Peppermint and Tangerine Foot Soak

November 30, 2017 Sarah1 Comment

Winter is for self-care and soothing the body. Taking time for yourself. And sharing handcrafted gifts with loved ones, so they can have a spa day, is a gift with love. Each batch whips up quickly. Tuck a pretty wooden measuring spoon with it, for easy sprinkling in the soak basin.

If you are local to Maple Valley, Washington and don’t want to make it yourself, we are offering 1 cup jars (8 ounce jars) that hold 4 bath’s worth, for $5. Local pickup. Contact for more info.

Peppermint and Tangerine Foot Soak

1/3 cup sea salt
1/2 cup pink Himalayan salt
1/3 cup epsom salt
8 drops peppermint essential oil
8 drops tangerine essential oil (or wild orange)

Directions:

In a glass bowl, stir together the salts. Add in essential oils, stir gently until mixed.

Transfer to a 8 ounce mason jar, sealing tightly.

To use:

Add 3 Tablespoons to your foot bath, at least ankle-deep, soak for at least 10 minutes.

Each batch makes 4 baths worth.

Disclaimer:

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not medical advice. Our products and body care recipes contains essential oils. If any of the products cause skin irritation, discontinue use immediately. No claims are made as to any medicinal value of essential oils. The information presented here is for educational purposes of traditional uses and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. Information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for medical or professional advice. Keep essential oils out of reach of children. Should you have a pre-existing medical condition, please consult your trusted health-care practitioner before using these products. Pregnant women should exercise caution when using essential oils. By using this site, you agree to indemnify administrators and owners for any and all responsibility regarding your wellbeing.

Essential Oils · Homesteading

Eucalyptus and Lavender Epsom Bath Salts

May 17, 2017 Sarah

I created this eucalyptus and lavender epsom bath salts blend for a neighbor recently. Both her and her mother suffer from eczema, as does my youngest child. One recommendation you often hear is taking baths versus showers. Don’t go for super hot water though, that can make sensitive skin worse. Epsom salts are well proven to bring relief for skin issues. However, buying pre-made epsom salt blends usually means they are scented with fragrance “oils”, rather than essential oils. And if you have skin issues, that only makes it worse.

Eucalyptus and Lavender Epsom Bath Salts

Ingredients:

Directions:

Add salts to a larger mason jar (a pint or quart), drop in oils, seal and shake well, to distribute the oils. Using a canning funnel, transfer to the half-pint mason jar, seal tightly.

One jar=one bath. As you are filling the tub with warm water, add in the salts and let blend in. Soak in the tub and enjoy the benefits.

For prepping in advance, make a jew jars worth at a time, they store well tightly sealed for a long time.

Disclaimer:

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These recipes are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. They are not medical advice. This recipe contains essential oils. If any of the products cause skin irritation, discontinue use immediately. Do not ingest! If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using these recipes.

DIY · Essential Oils · Homesteading

Handcrafted Peppermint Coconut Toothpaste

April 24, 2017April 24, 2017 Sarah

Making your own toothpaste is an easy project to try your hands it. Rich with essential oils and coconut, the smell will wake you up. As for the science behind natural toothpaste, I will let the reader make their own decisions on that one. I don’t wear my tin foil hat too tightly 😉

Peppermint Coconut Toothpaste

Ingredients:

¼ cup organic virgin coconut oil
2 tbsp baking soda
15 drops peppermint essential oil

Directions:

Melt the oil if needed, and measure. Pour into a small bowl, stir in peppermint oil, then baking soda, stirring till smooth and any lumps are broken up.

Transfer to a clean 4 ounce mason jar, cap tightly.

To use:

Keep a wooden spoon or similar nearby, take a little out to add to your toothbrush (don’t dip your toothbrush in). Gently brush your teeth as you would normally.

Note:

My toothpaste is unsweetened. Some prefer a sweeter toothpaste, and a drop or two of liquid stevia will work.

DIY · Essential Oils · Homesteading

Natural Essential Oil Infused Deodorant

March 29, 2017March 31, 2017 Sarah

Every time I attempt a new natural body product made with essential oils, there is often a trial and error period. Sometimes the recipes work first time, sometimes they never work. I look at it that I am getting the family (and in many cases my customers and readers) off of chemical slurries. Many body products can be made with kitchen ingredients and essential oils, which makes it easy to play around with. This is the first of my natural deodorant recipes. And yes, it works!

Natural Essential Oil Infused Deodorant

Ingredients:

¼ cup aluminum free baking soda
¼ cup organic corn starch or arrowroot
3 to 5 Tbsp organic virgin coconut oil, melted
5 drops lemongrass essential oil
5 drops Melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil
5 drops lime essential oil
1 deodorant container

Directions:

In a small bowl, mix together baking soda and corn starch. Add in essential oil, gently stir.

Add in 3 Tablespoons coconut oil, stirring until mixed. If dry, add a bit more oil as needed.

Using a small spoon, pack the mixture into the deodorant container. Push out any air pockets with a butter knife, fill in more mixture.

Let dry and set up before using.

After showering/bathing, wait for 30 minutes then apply.

Keep tightly covered between uses.

Warning note:

Natural deodorants made with corn starch and baking soda can cause redness in some individuals. To reduce chance of it, wait for 30 minutes after bathing, especially if you shave. If redness/itching occurs, wash the affected area and stop using for a day or two. It will go away quickly.

Not for use in areas where the temperature is above 70* on a regular basis.

Disclaimer:

DIY · Essential Oils · Homesteading · Soap Making

Peppermint & Grapefruit Body Wash Recipe

March 20, 2017January 11, 2018 Sarah

Spring is here and I needed a new body wash, that starts my day with mind wakening aromatherapy.

Peppermint & Grapefruit Body Wash

Ingredients:

8-ounce squeeze or pump bottle
¾ cup liquid Castile soap, preferably unscented*
6 Tbsp vegetable glycerin
15 drops peppermint essential oil*
15 drops grapefruit essential oil*

Directions:

Using a small funnel, add the castile soap and essential oils. Add the glycerin slowly to fill. Seal the bottle, and shake gently to combine.

In shower, use a shower pouf and add a quarter size amount, lather up and scrub up!

Gently shake bottle each time before use, as it will separate. Shelf life? No different from other body washes.

Makes 8 ounces.

I’ve tried a number of liquid Castile soaps, not all are equal. Some are really thick and leave an unpleasant scum on the skin, others have many oils added in, so read carefully (such as Dr. Bronners). The Desert Essence unscented I used in this recipe has a very short ingredient list, and the oils in it are safe on our youngest son, with his allergies. (Castile Soap (Water (Aqua), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Tall Oil (Pine Oil), Potassium Hydroxide), Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil) The soap is thinner, and washes off easily. It does have a faint scent of the tea tree oil, but I don’t mind that, it plays well with citrus oils.

*The amount of essential oils is up to you, you might want more. Add, shake, and smell. The smell is more potent when it is under warm water.

Disclaimer: