All Natural Fascial Cleanser

This DIY all-skin-type facial cleanser recipe is an extra gentle cleanser that will whisk away everyday impurities without stripping your skin of essential moisture.  The essential oils in it also work to sooth and soften your complexion.   Healthy looking skin at a fraction of the cost your typical department store formulas.

Through my years in the chemical industry, I worked with various surfactants (soaps) so based on what I know and my experience I recommend liquid castile soap.  To make sure it is right for your skin sensitivity, use unscented/baby formula.  Castile soap is known for its gentle cleansing and emollient qualities.  Most commercially available soaps, cosmetic and otherwise, are made with sulfates with the addition of alcohols or acids, which make them really efficient at eliminating dirt, but also at stripping away organic compounds, including the mantle on your face, which, if you’re like me, you intend to keep. 

To complement the cleansing properties of castile soap,  aromatherapist recommend combining therapeutic grade essential oils with your cleanser.  For its soothing and cleansing properties I use lavender essential oil and rosemary essential oil.  If you have specific needs, you can consult with experts to target your condition.

I normally use about 8 ounces of soap in each recipe. This gives a nice full bottle of facial cleanser that will last several months.  With each 8 ounce bottle, I add between 35-40 drops of essential oil. This is a less than 1% dilution.

In a 10 oz amber glass dropper bottle add

• 15 drops rosemary essential oil

• 25 drops lavender essential oil

• 8 ounces liquid castile soap

*As with any soap, you’ll want to avoid getting it in your eyes. Liquid castile soap can sting and burn if it does get in the eyes.

Natural solution is overlooked while MRSA cases double in five years

Sometimes smart and scientifically proved solutions aren't made available to the public just because there isn't a capital gain.  I find that unfair. Recently I learned about  a MRSA infection case in a local hospital, which was poorly handled and decided to do so some research on the subject. And you know how I love sharing. 

According to materials released July 26, 2012 by the University of Chicago Press Journals the number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections doubled in academic medical centers from 2003 to 2008.  According to Scott Johnson with the Holistic Health Examiner,  "even though these infections dramatically rise worldwide, conventional medicine largely ignores an effective natural solution — essential oils.  And one Utah company — Young Living Essential Oils — is leading the way in pioneering research to bring more attention to these potent remedies."

MRSA is a term used to describe staph infections that have adapted and become resistant to the first line antibiotics that typically cure staph infections. Once inside the body, a staph infection can quickly spread to bones, joints and organs, which can be life threatening.

These so-called “superbugs” have been called a significant and multifaceted health threat that places “a significant human and economic burden on society” by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.  According to Dr. Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization, "things as common as strep throat or a child's scratched knee could once again kill," as more bacteria evolve to become resistant.

The growing body of evidence suggests that unmatched tools in the fight against MRSA can be found in essential oils. These potent botanical extracts exhibit significant antiviral and antibacterial effects that have been clinically proven in hundreds of scientific studies. In their pure form, essential oils readily kill bacteria — including MRSA — and viruses. More importantly, research suggests they kill MRSA without promoting bacterial resistance and they are free of the side-effects common to antibiotics.

The following is a list of some of the most well-researched essential oils for their ability to destroy MRSA and other pathogens.

• Clove (1,2,3,4,5,6)

• Cinnamon (1,5,6,7,8,24)

• Eucalyptus (1,7,9,10,11,12,13,14,23)

• Rosemary (6,15,16)

• Oregano (17)

• Melaleuca (3,18,19,20,21)

• Lemongrass (1,8,14,22,23,24)

• Thyme (7,25,26,27,28,29,30)

• Lemon (4,31)

My go-to blend of essential oils, which combines a good amount of the essential oils mentioned above is Thieves, sold exclusively by Young Living.  If you are interested in learning more about this natural way of staying healthy please contact me or visit my aromatherapy page to learn how to order therapeutic grade essential oils.

Want Happy Feets? Aromatheray blend to energize your step!

As we move into warmer days, awaken your senses with clean, refreshing scents.  Citrus aromas are naturally cleansing and energizing- think lemon, grapefruit, orange.  Peppermint, lime, ginger, eucalyptus and rosemary scents, to name a few, are all used to uplift the spirit and recharge the mind and body.  While reading Barbara Close's The Spa Deck, I ran into this great foot soother recipe which is just what my winter-tired feet are barking for.

Before I give you the recipe, make sure to look for pure therapeutic grade essential oils.  Don't use synthetic fragrances, only pure essential oils retain the healing properties of the plants from which they are derived.  I have a link to my favorite essential oil brand in my webpage

Rosemary Citron Sea Salt Foot Smoother

Want happy feet?  Try this after wearing uncomfortable shoes or standing for long periods.  It works its magic in part by helping to break up lactic acid deposits that causes feet to ache.

• 1/2 cup of sea salt, coarsely ground

• 2 oz of carrier oil (such as almond oil)

• 8 drops of grapefruit essential oil

• 5 drops of lemon essential oil

• 20 drops of rosemary essential oil

• 1 spring rosemary leaves, chopped finely

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl; set aside.  Soak feet in warm water for 10 minutes to soften the skin.  Rub mixture onto feet, concentrating on the rough patches.  Wrap feet in plastic and swaddle in a towel.  Leave on for 15 minutes.  Rinse with warm water.

Essential Exposure

I hope it's save to say that winter is gone; after veiling my skin for the last months with cold weather, bright lights, dry air and public transportation air, I am ready for a deep cleansing of my skin.   Scrubbing my skin is my way to polish and groom the shield that allows me to interact with the world and what better time to clean the skin than Spring (this can be done all year around though) A little nerdy facts, exfoliants cleanse deep within the pores and remove old flaky, surface skin.  In my research of essential oils’ health benefits, I’ve re-discover some simple exfoliants that work great for any skin type.  Different essential oils are used for different complexion types: dry skin – frankincense, oily skin – tea tree, sun damaged – sandalwood, etc, etc.  But there is an essential oils that works with all skin types and most skin conditions, that is lavender essential oil.  So without having to consult an aromatherapist or dermatologist, a lavender exfoliant can be a good start for most folks.  After some research and trial on my skin (no animals were scrubbed in this experiment), I am ready to share my favorite facial scrub.

A little safety note, essential oils, if you haven’t use them before, are in their majority steam-extracts of plant’s vital substances.  They are super concentrates of plants' super powers.  Essential oils are use in Aromatherapy, but despite the name, it is not the aroma that makes them work.  So when using essential oils on your skin, make sure you are using “therapeutic grade” essential oils.  I have never had any allergic  reaction with therapeutic grade essential oil, but every skin have different degrees of sensitivity so use your judgement when using any substance on your skin (a.k.a., no one here is a dermatologist so if you have sensitive skin, be careful)

This is what you need

1 part oatmeal, 1/3 part cornmeal (I have used sugar instead), 1/3 part lavender (the market at Union Square has a stand that sells lavender)

Essential oil:  lavender

I keep some next to my sink and often use it instead of soap.  All ingredients used are kitchen staples, minus the essential oil, so I make small amounts at time so it doesn’t spoil.  The exfoliant can be stored in a cover container so that it won’t dry out quickly.  I have used it after 20 days of storing without any problems.

This is what you do

Grind the ingredients together in an electric coffee grinder  or a mortar to a fine powder, and store it in a closed  glass container.  To use the scrub, make a paste using 1 teaspoon scrub powder and ½ teaspoon water with lavender essential oil.  Apply to a dampened face.  Gently scrub your face, and rinse with warm water.  You can also use this mixture as a mask by leaving it on for 10 minutes after you scrub.  Rise with room temperature water.

This scrub also tastes good, perhaps I can try cupcakes with the left over...as usual if you have questions let me know.