HOMEMADE SHAMPOO

Store-bought shampoos and conditioners are full of toxins that affect the entire body, not just your hair. Why not try making your own? Leaves hair soft, shiny and strong!

HOMEMADE SHAMPOO

1 cup Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap

½ cup full-fat coconut milk

1 tablespoon aloe vera gel

1 teaspoon carrier oil

25 drops essential oils 

(lavender, cedar wood & rosemary are great choices for hair and scalp)

5 drops carrot seed oil

Supplies:

Immersion or regular blender

Glass bowl or jar for mixing

Glass pump bottle for storage and dispensing

Place all ingredients in a blender, glass bowl, or jar. Blend well using an immersion blender or a regular blender, or by vigorously shaking a glass jar. Pour the shampoo into a glass pump bottle for easy dispensing and storage. Use as you would any other shampoo.

HOW ESSENTIAL OILS WORK IN THE BODY

Whether you’re new to essential oils, skeptical of what people say they can do, or have experienced the many benefits that essential oils have to offer, learning just how these oils work with your body is pretty fascinating.

So, pull out your lab coats and beakers, and let’s jump into the science of how essential oils work in the body!

How Do Oils Work Via Skin Absorption?

Your skin is incredible! It is your body’s largest organ, and not only does it account for 15% off your body weight, but when spread out, it spans an average of 21 square feet and contains more than 11 miles of blood vessels!

Your skin absorbs practically everything that you put on it, including essential oils. Essential oils are made up of plant chemical compounds that, when applied topically, are absorbed through the outer layer of the skin, then the dermis, and into the capillaries and bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, the essential oil molecules can travel to areas of the body where they are needed and provide the benefits you experience.

Want to increase the absorption rate of the oils you apply to your skin? Follow these tips:

• Not all of the oil you apply will make it through the various layers of skin and into the bloodstream. To increase the amount of oil absorbed, try applying your oil in areas where the skin has greater concentrations of sweat glands or hair follicles, such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, the scalp, and the armpits.
• To help increase your absorption rate, you can also apply essential oils to thinner skin, which is more permeable. Such areas include behind the ears and inside the wrist.
• Increase your absorption rate by increasing circulation to the application area. Do this by massaging or warming the area before applying the oil.
• Use carrier oils that have a lower viscosity to penetrate the skin easier. Less viscous carrier oils include Almond Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil, and Grapeseed Oil. Thicker oils, such as Avocado Oil and Olive Oil, will be more difficult to penetrate through the skin.

How Do Oils Work Via Inhalation?

Another popular way to use essential oils is through inhalation. This is a favorite method not only because you get to experience every oil’s yummy aroma, but you can also experience a variety of mental and emotional benefits as a result. Here’s how it works:

1. When you smell something, the odour molecules rise to the top of the nasal passage, where they meet the olfactory mucus membrane. This membrane is lined with 100 million olfactory receptors!
2. The receptors identify the smell and convert it into a sensory message that travels up to the olfactory bulb.
3. The olfactory bulb amplifies the stimulation then passes it along to the limbic system in the brain for further processing.
4. The limbic system receives the sensory message and triggers a response, usually related to emotions and memory.

Okay, so we know the process of how essential oil aroma molecules travel through the body, but what exactly do they do to help you experience the oil’s benefits? First, let’s dive a little deeper into what the limbic system is.

Simply put, your olfactory and limbic systems work together to identify smells and trigger responses based on the smell. Some essential oil aromas can trigger good memories and feelings, resulting in your body releasing more feel-good hormones, such as dopamine, oxytocin, or serotonin. Other oil aromas can trigger a response that releases energy-boosting hormones.

The limbic system is also responsible for influencing some physiological functions, such as your breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate. As a result, an aroma-triggered response in the limbic system could potentially also have a physical effect on the body in one of those areas. For example, a calming response to an aroma could trigger a slower heart rate and lower blood pressure.

In addition to triggering an emotional or physiological response through the limbic system, aromatic inhalation also results in some scent molecules traveling to the lungs. Not all of these molecules will reach the alveoli in the lungs, but the ones that do are then transferred into the bloodstream, where they can provide their benefits like with skin absorption.

Because the whole smelling process happens in a matter of seconds, aromatherapy (inhalation) is an extremely fast and effective way to experience the benefits of essential oils.

MUST HAVE ESSENTIAL OILS FOR YOUR DIAPER BAG

As parents and mothers, we want what is best for our children. The more we can avoid toxins and chemicals around infants, the better. And here’s why: a baby’s skin is incredibly absorbent, and babies are more vulnerable to toxic chemicals because their immune systems are still developing.

Here are our top 5 essential oils we think every mother should have in their diaper bag:

Lavender

Lavender essential oil is perhaps the most popular oil out there, and for good reason! This sweet, floral oil is incredibly versatile and gentle on the skin, making it perfect for infants as well as adults. With Lavender as part of your diaper bag, you can experience its many benefits on the go with uses like these:

• Diffuse Lavender to help calm a fussy baby and promote sleep when nap time comes.
• Don’t have a diffuser? Dilute and apply Lavender to the bottom of your baby’s feet to promote calmness and help them fall asleep.
• Apply diluted Lavender to itchy or irritated bug bites to soothe discomfort.

Mandarin

Mandarin offers a bright, clean, and fresh aroma that helps inspire a more joyful mood and greater energy. Did you know that Mandarin is also a great oil for helping infants sleep? This makes it a great substitute for babies who do not like Lavender’s floral smell. By having Mandarin in your diaper bag, you and your baby can experience its benefits while you’re on the go. Try using Mandarin oil in ways such as these:

• Diffuse or apply diluted to the bottom of your baby’s feet to promote sleep and more joyful feelings if the baby gets fussy.

Chamomile

Chamomile is another floral oil that offers many similar benefits to Lavender, in addition to some of its own unique benefits.

• Diffuse, or apply to the bottom of your baby’s feet for another option of promoting restful sleep.
• Dilute and apply topically to the tummy if your baby experiences digestive upset while you are out and about.
• Dilute and apply to the bottom of the feet for times when your baby is fussy or upset while out to help promote feelings of calmness.

Sandalwood

This woodsy oil may not be the first thought for oils to use around infants, but it actually offers a wide variety of benefits.

• Dilute and apply to the bottom of your baby’s feet, or diffuse to help relieve congestion if your baby has a stuffy nose.
• Diffuse or dilute and apply to the bottom of the feet to help calm a fussy baby.
• Dilute and apply to the skin if you notice dry patches of skin

Having a baby is wonderful, but it brings a lot of responsibility to us parents. To help your baby stay healthy and happy, try incorporating essential oils into their routine, and keep oils in your diaper bag for instant use no matter where you are!

DIY FACE MASKS

Face masks are a familiar and classic way to give your skin spa-like treatment at home. To help keep your skin healthy and looking radiant, a face mask can be just what you need — especially when the mask is made up of all-natural ingredients! With these DIY face mask recipes, you can give your skin the treatment it needs without paying the spa price. Just grab the ingredients from your cupboards or local grocery store, and your skin will be thanking you in no time!

 Mask Recipes

Note: Before using any face mask, it is important that you wash your face and remove any makeup. Having a clean face allows the ingredients in the mask to penetrate deeper into the skin, providing you with greater results.

Nourishing Honey and Turmeric Face Mask

Great for nourishing your skin, reducing redness or irritation, and fighting acne.

• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp raw honey
• 1/2 tsp Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 1 drop Sandalwood or Frankincense

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, and mix well. Apply an even layer of the mask mixture to your face, avoiding the mouth and eyes. Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, pat dry, and apply your favorite moisturizer.

Anti-Aging Clay Face Mask

This mask is great for fighting signs of aging and enhancing your skin’s natural glow.

• 1 tsp natural facial clay
• 1 tsp ground oatmeal
• 1 tsp raw honey
• 1 tsp carrier oil
• 1/2 tsp water, milk, or plant milk
• 1 drop Frankincense oil
• 1-2 drops Rose oil

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl until a paste forms. Add a few drops of water or milk if it is too thick, or add extra clay or oatmeal to make it thicker. You want your paste to be spreadable but not liquidy. Apply to the face, avoiding the eyes and mouth. Leave the mask on for about 15 minutes, or until it dries. Gently wash off with lukewarm water and a washcloth. Apply moisturizer.

Acne-Fighting Face Masks

Do you experience frequent breakouts? These face masks can help reduce breakouts and soothe sore pimples.

Clay Mask for Acne

• 2 tsp natural facial clay
• 1/2 tsp aloe vera gel
• 1/2 tsp raw honey
• a few drops of water as needed to thin the mixture
• 1 drop Tea Tree oil
• 1 drop Lemon oil

Combine all ingredients together in a small bowl until a paste forms. Add a few drops of water as needed until your paste is thick yet spreadable. Apply to the face in an even layer, avoiding the mouth and eyes. Let the mask sit for 10-15 minutes, then gently rinse off with warm water. Apply moisturizer.

Melaleuca Face Mask for Acne

• 1 Tbsp raw honey
• 1-2 drops Tea Tree oil

Combine both ingredients in a small bowl, and mix well. Apply the mask to a slightly dampened face, avoiding the mouth and eyes. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes, then gently rinse off with lukewarm water. Follow with your favourite toner and moisturizer.

Super Hydrating Face Mask

This mask is great for adding and keeping hydration for those who have a dry skin type.

• 1 tsp raw honey
• 1 tsp Jojoba oil
• 1/4 of a ripe avocado, mashed (as smooth as you can get it)
• 2 drops Helichrysum oil

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. Spread the mask onto your face and neck. Let the mask sit for 15 minutes, then gently wash it off with warm water. Apply moisturizer.

Shine-Stopper Face Mask

If you have oily skin, this mask is great for taking away the extra shine without drying out your skin.

• 5 Tbsp aloe vera gel
• 20 drops Lavender oil
• 10 drops Tea Tree oil
• 1-2 drops Cinnamon Bark oil

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, and mix well. Apply an even layer of the mask to your face, avoiding the eyes and mouth. Leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, and apply moisturizer. Use this mask up to two times daily for best results. Store any remaining mask in an air-tight container for 15-20 days.

Even Tones Face Mask

This face mask is great for evening out your skin tone while also enhancing your natural glow.

• 1 Tbsp Coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp raw honey
• 3 drops Lemon oil

Mix the coconut oil and honey together in a small bowl. Add the Lemon oil, and mix to combine. Apply the mask evenly on the face, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, and apply moisturizer.

Smooth Skin Face Mask

Remove dead skin, reduce the appearance of blemishes, and get naturally smoother skin with this great face mask!

• 2 egg whites
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 drops Lemon oil
• 1 drop Cedarwood oil

Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until the mixture is frothy. Apply the mask to your face, avoiding the eyes and mouth. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes, or until the mask is dry. Slowly and gently peel the mask off of your face. Wash your face with warm water, and apply moisturizer.

SEA SALT DEODORANT SPRAY

I've written about the dangers of conventional deodorants before - if you didn't see the post check it out HERE. Trust me, you don't want to use anti-perspirants!!

Anyway, so here's another great natural DIY deodorant recipe for you to try out!! It's a Himalayan Pink Salt Deodorant!

What Makes Himalayan Salt Good for Deodorant?

Minerals – Himalayan salt is super rich in minerals that nourish the skin and help it detox. They include magnesium, potassium, sodium and more.

Antibacterial – It kills off bacteria and germs that are the number one cause of bad body odor. When we sweat, it doesn’t stink but when the bacteria on skin mix up with the sweat is when the BO comes in full blast.

Neutralizes bad body odor – Salt absorbs the bad odor and neutralizes it.

Fresh clean skin – Himalayan salt also soaks up excess sebum and sweat on the skin, keeping it fresh and clean.

Himalayan Salt Deodorant

30 ml witch hazel

4 tsp Himalayan salt

90 ml distilled water

1/4 cup baking soda

5 drops Young Living essential oils of choice

(I love sandalwood!)

125 ml glass spray bottle

Method: Mix the water, salt and baking soda in a bowl until dissolved. Stir in the essential oils and witch hazel. Pour into bottle.

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR SCARS

Some scars are faint or in hidden places and you never really think about them. Meanwhile, other scars may be more obvious and you really wish you could just make those scars go away! The good news is that there are several essential oils for scars that can really help to make these visible reminders a thing of the past

1. Frankincense Oil

Is frankincense oil good for scars? With its amazing abilities to lower inflammation and improve the skin’s healing process, frankincense can be used to prevent and help fade scars. Plus, using frankincense oil for scars is a wise choice that is backed up by scientific research.

2. Lavender Oil

Lavender essential oil has been shown in numerous studies to promote healing of wounds and burns. Wound closure progressed more rapidly with topical application of lavender oil as compared to the control. Another impressive result of the study was the fact that lavender oil actually promoted the synthesis of collagen. 

3. Carrot Seed Oil

Carrot seed oil is extracted from the carrot plant and contains powerful antioxidants that are excellent for skin health and fighting diseases. Getting antioxidants in your diet and topically applying antioxidant-rich natural remedies help to address scarring from both an internal and external angle.

Carrot seed essential oil also exhibits potent antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help a wound to not become infected and heal poorly, resulting in a scar.

4. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil hasn’t been well researched for its use in scars, but it’s a popular choice that many people find effective, especially if they’re also struggling with acne. Why can tea tree oil be so highly effective at boosting skin health? It has a lot of characteristics that make it skin boosting, including antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal and antiviral properties.

5. Helichrysum Oil

Helichrysum essential oil is known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-allergic properties. Scientific research has highlighted one of helichrysum’s most impressive anti-inflammatory components, which is a polyphenol compound called arzanol.

6. Patchouli Oil

Patchouli essential oil is loved by many for its mood-boosting earthy scent, but it also can improve skin health too. It’s commonly used for scars and a wide variety of skin problems such as acne, eczema, inflamed, cracked, chapped and irritated skin. It’s known to help in the stimulation of new skin cell growth. For wound healing, it can promote faster healing and help to prevent unsightly scarring once the wound has healed.

How to Use Essential Oils for Scars

Take two to four drops total of one or more than one of the essential oils for scars I just mentioned and combine with a carrier oil like coconut oil. Shea butter is also a another great option for dilution. Rub the mixture onto the area of concern twice a day and continue until desired results are reached.

GET OILING - 14-Day Intro to Young Living Essential Oils Challenge!

I'm excited to introduce my Get Oiling 14-day Intro To Young Living Essential Oils Challenge! 

So many people have yet to reap the benefits of Young Living essential oils and coming from a person who can't live without them I want to help you achieve optimum health and wellness, NATURALLY!

So, if you....

Feel like you're not really sure how to use essential oils...

Want to live a non-toxic lifestyle but don't know where to start....

Want natural solutions for your everyday health concerns but don't know what they are....

Have oils that are collecting dust in the bathroom and wish you knew how to use them....

then this challenge is for you! After years of using essential oils and creating simple routines with them, I am excited to share them with you in GET OILING- A 14-Day Essential Oil Challenge!

     This challenge has been on my heart for awhile now because I am so passionate about living my best life through natural solutions and essential oils. These are the exact steps I have taken to using essential oils - for everything from sore throats, headaches, warts, depression- and even cleaning my toilets! I swear I don't know how anyone lives WITHOUT essential oils! Don't worry if you have no idea what to do with oils, that's why I created this challenge - to make it easy and accessible for everyone. 

You deserve to live a non-toxic life. 
You deserve to possess the confidence to care for your family, naturally. 
You deserve to clean your toilets and actually enjoy it instead of poisoning yourself and wishing you had a housecleaner!
I’ve put in everything you need to know to learn the proven, clear, and actionable steps for creating a simple essential oil routine even if you’re a complete newbie! All you need to do to get started is click the link below!! I can't wait for you to GET OILING! 

https://bit.ly/3i1D71g

https://bit.ly/3i1D71g