Striving4Zen

Grapefruit seed extract, along with essential oils such as clove, lavender, and tea tree oil, have antiseptic properties and operate as natural fungicides. If you're dealing with mold when cleaning a bathroom or kitchen, try adding one to two teaspoons of essential oil to two cups of water in a spray bottle. You can also mix 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract with one quart of water.

Thanks for the tip!

Labels: essential oils, grapefruit seed extract, how-to, mold

According to Allure, "The trend toward using natural ingredients was pioneered by perfumer and author Mandy Aftel."

In her book, Scents & Sensibilities: Creating Solid Perfumes for Well-Being (approximately $5), Aftel provides a "recipe" for creating your own solid perfume. While the talented perfume maker sells her Single Solids, Double Solids, and the ultra-luxe One-of-a-Kind Antique Cases on her website, you can create these thoughtful and easy gifts for your friends and loved ones on your own.

How-To Make 'Em

• In a beaker or small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil with 20 drops of essential oil. Example: 7 drops of ylang ylang and 13 drops of grapefruit. She recommends Whole Foods or your local health food store as a go-to place for inexpensive oils.
• Melt 1/2 teaspoon of grated beeswax over heat (she used a hot plate).
• Mix oils and wax together, then pour into a small container. Aftel recommends using antique cases, small tins, or lip balm jars — basically anything that closes with a latch, is not too deep, and is rounded in shape for easier finger scoopage. Your solid will set in about 10 minutes.

Great Essential Oil Combos

• Clary sage and rosewood.
• Patchouli with either rose, ylang ylang, or frankincense.
• Plain ol' vanilla extract will work, too — imitation not allowed.

Thanks Bella!

Labels: DIY, essential oils, Mandy Aftel, natural products, perfume

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce light cold-pressed vegetable carrier oil (such as apricot kernel).
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 7 drops tea tree or New Zealand tea tree (Manuka) essential oil
• 2 drops bergamot essential oil*
• 1 drops geranium essential oil

or without bergamot:

• 1 ounce light cold-pressed vegetable carrier oil (such as apricot kernel).
• 12 drops lavender essential oil
• 7 drops tea tree or New Zealand tea tree (Manuka) essential oil
• 1 drops geranium essential oil

Special Precaution: *Avoid exposure to the sun for at least 12 hours after applying this oil since bergamot is a phototoxic oil. There is a special version of bergamot that you can get called "bergaptene free" that eliminates the phototoxic properties of the oil.

Directions: Pour the selected carrier oil into a very clean bottle (amber glass is best) and then add the essential oils and tightly close the bottle. Roll the bottle to gently mix the oils for a minute or two. Apply a small amount to the face, neck or back, but be certain to avoid the eyes, lips, nostrils and inside the ears. Gentle roll the bottle before each use to ensure the essential oils are properly mixed.

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Labels: acne, essential oils, holistic healing, natural products, natural therapy

Essential oils effectively penetrate skin thanks to their small molecular size and lipid solubility. Here’s what they can help heal.

1. Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens): varicose veins, sore throat, excessive menstruation.
2. German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): bruises, inflammation, pain, sprains, tension.
3. Eucalyptus (E. globulus): congestion, inflammation, colds, flu, chickenpox, shingles, herpes.
4. Lavender (L. angustifolia): acne, bee stings, bruises, headaches, insect bites, rash, sprains, sunburn.
5. Lemon (Citrus limonum): digestive tonic, sore throat, detoxification, lymphatic congestion.
6. Marjoram (Oreganum majorana): insomnia, menstrual cramps, sore muscles.
7. Rose (Rosa damascena): liver and digestive tonic, vascular tonic, menstrual aid, grief.
8. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): headaches, fatigue, hangover, constipation, muscle aches, circulation.
9. Spearmint (Mentha spicata): indigestion, nausea, headaches, fatigue, fever, sinu-sitis, poison ivy.
10. Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): athlete’s foot, burns, warts, acne, cold sores, flu, insect bites.

Formulating with Essential Oils

Many of the following massage formulas combine 20 drops total essential oils with 2 ounces of carrier oil. All these combinations are given in drops, and these formulas are suggested for external application only. Follow the guidelines for inhalation or specific instruction as noted, either blending these oils or using as single essences.

• Anxiety or stress: 7 geranium, 5 lavender, 4 lemon, 1 rose
  
• Burns: 20 drops lavender in 1 ounce aloe vera juice or gel
  
• Constipation: 7 marjoram, 13 rosemary (massage abdomen)
  
• Cough: 5 cypress, 5 eucalyptus (as an inhalation)
  
• Fatigue: 15 rosemary, 5 lemon
  
• Hangover: 5 carrot seed, 5 rosemary, 3 peppermint, 2 rose, 5 helichrysum (massage over liver)
  
• Injury: 5 lavender, 5 German chamomile, 3 geranium, 2 tea tree, 5 helichrysum (in calendula-infused oil; best for impact injuries such as bruising)
  
• Insomnia: 15 Lavender, 5 lemon, 5 marjoram (add 8 drops of the blend to a full bath or use as massage oil along spine)
  
• Menstrual cramps: 5 clary sage, 5 marjoram, 5 geranium, 2 rose, 5 lavender (massage abdomen, hips and lower back)
• Sinus congestion: 3 tea tree, 2 rosemary, 3 eucalyptus (as an inhalation or chest rub)
  
• Sore throat: 12 clary sage and 13 sandalwood (massage); gargle with one drop each cypress and lemon in water
  
• Stress: 5 chamomile, 10 lavender, 5 marjoram
  
• Stings or insect bites: 10 tea tree, 10 lavender
  
• Ringworm: 5 geranium, 5 tea tree, and 1 peppermint in oil, applied directly
  
• Muscle Strain: 5 rosemary, 3 eucalyptus, 5 marjoram, 7 lavender

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Labels: essential oils, holistic healing, Holistic Health, natural therapy

	WHAT IT DOES	HOW TO USE IT
Cypress	Among its other benefits, this vasoconstrictor can diminish the appearance of varicose veins over time if used every day.	Add 2 drops to a hot footbath to control perspiration and odor; place 6 drops in a full bath for arthritis, asthma, and cramps; or blend 2 drops into 1 ounce of massage lotion and apply to skin.
Eucalyptus	Ideal for treating most respiratory problems and relieving muscle tension, eucalyptus loosens flu-related congestion.	To make a natural vapor rub, add 1 ounce melted beeswax to 1½ cups sweet almond or vegetable oil; pour into small containers. Mix in 30 drops of essential oil per ounce of base, shake, and let it harden. Apply to chest and back.
Geranium	Less expensive than rose oil, geranium relieves PMS symptoms, stress, and anxiety. It also helps clear up eczema, treats burns, and repels insects.	Mix 5 drops into a hot bath or blend a few drops with massage lotion and apply to skin.
Jasmine	Use this antidepressant oil to ease muscle pain, relieve tension and nervousness, and soothe coughs.	Add 1-2 drops to a hot bath.
Mandarin	A mild sedative, mandarin has a peaceful effect and is safe for children.	Add 7-10 drops to a bath; add 3 drops to a humidifier.

Labels: essential oils, Holistic Health, natural therapy

One of my friends is a true follower of all things natural. Food? All organic and local. Clothing? Either recycled or handsewn. Beauty? When it comes to products, nothing of the paraben / synthetic nature remotely touches her body.

So, when I saw her splash a little bergamot oil on her pits one day, I was intrigued. "It's a natural deodorizer," she said. I gave it a whirl. With surprising results, I was practically stink-free. From what I could tell, my underarms smelled rather nice — well, like citrus. She also recommended I dab on a little baking soda if I ever felt a little drippy.

Like playing mad scientist? You can always mix up your own custom scent. Try Aura Cacia Bergamot Essential Oil ($13.59) paired with a complementary aroma such as sandalwood, nutmeg, vetiver, geranium, lavender, lemon, neroli, or ylang ylang.

Thanks Bella!

Labels: aroma, bergamot oil, deodorant, DIY, essential oils

Skin toners are the next step after a facial cleansing routine. Skin toners ensure complete removal from the skin of all cleansing preparations. They freshen and tone up the skin and prepare a clean surface for the application of make-up. They also restore the acid or alkali balance of the skin, because they are pH balanced. They are designed to penetrate pores, refresh and cool your skin while clearing away excess oil, impurities and dead skin cells that were not removed with your cleanser.

Toners restore the skin's natural pH balance. When you wash your face, the pH balance of the skin is distorted leading to skin working overtime to restore pH levels; the process of skin restoring the pH levels on its own can take up as much as half and hour or more. By using a skin toner, the pH level of your skin is restored instantly.

Choose a toner appropriate for your skin type. Alcohol dries the skin and harms the soluble collagen below the surface of the skin. It is thus safer to use an alcohol-free toner.

The common herbs used in toners include witch hazel, geranium, honey, lemon, ivy, sage, nettle and burdock. Witch hazel has a tendency to dry the skin. It is ideal to combine it with moisturizers such as Vitamin E, honey, etc. Rosewater helps keep skin and face moisturized, fresh and balances the pH levels.

Essential oils are the gentlest way of toning up. Rose water for normal or dry/sensitive skin or witch hazel for oilier skins is ideal bases for fresheners. These can be applied with cotton wool, using smooth, gentle upward strokes or sprayed on to the face. Oily skin benefits from juniper or lemongrass whereas drier skins would benefit from rose or sandalwood.

Apply the skin toner to a cotton ball and sweep it gently across your face. The cotton wool should come out relatively clean when toning. If it is not clean it indicates the cleansing has not been done properly. Do not succumb to the temptation to tone the skin whenever you feel it has become dirty. It should be used only after the skin has completed a cleansing routine and not as a substitute for cleansing. So, remember that your toner must function as a toner and not as a cleanser.

Homemade Toner Recipes

Watermelon Toner

1 cup watermelon chunks, 2 tbsp witch hazel and 2 tbsp distilled water.

Purée watermelon chunks in a processor or blender. Strain the liquid and discard the solids. Mix the strained liquid with the remaining ingredients, stir and pour into a glass bottle. Dab on face using a cotton ball. This is rich in sugar and vitamins A, B and Watermelon has astringent properties, and the super high water content makes it an excellent skin refresher.

Rose Skin Toner

3 ½ cups of witch hazel, ½ cup dried rose petals and 5 sprigs of fresh rosemary.

Mix ingredients together making sure it is all blended well. Strain the blend and splash on your face after cleansing.

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Labels: essential oils, herbs, skin care, toner, watermelon

Stylist Linda Rodin who has worked with every celeb from the late Herb Ritts to Madonna. Of course, she had access to every big-ticket “miracle” potion on the market through her connections, but like many of us, she was always disappointed. Rodin researched and experimented for two years until she found a concoction of essential oils that left her middle-aged skin soft and subtle. After positive feedback from her famous friends and even her doctor, her Olio Lusso hit shelves.

The blend of arnica, calendula, neroli, sunflower, and argan oil delivers a potent dose of antioxidants, fatty acids, and antibacterial benefits to moisturize and heal all skin types. After I tested so many other products, my naturally oily skin was painfully dry, tight, and flaky-- and, dare I say, magically transformed overnight with a few drops. My skin was more balanced, moisturized without greasiness; breakouts were less frequent; and I glowed. Beauty editors always test lines and move on, but Olio Lusso is now one of my classics.

$130 at Dr. David Colbert
119 Fifth Ave., at 19th St.

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Labels: Argan, arnica, essential oils, moisturizer, natural products, Olio Lusso, skin care

In our quest to take our beauty routine 'au naturel' we've struck oil ... essential oils and carrier oils that help nourish our skin naturally, that is.

Our recommendations for all skin types:
Normal/combination: Chamomile (anti-microbial, calming), Lavender (relaxes, regenerates), Rose Hip (revitalizing, repairs wrinkles), Ylang-ylang (balances moisture content). Dry/mature skin: Rose Hip, Avocado (nourishes), Apricot Kernel oil (moisturizing, yet very light).
Sensitive: Chamomile, Rose hip, Witch Hazel (astringent, refreshes), Carrot Seed (improves tone).
Oily/acne prone: Tea Tree (astringent, repairs), Eucalyptus (anti-viral), Witch hazel. (While applying oil may seem counterintuitive, remember that over drying your skin can signal it to produce more oil).
How to: Dilute the essential oils in a carrier oil such as almond, sunflower (unrefined) or jojoba oil. Apply to face or massage into body. You can also add a few drops to your favorite moisturizing products or to a bath before bed.
Bonus: Use almond oil and sunflower oil to remove make up and dirt, leaving skin nourished.

Labels: essential oils, living holistically, natural health, natural therapy, skincare

It's essential that we remain healthy this cold and flu season -- so we turned to Noelle Katai, Certified Aromatherapist and host of "Everybody Nose" on Veria TV, for tips on how essential oils can protect us from aches and pains.

Headache: Inhale peppermint essential oil right from the bottle or put a few drops on a tissue. (Feverish? Rub a small amount on your feet.)

Achy all over: Best handled with a massage blend made with essential oils that have warming and anti-inflammatory properties like: Lavender, Ginger, and German and Roman Chamomile. Blend together in a carrier oil like sweet almond oil.

Sniffles: At the onset of a cold, Bay Laurel, , Eucalyptus Globulus, Eucalyptus Radiata and Lavender help boost the immune system to fight off infection. Massage a blend in a carrier like jojoba oil on your body after a hot shower.

DIY spray: Dilute a blend of Tea tree, Eucalyptus Globulus, Eucalyptus Radiata, Melissa and Lavender with water -- makes a great anti-bacterial spray for armrests and tray tables when traveling (or around the office.)

Labels: essential oils, Holistic Health, living holistically