Pampering Bath Soak

Because I don't do enough bath soaks? This one is very relaxing, but also great for soothing itchy & irritated skin. Because of that I'm calling this a pampering soak: soothe & treat your skin, while enjoying some nice relaxation. This is also great just for keeping your skin smooth & soft--it doesn't have to be irritated to reap the benefits.

I was actually inspired by one of the Dr. Teal's blends. Their Calming & Balance blend with matcha, citrus, and chamomile was really lovely. I decided to make my own copycat version, and then boosted it up a bit because it's mosquito season and my legs could use some extra relief.

Pampering Bath Salts

1 c epsom salts
1/2 c oats, ground
(not quick oats, trust me)
1 tsp chamomile
1 tsp matcha
1 tsp trauma oil
10 drops ylang ylang, optional
(brightens it up a bit)

Dilute your ylang ylang oil, if using it, in your trauma oil first. This really is an optional ingredient, but the ylang ylang works well with the other scents and really brightens things up. Who doesn't want a small mood boost while pampering themselves?

Then mix into your salts. As I usually recommend, follow withe dried herbs, and add your oat flour last. This helps keep the oat flour from getting goop, as it wants to absorb all your liquid. I also highly advise against using quick oats, if you are grinding your own, because they want to absorb the oil even more!

Feel free to make a larger batch. Store in an airtight glass or non-reactive container.

To Use: Add 1/2 c of salts to your bath. You could also add 1 c milk (of choice; recommended cow, goat, or almond) and 1 Tbsp honey. These are extra soothing for your skin and really step it up. Both are purported to be great moisturizers and help fight off acne (in fact, I use an aspirin/honey mask to help clear away pimples).

Essential Oil Self-Care Kit

I put together a gift set for a dear family member who has been suffering from mental illness. Her group therapy brought up the idea of essential oils and she reached out asking for my guidance. Now, I'm no expert, but I did some digging and hit up reputable aromatherapists (such as Andrea Butje from Aromahead Institute), and came up with a  small gift set for her.

I sent over 4 stock blends, a rollerball, room spray, lotion, and bath salts. I also put together a mini booklet so she had the tools to replenish or get creative with new blends. I decided to share that information with all of you too!

Essential Oils for Mental Health
Even though I was making stock blends and toiletries, I wanted to provide a list of oils that could be used and mixed as desired. Most, if not all, of these are mentioned in the recipes that follow, but you can always play around with your own blends in order to find an aroma that is pleasing and has the desired result.

• lavender
• frankincense
• orange
• neroli
• vetiver
• mandarin
• black spruce
• Roman chamomile
• cedar wood
• sandalwood
• peppermint
• geranium
• ylang ylang
• bergamot

Stock Blends
Stock blends are a great way to use your oils in a variety of ways. My recommendation was to diffuse them in some way or another, but you could add to a bath with epsom salt, mix into a plain lotion or massage oil, and more. I put together some safe ratios for different use types:

• Inhaler: 10-15 drops
• Diffuser Jewelry: 1-3 drops
• Car Diffuser: 1-3 drops
• Room Diffuser: 3-5 drops per 100 ml
• Rollerball: 10 drops per 10 ml
• Spray: 8-10 drops per 1 oz

The following stock blends all make approximately 1 dram (which is also equivalent to 4ml or 1/8 oz). Feel free to multiply and make larger batches if needed. Store your blends in glass bottles and keep out of direct sunlight (tinted glass in a cool place is even better).

Anxiety Blend
32 drops lavender
32 drops frankincense
8 drops mandarin

Depression Blend
30 drops geranium
26 drops Roman chamomile
6 drops peppermint

Stress Blend #1
30 drops lavender
30 drops frankincense
15 drops black spruce

Stress Blend #2
25 drops orange
25 drops frankincense
25 drops cedar wood

Relaxation Blend
30 drops mandarin
30 drops bergamot
15 drops lavender

Relaxing Bath Salts
Baths are a great way to chill out and relax. Light some candles, let your body relax along with your mind, and just take some time to get away from it all. These bath salts will help you calm down and fight those dark feelings, while also pampering your body.

1 1/2 cup epsom salt
3 Tbsp baking soda
1 Tbsp dried chamomile
1 Tbsp dried lavender
6 Tbsp liquid castille
18 drops frankincense
6 drops neroli
6 drops orange

The soap is necessary to dilute the essential oils. I like to mix all my dry ingredients together in a large bowl, then combine my soap and oils in a smaller bowl. Don't stir the soap and oils too much or you will get suds, but mix enough to make sure the oils have dispersed. Gently mix the soap and oils into your dry ingredients. Your salts will remain somewhat wet, but won't cake together.

Alternately, you could use a carrier oil in place of the castille soap. Jojoba is a great choice as it nourishes the skin. I opt for castille soap because the carrier oils still just kind of chill on the water's surface, whereas I feel the soap mixes in better. The amount of soap won't give you a crazy, sudsy bath (but you can add more if bubble baths are your thing!).

To use, mix 1/4 - 1/2 cup into your bath water. This recipe is good for 4-8 uses. Store in an airtight container, preferably glass or PET plastic.

Restful Sleep Room/Linen Spray
I planned for this to function mainly as a linen spray, but there's no reason you can't use it to freshen up a room or your space. Spray gently on pillows, blankets, sheets, sleeping masks, and any other bedding before sleep to help you drift off calmly. Apply to towels or your robe to continue a soothing bath experience. Spray in your bedroom before going to sleep, or in your car before travel. The scent will dissipate more in a room that on your linens, but it's also a great alternative if you can't burn incense in your space.

4oz witch hazel
10 drops vetiver
10 drops lavender
6 drops orange

Combine all ingredients in a 4 oz glass spray bottle. You can also use PET plastic, but the essential oils will slowly erode other plastics. The plastic sprayers that come with bottles tend to hold up, so no need to worry there. Store out of direct sunlight and/or use a tinted bottle to extend shelf life.

You can also use water or hydrosols in place of the witch hazel. I tend to like witch hazel because it usually comes in a partially alcoholic solution which helps with evaporation. Witch hazel is also fairly neutral in scent, versus hydrosols which will also cost you a pretty penny.

Because water & oil don't mix, make sure to shake up your bottle before spraying. The oils are fairly diluted, so there isn't a hard cap as to how much you should use at a time, but 4 oz will likely last quite a while and the scent will still be fairly strong with just a few pumps.

Calming Lotion
This recipe is for a small 1 oz batch of lotion. It's actually more of a body butter, and a little goes a long way. Also, you can tuck that 1 oz jar into your bag and take it with you. Use when you need a little me time but are out and about, or enjoy at home after a relaxing bath or before bed.

1 1/2 Tbsp shea butter
1/2 Tbsp coconut oil
5 drops vetiver
4 drops neroli
3 drops lavender

Melt the shea butter and coconut oil (in a double boiler, or you microwave). Allow to cool but not harden, then stir in your essential oils. While still viscous, pour into a 1 oz container. I like to use small class jars with screw caps, but you could also use a tin or PET plastic.

This lotion will get soft in higher temps, so store in a cool place when not in use (or in your fridge! which is a great idea if you make a larger batch).

Emergency Rollerball Perfume 
Also called "Liquid Xanax," this is a great on-the-go solution. Apply when the feelings of stress, anxiety, and/or depression overwhelm you. Or wear to keep those feelings away before they begin (it smells lovely!).

4 drops ylang ylang
4 drops lavender
2 drops chamomile
2 drops sandalwood
2 drops frankincense
10 ml (1/3 oz) carrier oil of choice

When making a roller ball, I always recommend adding your essential oils first, then just topping off with your carrier oil. If you do it the other way around, you risk not leaving enough room for your essential oils. I also find this way everything mixes up a little more evenly.

My usual carrier oil of choice is fractionated coconut oil because it is fairly neutral. However jojoba is another popular carrier that is good for your skin. But don't feel limited; you can use stuff in your kitchen like palm kernel or olive oil ;)

This is for a 10 ml rollerball, which is probably the most popular size (if you were to buy a rollerball blend commercially, it would be this size). However, you can easily cut this in half or make larger batches if you want a smaller travel bottle or to stock up.

Skin Soothing Bath Salts

Following suit with last week's anti-itch cream, let's continue to focus on how we can relieve our dry, itchy, or bug-bitten skin. I had ankle surgery about 3 months ago now, and my scar can certainly act up and cause me all sorts of grief. And as you learned last week, mosquitoes apparently find me delicious!

Now that I can actually enjoy a good soak (you can't soak your surgery site for quite some time!), I am taking advantage. I've used my sore muscle soak as a lovely way to rest & recover from physical therapy, but sometimes you just want to soothe and treat your skin. This bath salt recipe has done wonders for my dry & shedding skin, swollen and tight skin, and itchy scar (the joys of surgery recovery!). It's also helped out wonderfully when my legs were assaulted by mosquitoes my first day by the pool! Ah, the irony...

Anyway, here is my very soothing salt recipe for when you are itchy or your skin just needs a little extra TLC.

Skin Soothing Bath Salts
1 cup epsom salt
2 Tbsp baking soda
1/4 c ground oats (or oat flour)
10-20 drops essential oils of choice*
1/4 tsp trauma oil
1 Tbsp castille soap
2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp dried lavender
1 tsp dried rosemary

Dilute your essential oils in the trauma oil & castille soap. Don't stir too much, or it will get foamy! Pour your oil mix into your salts and stir until evenly distributed. Add your baking soda, and stir again until evenly distributed. For this salt mix, I like to grind my herbs before adding them. You can do this with a spice grinder, coffee grinder, or good old mortar & pestle (which is what I use!). This is both because it helps get rid of plant parts creating a ring in your tub (if you don't use a sachet, which I usually don't), and because I worried the ground oats would get funky if they absorbed anything so I like to use the ground herbs as a buffer to soak up anything first. If dried herbs aren't your thing, you can leave them out but might want to add the same plants to your oil selection. Add your ground oats (or oat flour) LAST! Oats tend to soak up any liquid they come in contact with, so I like to add them last, especially if making a large batch, to allow all the other ingredients to absorb the oils first.

Use 1/2-1 cup for a foot bath, or 1-2 cups for a full bath. Let everything dissolve well before hopping in (I personally like to wait 10-15 minutes to give the herbs time to "steep").

The recipe as listed above is for 1-3 uses. I like to make a large batch in advance, typically tripling the amounts above (resulting in about 4.5 cups of soak). If you decide to make a large batch, make sure to store your soak in an airtight glass container.

*I tend to favor lavender, camphor, chamomile, and sandalwood in equal parts. Another lovely combination would be frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood, although I would probably switch up the herbs (possibly to something like lavender, chamomile, and thyme?) or leave them out.

Some other beneficial plants/oils which are technically included via the trauma oil & dried herbs include calendula, arnica, st. john's wort, basil, and rosemary. And there are even more oils purported for their skin care properties such as thyme, tea tree, eucalyptus, melissa, lemongrass...the list really does go on based on your needs! I've put together a small chart to help you identify which herbs/oils you may want to use in your skin soothing bath salts (citruses were discluded because they can be too strong or cause photo sensitivity):

Anti-Itch Cream

It's summer, the bugs are out, and my legs are apparently delicious! My family also generally reacts strongly to mosquito bites, with my brother & sister actually having allergic reactions that tend to result in silver dollar sized welts. I'm not that bad, but these bites itch something fierce, look red and angry, and will leave bruise-like marks weeks after they are gone. It's time for some relief, and what better place to get it than from my kitchen?

I created this "cream" as a sort of frankenstein recipe from other methods & creams I have found online. In reality, it is a bit more like a paste, and it won't rub in completely (I don't think that's possible with baking soda...). Also, just a heads up, but as this sits, the ground oats absorb some of the moisture and it gets a goopy texture. Still works a dream, but definitely a bit odd.

Anti-Itch Cream
2 Tbsp ground oats (or oat flour)
2 Tbsp baking soda
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp aloe vera gel
1 tsp witch hazel
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
5 drops essential oil*

Combine all ingredients together, stirring until a smooth paste is formed, and store in an air-tight container. This cream should keep for about 30 days. You may be able to extend that by keeping it in the refrigerator (plus, the cool cream will feel even better on your bites & itchy skin).

To use, rub a small amount of the paste onto bites or itchy areas. If you don't like the pasty feeling/residue, wipe off with a cool damp cloth after a few minutes (just water is fine, but you could also soak in witch hazel, aloe vera juice, or apple cider vinegar). Reapply as often as needed. Alternately, you can dissolve a tablespoon or 2 of this paste into your bathe water for some relief.

*Lavender essential oil is a great choice, but there are other oils that will help with itching as well: eucalyptus, peppermint, basil, thyme, lemon balm (melissa), chamomile, tea tree; single drop of grapefruit, citronella, lemongrass. Even onion & garlic are helpful, if you are brave enough! 

My personal choice was a 5 oil cocktail (using 1 drop of each): lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, chamomile, and basil. And you really only need 1 drop of each, any more is WAY too much. Keep your oils to 5 drops or less or this recipe.

Kitchen & Bath Scrub

Soft Scrub with Bleach used to be my go to for bathroom & kitchen cleaning. When we came across Bar Keeper's Friend, that took over for the kitchen. Neither is necessarily dangerous to my knowledge, but they also aren't very natural. I found a great scrub recipe on Aromahead, but really this recipe can be found all over the place by bloggers who make their own cleaners

This scrub is abrasive enough to bring some shine to your kitchen sink, lightly polish faucets, and scrub out your bath & toilet. It's also very customizeable, so you can use more or less baking soda to get the scrubbing power you need.

Kitchen & Bath Scrub

1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup liquid castille soap
1-2 Tbsp vinegar (optional)
30-40 drops essential oil

Mix the baking soda, castille soap, and vinegar together. It will form a rather thick paste (adjust to your preference/scrubbing power needs). Add essential oils and stir again to make sure they are fully dispersed.

Don't use any more than 2 Tbsp vinegar. Vinegar will cancel out both baking soda and castille soap. The fizzing action of vinegar and baking soda can help with some cleaning (particularly clogged drains), but when left to sit they are creating salt water. With the large amount of baking soda in this recipe, that is not much of  concern. Likewise, vinegar and castille soap can cancel each other out, leading to oil or "unsaponified" soap. With such a small amount of vinegar in this recipe, you are not risking these reactions.Alternately, you can leave the vinegar out as you lose the benefit unless you use this entire recipe right away.

Which Essential Oils?
Citrus oils, Tea Tree, and Peppermint are all great cleansing oils. Andrea Butje uses these in her recipe on Aromahead, but if you have her phone app you will see a different combination of oils listed. Really, you can just use whatever oils you enjoy the scent of. If you want the extra boost of cleansing power from antifungal, antiviral, and antimicrobial oils there are a lot of options or you can go with the tried and true citrus, tea tree, and peppermint.

My Hair Care Routine

As part of a transition to a more natural/green lifestyle, I've not only begun making chemical-free cleaning products & toiletries, I have adjusted the way I live. This includes a transition to more sustainable household items (such as slowly phasing out plastics for glass, ceramic, and metal), and adjusting my habits.

No-poo is a huge movement, and believe me I have made a good effort to follow this, but there are a few things that get in my way. My hair is super oily, even after months I was not able to go more than 3 days or so without an actual wash (dry shampoo only does so much, and eventually you will get build-up). I also found the baking soda method too abrasive for my scalp, and drying/damaging to my hair. So I experimented with making my own products and have a routine I can rely on.

This routine allows me to wash my hair 1-2 times per week. You'll notice it's not an exact schedule, as there are different factors going into how many days I can follow each step. Generally speaking though, I wash my hair every 3-4 days. However I have also found that if I need to wash a few days in a row, getting back into this routine is easy ad I don't need to readjust.

Day 1: Wash with homemade shampoo and conditioner

If I have the patience I'll let my hair air dry, but on particularly cold days or if I have somewhere to be early I have broken out my blow dryer (I always leave it damp/air-dry for a little bit even when I blow dry). I also am bad and will towel dry/scrub instead of t-shirt dry/squeeze. It's suppose to be damaging to your hair if you scrub it with a towel, but I haven't had problems and am an impatient person who likes my damp hair to still feel somewhat dried.







Day 2-4: Brush hair/Rinse with water

L: Dry Brush; R: Rinse & Brush

If you have a boar bristle brush, this can help you more evenly distribute sebum and oils. Some naturalists also recommend brushing thoroughly, with your head upright then upside down a couple times for proper oil distribution. I'm lazy so this doesn't normally happen--most of the time I just use my paddle brush lol. Usually my hair is still clean enough to leave down without feeling oily or heavy. If I am particularly active on this day, I may need to put it up.


Most days I still rinse my hair with water while I shower. I'll usually give it a quick brush before hopping in the shower. I saturate my hair and massage my scalp a bit, then rinse again.

Sometimes I can go up to 3 days only brushing and rinsing my hair. Other times I can only go a day or two. A lot of depends on how active I am, what the weather is like (and if I'm out in said weather), etc. I've found the farther I get into this habit, and the less I rely on dry shampoo, that it is much easier to push 2 or 3 days. Over the hot holiday weekend I was able to last a full 3 days, and we were out in the heat each day.


Day 3/4/5/6: Dry shampoo

In all honesty, I normally apply the dry shampoo the night before. I use a makeup brush to apply directly to my roots (in parts/lines about 1-2 inches apart along the front/sides, and also from my crown down to nape). Normally I'll work it in a little bit with my finger tips, and then I leave my hair down and go to bed. This allows the dry shampoo to collect all kinds of oils and evenly distribute itself. In the morning, I just brush my hair and style as usual.

I usually don't rinse my hair when using dry shampoo. I find that the oil build up still weighs down my hair. If I am on day 3 or 4, sometimes I'll still give it a try.

I also normally only do this 1 day, but sometimes I can pull off 2 days in a row. I tend to find the build up of 2 applications on top of my hair's oils to be too much. This is usually when I try giving my hair a rinse. I haven't found applying at night and rinsing or rinsing in the morning and applying when dry to be more effective than the other.

Also, sometimes I completely skip the dry shampoo day and move on to washing. Usually this will be if I'm pushing 3 days with no product.


Spot Treatment: Spritz with hair refresher

L: Before; R: After

If on any day my hair seems stringy, dry, lackluster, dull, or just looks heavy and lifeless, I will use my homemade refresher spray to give some life back to my hair. In fact, I use this most days where I'm not actually washing my hair. This conditions my hair which gives some shine and body back without having to get your hair completely wet. The brief dampness can also help with any specific styling needs.



Swimming: Water is your friend

My workout of choice is swimming. I frankly hate the gym, running (arbitrarily, I'm fine taking the dog out or if I have a destination, same with biking). Swimming is a great full body workout, and I supplement it with yoga. However that chlorine... Wetting your hair before swimming fills your hair up with water, leaving little room for chlorinated water to soak in. I also find that tying my hair back helps keep everything tight and protected against chlorine, or if you are up to it a swim cap will offer lots of protection. If you swim regularly, like I do, you may want to use a DIY conditioner to revitalize your locks.

I am still a newbie to a more natural hair care routine. I've only been trying this out for a little over 1 year and I went through a few different attempts before I found this system which I am happy with. Lucy over at Happy Hair has all kinds of advice, so if you don't find answer here check our her 5-year FAQ. I am particularly interested in checking out soap nuts myself n_~

DIY Hair Conditioner

So we've already covered a spray-in conditioner, but to go with my shampoo recipe, I wanted a conditioner to use in the shower as part of my routine. Apple Cider Vinegar is a great conditioner just on it's own, but you can also infuse it with herbs to get all kinds of extra benefits. Today's post will consist of 3 different options for you, each improving on the one before it.

ACV Hair Rinse
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 qt water

Mix these together at the time of your shower and just pour over your hair after rinsing out your shampoo. I've seen other bloggers recommend equal parts ACV and water (at 1/4 cup to 2/3 cup each, depending on the length and thickness of your hair), but you really don't need that much ACV. I also find diluting it in a quart of water gives you ample liquid to fully saturate your hair.

You don't need to rinse this out either. You can follow-up with an all water rinse if desired, but it's not necessary. Don't worry if you smell a bit like ACV, it will dissipate quickly (and frankly, you are the only one who will notice until it does).

ACV Herbal Hair Rinse

1 quart apple cider vinegar (the kind with the mother)
1 cup herbs of choice (Wellness Mama has a great herb combo)
water

Combine herbs and vinegar in a large jar and secure cover. Infuse for about 4 weeks in a cool, dark place. Shake every other day or so, then strain through cheesecloth.

When you are ready to use your herbal rinse, dilute approximately 2 Tbsp infused vinegar in 1 quart water (or whatever ratio works best for you, up to equal parts). You can leave in as your final rinse or follow with an all-water rinse.

I have found that this has a very herby/earthy scent. If you want something a little more pleasing, you could add essential oils to your finished product. Personally, I have not tried this out but would say 45-50 drops of scents pleasing to you (or complimentary to the herbs you choose) should be sufficient. I would likely use equal parts lavender, lemongrass, and rosemary as they are all beneficial to hair and would be inline with the herbs I use as well as the scent for my dry shampoo.



What herbs do I use?
Wellness Mama and I actually have a lot of overlap between the herbs I prefer and what she recommends (I pretty much just sub lemongrass for basil). I will let you visit her blog for her recommendations & amounts, or you can peruse this list and decide which herbs and how much of each you want to use:

Horsetail strengthens your hair and also can help control oily hair thanks to its astringent properties.

Nettle is full of vitamins and minerals that will nourish and improve scalp health, as well as make your hair stronger and more vibrant.

Basil nourishes your scalp, promotes hair growth, and helps remove toxins and heavy metals.

Lavender is great for mixed skin types and will moisturize dry skin as well as calm inflammation. This also aids in controlling dandruff. It increases circulation which promotes hair health and growth.

Rosemary helps control sebum production, especially beneficial for oily hair and to aid in controlling dandruff from dry and itchy scalps. It also affects circulation promoting hair health and growth. It's slightly astringent properties strengthen hair follicles which helps prevent hair loss.

Lemongrass is an effective cleaner and deodorizer. It also soothes irritated and itchy scalps helping to reduce dandruff, as well as promotes general hair health and growth.

Slippery Elm Bark stimulates hair growth, softens hair (provides slip and glide), and soothes the scalp.

Marshmallow Root has the same benefits as slippery elm, but also adds shine to lackluster locks.

ACV Cream Rinse

2 Tbsp coconut oil
2 Tbsp shea or cocoa butter
1 Tbsp beeswax (or BTMS-50 emulsifying wax)

1/2 c apple cider vinegar (raw or infused)
1/2 c water
1/2 c coconut milk
1/2 - 1 tsp xanthum gum (depending on desired consistency)




For those of you that prefer a cream rinse, I did some experimenting. Shea butter and coconut oil are both known for their moisturizing properties, which are not only limited to the skin (and in fact are both present in the commercial conditioner I used to buy). And combined, they make a wonderful body butter, so I decided to start with that base and add the ACV rinse until I got a consistency I was happy with.

To make this cream rinse, you will need to start by melting your coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax in a double boiler. While those are melting down, whisk together your liquids and xanthum gum. The xanthum helps the liquids mix into the fats.

Just like a body butter, let your oil mixture cool slightly, until it just starts to solidify (if you poke your finger into it, it should make a dent). Before your mixture solidifies completely, take out your hand mixer or immersion blender and start whipping to form a body butter like consistency. Slowly pour in you liquid mixture and continue whipping until fully incorporated and you have an even texture throughout (it will be like an emulsified dressing).

Use as you would commercial conditioner. I use about a quarter sized amount and work through the length of my hair, focusing more on the ends and less on the roots/scalp. Rinse with water.

I find this conditioner very moisturizing, so I don't use it for each wash. About once per month (I only wash my hair 2-3 times per week, so every 8-10th wash; if you wash your hair daily you might be able to use this as frequently as once per week) is enough for me, and it gives my locks some new life.

Humblebee & Me also has a good looking 2-in-1 formula. I haven't tried it out, but it did provide some inspiration for my cream rinse recipe.

DIY Shampoo

Dry shampoo is great, but every now and then you need a good cleaning (or at least I do, with my current routine I can only go about 3 days between washes). I haven't hopped on the no-poo wagon completely because I did not like the baking soda method, and after about 3 days my dry shampoo just doesn't cut it anymore...my hair starts feeling oily and heavy from all the dry shampoo still in it. While I can (and sometimes do) rinse out my dry shampoo, there are days when I just need a good clean.

Commercial shampoos are full of all sorts of chemicals, but making your own is not that easy. I've been testing out shampoos for a few months now, and finally have a formula I am happy with. Even though thee ingredient list is natural, it's not short. Granted, you likely could use liquid castille soap (either straight up or diluted with water), but you can add ingredients to help renourish your hair after stripping all the dirt, grime, and oils.

Homemade Shampoo
1/2 cup liquid castille soap
1/3 cup coconut milk
1/3 cup water
1 tsp vitamin E oil
1 tsp jojoba or castor oil (I do half & half)
1 Tbsp honey
1-4 Tbsp herbs (optional)

Steep herbs in hot water for about 30 minutes (if using). Strain water into bottle and add remaining ingredients. Gently rotate the bottle to mix completely (if you shake too hard, you will cause foam in  the bottle.

This shampoo will be very liquidy. It is not the same consistency as commercial shampoo. When using this formula, I recommend using a squeeze bottle and gently squeezing out a small amount directly onto your scalp. I tend to do this in a few different locations to help me get even distribution.

This formula makes about 10 oz of shampoo. I have shoulder length hair and with fairly regular washing (about every other day), this amount has lasted me about 2 months.

Why herbs?
You can steep the herbs in water and get some extra benefits for your shampoo. They also add some scent. My herbs of choice are 1 Tbsp lavender, 1/2 Tbsp rosemary, and 1 bag Tazo Zen tea (green tea with lemongrass). Lemongrass is an effective cleaner and deodorizer. Rosemary is said to be good for people with oily hair as it helps control sebum production. Lavender is good for people with mixed skin types and moisturizes dry skin. All 3 are known to sooth irritated/itchy scalps which will reduce dandruff. Green Tea helps prevent hair loss and improves shine. All 4 are also said to have properties that will promote hair health & growth.

This recipe has a very herby/earthy smell. If that is unpleasing to you, you could try adding essential oils. I have not personally done this yet, but I would say 10-15 drops of scents you find pleasing (or scents that compliments your herbs) should be sufficient. I would likely use equal parts lavender, lemongrass, and rosemary as they are all beneficial to hair and would be inline with the herbs I use as well as the scent for my dry shampoo.

DIY Herbal Mouthwash

Let's round out the past few weeks of oral care before moving onto a new topic. As I mentioned in my remineralizing tooth powder post, I've been looking for a way to replace my mouthwash. I used a remineralizing mouthwash previously, and now that I've found a toothpaste to help supplement the need for that particular mouthwash, I was on the hunt for another DIY.

Once again, I turned to Wellness Mama for some inspiration. However this time I didn't use her recipe as a springboard, but pretty much used it unadulterated. The only difference is that again I leave out the essential oils. Even though you are not swallowing the mouthwash, I choose to leave essential oils out of my oral care items due to the fact that they are not recommended for ingestion. Either way is fine.

Herbal Mouthwash Tincture

8 oz vodka or grain alcohol
1 tsp clove powder
2 Tbsp peppermint leaf
2 Tbsp plantain leaf
1 Tbsp rosemary
water






Combine your dried herbs into a jar and pour over enough boiling water just to cover (you want to get the herbs damp enough to release their oils). Then pour in vodka and cover jar. Let steep 4 weeks, then drain through cheesecloth. Store your tincture in a glass bottle. I tend to keep a master batch in our basement, and a small 1oz dropper bottle on the bathroom sink.

To use your mouthwash, combine 1 dropper full (about 40 drops) with 1 oz (about 1 mouthful) of water. I like to keep a small shot glass in the bathroom for this purpose. Swish for 30 seconds as you do normal mouthwash, then expectorate.

So why these herbs?

Wellness Mama explains it well, but I'll give you a quick rundown... 

Clove has been historically associated with oral care due to it's antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It is also known to sooth oral pain specifically, from small wounds to toothaches. 

Peppermint (or Spearmint) has been used in oral care a bunch as well (think of most store bought toothpastes and mouth washes). This is because it has antimicrobial and cooling (soothing) properties. 

Plantain is also antimicrobial and antifungal, but mostly it is touted for it's ability to help in healing wounds, which makes it a great addition for minor oral scratches, bleeding gums, and braces. 

Rosemary is again antimicrobial, but also has cooling (soothing) properties and is known particularly to help soothe sore gums.

I've been very happy with this combination of herbs, but if you dislike the flavor of one, or are allergic, or just can't get ahold of them, there are others you can consider:

Echinecea is antimicrobial, draws out infection, and boosts your immune system which makes it great to fight colds & the flu. However this also benefits your oral care, and in fact this herb has been called the toothache plant due to it's effectiveness.

Oregon Grape Root is another anitmicrobial herb, but is is also an astringent and will help tighten and tone your gums. This is a great herb to add if you often have swollen or inflamed gum tissue.

Orange Peel has been known to remove surface stains and can help with teeth whitening (we use it in homemade cleaners, so imagine what it does for your teeth). It also helps freshen your breath and soothes sensitivity.

Cinnamon* is antifungal and antibacterial. It is well known to fight off the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Myrrh is an antiseptic and soothes your gums. It has historically been used to treat mouth ulcers and support gums in general, which may be because it helps circulate blood flow in the gums.

Tumeric is antimicrobial, and anti-oxidant. It also helps reduce inflammation, making it a great choice to help soothe gingivitis and peridontitis. Tumeric has also been shown to aid with a variety of gum tissue and muscle problems, soothe oral cancer patients, and generally ease toothaches.

Propolis (beehive resin) is antimicrobial and used worldwide to treat tooth infections.

What about mouthwash alternatives?

If you want to stay away from mouthwash, oil pulling with coconut oil or a salt water rinse are both very beneficial.

*I personally would recommend staying away from cinnamon. While I've heard good things, and even seen cinnamon toothpaste commercially, I have also read that it can be irritating to your gums. Women seem to be particularly more susceptible to irritation from cinnamon than men, but as I find it expensive to switch over to a natural DIY lifestyle (definitely more sustainable once you get there, but that initial switch has a price), I didn't want to waste a batch of mouthwash to find out it does more harm than good.

DIY Mineralizing Tooth Powder

I had been using my whitening toothpaste for months now, and I really like it. It cleans my teeth well, and I do feel the whitening is occurring (although it's not an instant fix by any means). However, I have very tightly packed teeth and cavities are always a concern for me, so I wanted to investigate a toothpaste that could help repair my enamel. I currently use a repairing mouthwash, but as that is also on my list of projects to tackle, I wanted to ensure I could still get the benefits.

Now, credit where credit's due, I took a lot of my recipe from Wellness Mama. She is associated with Lea Harris over at Using Essential Oils Safely, and I find her very reliable. However, I did find myself making some adjustments to her recipe. I never use Xylitol (or really most sweetener alternatives) because it is highly toxic to dogs and I don't want and chance of it being near my pets. I also choose not to use essential oils in my toothpaste because not all oils are suitable for kids and very few are suitable for ingestion (and while we all know you aren't supposed to swallow toothpaste, why risk it?). And finally I do not use cinnamon because it can actually cause gum problems (this doesn't affect everyone, but women are more susceptible so again, why risk it?.

Remineralizing Tooth Powder

1 tsp calcium powder
1 tsp bentonite clay
1/4 tsp diatomaceous earth
1/4 tsp activated charcoal
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp ground clove
1/4 tsp orange zest
1/4 tsp sea salt (or less to taste)
1 dash cayenne pepper (optional)
4 drops trace minerals (optional)

This recipe will just about fill a 2oz jar. Mix everything together in a small bowl before transferring into your jar. For a powder, you will want to make sure your orange zest is dried or use a mortar and pestle to mix fresh zest more thoroughly (then let your powder dry a bit).

The cayenne pepper is optional. If you choose to add it, do only use a dash (very small amount). It can help numb any oral pain you may be having, but too much can also cause irritation so use sparingly if at all.

Toothpaste variation: add 1.5 Tbsp coconut oil (or a combo of coconut & sesame oil, which give a softer consistency). This will still fit perfectly in a 2 oz jar, or you can use a 2 oz squeeze container. If making a toothpaste, you can also use fresh range zest.

What sets this apart from my other toothpaste?
If you checked out my other recipe, I'm sure you noticed it seems I've mostly added ingredients and swapped out the flavoring. That is partially true, I've made additions to help rebuild the minerals in my teeth, but the "flavors" each have their own purpose as well. Here's a quick rundown of the new ingredients:

Diatomaceous Earth is an abrasive (and tends to be more abrasive than the other ingredients, so you can always leave it out especially if using baking soda), but it also contains trace minerals and silica which help with remineralization.

Calcium Magnesium Powder is integral to the remineralization process. Calcium, as we know, benefits bones (and teeth!), and the magnesium is what helps the calcium to be properly absorbed.

Trace Minerals are also a big part of the remineralization process and can help restore tooth enamel. They are recommended if you drink things like reverse osmosis water (which removes all the bad stuff, but also all the good stuff).

Clove has been historically associated with oral care due to it's antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It is also known to sooth oral pain specifically, from small wounds to toothaches.

Orange has been known to remove surface stains and can help with teeth whitening (we use it in homemade cleaners, so imagine what it does for your teeth). It also helps freshen your breath and soothes sensitivity.

Cayenne offers pain relief with a warming, numbing sensation. It is also known to relieve gum inflammation. However, be careful, as too much capsaicin can cause irritation (or if you are allergic like me, worse). Even though I have a topical allergy, I find a small dash does not cause me discomfort.

Sesame Oil is another oil traditionally used for oil pulling, but it's main purpose in this recipe is to help with the texture as coconut oil will harden while your toothpaste sits in your cabinet.

DIY Whitening Toothpaste

I really hate most toothpastes. I'm not a big fan of strong mint flavors (I like wintergreen and fresh mint, spearmint is ok in small doses, and I absolutely hate peppermint), so once I realized you could make your own toothpaste at home, I knew I had to give it a try. I started my research with Ask the Dentist, and use his chocolate lovers recipe as a springboard for this one.

A few things of note in regards to what I chose to include and remove for my first try at a homemade toothpaste. I will not use Xylitol. This is twofold: 1) I am weary about many sweetener alternatives and tend to stick with very basic and natural sweeteners such as raw sugar, coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar. 2) Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs so I will not even keep it in my house, let alone use it in anything because the risk is too great for my pets.

The other point is about essential oils. I've come across a lot of recipes that include essential oils. I opt not to for a few different reasons. Not all essential oils are kid safe, and young children should not be exposed to them at all. Also, very few essential oils are considered safe for ingestion, and unless under the guidance of a doctor and certified aroma therapist you should not be ingesting them (and it will be a very rare occurrence it is recommended for you). While you should not be swallowing toothpaste, it's just not worth it to me to create any risk of ingestion.

Whitening Toothpaste

1 Tbsp coconut oil
1/2 Tbsp bentonite clay
1/2 Tbsp activated charcoal
1/4 tsp cacao powder
1/8 tsp finely ground mint leaves
1/8 tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp water

Simply mix all your ingredients together in a small bowl. This is enough to fill up a 2 oz jar or squeeze container, but use at least a 1-2 cup bowl to mix this thoroughly.

You may not need to full 1 Tbsp of water. This is more for consistency. If you are using a squeeze container, you may want the full amount or even more, if you are using a jar you can go with less and have a more firm or powdery consistency. Alternately, you could completely leave out the coconut oil and water, creating a tooth powder.

Something to note when using activated charcoal, it will turn everything black! Your measuring spoons, your bowl, your counter, your mouth, and your sink! It wipes up fairly well, but you will feel a bit odd the first few times you use it n_~

Why these ingredients?
Each ingredient serves a purpose. Granted, as this was my first attempt, I followed the lead of Dr. B, but I also did my research. So here is an explanation behind the ingredients in my toothpaste:

Coconut Oil is known to increase the microbiome in your gut as well as prevent candida in the mouth. Limited research also suggests it may help prevent cavity causing bacteria. We use coconut oil for the ayurvedic practice of oil pulling (swishing oil in your mouth for about 20 minutes to draw out toxins), so it seems a natural addition.

Bentonite Clay is a natural polisher without being too abrasive. As an alkaline, it also helps reduce acid levels in your mouth which in turns helps prevent erosion of enamel.

Baking Soda, much like bentonite clay, is a gently polisher, but it's primary benefit to toothpaste is its alkalinity which helps maintain proper ph balance in your mouth.

Sea Salt again adds some abrasion, as toothpastes primary job is to add some grit to help scrub away dirt, but it is also healing. Think about how you use a sea salt rinse for bleeding gums, or gargle it for a sore throat.

Cacao Powder made from ground cacao nibs is a safe polisher, but also helps promote remineralization (said to be even better than flouride).

Mint is primarily added for flavoring, but mint also has antimicrobial and soothing properties.

DIY Hair Refresher Spray

So, it's been a while since I did a DIY post for hair care. I've been testing out 3 different recipes though, and finally have one I am happy to share.

Six months ago, I shared my personal dry shampoo recipe. I am very please with it and really would not change much. If I had a spice grinder, I would try to get the nutmeg a more fine/powder consistency. And I have not tried out arrow root powder or clay, so can't say if I would want to swap out the corn starch. I find my dry shampoo works best when applied to my roots with an old make-up brush either before bed (so it can work over night, and is gone/brushed out in the morning), or about 15 minutes prior to a bath or shower (where I work it in with my hands and rinse it out). Both methods are good ways to avoid residue and powder build-up. The only downfall, if I try to do this multiple days in a row my hair gets dry and staticky; it is no longer soft and just doesn't feel good.

So, I've been digging into what seems to be called a "hair refresher" spray. I used to have one that I liked a lot, but I have no idea what was in it. I mean, seriously, I could not pronounce most of those ingredients. Plus it was expensive. So I've been doing some digging and finally found a home made version that I like and works great. It is also easily adjusted to match your scent preference. As a bonus, this basically functions as detangler or leave-in conditioning spray.

Hair Refreshing Spray
3/4 cups water
1.5 Tbsp slippery elm bark
1.5 Tbsp marshmallow root
1 cup witch hazel
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp aloe vera
20 drops essential oils (optional)

Steep the slippery elm and marshmallow root for about 30 minutes in hot water. Strain (I do this through cheesecloth or flour sack towels, and squeeze--you will notice the liquid gets almost gel-like as you squeeze out the last bits). Mix with witch hazel, apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, and essential oils. Pour into spray bottle and spritz hair when needed.

I tend to use 4oz spray bottles and store the rest in an amber glass bottle until I need a refill.


Herbs: Slippery elm bark and marshmallow root both stimulate hair growth, soften hair (provides slip and glide), and soothes your scalp. Marshmallow root also adds shine to your lackluster locks. If you don't have or don't want to use these herbs, you can leave them out completely. Or feel free to sub with other herbs, tea, or hydrosols (in place of water).

Essential Oils: Without essential oils, this spray will have a more herby/earthy scent. I personally like to use 6-7 drops each of lavender, lemongrass, and rosemary. This is the same combo I use in my dry shampoo, and I will be using this blend in my DIY shampoo & conditioner. However you can use whatever oils you like the scent of, or which best suit your hair needs. Or leave them out--this is up to you.

Sore Muscle Soak

When you are sore, nothing beats a good soak or a hot shower, depending on what hurts. I've spent the last 3 months getting over a horrible sprained ankle. I'm used to sprained ankles...7 years in dance, 8 years in soccer, and I am also super clumsy. Weak ankles for life! But this was the mother of all sprains; like so bad, I wish I had just broken my ankle >.<

Not that I am the most fit or active person out there, but I am so not good at taking it easy. Three days at a music festival, 10 days walking around Europe, getting a new puppy...I was not sitting still. So, needs must and I had to find ways to deal with the soreness & pain (in addition to medical attention, including 2 months in a boot and physical therapy which I am still doing). This foot soak was great, but don't think that's all it is. This soak is great for easing sore muscles anywhere in your body. Don't have or want to take a bath? Grab a handful of the salts and massage into the sore spot while in the shower. You can also sprinkle an handful onto the floor of the shower to enjoy the aromatherapy benefits for a relaxing pick-me-up.

Sore Muscle Soak

1 cup epsom salt
2 Tbsp baking soda
10-20 drops essential oils of choice*
(plus 2-4 Tbsp carrier**)
2 tsp dried chamomile
2 tsp dried lavender
1 tsp dried rosemary

Mix everything together in a large container to make sure it all gets evenly dispersed. I tend to start with the epsom salt and essential oils (diluted in carrier of choice). This gets the oils distributed a bit better as the baking soda tends to clump once hit with moisture. After you have mixed the salt & oils well, add in the baking soda and dried herbs. If dried herbs aren't your thing, you can leave them out as you are still getting the benefits from the oils themselves.

Use 1/2-1 cup for a foot bath, or 1-2 cups for a full bath. Let everything dissolve well before hopping in (I personally like to wait 10-15 minutes to give the herbs time to "steep").

The recipe as listed above is for 1 or 2 uses. I like to make a large batch in advance, typically quadrupling the amounts above (resulting in about 4.5 cups of soak). If you decide to make a large batch, make sure to store your soak in an airtight glass container.

After a good soak, I sometimes like to apply trauma oil (an infused oil blend of calendula, arnica, and st. john's wort) to the sore spots. While treating my ankle, I would dry off and apply trauma oil along my peroneal tendon. This is also a good time for any other pedicure treatment ;)

*I tend to favor lavender, eucalyptus, chamomile, rosemary, and peppermint in equal parts. Chamomile reduces inflammation and pain; it also has calming & soothing properties. Lavender reduces pain & tension; it also has anti-inflammatory and sedative properties, relieving stress & anxiety. Eucalpytus is known to relive nerve pain and blocked sinuses; it also possesses anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory properties. Peppermint is an anti-spasmodic and natural decongestant; it is known to aid in stomach cramps and arthritis; it also possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal properties. Rosemary is great for chronic pain and inflammation; it is also known to help blood flow and relive muscle pain/spasms. You could also add tea tree if you are suffering from ringworm/athlete's foot, as it possesses anti-fungal properties and is a common treatment for this condition. Don't feel limited to my suggestions though! Use oils you want/need the benefits of, or if using the herbs feel free to use any oils you like the scent of ;)

I also tend to go heavy on the essential oils when making a big batch of this herbal salt soak, to accommodate for different dilution levels. If you are making a single batch and plan to use it immediately as a foot soak you aren't using much water, but if you are hopping into a full bath your soak will be diluted quite a bit more due to the quantity of water.

**EDIT December 4, 2017: I am not an expert on home remedies, essential oils, herbalism, etc, so I am constantly researching and improving my knowledge base. This includes learning from specialists and updating my practices based on new safety information. According to Clinical Certified Aromatherapist Lea Harris, using essential oils in bath salts can be a risk of skin irritation or worse adverse reactions. Very few essential oils are approved for neat use, and unless you are also a specialist you may not know which oils those are. Almost all essential oils should be diluted, and bath salts are no exception. Lea recommends using 1 Tbsp of carrier (carrier oil, fatty milk, castille soap, or other surfactant) per 5 drops of essential oil. The purpose is two-fold. 1) The oils will separate and float on top of your bath, putting them in direct contact with your skin. Diluting them before adding to your salts also means that the droplets floating on your water will now be diluted. 2) If you choose to use this salt as a massaging scrub, you are directly putting oils onto your skin in a stronger amount than in your bath. For this use you absolutely want diluted essential oils.

DIY Dry Shampoo

I've been playing with color in my hair, and I'm talking stuff like blue/green/purple. I get the irony of using this kind of hair dye vs my other decisions to go more natural, but there you have it. In an effort to preserve the color I have been on a hunt to find the best solution. (You can read my previous post here where I discuss it.) Anyway, I've found straight up corn starch to be very good, but there was some room for improvement as I have very thick, oily hair (even after getting myself down to washing my hair 2x per week, it was starting to feel a little gross by day 3).

So this recipe is based off my personal experience and catered to my hair. Naturally, I have a rather light brown hair color, so that was my goal. This dry shampoo does still start a bit light, but I find it fades in very quickly and does not leave that greying hair look like straight up cornstarch. This also fades in very well with my current blue & purple hair.

DIY Dry Shampoo (Light Brown Hair)

2/3 c cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
1/3 c nutmeg, finely ground

20-45 drops essential oils (optional)

Feel free to substitute the nutmeg as you see fit, based on your hair color. Cinnamon  and cocoa are good for darker hair colors, and red clay is good for redheads. You can also play with the ratio of cornstarch to color as well, for example blondes may benefit from all cornstarch.

Mix all your ingredients together. If using essential oils, you will want to mix everything in a large bowl with a whisk, making sure the oils get distributed and don't clump up (as they are going to want to do, since the cornstarch's purpose is to absorb). I usually add 15 drops each lemongrass, rosemary and lavender. Most recipes suggest about 5 drops essential oil per 1/4 cup, which is about half of what I do. I really enjoy the scent though and added more to make that stronger. I also personally feel the extra oils add some benefit, as after doubling them I notice my hair felt so much cleaner! Store in an airtight container.

To use, either sprinkle (using an old salt shaker or similar), or dust (using an old makeup brush), the powder onto your hair. Focus on your roots, although if you notice the length of your hair is starting to feel oily, feel free to apply there as well. You will benefit from a light hand, as I found when starting on dry shampoo that my hair would feel dirty later on in the day due to excess build-up of product (plus too much, and you can't brush it all out so it starts to look like you have dandruff). I usually work the dry shampoo into my scalp a little bit and let it sit a few minutes before brushing it through my hair. This also works really well if you apply before bed--you will wake up with fresh & clean feeling hair. Afterwards style as usual.

A little bit about the essential oils that I chose:

Lemongrass is an effective cleaner and deodorizer. Rosemary is said to be good for people with oily hair as it helps control sebum production. Lavender is good for people with mixed skin types and moisturizes dry skin. All 3 are known to sooth irritated/itchy scalps which will reduce dandruff. They are also said to have properties that will promote hair health & growth.