Old Fashioned Lavender Milk Bath with Epsom Salt

Cleopatra, and other sophisticated ladies have bathed in milk for centuries.

While it may seem like wasteful decadence, there's actually a reason why bathing in milk is good for your skin. The lactic acid in milk is an alpha-hydroxy acid, which helps cleanse the skin and release dead skin cells. 

But wait, there's another fantastic reason to add milk to your bath!

Emulsification!

Since remodeling our bath last year, I've yet to add EOs to the bath water because of our new acrylic bathtub - I didn't want the EOs to pool and sit against the sides of the tub possibly ruining the finish. I'm happy to announce that I found the answer to my dilemma in a glass of milk! 

Milk is a great emulsifier!  This means that the Milk will disperse the EOs evenly throughout the bath water.  No pooling of EOs!

All you need is 1 cup!

You can simply add EOs to the glass of milk and pour or, enjoy a more spa type soak by adding epsom salt to the mix!

Simple Milk Bath

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1 cup milk - whole milk preferably ~ added luxury!

1/2 cup epsom salt ~ soak up some magnesium too!

20 drops Lavender or, your choice of essential oil

Pour into a warm bath and soak your cares away!

{without a worry for your bathtub finish}

Enjoy a 10% discount on your EOs from Spark Naturals on every order with this code:  campwander

Revive & Renew Dried Out Baby Wipes with EOs!

This is a quickie, drive-by, household type of post...won't take but a minute but, you might just love the results like we did!  

We took our oldest grand daughter Maya glamping this weekend.  Once again, I was reminded after raising 5 kids, that our little ones are here to teach the big ones...

Maya & Bart

{the king & queen of dirt}

Long story short, Maya wasn't afraid of getting dirty and Bart wasn't afraid of getting Maya dirtier.  At one point, I reached for the disposable wipes to clean the two because our water tank was running low.  Low and behold the baby wipes were dry as a bone, gee what a surprise.  Ugh!

Maya, our ever ingenious 6 yr old started for the faucet to add some water to the dry container.  Lightning BOLT!  When she opened the bathroom door of the camper, I saw my trusty bottle of Witch Hazel...

Here's the thing...

You can revive your dried out, unused disposable wipes with a great big squirt of good quality, alcohol free Witch Hazel!  So simple it's borderline brilliant because, you can customize the wipes to your needs by adding select EOs.

Let me explain...

I looked at the box of wipes and guess-timated 1/2 cup of Witch Hazel would be needed to moisten and revive the dry wipes left in the box.  Here's the easy peazy steps Maya and I followed:

I live the #eolife, I always have a few EOs with me.  I decided to incorporate the All Purpose Healing Stick blend of Lavender, Frankincense and Melaleuca to revive the wipes.  I added 12 drops of each to the 1/2 cup of Witch Hazel just enough to moisten without dripping (Bonus!  Witch Hazel will happily emulsify your EOs)  and Wa La!  I almost instantly had invigorating healing wipes for us to use. 

In case you didn't know... good quality alcohol free Witch Hazel can be a game changer for your skin.  A moisturizing astringent/toner that keeps skin bright and pore tight!  

If you get a chance, click on this Witch Hazel link and read the 410 almost 5 star reviews for my favorite brand!

Another reason Witch Hazel is a smart choice, the wipes shouldn't mildew after being soaked in Witch Hazel.

Ideas To Go Crazy With!

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Need to freshen your baby wipes?  Add WH plus 40 drops Lavender.

Need some bug repellent wipes?  Add WH plus 25 drops Lemongrass & 25 drops Lavender

Need facial wipes? Troubled skin?  12 drops Frankincense, 12 drops Melaleuca, 12 drops Lavender

Need refreshing yet cleansing wipes for the office?  Add WH plus 20 drops Lemon & 20 drops Lavender

Need sanitizing wipes for your car and purse?  Add WH plus 10 drops Geranium and 15 drops Lavender.

Do you catch my drift yet?!

Mix and match your EO blends to your families needs, make them as strong or light as you need to but, by all means, save your wipes!

The End!

Enjoy a 10% discount on every Spark Naturals order with this code:

campwander

3 NEW All~Purpose Healing Salve BLENDS!

 Camp Wander's All Purpose Healing Salve, proving it's usefulness with completely natural healing, softening and antiseptic properties...  

Great news!  I've added 3 new blends that put this workhorse of a salve to even more uses, from wound care to wrinkle softening...

One recipe of All Purpose Healing Salve and a selection of essential oils can make {five} 4 oz custom blends by changing the EOs in the basic recipe {click here}.  Mix and Match!

The base of the salve is organic extra virgin cold pressed coconut oil and olive oil.   Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer with antibacterial properties.  Olive oil has lots of anti-oxidants too, including Hydroxytyrosol and with anti-inflammatory properties.  

The Basic Ingredients
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One recipe will fill five 4 oz glass jam jars.

1  Cup Organic Virgin Coconut Oil {my favorite brand}

1  Cup Olive Oil

4  T. Beeswax Pastilles (generous)

Slowly melt the coconut, olive oil and beeswax in a mason jar, in a warm bath, stirring with a knife every few minutes until melted. While waiting for the melt, line up {five} 4 oz jam jars with your EOs nearby. 

Decide which blends you want to create and add the essential oils to each jar before filling.

Now you're ready to fill each jar with the melted coconut and olive oil stopping a half inch from the rim.  Let cool until the salve hardens.  Top with a paper towel while cooling.  Secure lid tightly after the salve hardens. 

Anti - Aging Blend
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Frankincense, Lavender and Cypress combined create an effective anti-aging blend that I've used and LOVED for quite some time now.  

With a blend of Frankincense, Lavender and Cypress your face & body will benefit from their regenerative properties as well as the extra moisturizing properties of coconut and olive oil.  

Add 12 drops each to one 4 oz jar.

L.L.P.  Allergy Blend
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Lemon, Lavender and Peppermint, an all natural anti-histamine with far reaching benefits!  I'm convinced that many chronic issues are a result of an allergic reaction to toxins that we're all exposed to everyday.  The L.L.P. Allergy Blend has proven itself to be a powerful ally for many!  

*At the end of this post, I've added links to testimonials attributing to this simple protocol with some amazing results! 

Especially beneficial for allergies that manifest themselves through skin outbreaks or chronic itching.  L.L.P. Salve can compliment your daily L.L.P. protocol along with the added attributes of skin softening, soothing and the antibacterial properties of Lemon, Lavender and Peppermint.  

Why not add the L.L.P. blend to your salve in addition to your other applications, allowing even more opportunity for the healing effects of the Lemon, Lavender and Peppermint antihistamine protocol.  Add 30 drops to one 4 oz jar.

Aches & Pain Blend

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carpal tunnel, headaches, joint pain from arthritis 

Now that Birch EO, the most powerful essential oil for pain relief with aspirin like qualities is available from Spark Naturals, the ability to make your own powerful Icy Hot - like pain reliever is a reality. PURE Birch essential oil is hard to come by and in high demand for a reason - natural pain relief.  Combine Birch for pain, White Fir for inflammation and Frankincense to further enhance the properties of all three EOs, driving them deeper into the affected tissue.  Add 30 drops Birch, 10 drops Frankincense, 10 drops White Fir.

CW All Purpose Salves are simple to make, versatile and potent!  Make your own and keep it in your Wellness Arsenal.  Crafted with pure plant essence, super healthy coconut oil and emollient olive oil you can look younger, dress a wound, calm a child, alleviate allergies and SO much more!

The End!

http://campwander.blogspot.com/2012/12/allergies-inflammation-power-of.html

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/01/lavender-lemon-and-peppermint-the-natural-antihistamine.html

http://activelyparticipateinyourownlife.blogspot.com/2012/11/cys-remarkable-progress-doterra-llp.html

Please enjoy a 10% savings on any Spark Naturals product with this coupon code - campwander

The Athlete's Kit w/ Birch ~ 6 Essential Oil Blends

This is a custom Athlete's Kit for the extreme athletes AKA - marathon runners, triathletes, climbers AKA - crazy persons!  With the addition of Birch EO now available from Spark Naturals (thank you SN!!) your extreme blends will pack a powerful pain relieving punch!

I shared a photo of the kit I created for a friend on FB and many of you requested that I share the blends, so here you go!

  

Please note!  The following blends are potent, they have very little dilution so adjust according to YOUR needs. 

Wear & Tear Muscle Repair #1

{1/6 oz. roller bottle}

20 drops Birch

30 drops Marjoram

30 drops White Fir

30 drops Frankincense

Apply 2x daily {NEAT}.  Layer with *Driver Blend.

*The Driver Blend is used to push the previously applied EO blend even deeper into affected areas.

Driver Blend #2

{1/6 oz. roller bottle}

100 drops DIY Aroma Touch

10 drops Frankincense

20 drops Fractionated Coconut Oil

Muscle Spasm Blend

{1/6 oz. roller bottle}

40 drops Basil

30 drops Lemongrass

30 drops Marjoram

30 drops Fractionated Coconut Oil

Apply immediately and, as needed to cramping muscles.

 Blisters

{1/6 oz. roller bottle}

40 drops Lavender

30 drops Melaleuca

30 drops Fractionated Coconut Oil

Apply as needed.

Breathe EZ

{1/6 oz. roller bottle}

100 drops Respire

10 drops Frankincense

20 drops Fractionated Coconut Oil

Apply to chest to open up airways as needed.

Focus!

{5/8 dram bottle}

30 drops Peppermint

15 drops Wild Orange

Open and inhale as needed.

Crazy kid...

To your Health!

Enjoy 10% off every Spark Naturals order with this code:  campwander

Eyelash Thickening Serum with Coconut Oil!

Have you found that your eyelashes have become thinner and shorter over time?

Eyelashes go through a constant cycle of loss and regrowth.  It's hard to treat them like we should because we're always smothering them with mascara, eye creams and moisturizers.  Actually, because much of what we use on our lashes can be chemical based, eyelashes tend to gradually fall out...

There's a simple and natural way to be kind to your lashes and it requires only 2 ingredients!  Fractionated Coconut Oil and PURE Lemon and Lavender EOs.

Fractionated Coconut Oil has a natural pulling action that draws out impurities and enters the eyelash follicles to stimulate regrowth.  Fractionated Coconut Oil readily absorbs into the skin making it ideal for topical therapies!  It's feather-lite emollient effect provides a soothing barrier without clogging pores and is excellent for both dry or troubled skin.  It isn't greasy and it won't stain or go rancid.  It's just perfect for nourishing and moisturizing eyelash follicles and reversing the effects of harmful toxins!

Adding 1 drop of Lemon can further enhance the oil's cleansing and stimulating properties.  

Adding 1 drop of Lavender will nourish your lashes and follicles. 

Add the EOs, top off with Fractionated Coconut Oil and you're done!

How to Apply:
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Gently coat your lashes with the serum after washing face and removing all traces of eye makeup.  

Blending and storing your eyelash serum in a 10ml roller bottle will give the Lemon and Lavender good dilution and ease of application!

You can find neato blue glass roller bottles {Here}.  I prefer the 10ml size!

To Healthier Lashes!


Enjoy a 10% discount on every Spark Naturals order with code:
  
campwander

10 Ways to Use All Purpose Healing Salve & Recipe

If I had to choose only one skin care product out of the hundreds of products I've tried over the years, this All Purpose Healing Salve would be it!

I've shared this recipe on a prior blog post, DIY Skin Care for Gardeners.  But since then, more and more people have used it and shared HOW they used it!  I'm very grateful that this salve has improved so many lives of both people and animals (excellent for wound care).  Read on and discover just how versatile this salve can be!



All Purpose Healing Salve Recipe:

1  Cup Organic Virgin Coconut Oil (Tropical Traditions Gold Label makes the silkiest salve!)
1  Cup Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4  T. Beeswax Pastilles
1/2 t. vitamin e oil (optional)

To each jar add:

10  drops Lavender
  8  drops Lemon
  6  drops Melaleuca
1/2  teaspoon Vitamin e oil (optional)

Fills {4} - 4 oz glass mason jars or small glass jars of choice.

Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer as well as antibacterial.  Olive oil has lots of anti-oxidants, including Hydroxytyrosol as well as anti-inflammatory properties.  Lavender soothes and heals, Lemon cleanses and disinfects while Melaleuca is antibacterial and antifungal!

Melt the coconut, olive oil and beeswax in a warm bath, stirring with a knife every few minutes until melted.

This will take at least 15 min, you want a slow melt.

Add the EOs to the empty jars and pour into glass jars of your choice and let cool.

Put a paper towel over the jars while cooling and wait to cover with lids until completely cooled down.  Shelf life is approximately 8 months.

Suggestions from experience:  Use small jars and keep several around the house and few travel sizes handy.

10 ways we've used All Purpose Healing Salve...with great success I might add :)

1.  Crazy good hand moisturizer!
  
2.  Amazing on dry, cracked heels and crusty elbows.

3.  All round moisturizer for dry climes.  I use it as a body          moisturizer and even on my face, sparingly!

4.  Soothes and heals chapped lips or any chappy place.

5.  Soothes welts, burns and sunburn!

6.  Great for diaper rash.

7.  Keep your animals in mind!  My son has healed his bulldogs sunburned noses with this.  Great antiseptic wound care for animals (except cats).

8.  Antiseptic properties make it great for cuts and scrapes!

9.  Wonderful for elderly folks and their thin, fragile skin.

10.  A good remedy for eczema!


Notes:  It's easy to double the recipe if you're making gifts!  A small jar of salve is a great gift that keeps on giving.  Purchase some lip balm pots or tins and fill with salve to keep in your purse or backpack.  

Make sure to share, everyone can benefit from this natural healing salve and it's just a nice thing to do!


CW is happy to offer a 10% discount on all Spark Naturals EOs and products!  
Discount code: campwander

EZ Splinter Removal with Lavender Baking Soda Paste

Even the toughest among us have a few choice words whenever a splinter enters the picture...or should I say, a BODY PART!

Until I started using EOs I had no idea how to finesse a splinter, literally coax it out of the skin without digging for it with a needle {quilty!}

Actually, there are a lot of natural remedies and techniques for removing splinters effectively and painlessly.  Anywhere from banana peels to bacon but I like to resort to good old basic baking soda myself...with EOs of course :)

Lavender Baking Soda Paste

This application works great for those tiny splinters, the ones that get deeply embedded in your skin and no matter how you squeeze and prod...it's seems to be a goner.  Baking soda paste will cause the skin to swell and push the splinter out.  By adding Lavender to the paste you'll be introducing antibacterial and tissue restorative properties. Lavender will also soothe jagged tissue (and nerves) and help reduce the pain.

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 drops Lavender

2 drops water (enough to make a thick paste)

Next, select your favorite character bandaid and apply a glob of paste directly on the bandaid, place over splinter.

At our house...

Dora has magical healing powers.

You'll need to repeat this every 24 hrs with a new bandaid and paste until the splinter pokes through but I doubt you'll have to wait that long.  When you notice that the splinter has been pushed out of the skin, grab it with clean tweezers if you can.  Sometimes the splinter will work itself all the way out of the skin and you can wipe it away.

TIPS:  If the splinter is still painful, apply a small amount of Helichrysum on the site before removing the splinter.

If you're allergic to baking soda, try soaking the punctured part in Hydrogen Peroxide until the splinter swells enough to grab with a pair of clean tweezers.

The END!

As always!  Please enjoy a 10% discount

 on your Spark Naturals order every time with this code:

campwander