 |
|
|
|||||
 |
|
||||||
|
|||||||
Fight Those Summer Elements — Naturally!
Our skin is exposed to various harmful elements daily and whether it be sun, wind or insects, our skin needs protection. Here are some natural ways that are good for the skin that you’re in!
Natural Bug Repellents
Stay Away Bugs!
20 drops Eucalyptus oil
20 drops Cedarwood oil
10 drops Tea Tree oil
10 drops Geranium oil
2 ounces carrier oil (such as Jojoba)
Mix together in a four ounce container. Try applying to skin to keep away bugs, avoiding the eye area. Keep out of reach of children. Test on a small area of skin for sensitivities. You may want to experiment with different percentages of essential oil.
Vanilla Keeps Pests Away
A great natural insect repellant is made from clear real vanilla (not the grocery store vanilla extract which is mostly alcohol). This can be found in most health food stores. Mixing half vanilla and half water seems to work great to keep away mosquitoes and ticks. It’s nice to know that you don’t smell like a chemical plant but a cookie!
Bug Bites, Stings, Cuts and Scratches
Healing Clay
All children get bites, cuts, and scratches. Here is a great remedy for you and your children to make.
4 parts clay
1 part dry aloe vera powder
1 part comfrey root powder
1 part organically grown goldenseal powder or chaparral powder
Combine the clay and the powdered herbs. Store in a glass jar.
To use, combine a small handful of the mixture with enough water to form a paste. This can be applied directly to cuts, wounds, and insect bites.
Alternatively, you can premix the clay and herbal powders into a paste with water. Add a few drops of lavender and tea tree essential oils and store in a glass jar with a tight–fitting lid. If the clay dries out, just re–moisten with water.
Need something fast that can be found outdoors?
- Try rubbing the affected area with the juice of a honeysuckle vine.
- Try rubbing the affected area with fresh crushed parsley or freshly bruised basil leaves.
Other Natural Remedies for Skin Care
Sunburn—Be Gone!
- Cover a handful of parsley with mineral water and soak it for 24 hours, then strain. This mixture may help to relieve some of the heat when applied to a sunburn.
- Applying vinegar to a sunburn or adding it to bath water may help when sunburned.
The Poison Ivy Blues!
- Cutting open a green tomato and squeezing the juice on the affected area may help the poison ivy itches.
- Try mixing equal parts of buttermilk, vinegar, and salt to rub on the area after the rash has appeared for soothing relief.
Chapped Skin and Rashes
- Pour one pint boiling water over five tablespoons of calendula petals, steep 30 minutes, strain, and try using as a compress. This is also good for minor cuts and scrapes.
- Add one cup red clover blossoms and leaves to two cups of boiling water. Steep until cool and strain. This can then be applied to skin rash, allowed to dry, and reapplied as needed.
|
|
 |
|
|
|