Posts Tagged ‘essential oil’

Posted on August 26, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Breathe, Be and Believe: Empower Yourself with Essential Oils

Essential oils positively purify three critical areas of your physical well-being: lungs, body and mind.

The Aromatherapy Bible, by Gill Farrer-Halls, cites the following benefits in his info-packed, go-to guide for all things aromatherapeutic:

• Lungs: The cleansing breaths you take at your favorite spa put you instantly at ease: that’s essential oils at work. Essential oils replace waste products like carbon dioxide with oxygen and essential oil particles, truly clarifying every breath you take.

• Body:  Once soaked into skin, essential oil circulates around the bloodstream, traveling to different organs and body systems. Extra bonus: different essential oils have a therapeutic affinity for certain organs. Rose essential oil, for example, is known to have a regulating effect on the uterus.  Lavender, when taken internally as a tea, has been known to help upset stomach, gallbladder and liver problems

• Mind: Essential oils have powerful mental, emotional and psychological effects. Lavender alleviates anxiety, depression and nervousness – no chemicals, nothing synthetic. Try this holistic approach and watch your mood lift and your frazzled nerves unwind.

Put the power of essential oils to work for you – whether it’s organic lavender (as always, our vote!) or something else and add a true scent-sation to your personal care routine!

Posted on August 14, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Seek Out Essential Green Clean!

In our 3-part lifestyle series, we’ve covered clothing (organic cotton, bamboo, hemp and more!) and bedding (those marvelous organic mattresses). Less fabulous – but equally fundamental – is green cleaning.

Whether you scrub up at home yourself – or hire someone to do it – you should know that when it comes to clean, you could be living the ultimate irony: spreading dirty chemicals around in the name of clean. One example: antibacterial cleaning products are actually registered with the EPA as pesticides. Does that sound like healthy clean to you?

Western cultures spend up to 90% of our time indoors, so clean indoor air really counts. A clean green home is free of dirt and germs – but also free of toxic pollution. You can use the following ingredients – many of which you may already have in your cabinets – to create powerful DIY cleaning products (great cleaning recipes are easily found using a simple google search):

• White distilled vinegar: Use white distilled vinegar with 55% acetic acid; vinegar disinfects, deodorizes, loosens dirt, removes mineral deposits and more…
• Baking soda: Look for baking soda that is “pure” or 100% sodium bicarbonate. Baking soda is abrasive enough to scrub off dirt and stains; deodorizes carpets, drains and fridges; and softens fabric in the wash cycle.
• Borax and washing soda: These alkaline minerals are stronger than baking soda so wear gloves. They brighten your wash, can be used to scrub stubborn stains from counters or bathtubs, kill mold and make toilet bowls sparkle.
• Soap and water: Experts agree that soap and water are less harmful than antibacterial products – many of which include triclosan – and are just as effective. Good old soap and water can clean everything from counter top to carpet to fabric stains. Don’t forget the basics when it comes to building your green cleaning arsenal!
• Vinegar: Kills 99% of bacteria and is not registered as a pesticide (afterall, you can cook with it too!). Use it in laundry, household filters, cutting boards…pretty much anything, safely and easily!
• Lavender Oil: Self-promotion aside, lavender is truly one of your critical green cleaning ingredients. Add it to all-purpose or glass cleaner or dilute with water to make a lovely antibacterial spray and spread aromatherapeutic love all over your home. 100% essential oil comes in dark glass containers; be sure to avoid the synthetic versions!

Let us know what all-natural, toxin free cleaner you use at home, right here!

Read More: 

Get Your Healthy Home Checklist Here

Three Ways to Avoid Toxic Air Fresheners

Posted on July 17, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Make Your Own Lavender Sleep Pillow

Tossing and turning? Here’s a do-it-yourself, all-natural way to catch some zzzs – and float away on sweet-smelling dreams!

This mini-pillow should be placed between pillow and pillowcase, and laid on with your head to release the therapeutic aromas.

What you need:

1 cup dried hops

1 cup dried lavender buds

¼ cup dried thyme leaves

3 Tbsp. cellulose chips (cellulose chips are fixatives used to absorb essential and fragrance oils and then slowly release them)

10 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops bergamot essential oil

Two fabric pillows 6 inches square, each with one end open – why not make it organic cotton?

How to:

In a glass bowl or measuring cup, mix the essential oils into the cellulose chips. Cover and set aside overnight. The next day, mix in the dried herbs. Place half of the mixture into each fabric pillow and sew or fasten the open end closed with lace, ribbons or a simple sewing thread.

From: Natural Beauty Basics, by Dorie Byers, R.N.

Note that these essential oils are also known for their relaxing aromas – feel free to swap one or more into your pillow based on  your personal preferences:

• Clary sage
• German chamomile
• Patchouli
• Rose
• Basil
• Neroli
• Sandalwood
• Tangerine
• Myrrh
• Orange
• Frankincense
• Cedarwood

What all-natural sleep remedies lull you to sweet slumber? Let us know here!

Posted on July 15, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

De-Stress with a Self Massage

We’d all love to dash over to the nearest deluxe spa for massage treatments a couple of times a week.

But who has the time – not to mention the cash flow – to do it as frequently as our levels of stress demand?

Hands On Control

Wiggle these treatments into your daily schedule – after you get home for work, or maybe on your lunch break in your office or cubicle.

Not only will these self-massages refresh and relax you, they’ll give you a jump start for what’s next.

Face It!

We think of stress as building up in shoulders, neck and back…but your face holds it own tension. Follow these steps to a simple facial massage:

1. Sweep your hands over your face and lightly tap your fingers against your skin.

2. Place an index finger on each side of the sinus cavity (the bridge of your nose) and gently sweep downward.

3. Take your index finger and middle finger on each hand and place them on your temples, gently rubbing them in small circles.

Optional: Use a droplet of Napa Valley Bath’s Organic Lavender Massage oil and tap into lavender’s calming effect.

Back Up

Don’t let the stress that builds up in your back lead to serious back injury down the road. Work it out now for a healthier back later.

1. Take a medium-sized ball and place it between your shoulders and a wall.

2. Bend your knees and slowly roll the ball up and down your back.

3. Feel the tension in your back dissipate.

Nectar for Your Neck

Anxiety and stress can cause muscle tension in your neck. Rolling your neck in a circle from time to time during the day is a simple and effective stretch. Try this quick neck massage too:

1. Use both of your thumbs and find the indentation where your neck meets your shoulders.

2. Gently press your thumbs into the indentation and rub slowly.

If time and location allow, light a soy burning candle and set the mood. Soy burns cleaner than traditional paraffin candles. We recommend our Organic Lavender Soy Massage candle for its glowing aromatherapy (and you can use the melted soy as a massage oil!).

Do you have a quick fix for stress relief? Let us know your favorite ways to de-stress right here!

Posted on July 10, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Rub a Dub Dub: The Benefits of Bath-Taking

I consider bathing the comfort food of cleanliness. A decadent soak in a warm bath spurs a host of beautiful – and very real – benefits…

• Water suspends your weight, enabling your muscles to relax as you take on a lighter sense of physical being
• Your blood pressure safely decreases in response to your blood vessels dilating from the warmth
• Sore joints – if you have them – feel more relaxed
• Tension just seems to melt away
• In cooler temps, a warm bath becomes a special way to warm both body and spirit

Ingredients in a glorious green bath include milk, salts and fragrant oils – forget about detergent-based bath foams. When it comes to bathing ingredients, less is definitely more.

Consider some of the ingredients we opt for in our bathing milks and teas:

• Organic mustard – an amazing detoxifier
• Organic buttermilk – high in fat, buttermilk is an amazing skin softener
• Dead sea salts – cleanses and detoxifies and an absorber of essential oils
• Organic lemon and rosemary essential oils – therapeutic aromatherapy
• Lavender – the ultimate cure for insomnia
• Chamomile – relaxes and uplifts spirits
• Calendula – a skin-soothing botanical

Is it any surprise why the Romans made bathing a vital social event of every day life?

One Stipulation for Soaking…

Make sure that the bath water is no hotter than 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celcius) and that you soak no longer than 20 minutes. Prolonged bathing – even with the most natural and luxurious bathing salts, teas and milk – can dry out the skin, so stay within these guidelines for maximum benefits.

Posted on June 24, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

J. No: Secret Chemicals & a DIY Summer Scent!

Floral. Exotic. Musky.

Britney. Halle. Even Hannah Montana!

Such is the language and star-power of the perfume industry.

In an explosive new study, the Environmental Working Group found that beyond the sex-appeal of many of these fragrances lives a dark, unhealthy truth: a cloud of toxicity is living in tandem with popular scents.

The study found an average of 14 chemicals in each of the 17 fragrance products assessed in total.

The Environmental Working Group dubs a majority of the chemicals ‘secret’ since they are undisclosed and not listed on the label. These chemicals have been associated with:

• Hormone disruption
• Allergic reactions
• Reproductive toxicity
• The propensity to bio-accumulate in humans, from fat tissue to breast milk

When it comes to fragrance, there is a surprising lack of red tape: a review of government records shows that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not assessed the vast majority of fragrance ingredients in personal care products for safety.

Worry-Free Fragrance

Fragrance is one of the top 8 ingredients you should avoid as seen in my Skin Detox 101 post. But what’s a girl or guy to do when a spritz of scent is a standard part of your daily personal care routine?

When shopping for that ‘just-right’ scent, look for ones that are made from organic essential oils, botanical essences and natural spices. Summer Rayne Oakes, a noted environmentalist and eco chic model, recommends  Tsi La fragrances, Aftelier, any scent by aromatherapist Valerie Bennis, and Patyka in her green personal care guide Style, Naturally. And if you’re a fan of a super light mist of scent, don’t forget versatile hydrosol!

Check out two DIY perfumes we’ve already posted.  In the spirit of summer, here’s a lovely scent that redefines fresh!

Summer Garden Splash

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons chopped fresh tomato leaves
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh geranium leaves
• 1 teaspoon fresh mint leaves
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
• 1 cup vodka or witch hazel
• 1 teaspoon glycerin (you can find this colorless liquid in small quantities in your pharmacy, or buy it buy the gallon online if you plan on making your own scents, soaps and more)

How to:

1. Place the leaves and the grated lemon rind in a glass jar with a lid.

2. Pour the vodka and glycerin over the leaves and rind.

3. Cover and let mixture sit in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks.

4. train the liquid through a coffee filter to remove the debris. Pour into a spray bottle.

Source: The Green Beauty Guide, Julie Gabriel

Posted on June 22, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Get Misty with Rose & Lavender

We’ve waxed poetic about organic lavender. We’ve hailed lavender hydrosol for its healing properties. And we’ve even extolled the virtues of lavender in food, both sweet and savory.

But once and a while, we recognize that other worthy floral blooms offer their own contribution to our bath and body routine.

A Rose By Any Other Name…

Like lavender, rose water – or rose hydrosol – soothes irritated skin. It is considered a mild, natural sedative that can act as an anti-depressant. And rose is used in treatments to ease everything from nervous tension to peptic ulcers to heart disease.

This Lavender-Rose Sweet Water Mist is a multi-tasker extraordinaire.  Mix up this DIY recipe and use it to…

• Repel moths and other insects before winter storage
• Promote rest and relaxation before bedtime when spritzed on your pillowcase
• Give your clothes a lovely lift when used as a mist before ironing (see you later spray starch!)
• Use your favorite lavender essential oil from Napa Valley Bath!

So without further ado, here is a great DIY recipe for yourself, or to make as a gift for a friend or loved one…

Lavender-Rose Sweet Water Mist

Ingredients:

- 4 ounces rose hydrosol (available at natural-foods stores)
- 1 ounce distilled water
- 1 tablespoon 150- to 190-proof alcohol, such as brandy, unflavored vodka, or grain alcohol
- 10 drops vegetable glycerin
- 45 drops lavender essential oil

How To:

In a small spray mister, combine rose hydrosol, water, alcohol, vegetable glycerin, and lavender essential oil. Cover and shake well to blend.

While you’re at it, try making Lavender Liquid Body Wash and Lavender Dishwashing Liquid, both of which call for organic lavender essential oil.

source:   WholeLiving.com

Posted on June 15, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Baby Massage How-To, Plus DIY Massage Oil!

We love massages. Who doesn’t?

Even the ittiest bittiest among us adore this ultimate in spa treatments. After all, why should grown-ups have all the fun?

In fact, a baby massage is a greatly neglected nonmedical solution for many baby ailments. Various studies show that baby massage helps to:

• Ease colic
• Soothe stomach disorders
• Help sleep

Plus, it’s simply a lovely way to bond with your baby. Follow these 5 steps to a blissed out baby:

1. Timing is Everything: Choose a time when baby is relaxed – post bath but before feeding is a top option.
2. Location, Location, Location: Place baby on a clean receiving blanket. Play some soothing classical music or hum a special song reserved for massage time.
3. Light Touch: Close your eyes and press your eyelids: this is a great gauge for the proper massage pressure for baby. Unlike muscle-penetrating adult massages, baby massages shouldn’t go any deeper than the skin.
4. Flow from Head to Toe: Use fingertips to massage hands, feet, face. Use the palm of your hand to massage stomach area, legs and arms.  There’s really no right or wrong…the only requisite is to be gentle and loving!
5. Essential Oil No No: Don’t massage baby’s face with massage oil that contains essential oils.

This massage oil recipe can be used for baby massage as well as for use on your own dry areas.

Soothing Baby Massage Oil

Ingredients

• ½ cup organic olive oil, grape seed oil or any unscented organic plant oil
• ½ cup wheat germ oil

Optional

3 drops lavender essential oil (rose or calendula are also safe bets for baby)

How To

Combine all ingredients in a glass bottle with a flip-top cap. Shake well to allow oils to blend uniformly.

Via The Green Beauty Guide, by Julie Gabriel

Posted on June 8, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Get Your Healthy Home Checklist Here!

We’re big fans of the Environmental Working Group. This Washington-based non-profit uses the power of public information to protect public health and the environment.

Their latest endeavor is their Healthy Home Checklist.

The idea is to go through your home, room by room, checklist in hand. The list helps you assess how you can create a less toxic home for you and your family in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry and cleaning closet and all around the house.

Check out this televised tour of one family’s Healthy Home Checklist adventure!

Do You Smell That?

On the Bathroom checklist, we noticed these two important points:

1. Do you use air fresheners? Don’t! Most contain a number of toxic chemicals that contaminate the air you breathe.
2. Is there fragrance in your personal care products? We don’t know what’s in “fragrance,” so it’s safer to choose all fragrance-free personal care products. Always check ingredient lists to be sure.

These two questions resonated with us since Napa Valley Bath boasts a bonafide  ‘pure cure’ for each!…

NVB Cure for #1 – All Natural Air Freshener:

You can’t get more pure than lavender hydrosol. Known also as lavender water, lavender hydrosol is the pure, water-based solution created when essential oils are steam distilled. It’s also the perfect antidote to toxic, over-bearing room sprays.

Plus, hydrosol is a workhorse. Uses include sunburn reliever, first aid cure, insomnia therapy (simply spray on your pillow), and much more!

NVB Cure for #2 – A Worry-Free, Longer Lasting Fragrance Substitute

Personal care experts suggest that buying a scented body lotion is a better investment than buying a cologne or perfume. Lotions soak into your skin, emitting a longer-lasting and more subtle scent than cologne or perfume.

Napa Valley Bath’s all-natural, chemical free Lavender Body Lotion steps this concept up a notch.  After all, the skin is your body’s largest organ, so slathering something healthy on it is the only sensible thing to do.

Plus, you’ll enjoy the ‘longevity’ factor of a lotion vs. spray-on scent.

Will you take EWG’s Healthy Home Checklist to task?  If so, let us know what you discover! We love hearing from you!

Posted on May 29, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

2 DIY Olive Oil and Lavender-Kissed Cleansers!

If your facial cleanser is leaving your skin feeling dry, it’s removing too much of its natural moisturizer, known as sebum.

On the other hand, if your cleanser leaves your skin feeling greasy or sticky, either it isn’t removing enough oil or it contains heavy emollient and film-forming ingredients that clog pores.

Squeaky, Cheeky Clean!

A great facial cleanser removes grime from your skin – without stripping it of healthy lipids which you need to protect from the environment.

That’s where a great DIY green cleanser comes in.  Olive and sunflower oils are suitable for almost every skin. Try the following recipe, which green cosmetics author and advocate Julie Gabriel considers “a green replica of conventional cleansing” products.

Just Olive Cleansing Oil

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces organic extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 ampoule of vitamin E (a blend of tocopherols and tocotrienols)
• 1 drop essential oil of chamomile

note: an ampoule is a small sealed vial

How to:

1. Pour the oil into a stainless steel shaker; add the vitamin E and essential oil. (if you have acne outbreaks, replace the chamomile oil with one drop of tea tree or geranium oil).

2. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

3. Pour the contents into a pump bottle. Thanks to the antioxidant action of vitamin E and chamomile, this blend has a long shelf life in dry, cool conditions.

The following DIY recipe can be used as a mask if you’re experiencing pimples, dullness, or overall uneven complexion. Just leave it on for 5 minutes to let it do its magic.

Day in Provence Cleansing Powder

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon loose organic green tea
• 1 teaspoon dried rose petals
• 1 teaspoon dried calendula (marigold petals)
• 1 teaspoon dried lavender florets
• 1 uncoated aspirin tablet
• 1 ounce white clay (bentonite)
• 1 ounce rice bran
• 3 capsules of vitamin C

1. Crush the green tea, rose and calendula petals, and lavender florets in a mortar.  Add the aspirin tablet, crush it, and blend with plant particles. Add the clay and blend thoroughly. Add rice bran. Twist open capsules of vitamin C and add them to the mix.

2. Transfer to a wide-neck glass bottle and shake vigorously so the ingredients form a homogeneous mix.

3. Use daily by pouring a teaspoonful (size of two quarters) into a dry hand. Add a few drops of water, form a dense paste, and rub into face, avoiding the eye area.

note: this concoction can be stored up to three months in an airtight twist-cap bottle.

Let us know how you like the results, right here: we’d love to hear from you!

recipes via The Green Beauty Guide, by Julie Gabriel