some Helpful Articles & Suggested Reads:

Oil Pulling for Oral Health - by Wellness Mama

OIL PULLING 101: 10 Tips for Making It Work - by Henry Happened

An Ancient Ayurvedic Ritual for Clearer Skin, Whiter Teeth & Overall Wellness: The Beauty Benefits of Oil Pulling - by Living Pretty, Naturally

Oil Pulling With Coconut Oil - by The Coconut Mama

Oil Pulling with Coconut Oil & Thieves Essential Oil - by The Coconut Mama

How to Save Money at the Dentist (Hint: Oil Pulling Works!) - by Naturally Healthy Concepts

 

What is your experience with oil pulling? Let me know in the comments below! <3 Happy Healing!

NOTES: Please remember the possibilities of allergies. (some people prefer sesame oil) PLEASE do your research if you are pregnant or breast feeding as there are different opinions on this.

I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs for all of your herbal healing needs!
Images Edited using PicMonkey. Some of the links here are affiliate sites. & Please also see my disclaimer. Thanks Friends.

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Calendula Healing Salve - Acne Blend.

Never as a teen did I have acne issues but now as an adult, I do! How frustrating! You may remember my original post on acne- All natural Acne Relief cream. While this does help, I needed something a little stronger. I had made a universal healing ointment: Calendula Healing Salve, and tried it the other day on my face. (littered with acne, scars, and redness.) I was shocked with how fast I got results! With just one application my face was 90% clearer than it had been just hours before! WOW! I decided to take it one step further and combine the original acne recipe together with the calendula salve and came up with this one!

What You'll Need:

• 2 tbs Calendula Infused Oil (Infusing Your Own Oils) (Where to purchase Calendula Flowers) (Where to purchase Calendula Oil)


• 2 tbs Coconut Oil


• 5-10 drops of Lavender Oil


• 5-10 drops of Tea Tree Oil


• 1 tsp Beeswax or Carnauba Wax (optional)

• Airtight Jar or Tin (silicon molds if you're making this into a lotion bar. These would be adorable!)


• Melting Pot


• Stir Stick (chopsticks work well)

To Make:

• Melt Beeswax or Carnauba Wax first, if you're using some.


• Add in and melt Coconut Oil and combine it with equal parts of  Calendula infused oil.


• Remove from heat and add in the Tea Tree and Lavender oils.


• Mix well and poor into your storage container or into your molds.


• Pop into the fridge to allow it to solidify. (It will melt out of the fridge if you didn’t add beeswax.)

This mixture is nice and soft and melts well on the skin. I pop my solid lotion right out of the container, and use it as a lotion bar. This is easier than trying to scoop some out. (If you used molds be sure to keep the lotion bars in a airtight jar in the fridge.)

It’s best to keep your salve in the fridge, not only will it keep longer, the cool temperature will be extra soothing. Please see our post: Natural Preservatives for your Natural Products for some information regarding safety and shelf life.

Apply ointment several times a day to the affected area.

What Makes These Ingredients Beneficial?

Calendula is known for it’s anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and regrowth of new skin tissue abilities making it ideal for healing stubborn acne and scars.

Coconut oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties so it gives it an extra boost on healing. Not only does it help cleanse and heal acne, it also helps to resurface any scarring caused by acne.

Lavender oil is also antibacterial and acts as a soothing agent for pain and redness. Lavender oil is said to be useful in preventing future breakouts, and clearing up old acne scars.

Tea tree oil also has beneficial antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, making it perfect for healing acne. It also reduces redness and swelling.

You can also check out our posts: Calendula Healing Salve, Acne Cream & Calendula Tea for further healing of acne.

What all natural remedies do you use to keep acne under control?

Happy Healing! <3

I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs for all of your herbal healing needs! Remember the possibility of allergies. Test a small bit first before using completely. Images Edited using PicMonkey. Some of the links here are affiliate sites. & Please also see my disclaimer. Thanks Friends.

 

Calendula Tea - For Treating Skin Irritations.

Calendula Tea for treating acne, eczema, inflammations or infections in the mouth, lacerations, cuts, burns, wounds, ulcers, boils and so much more. Please also see Calendula Salve - DIY All Natural Healing Cream for more ways to treat skin irritations.

To Make Calendula Tea:

• 2 tsp Dried Calendula Flowers


• 1 cup water

You can either use a tea ball and allow the flowers to steep in a pot of boiling water, or you can strain the flowers out if you boil the mixture all together.

I find it easiest to boil the kettle and then pour water onto the Calendula Flowers. Let the mixture steep for 10 minutes.

Saturate a towel in the tea and use as a compress to treat skin irritations, or use it (cooled but warm) to gargle for mouth infections or inflammations.

For Acne or Eczema: Use tea warm, soak a face towel in tea, wring it out and let sit on irritated skin for 10 minutes, twice a week. You can follow up with Calendula Salve or our Acne Cream.

For wounds, cuts, boils, infections, sunburn, burns, ulcers etc: Apply a warm compress with the tea. Soak a face or hand towel in warm tea mixture and apply to skin. You can follow up (after patted dry) with Calendula Healing Salve.

For infections or inflammations in the mouth or throat: Rinse mouth or gargle with warm Calendula Tea several times a day. You can follow up with Clove tooth pain relief for further healing of mouth irritations.

What do you use Calendula for?

HAPPY HEALING! <3

I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs for all of your herbal healing needs! Remember the possibility of allergies. Test a small bit first before using completely. Images Edited using PicMonkey. Some of the links here are affiliate sites. & Please also see my disclaimer. Thanks Friends.

Calendula Salve - DIY All Natural Healing Cream.

Calendula is such an amazing natural healer. This salve can be used for treating wounds, deep cuts, eczema, acne, bites and stings, damaged skin, burns, frostbite, slow healing or infected wounds, bedsores, boils, wrinkles, sensitive skin, baby bum rashes and SO much more.

Calendula is known for it's anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and regrowth of new skin tissue abilities.

This Calendula salve (which is much more of an ointment) can be used on it's own, massaged into skin issues, or along with a wrap, or bandage. (See here for Calendula Tea)

What You'll Need:

• 1 part Calendula Infused Oil (Infusing Your Own Oils) (Where to purchase Calendula Flowers) (Where to purchase Calendula Oil)


• 1 part Coconut Oil

• Airtight Jar or Tin


• Melting Pot


• Stir Stick (chopsticks work well)

I didn't add beeswax to this batch as I am keeping it in the fridge so it will stay solid without a hardening wax but you can add 1 tsp of Beeswax or Carnauba wax if you like the mixture to be a little more firm.

• Melt Coconut Oil and combine it with equal parts of  Calendula infused oil. (I used 2 tbs of each)


• Mix well and poor into your storage container.


• Pop into the fridge to allow it to solidify. (It will melt out of the fridge if you didn't add beeswax.) This mixture is nice and soft and melts well on the skin.

Apply ointment several times a day to the affected area.

It's best to keep your salve in the fridge in an airtight container. Not only will it keep longer, the cool temperature will be extra soothing.

If you didn't add in any beeswax or essential oils, this recipe makes for an amazing Oil Pulling Method. I also use this for an all over face neck and chest moisturizer, it's been resurfacing some of my scarring and evening out the imperfections. You can also check out our post on Calendula Tea for further healing of wounds, acne and more.

What do you use Calendula for?

HAPPY HEALING! <3

I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs for all of your herbal healing needs! Remember the possibility of allergies. Test a small bit first before using completely. Images Edited using PicMonkey. Some of the links here are affiliate sites. & Please also see my disclaimer. Thanks Friends.

Growing Up Herbal Challenge.

Growing Up Herbal is having a fantastic monthly challenge for all the herbal / natural mamas out there! How sweet is that?!



Here you can find the introduction to this amazing challenge.

What's needed to join in on the challenge:

Make sure you’re signed up to receive Growing Up Herbal's weekly Letters To Natural Mama emails in order to stay up-to-date on info about the challenge.

Then, head out and purchase the following:

• Dried Organic Calendula Flowers


• Organic Sweet Almond Oil


• Organic Calendula Hydrosol (Flower Water)


• small bottle of liquor (vodka – 80 proof – cheap/brandy – tastes better)


• glass jars: preparation – small mason jars, storage - colored glass jars are ideal (4 oz. screw cap and 4 oz. dropper)

Once each weekly project is complete,Growing up Herbal asks that you take photos of your creation, upload to social media, tag on their Facebook Page / Twitter (@GrowingUpHerbal) & hashtag #GUHjuneherbchallenge

If it doesn't already sound like a super fun challenge, it gets better! Growing Up Herbal is offering one lucky participant a Herbal Face Kit from Mountain Rose Herbs valued at $29!

It includes the following:

• Herbal Steam - Open pores with skin nourishing plant oils.


• Cleansing Grains - Gently exfoliate dead skin and clear pores.


• Green Clay Mask - Absorb toxins, stimulate circulation, and deep clean pores.


• Wild Rose Facial Oil - Moisturize, protect, and balance your skin.


• Rosewater Toner - Invigorating astringent to tighten pores and seal in moisture.

I wanted to pick a little something nice for you mama… you do so much to care for your sweet little ones, and you deserve something that will help you refresh and rest from those long hard days of mothering!

In the week 1 challenge, you will learn how to make Calendula infused oil, which is useful for so many things. Included is a bonus recipe for making Calendula Healing Salve!

Well, what are you waiting for? Head on over to review the first challenge & get started!

HAPPY LEARNING! <3