How to make Homemade Lotion

Today, like most other days, I want to show easy it is to make your own health and beauty products. Today I made face and body lotion. As with the few preceding posts, I have tried to stress that anything that you put on your skin will be absorbed into the blood stream and lotion is no exception. I live in a very dry climate so I'm no stranger to using lotion. No matter how much water I drink my skin always seems to need a little extra moisture, but so many lotions contain synthetic ingredients or artificial scents. And the "All Natural" lotions can be pricy. So I decided to make my own lotion. I was a little intimidated at first because I knew that lotion was mixing oil and water. Typically the two don't mix, however, at the right temperature the two solutions will mix, forming the lovely mixture we know as lotion.

The recipe I use is taken from Rosemary Gladstar's book "The Family Herbal." I know that I've said it before, but I will say it again, this book is a must have! For anyone interested in knowing more about herbalism or for the seasoned herbalist looking for some new recipes, this book is a wealth of knowledge and information about herbal living. So the recipe is as follows:

Waters
2/3 cup of distilled water
1/3 cup of aloe vera gel
1 or 2 drops of essential oil
Vitamins A and E as desired

Oils
3/4 cup of apricot, almond or grapeseed oil
1/3 cup of coconut oil or cocoa butter
1/4 teaspoon lanolin
1/2 to 1 ounce of grated beeswax

Mix all the waters into a measuring cup. I feel that the 1 to 2 drops of essential oil that Rosemary called for is far too few. I would use up to 40 drops of essential oil depending on the oils you are using. The essential oils also add healing properties as well as a wonderful aroma. Once the waters are mixed, Set them aside and let them get to room temperature.

Mix all the Oils into a double boiler over low to medium heat.

Heat the oils just enough to melt all the ingredients together. Remove from the heat and place the oils in the blender.

Let the oils sit in the blender until they reach room temperature. When this happens, the mixture will get thick, creamy and turn a beige color. I like to poke the top of the mixture to see what it looks like on the bottom. If there is still some oil that has not solidified you need to let the mixture cool a little longer. Once the solution has reached room temperature put the lid on the blender, removing the small circle on the top of the lid. Turn the blender on its highest speed and slowly start adding the water to the center of the mixing oil. You may need to stop the blender and at times to hand mix the mixture. but resume blending and pouring water until all has been mixed together.

What you will end up with is thick, creamy lotion. When you rub it on your skin it may seem greecy at first, but after a few minutes the oils will absorb into the skin. Place into jars and label. I like to put some into little sample jars to hand out to my friends (they always like to try my latest and greatest). If your lotion doesn't turn out the first time, try again. It is well worth the perseverance.

Sources:

Gladstar, R. (2001). Rosemary Gladstar's family herbal: a guide to living life with energy, health, and vitality. North Adams, Mass.: Storey Books.

Clear face and skin with natural remedies for Acne

Acne is not a fun condition to have. Not only does it have the obvious effect of lesions on the skin, but it can also be detrimental to the self of steam of the individuals that it wreaks havoc on. The western allopathic treatments for acne include awful drugs that are so dangerous to the user that mandatory birth control is issued with the drug because of the birth defects that are associated with taking the drug while pregnant. The topical applications aren’t much better. They are often harsh chemicals and pharmaceuticals that a lot of times don’t make much of an impact. But there is hope with alternative treatments for acne. First, for a little info on the condition.

The Science of Acne
Acne vulgaris occurs when there is an inflammation of sebaceous gland. The canals of these glands become blocked causing blackheads (open comedones), whiteheads (closed comedones) and pustule clusters that are located on the face, neck, back and chest. Blackheads turn black because the contents of the comedo, or the hard plug blocking the pore, is exposed to the air, thus turning it black. Closed comedones are not exposed to the air and therefore do not oxidize.

Demographics
Acne is the most common skin disorder affecting nearly 17 million Americans, most of which are between the ages of 12-25. Severity of the acne depends on the extent of the hormone imbalances, keratinisation, sebum production and bacterial colonization. Androgen imbalances, because of its control over sebacious glands, is said to be linked, in some cases, to the severity of acne.

Natural Alternatives for Acne Treatment
I know that when you have acne it may seem like there are no options and this is something that you are stuck with. But have hope! There are many alternatives including herbs, essential oils, nutrition and supplements, along with a few random tips to help you and your face become free from the mask of acne. But figuring out what works best for you may take some time. Many of the herbs take several months to see a difference and when you don’t find it is helping, keep trying different things until you find what works best for you.

Nutrition
Nutrition is, perhaps, the most important battle to tackle when addressing acne. Here is information regarding nutritional links with acne: 

• High glycemic loads seem to make acne worse so try a diet high in protein, fruits and veggies and low in carbs.
• There has been some links made between food allergies and acne. The most prominent culprits are dairy and wheat but corn and soy may cause problems as well. You may wish to do an elimination diet to determine if you have any food allergies.
• Menstrual related acne has been shown to improve with a high intake of vitamin B6. Some foods high in vitamin B6 include bell peppers, turnip greens, summer squash, shiitake mushrooms, spinach, tuna, beef, chicken and turkey.
• Improving overall digestion and elimination helps to insure that toxins and excess hormones are being removed in via the appropriate pathways and not through our skin. Eat plenty veggies to keep things moving.
• Drink plenty of water!!! Flush the system as much as possible, removing toxins and keeping the body and skin well hydrated.

Essential Oils
Essential oils can be very beneficial to topically helping with acne. The oils can be helpful in decreasing infection, decreasing sebum production, promote skin healing and decreasing scaring, decreasing inflammation and helping soothe the emotional stress and anxiety associated with acne. Helpful oils include geranium, lavender, lemon, lime, neroli, rosemary, rose otto and tea tree. These essential oils can be used in a facial steam or a warm compress.

Supplements
Supplements that you may wish to take include:

• Probiotics: everyone should take them. With the amount of antibiotics our doctors over prescribe, our bodies can use some more defenses.
• Vitamins A and E and other antioxidants: In studies, patients with acne were tested and shown to have lower levels of vitamins A and E.
• Supplementation of zinc has been shown to reduce the number of pustules, papules and closed comedones.

HAA (Herbs Against Acne)
When it comes to herbs, there are many approaches you can take and I feel that hitting on all areas can insure that you are treating the whole picture.

• Stimulate the lymphatic system with cleavers, echinacea and calendula
• Purify and clean the blood with burdock, yellow dock, holy basil and chickweed
• Detoxify the help to stimulate the liver, improving digestion and excretion. It is so important to make sure that you are having more than one bowel movement a day so that toxins and hormones are not sitting in the colon and reabsorbing into the blood stream. Dandelion root, burdock root and nettles are a few that can help
• Antibacterial herbs, including echinacea, goldenseal and garlic, can help to get rid of bacteria that is colonizing on the skin
• Nervines to calm the nerves and address the stress and anxiety associated with this condition especially during adolescence. Lemon balm, scullcap and valerian can all be helpful.
• Topical applications of calendula can help to promote healing

Etc.
Other random tips:

• Keep your face clean. Use a all natural, genital cleanser to make sure the skin is being kept clean
• Use facial cosmetics sparingly. Makeup and lotions can add to the already congested pores making the condition worse
• Do not pick or squeeze black heads. Doing so can further lodge bacteria in the skin making things worse.
• Do not touch the afflicted area unless your hands are very clean. Failure to do so can make the condition worse.
• Keep your stress to a minimal. Stress can exasperate the issue.
• Get at least 15 minutes of direct sunshine a day (without sunscreen). Studies have shown that this can help clear up acne.
• Exercise can be used to relieve stress and to help with a better body image.

Overall, keep the faith that there is a solution out there for your acne. Meeting with a trained herbalist can help you to better pinpoint the cause and better find a solution.

Sources:

Battaglia, S. (2003). The complete guide to aromatherapy (2nd ed.). Brisbane: International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy.

Green, J. (1991). The male herbal: health care for men & boys. Freedom, Calif.: Crossing Press.

Levy, J. d. (1997). Common herbs for natural health (Rev., expanded ed.). Woodstock, N.Y.: Ash Tree Pub..

Wildwood, C. (1996). The encyclopedia of aromatherapy. Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20666829

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20338665

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17951128

http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/news/thyme-for-a-more-natural-cure-to-acne27032012.htm?type=external

http://www.celiac.com/articles/179/1/Allergy-and-Intolerance-by-Lydia-S-Boeken-MD/Page1.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18422736

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16681594

Beautiful and Radiant Skin

Everyone likes to look their best and in todays culture that means looking young. The first sign of getting older tends to show up on our skin as wrinkles and sun spots. So today, I'd like to talk about the integumentary system and natural ways to keep our skin looking healthy and vibrant.

The IntegStructure of the Skin

The integumentary system consists of 3 main layers:

· The epidermis: the outermost portion of epithelial cells. This layer of skin has no blood vessels.

· The dermis: the connective tissue, and the accessory structures of the skin, such as blood vessels, nerve endings and sweat glands, hair and oil glands.

· The hypodermis: the innermost layer of the integumentary system. This subcutaneous layer consists of loose connective tissue and fat.

Because there are no blood vessels in the epidermis, skin epithelial cells reproduce in the layer closest to the dermis where they are well nourished by the blood supply of this deeper layer. As the cells reproduce, older cells are pushed farther away from the dermis and closer to the top layer of what we see as "skin". This journey to the top causes the cells to become malnourished and as they die they undergo a change. The cytoplasm inside the cell is replaced by keratin, causing the cell to become hard and flat. Once the cell reaches the surface of the skin it doesn't stay there for long before it is shed and replaced from below.

Functions of the Skin
There are many functions of the skin.

· The skin acts as a barrier. Keeping the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. The shedding of skin is also a means to mechanically remove pathogens from the surface of the body.

· The skin helps us to regulate body temperature. The skin is a large surface area that can release heat when the body is overheating. Blood vessels dilate bringing more blood to the surface of the body and allowing the heat to disperse. Sweat glands also release perspiration, cooling the surface of the body. When the body becomes cold, subcutaneous tissue acts as insulation and blood vessels in the dermis warm the skin.

· Receive and relay information about the environment via nerve endings in the skin to the brain. This includes information about pain, heat, cold, pressure, etc.  

· Assists in both elimination and respiration (the skin is known as the third lung).

· Form Vitamin D

Healthy Body, Healthy Skin
Now that we know a little bit about the structure and function of integumentary system, let’s talk about a few ways to keep your skin healthy.

First and foremost, it is important to remember that whatever you put on your skin, it is being absorbed into your blood stream. When it comes to skin products, if you don't know what an ingredient is or what it does then you should not smear it on your face and body. I also like to do the pronunciation test: if you can't pronounce the ingredient, it probably isn't good for you. Avoid products with preservatives, coloring agents, synthetic scents and synthetic chemicals.

Make sure you are properly cleaning the skin. Dirt and makeup can clog the pores leading to imbalances in the skin. Exfoliation, the shedding of skin cells, is a process that happens naturally, however for added assistance and pleasure, try dry skin brushing. This is the link to a previous blog post about dry brushing http://theverbalherbal.blogspot.com/2012/07/health-benefits-of-dry-brushing.html 

Nutrition
Proper nutrition is, perhaps, one of the most important contributions to healthy skin. The outside of the body reflects what is happening on the inside of the body and if the inside is not properly nourished then the outside of the body will show this. A low glycemic diet seems to be the most beneficial at providing a large array of vitamins and minerals while limiting foods that cause inflammation including: refined and processed foods, sugar, coffee, soda and white flour products. Make sure you are getting adequate amounts of high quality proteins including fresh fish, shellfish and organic, grass fed meats. A colorful array of organic fruits and veggies should be eaten every day, including lots of leafy green veggies (kale, chard, collard greens...). Healthy fats are a must have in every diet. For too long, fats have been demonized in American diets. Low fat diets show a lack of knowledge about the body and have lead to many problems including gall bladder stones and heart disease. Healthy fats can be obtained from fish, nuts, seeds, healthy oils and flax seeds. Other healthy supplements include probiotics and B vitamins.

Are You Pooping Enough?
Make sure your other elimination pathways (i.e. bowels, urinary tract and respiratory system) are working properly. When there is dysfunction in these systems, the skin, as another way to eliminate toxins, becomes overloaded. This can result in skin rashes, spots, pallor and puffiness. Bitter herbs are my favorite way to keep myself regular. For more information, check out: http://theverbalherbal.blogspot.com/2012/05/daily-herb-o-scope-feel-better-with.html

Other Tips
Lastly, make sure you are getting adequate sleep and drinking enough water. 8-10 glasses of water are recommended; however, you may need to drink more to depending on your level of activity. Adequate sleep is also necessary for healthy skin, not only because we tend to look like crap when we don't get enough sleep, but also because human growth hormone (HGH) is released during the deepest form of slow wave sleep and is responsible for growth and cell reproduction, an important part of healthy skin.  

Overall, I don't feel that beauty is only skin deep, but I do know that if I am healthy on the inside, my beauty will show through to the outside producing beautiful and radiant skin.

Sources:

Battaglia, S. (2003). The complete guide to aromatherapy (2nd ed.). Brisbane:

International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy.

Cohen, B. J., Taylor, J. J., & Memmler, R. L. (2009). Memmler's structure and function of the human body (9th ed.). Baltimore, MD: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott William & Wilkins.

Gladstar, R. (2001). Rosemary Gladstar's family herbal: a guide to living life with

energy, health, and vitality. North Adams, Mass.: Storey Books.

Wildwood, C. (1996). The encyclopedia of aromatherapy. Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts

Press.

http://www.perriconemd.com/category/the+doctor/philosophy.do

http://www.peertrainer.com/diet/dr_perricone_diet.htm

http://1stholistic.com/Beauty/skin/skin_natural-skin-care.htm

http://www.hghtalk.com/hgh/hgh-and-sleep/