Anti-Aging

One Ingredient Facial Masks

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Giving yourself a home facial treatment is a great way to give yourself some extra love. There are a lot of options hanging out in your kitchen, and endless combining that can be done, but sometimes a simple one ingredient mask is all you really need to give your skin a little oomph, especially on days when even adding water and stirring sounds like to much effort.

Papaya can be used as an all natural chemical peel and it’s much gentler on your skin than a chemical peel at a spa. The enzymes in papaya help to get rid of the old layer of skin on top, and reveal the smoother, fresher, more vibrant skin beneath. Those enzymes are the same ones that help us digest our foods which is why you can buy papaya enzyme supplements, so mash some up for your face, then eat the rest. You only need to leave it on your face for 3-5 minutes, then use a warm, damp cloth to wipe off, preferably with upward, circular motions, starting with your chin. Enjoy the glow!

DA23CAE6-126C-4AF2-A146-2ADB531467A9 Honey can be used as both a mask and a natural cleanser. This is a great option for oily, sensitive, or acne prone skin. Honey has also been traditionally used to lighten and brighten skin and correct hyper-pigmentation as well as fight acne and oil. It combines well with other natural ingredients such as the ones below. Leave on for 5-20 minutes, the rinse with a warm, damp cloth.

WP_20180925_15_15_10_Pro Aloe is a great firming mask. Slice a fresh aloe leaf down the middle long ways, and rub the fresh juice on your skin. Leave on until the mask had dried, or until the firming and tightening feeling has subdued, then rinse off with warm water. Your skin will not only be firm, but moisturized as well.

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Plain yogurt and kefir are good for the face (I only have flavored ones right now for the pic)

Plain yogurt or kefir can be used directly on the skin for those same probiotic benefits that the gut enjoys. The lactic acid in dairy is a natural exfoliater too so even plain milk can be used as a mask, though yogurt and kefir have more to offer the skin. Leave on for 5-20 minutes, then rinse off with a warm, damp cloth. (I only had flavored yogurt and kefir for the pic, but use plain instead.)

3BA59B87-0361-43B1-A6BC-2843136F1B3B[1] Egg whites are firming and smoothing and are often found in retro face mask recipes. Add one to your face and let it dry before rinsing off with a warm, damp cloth for smoother, firmer skin.

20A39EE2-15D3-442C-8963-E972EC7E3C9C Just about any fruit can be mashed up and spread on the face for a quick mask, so if you have some fruit that is turning before you can eat it, just mash it up and use those nutrients for your skin. Fruit has natural enzymes (such as the papaya up at the top of the page) and also vitamins and minerals that the skin can soak up. Good options are avocados, bananas, mangos, and peaches.

WP_20180307_10_29_27_Pro If you are in the mood to mix a few ingredients together, any of the above can be combined for a more multi-dimensional mask, or you can add a clay like green, red, or white clay to create something a bit more solid, or even add a milk powder or ground oats. Ground herbs can also be used in a mask, such as rose petals, rose hips, or turmeric. Be careful with turmeric because it can temporarily stain skin, especially fair skin, and permanently stain things like clothing. If this happens to your skin, use an oil like sweet almond oil, combined with sugar over the stained area, rub gently, and know that it is temporary. Turmeric has been used in Asia and India for centuries in skin care for it’s brightening and healing qualities, so it has a long tradition of healing and beautifying behind it. A friend of mine from India told me it is even used by brides in the beautifying rituals before weddings.

If you have extra time, it’s nice to start with the papaya chemical peel, then use a mask that draws out impurities such as green clay, then put some great nutrients back in with a mask of more mashed fruit and an egg white, honey, or aloe.

Enjoy a little extra care once or twice a week. Even if it’s only for five minutes, the glow will last far longer. Please share this with anyone who needs a quick self-care pick-me-up, and please subscribe for weekly wellness posts like this one. Be well!

 

Natural Supplements for Osteoarthritis

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When looking for supplements to help ease arthritis pain, it’s important to include anti-inflammatories as well as those that work on cartilage. As far as an anti-inflammatory, turmeric is a proven herb for reducing inflammation all over the body. (That’s turmeric that my friend brought back from Hawaii in the pic up above.) It is usually combined with black pepper for best absorption, although it doesn’t have to be in order to receive benefits, especially if taken as part of a meal in food or drink. If taken in a pill, look for one that does include black pepper such as Gaia’s line of turmeric supplements. Ginger is another herb that can be combined with turmeric or taken separately to ease arthritis pain, and Devil’s Claw is approved as one of those phytomedicines prescribed in Germany that I talked about earlier. (If you missed that post, German doctors have about six to seven hundred herbs they can and do regularly prescribe, as advised by the committee which oversees herbs and supplements and reports to their version of the FDA.) Devil’s Claw is not as popular in the U.S. as it is in Europe, although you can easily find it here. I personally have no history with that particular herb, but turmeric and I on the other hand have a long and happy history because although I don’t have arthritis, I have experienced some pain from joint damage that turmeric has all but erased. When I was pregnant, I had some joint movement in my feet, which is quite common. It resulted in a lot of pain, especially when my feet were stepped on, and let me tell you that happened often when my boys were little. I ended up getting a steroid shot at the base of my big toe to stop the inflammation from all the damage, and the doctor told me I’d probably just have to get one about once a year unless I ever opted for surgery. Sure enough, the pain started to come back after a few months, so I got another shot about a year after the first one. This time I decided to take turmeric daily to help with the inflammation (those first few years with little ones had my brain way too occupied to remember my herbal training but by this point the fog was starting to clear) and I’ve never needed another shot, nor have I been in pain besides rare long nights with crampy shoes. It’s definitely due to taking turmeric consistently and luckily turmeric has benefits for the digestive system as well, and is even touted in the Blue Zones books for being one of the superfoods that slows aging. Not bad side effects!

As for supplements to target cartilage damage, most people have heard of glucosamine and chondroitin. When I worked at health food stores I talked to many people getting powerful results from these two, if they stuck with it. But there is a best practice to follow when taking this combination because some people have a bit of stomach sensitivity to these pills, so starting below the amount recommended on the bottle is advisable. (Or just follow your doctor’s instructions.) If your stomach handles the lower dose, build up over a few days, adding another pill per day or every few days, depending on your sensitivity. In other words, if the bottle says take three pills twice per day, it’s better to start with one pill twice per day, then if that goes well for a couple of days then move up to two pills for the first dose then one pill for the second dose for a couple of days, and so on. This allows for the digestive system to adapt. It usually takes about six to eight weeks for the effects to really be noticeable, although I got a sample from the New Hope Blogger Box of some chewables that report a much quicker time to relief. Joint Health by Redd Remedies boasts results in an impressive 4-10 days, plus the suggested dose is just one per day and it’s a chewable, making it a nice fit for those who have pill fatigue.

Since I no longer have any joint pain, I’ll have to pass these along to someone and see what they think. Redd Remedies puts a lot of effort into their research with peer-reviewed, published human clinical trials and published safety data, so I’m betting this is an extremely effective product, but I’ll let you know if my tester runs into any issues with it.

Another supplement to consider is Bromelain, the enzyme found in pineapple. To get the anti-inflammatory action straight from the fruit, it needs to be consumed fresh, not frozen or canned, and you need to eat it often. I’ve heard of people getting great results from this enzyme but it really depends on the person and what works best for each individual’s body. Taking bromelain for your joints though has the added benefits of helping to break down protein in your meals so you get the most nutrients from what you eat. Isn’t it nice to hear about beneficial side effects instead of a long list of potential problems that accompany most pharmaceuticals?

It’s never too early to start taking care of your joints, and know that there is help available if osteoarthritis sets in. Take care of yourselves and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share with anyone who might benefit from this article.

 

 

Adaptogens Mini-Course

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To be considered an adaptogen an herb must have the quality of not causing harm. Adaptogens are said to have plant intelligence in the way they support what each individual needs. To learn more about this quality, click the play button on the video below, and to learn more about adaptogens in general, check out my mini-course:

https://botanical-alchemy-and-apothecary.teachable.com/p/adaptogens

Thank you! Be well and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share with anyone who might benefit from this mini-course.

 

Gum Recession

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Between gum disease, grinding teeth at night, and possibly brushing too hard (though that cause is up for debate), gum recession is incredibly common. It generally shows up after age 40, though it most likely started years earlier. It’s a slow, gradual process which can eventually lead to tooth loss, so it’s no small matter. Depending on how far along the recession is, a dentist may do a deep cleaning that involves cleaning below the gum line, which is different than just the normal twice a year cleaning, or suggest a mouth guard to stop grinding teeth at night. There doesn’t seem to be a modern medicine option for actually rebuilding the gum tissue and overall oral health, but luckily for us, there are natural products out there to help do just that.

Uncle Harry’s is a natural products company that was actually founded due to gum health concerns. You can read about that history here, or just check out their products that are based on Ayurvedic principals for keeping the mouth healthy and thriving. Their anise toothpaste is my personal favorite, but they have several flavors to choose from such as the more common flavor of peppermint. You dip your toothbrush right into the jar and the essential oils make sure that the jar of toothpaste stays free of bacteria, viruses, and germs of all sorts. The toothpastes help the mouth keep a proper alkaline pH, have no sweeteners or fluoride, and naturally fight gum disease while offering the gums and teeth herbs and essential oils that build them up. They also have a powder to help soothe sore gums called Inflamed Gums, with numbing and healing herbs and essential oils in it.

Another great company, Herb Pharm, has a mouthwash called Gum Guardian that is full of gum healing and building herbs. Use this after brushing and flossing, just as you would a conventional mouthwash, though this one is more medicinal in nature. It’s an extract so you have to just add a dropperful to a small amount of water to swish it around.

Wishgarden Herbs has a Gum Strengthener that can also be used as a mouthwash, but alternatively it can be massaged directly into problem areas. If the whole mouth is a problem area, it can be administered all over with a toothbrush. Another similar product is by Herbs Etc and is called Mouth Tonic which has great reviews. Actually all these herbal extracts have great reviews and all are quite similar in terms of the herbs used (read the ingredients lists and count how many times you see Myrrh), so you can’t really go wrong.

Before going any further I should say that vitamin C is the most important vitamin for gum recession issues. Most people get enough vitamin C in their daily diet and possibly a multivitamin, but a little extra doesn’t hurt when fighting any kind of disease or infection. Just something to keep in mind.

Oil pulling is a technique from Ayurveda that seems to be growing in popularity. It involves swishing sesame oil or coconut oil in one’s mouth for 10-20 minutes, then spitting it out. To be honest, I’ve not tried this yet because the thought of holding the oil in my mouth that long doesn’t seem appealing when there are herbs in extract form that will aid oral health in an easier way, but then again I generally always choose the herbal options. To each his own though so if you try it, or currently do it in your oral health regimen, let me know because I want to hear about it! Here’s a good article on how to do it if you need instructions.

Green tea is known for its many benefits from its antioxidants to its fat burning properties, and one more benefit is oral health. Drinking just one cup of green tea a day is enough to increase the health of gums and mouth. Green tea is so versatile, you can add it to your skincare products, drink it for a multitude of health benefits, and add the room temperature tea bags to your eyes for help with puffiness and dark circles.

I just love how the natural world so quietly and competently has so many options for improving our health and daily life. Long before “there’s an app for that” became the modern mantra, “there’s an herb for that” prevailed, and still does, but you often have to look beyond the noisy world to find the right ones for you. There are always options so don’t let an ‘incurable’ condition such as anxiety or hair loss get you down.

Happy Summer and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share with anyone who might benefit from this article.

 

 

Natural Sunscreens

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It’s that time of year again when we are bombarded with messages about sun safety and the need for daily sunscreen. That refrain has become a little dissonant lately though with more and more people questioning the ingredients in their sunscreen, with good reason. That ‘protective’ layer can house some awfully hazardous chemicals that have actually started to be researched as potential causes of cancer themselves, as well as having other undesirable qualities such as hormone disruptors, allergy-causing, and skin penetration. To review the specific chemicals and their risk factors, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), check out the graph located in their article here. They list oxybenzone as the most hazardous chemical in sunscreens, so it is a good idea to double check that at least that one chemical is not in any of your sunscreen products.

The alternative to chemical sunscreens is mineral based sunscreens which are considered safer. Jessica Rubino, in her article for Delicious Living, explains mineral sunscreens in this way:

Mineral sunscreens use active mineral ingredients, such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide. They reflect the sun’s rays like a mirror to protect exposed skin.

UV protection

When buying sunscreen, protection from UV rays should be your top consideration. In that sense, mineral options take the prize, according to the EWG. Zinc oxide, in particular, delivers the best UVA and UVB protection (also known as broad-spectrum coverage), says Leiba. “Mineral active ingredients don’t break down as readily in the sun, offering greater protection for longer.”

Ingredient safety

Generally speaking, naturally derived ingredients used in mineral sunscreens are gentler than chemicals. Still, some considerations remain. Avoid titanium dioxide in powder or spray form; the EWG claims it’s linked to toxicity when inhaled. Also, it’s worth reading up on nanotechnology, which creates tiny particles that are often used in mineral sunscreens to make them easier to rub in. Since labeling regulations of nanoparticles don’t exist yet, ask manufacturers directly about their policies. EWG maintains that nano in sunscreen is safe, but research continues. (There do exist non-nano mineral sunscreens, such as the one from Babo Botanicals below.)

Appearance

Other than those that use nanoparticles, mineral sunscreens simply don’t rub into skin as well, often leaving a white film. In the quest for mineral sunscreens that apply more evenly, some  companies are trying non-nano ingredients, such as an aloe base and ZinClear, a zinc oxide. If you choose a safe mineral classic, expect to take an extra minute to rub it in.

In another article from Delicious Living, the following nine sunscreens were given the safety rating of 1 (safest!) by the EWG. Compare that to oxybenzone which has an 8 (out of 10) rating and it’s clear these mineral sunscreens are a far safer bet. That being said, I do want to point out that from what I have read and also gathered from my naturopath, people really need half an hour of sun on their faces and bare arms every day, without sunscreen, for proper amounts of vitamin D. Here in the Pacific Northwest, as well as other places around the country and world, proper amounts of vitamin D are not even possible without supplementation because of the lack of sun for many months out of the year. Vitamin D is important for immunity, skin, bone, and mental health, and blood pressure concerns, plus a lack of vitamin D has been implicated in breast cancer and prostate cancer, as well as many other chronic health conditions. Keep this in mind when determining your sunscreen usage. It’s not only important to choose your ingredients wisely, but also to know how to use your products to ensure optimal health. The following are listed alphabetically:

Andalou Naturals All-in-One Beauty Balm, Sheer Tint, SPF 30

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With well-rounded complexion protection, Andalou’s BB product not only uses minerals to shield from harmful rays but also to lend a subtle, “sun-kissed” tint to skin. Fruit stem cells and superfruits provide an antiaging and brightening boost, too.

Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sport Stick Sunscreen, Fragrance Free, SPF 30

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Containing 20 percent non-nano zinc oxide and a cocktail of nourishing botanicals to sooth the skin (think avocado oil and cocoa seed butter), this new launch a clear winner in safe sun care, and the EWG rating agrees.

Badger Unscented Sunscreen Face Stick, SPF 35

badgerfacestick-sunscreen

Badger continues to raise the bar for safe sun care, this time focusing on developing effective nontoxic preservatives specifically for mineral sun care. Badger’s line includes products for the whole family; this easy-to-apply face stick contains 22.5 percent zinc oxide for superior active lifestyle protection.

California Baby Super Sensitive Sunscreen, SPF 30+

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A brand that has rightfully earned the trust of moms, California Baby once again delivers on baby-centric safety, according to the EWG. Ideal for little ones, this fragrance-free product offers a comfortable application that is also sting-free for the eyes (moms can use it as a gentle-on-the-complexion option, too).

Goddess Garden Everyday Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30

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A go-to for anyone seeking daily, no-fuss sun protection, this product contains an efficacious blend of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in a base of soothing aloe leaf juice, shea butter and coconut oil. Plus, it’s organic. A great choice for your body—and the earth.

Hampton Sun Sunscreen Lotion for Baby, SPF 45

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Another extra-gentle, excellent choice for babies, this product complements its UV-protective mineral blend with soothing chamomile and sunflower oil.

Jersey Shore Cosmetics Anti-Aging Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 35

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Sun protection is your No. 1 defense against aging. But extra protection is a major boon. Top-rated by the EWG for its UV protection, this SKU also contains vitamins E and D3 for antiaging prowess.

Juice Beauty Sport Sunscreen, SPF 30

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Tailor-made for an active and beautiful lifestyle: Protect with chemicals, support with plant extracts, antioxidants and vitamins.

Mineral Fusion Mineral Sun Stick, SPF 30

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Mineral Fusion knows what skin needs—and the company is no stranger to delivering it with carefully crafted mineral formulations. This product starts with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, then gives skin a vitamin and antioxidant boost.

In short, avoid chemical sunscreens, especially ones with oxybenzone in them, and instead opt for mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium oxide. Also, if you must use a spray sunscreen, only use ones made with zinc oxide, not titanium oxide, because the EWG lists it as unsafe when inhaled in that form. Enjoy the sun and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share with anyone who might benefit from this article.

Brain Health

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While creating a mini-course on adaptogens, I’ve been thinking about putting together a blend focused on brain health for my sons who are students and will be for many more years. The adaptogenic herbs I’m thinking of including are Ashwagandha, Tulsi, Gotu Kola, and Rhodiola. This would be a great mix for long-term energy and stamina, with herbs specifically targeting brain health, focus, and stress management, with anti-depressant and anti-anxiety action. This seems like an optimal mix for a student, or for anyone looking for long-term brain support. As we age it is especially important to make sure our brains get the best nutrition and care we can provide. No one else can do it for you~ this is self care at a fundamental level.

Here is an infographic from Delicious Living that has other ways to improve brain health on a daily basis. These tips are not only good for brain health but overall health and wellness in general, and they really aren’t hard. It’s a nice reminder of how eating more fruits and vegetables, reducing stress, exercising, and consciously limiting toxins improve every part of daily life. I’ve been thinking lately how the ripple effects of our thoughts and actions can be either be beneficial and building a better future, or damaging. It’s hard to always choose wisely, but self care can never be detrimental.

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Nutritious foods don’t have to be boring. The New Hope Blogger Box has some foods this time around that make superfoods snackable and drinkable. This Beet Latte from Raw and Root has goji and maqui berries along with the beet root to make this a deeply nourishing addition to any daily diet. This combination offers support for energy, heart health, weight loss, and more. Check out their website to see all the benefits of these three superfoods. This powder is going in my morning smoothies.

This dried Dragon Fruit from Jungle Orchards  has only 6g of sugars per package, plus 2g of protein. Dragon fruit is considered a superfood for its many benefits without the excessive sugar that many fruits have, especially dried fruits. This would make a great healthy snack for kids’ lunch bags when you want to send them off with extra fruit but not extra sugar. To learn more about the many benefits of dragon fruit (it was all new to me!) then check out this article which talks about weight loss, lowering cholesterol, improving energy, and more.

Avocado is delicious but has the one overwhelming flaw of being seriously high maintenance when it comes to catching its perfect ripeness, and also you can’t take an avocado anywhere without bruising. These freeze-dried avocados from Senor Avocado take the guesswork out of avocado ripening and they are fully transportable so lunch boxes can carry them. The healthy fats are still there, and the taste is the same as a fresh, but the texture is slightly different so no avocado toast with these. Instead, throw them on salads or soups, or just eat them as a snack or as part of healthy meal. There are different flavors but I really liked these Peruvian Pink Salt ones.

Enjoy the upcoming Memorial weekend (for those here in the U.S.) and be sure to take good care of yourself with some healthy delicious foods, some fun activities, and plenty of rest. Your body and brain will thank you for it. Please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share with anyone who might benefit from this article.

Toner DIY with Infused Ingredients

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Toner is used to balance the skin’s pH after cleansing, and it can be made from a multitude of natural ingredients, which makes it especially easy to blend your own at home. You can even just simply use a hydrosol as a toner, or witch hazel, or even just make green tea, let it cool, then bottle it and spray it on your face/body. (That green tea toner needs to be kept in the fridge and should be used within three days.) I like making toners that have more ingredients in them because I enjoy getting as many benefits out of my products as possible, and infusing those ingredients with herbs makes them even more nutrient dense and beneficial. My first toner recipe is very similar to the one below, but this time I first infused vegetable glycerin (also spelled glycerine) with rose buds to get all those wonderful rosy healing attributes as well as the gorgeous color and scent. You certainly don’t have to do this, but adding glycerin to your toners or other products makes them more emollient and protective because it brings the moisture from the air into your skin and adds a protective layer to the skin as well. Food grade glycerin can be taken internally as well, and makes for a kid-friendly extract because it’s sweet and alcohol free. Aloe is a firming agent and can be used alone as a mask on your face for quick toning and firming action. Witch Hazel is astringent and pH balancing and can also be infused with herbs. I used Geranium essential oil because it is good for all kinds of skin, and Carrot Seed essential oil for the vitamin A. I added a drop of Turkish Rose essential oil to complement the rose infused glycerin. Use whatever essential oils you like best, no more than 10 drops in 4 oz. of liquid though, and less than that if your skin is sensitive. This actually smelled quite nice without the essential oils but I like the therapeutic effects of the ones I added, but do start with smaller amounts if you are new to making your own skin care.

Recipe for Rose infused Glycerin:

Fill a jar 1/2 to 3/4 full with rose petals or whatever herb you are using. If using buds like I did, bruise and chop them up a bit first.

Add a mixture of vegetable glycerine and distilled water in a proportion of 1/4 distilled water to 3/4 glycerin. If you are using fresh herbs, no distilled water is needed.

Make sure the herbs are covered completely, shake them up daily for two weeks, then strain. Glycerin is ready to use.

The rose buds I used went from dark pink to white in about 24 hours. I was so surprised! Keep both the marinating product and finished product out of heat and light.

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Toner:

4 oz. Bottle (dark glass preferable)

1/4 C Witch Hazel

1/8 C Aloe Vera gel 

1 teaspoon rose infused glycerin (or plain glycerin)

Distilled water (enough to almost fill the bottle, just leave room for the essential oils if using)

1-2 drops Turkish Rose essential oil

4 drops Geranium essential oil

4 drops Carrot Seed essential oil

Put the first four ingredients in a dark glass bottle and shake it up. Add the essential oils (if using) and roll the bottle in your hands to blend. Shake before using.

Be sure to label your bottle and write down your recipe.

Making your own toner is a great place to start with DIYing your natural beauty regimen because it can be as effortless as one ingredient, and it’s hard to go wrong. Start simple and add ingredients as you figure out what works best for your skin and your sense of smell. Most of all, have fun creating, and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share with anyone who might benefit from this article.

 

Eco-Friendly Beauty Companies

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No one has time to make all their own beauty products, so it’s nice to know which companies are truly ‘natural’ and also have a sustainable mission that guides their work. If a company claims to be all natural but doesn’t care about their impact on the natural world, then something is clearly amiss. These four companies highlighted by Delicious Living’s Jessica Rubino are a great place to start. I personally use a lot of evan healy products because they are effective, smell great, and are clean and green. I first heard of the product line when I read the book No More Dirty Looks and I’ve been using some (off and on) ever since. We also have used Badger sunscreen face sticks in the summer for years. One thing to remember is that a little goes a long way with these products, especially when it comes to face oil, so start small then add more if needed. You can always blot some off with a tissue if after ten minutes you feel shiny or greasy at all.

argonfaceoilBadger Argan Face Oil

Buying this nourishing, totally clean, USDA Organic product also supports B Corp values, which for Badger means concern for employees, from on-site child care to organic lunches.

 

California Scrub Co. Spicy Chai

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This small company blends essential oils with upcycled coffee grounds to create luscious scrubs packaged in glass jars—sustainable from start to finish.

 

 

Evanhealy Blue Cactus Beauty Elixir

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Unique ingredients from small farms, women’s co-ops and other community-focused sources combine in lovely,  handmade organic products, including this elixir.

 

 

True Botanicals Renew Pure Radiance Oil

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Clinical trials plus a team of scientific advisers back the company’s vision for natural products that really work. A double-blind study showed that this pick, made with organic oils, improves skin hydration and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

 

 

Enjoy your weekend and the next time you need to buy a beauty product, look for something that makes you also feel good on the inside too and you’ll get twice as much out of it. The earth will thank you as well as your skin. Cheers to you and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share this with anyone who might be interested.

 

New Supplements for Self Love

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Happy Valentine’s Day! Valentine’s falls on ‘Wellness Wednesday’ this year, so this is a great day to think about showing yourself some love. The #NewHopeBloggerBox happens to be full of supplements this time around that can definitely improve your health and beauty, and even your breath! Valentine’s isn’t supposed to be only about self-love after all. So let’s start there~

At first I thought this package from Lively Up Your Breath was gum, but it is actually a capsule full of liquid that you break open in your mouth, then chew or discard the capsule. (I discarded mine.) It has powerful ingredients such as peppermint oil and menthol crystals, as well as chlorophyll to provide both instant and long-lasting results. They are free of refined sugar, artificial colors and flavors, gluten, aspartame, and no preservatives.

Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder, but great skin never hurts. Neocell’s Super Ceramindes helps hydrate the skin from the inside out, which is helpful any season but especially in winter.

This is where self-love is important because if you are unhappy with the quality of your skin, especially when it comes to aging, there are different supplements out there that can offer help. Neocell also makes great collagen powders and supplements that I swear have kept my skin from getting the grey cast it always has by this time of year. I’ve been drinking a glass of the powder mixed in water first thing in the morning for a couple of months and it has helped my skin look alive in the dead of winter. It’s really just a matter of figuring out what works best for you, and no one is going to give you permission to take care of yourself, you just have to commit to doing it. (Trust me, I know it isn’t easy.)

That goes for weight issues too. If you have a problem with sugar cravings, you are certainly not alone, and you don’t have to fight them alone. Redd Remedies’ Crave Stop uses the herb Gymnema Sylvestra and the mineral Chromium along with other ingredients to help balance the blood sugar peaks and dips which helps control cravings.

CBD oil has been getting a lot of press lately for, well, just about everything. It seems to have an endless list of benefits from fighting inflammation, to balancing hormones, to reducing anxiety and much more. This one from CV Sciences is made with non-GMO ingredients, is gluten-free, and vegetarian.

Whether you are the type of person who has problems falling asleep or if you are the type that wakes up in the middle of the night to stare at the ceiling for hours on end, Utzy Naturals’ Utzzz’s Stay Asleep Natural Sleep Aid can help. This formula has great ingredients such as Ashwagandha, Chamomile, GABA, Calcium and Magnesium, and more, plus it does not have gluten, yeast, nor artificial colors or flavors. I’ve taken this already for a couple of nights in a row and it really has helped me fall asleep, and stay asleep through the night instead of waking up at 2:30 for one to two hours. I don’t feel any kind of residue upon waking like I have in the past with some other natural sleep aids, and in fact have awoken fairly bright and ready for the day. Well, ready for the walk to the coffeemaker anyway.

In the “Welcome to the Modern World” category, Source Naturals stays at the cutting age with their Screen Time Stamina, helping us collectively adapt to the age of technology. This may be a modern formula, but it’s chock full of time-tested traditional adaptogens, and plenty of other herbs, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to support brain and eye function as well as stamina. Gutenberg would be proud.

Speaking of adaptogens, Oregon’s Wild Harvest Ashwagandha is organic and is simply the herb in a vegetarian capsule with no fillers. Ashwagandha is a classic adaptogenic herb that is best known for increasing stamina by balancing energy levels, which includes helping with sleep. (It is in both Utzy’s sleep formula and in the Screen Time Stamina above.) Adaptogens are popular right now and it’s not surprising considering they help our bodies, minds, and emotions manage stress and adrenal fatigue, and are known to have a very low likelihood to causing harm.

Another herb with adaptogenic qualities is Turmeric, and it is also anti-inflammatory with high anti-oxident activity. Natural Factors has paired Turmeric with L-glutamine for a post-workout recovery powder. These two ingredients are also highly helpful for the digestive system and I’m excited to try it as part of my quest to completely heal my food intolerances.

May your heart be full and healthy on this Valentine’s day and every day. Please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share this with anyone who might be interested. XOXOXO

 

How to Make an Herbal Oil Part 2

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Herbal oils are one thing that are not easy to find ready-made. They are instead extremely easy to make though, and once you have an oil ready, it can be made into massage or body oil, an all natural perfume, balm, salve, or butter. You can even just use it straight as a healing moisturizer and it makes a lovely gift. (Valentine’s day is just around the corner!) Adding some rose buds or petals back into a bottle of rose oil makes for an extra special gift presentation. If you missed the beginning of the process, you will find it here. This method is called the cold method and is very similar to making an herbal tincture.

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