Aloe Vera Juice Recipes

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Aloe vera is healing both inside and out. The juice of the aloe plant has been used since ancient times for internal, medicinal, and topical treatments.

Aloe treats sunburn, moisturizes dry skin, hair, and scalp, fights stretch marks and aging skin, aids in digestion and gum disease, treats acne, insect bites, psoriasis, eczema, blisters, bruises-the list goes on. It’s essentially a cure all for skin issues and is often used internally* due to its anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidant properties.

2GENTLE Combine 4 tablespoons of partially ground oatmeal with 2 tablespoons of aloe vera juice and 2 tablespoons of honey. Apply to clean face and neck, using gentle circular motions and avoiding the eyes. Leave on for a minute or two then rinse with warm water and pat dry. The oatmeal will have exfoliated away dead skin while the honey cleansed your pores and the aloe moisturized your skin.

3gentleMix 1 tablespoon of aloe vera juice with 1 tablespoon of the juice of a lemon, lime or orange. Apply to a clean face using a cotton ball or your fingers. The citrus juice will tighten the pores while the aloe moisturizes and both ingredients cleanse oily skin. Be sure to wash your face if you are going out in the sun as the citrus juice will cause your skin to burn.

Don’t know how to juice an aloe plant? Check out this video. It gives a little history and explains internal usage as well.

*Always consult a health care professional before beginning any internal regimen.

Facial Oil Fanatic

oilsI remember back in the day, putting baby oil on so I could tan, dabbing my acne with Oxy pads and rubbing alcohol to dry it out, using Neutrogena as a cleanser and Nivea for a moisturizer. Wow, I was a hot mess! My skin never felt nice with all that stuff I was doing. It wasn’t until years later that I realized that simple is better; a natural bar of soap and facial oil-not a lotion or cream- is what my faced longed for.

Creams contain some oil, but not nearly enough to make a big difference. Oils are lipophilic (meaning they pass through the lipid layer of the skin) preventing water loss and plumping skin with moisture more effectively.

So, forget about the oil-free hullabaloo-your skin welcomes natural oils! Not all oils are the same, however, dry skin needs oil that will hydrate and oilier skin needs a lighter consistency.  There is an oil for every skin type. It may take a bit to understand them, but once you do you will surely enjoy the benefits of glowing skin and the savings in your pocketbook.

See what the Huffington Post has to say about this new facial oil craze.

Tips for your Skin Type:  

Oily skin: Grape seed oil with Tea tree, Cypress and Bergamot essential oil.

Aging skin: Argan, Carrot seed, Borage, or Rosehip oil with a drop of Vitamin E and Geranium, Ylang Ylang or Patchouli essential oil.

Dry skin: Olive oil with Clary Sage or Lavender essential oil.

Acne prone: Grapeseed or Safflower oil with Cedarwood, Lemon, Peppermint, Tea tree or Thyme essential oil.

Sensitive skin: Sweet Almond or Jojoba oil with Jasmine, Lavender or Geranium essential oil.

Use a light coconut oil for protection against wind and cold.

Improve and soothe your face with a dab, gently pat your skin, there is no need to rub, it will absorb naturally.

If you want to learn more about the science behind which oil works best for your skin type in an easy to understand way-check out this post by Dawn Michelle of MinimalistBeauty.com.

Essential Oils for Cold Relief

Colds can strike any time of the year. Try these tips and essential oils to treat those pesky cold and flu symptoms in a natural and holistic way…

The soles of your feet are full of sweat glands and can absorb the healing properties of essential oils. Whether you are using in a bath, inhaler or a massage always mix essential oils with a carrier oil of your choice – see our carrier oil blog for more information pertaining to formulating and blending techniques.

ESSENTIAL OILS

1. Cinnamon and Clove – provides heat for those that are suffering with the chills.
2. Eucalyptus (Radiata) – an expectorant to help open the lungs and help breathability.
3. Ginger – Stomach issues such as nausea, cleanses internally.
4. Lemon – Cleanses and is a good source of vitamin C, mix with any of the oils for an added relief.
5. Marjoram and Oregano – aids in anti-fungal, anti-septic and anti-viral needs.
6. Pine – powerful respiratory and immunity builder
7. Rose – to help flush your system of mucus that has built up and is needs to be released.
8. Sage – as a defense fighting against disease, bacteria, viruses and fungi.
9. Tea Tree – a must have for sinus infections – it is a strong anti-fungal, a little goes a long way so don’t use too much.
10. Thyme – added to Rosemary and Eucalyptus make for a powerful decongestant.

Note – Some essential oils are not suitable for children or use while pregnant. Also, always do a patch test to make sure you are not allergic to any oil you plan to use.

A few drops of Vitamin E add to these oils’ healing abilities.

Just a reminder when suffering with cold and flu symptoms, it is best to eliminate all dairy and sugars to help speed the recovery process.