The Bathtub: Therapy in your Home

Powdered Kelp

I've talked a lot about how much I love the bathtub.  Check out posts here, here and here for a refresher.  Don't just take it from me; my teacher, world-renowned master herbalist Rosemary Gladstar has the following to say about "Therapy in a Tub":

Beauty begins in the bath.  A centuries-old ritual, herbal bathing is not only a soothing cosmetic affair it also has important therapeutic applications...It's unfortunate that the bath has been replaced with the shower, another of those quick conveniences of modern times.  Though certainly a quick way to freshen oneself, showers are no replacement for a long, luxurious soak.  I've heard people reflect that they don't like the idea of soaking in their dirty bath water.  Heavens, rinse off first if you're so dirty!  But don't forgo the pleasures of a bath.

Herbal baths can be extremely therapeutic.  The addition of specific herbs, essential oils, sea salts, or oats can be used to treat skin disorders, headaches, stress, anxiety, and congestion.  There have been several well-known herbalists whose preferred method of treatment was via the bath.  When bathing, the pores of the skin are open and receptive to the healing properties of the herbs.

Bathing in herbs is like immersing one's body in a giant cup of tea.  All the pores are open and skin, our largest organ of absorption and elimination, absorbs the healing essences of the herbs allowing you to emerge renewed and refreshed.

The SkIndulgence shop offers a variety of bath additives including salts, herbal blends, and oatmeal combinations.  I've formulated these products to assist in relaxation, sore muscles, and with anxiety.  In addition to these, I've previously posted several at-home recipes for preparing your own healing baths (links up at the top).

Talking about baths so much, I think I'm gonna jump in one right now!  Today I am going to add 1/2 cup of powdered kelp and 1/4 cup of aloe vera to the water for a perfect thalassotherapy (seawater) therapy treatment.  Seaweed is very rich in iodine and protein.  These nutrients are directly absorbed by the pores of the skin, affecting the body on a cellular level, and in the process will help detoxify, revive, remineralize and stimulate my body as a whole.  Aloe compliments the effect of the seaweed in that the gel helps regenerate and soothe damaged and dry skin.

If you try this seaweed bath yourself (please do, it's incredible), it is best to not overexert yourself immediately afterwards as seaweed baths can be draining.

Enjoy!

P.S. You can purchase kelp seaweed powder at most health food stores.  If you wish to purchase online, I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs.  The same for aloe vera gel - make sure to get pure aloe vera gel (no alcohol or other additives) from your health food store, or find it at Mountain Rose Herbs.

Fix Those Chapped Lips!

Wicked winters are taking a toll on all our lips.  A few readers have emailed asking how they can help their sore chapped lips.  Easy!  All you need is a smidgen of your favorite natural lip balm and a sprinkle of white sugar.  The best lip balms are those that have very few ingredients; essentially all it needs is a wax and an oil.  In a small dish pinch off some of the lip balm, add a bit of sugar and mix into a paste.  Scoop some of this paste up with your finger and gently rub on your lips in a circular motion.  Rinse and apply a thin layer of balm.  Repeat every other day as necessary.

5 Quick Skin Fixes from the Kitchen

Your kitchen holds a multitude of surprising treatments for your skin.  Here are five such quick fixes:

1. Slice a ripe tomato and rub it all over your face.  Let the juice soak in for about 5 minutes.  The tomato's mild acid will bring dirt and other impurities to the surface of the skin.  Rinse thoroughly with water.
2. Crisco is an excellent and mild make-up remover.
3. Beat an egg white until it is frothy, apply to face and leave on for 5 minutes.  The mask will tighten. Rinse off thoroughly, first with warm water then with cool.
4. An avocado pit makes a natural massage tool: rub it and roll it against your skin to soothe tired muscles.
5. If ever you wake in the morning and your eyes are puffy, throw two spoons in the freezer then jump in the shower.  After your shower place the frosted spoons on your eyelids and relax for 10 minutes.

Pineapple & Olive Oil Mask

Pineapple contains bromelain, a protein-digestive enzyme which helps rid the skin of dead cells and dirt.  In addition, it helps counteract histamines and has anti-inflammatory properties. The fruit is also a mild astringent and skin freshener.  Olive oil, which has excellent healing properties and is a good source of vitamin E, will help restore the skin's surface.  Make sure you use the highest quality cold-pressed extra-virgin oil.

Recipe:

--

4 large pineapple chunks or

1/2 cup canned, drained pineapple

3 tablespoons olive oil

Place ingredients in blender and blend until almost smooth.  Apply mixture to face with fingers and leave on for 15 minutes.  Rinse face with warm water and pat dry.

"Double Peace": the boyfriend and I chillin' with pineapples in Hawaii

Years ago the boyfriend (he is technically now "the fiance", but I still haven't gotten used to saying that) and I were backpacking in Hawaii and we visited the Dole Plantation.  I don't remember learning absolutely anything at all about pineapple, least of all that it totally rocks the complexion, but the human maze was super fun and the flower garden was totally beautiful...of course stuffing my face with the pineapple whip froyo was my favorite part though!

...and that concludes the end of "random stories by Dori"...

Dry Hair Conditioning Treatments

Harsh winters can leave our hair brittle and dry.  The most simple and effective method for keeping your hair nourished is with a hot oil treatment.  All you have to do is raid your cupboards for some sweet almond or coconut oil.  If you don't have either of these, olive oil will work A-OK.  Warm the oil in a double boiler* to 100 - 105 degrees Fahrenheit...this means not very long at all and way before boiling!  Head on over to the bathroom and get your hair damp.  Long or thick hair typically uses 1-2 teaspoons of oil, and short or fine hair will typically need less than 1/2 teaspoon.

Begin by massaging the oil into the scalp, and then work down through the strands of the hair, covering all of the hair completely.  Put a shower cap or plastic bag over the hair, then cover with a towel.  As heat facilitates the conditioning process, sit in the sunshine or by a fireplace and/or take a hot bath, if possible.  Leave on for an hour or two, then shampoo and rinse.

Your hair may feel a bit more oily than usual at first, but the extra oil is quickly absorbed by your hair.

*I heat up some water in a small saucepan, then put a small mug containing the oil in the saucepan for a few minutes.  Voila!  Hot oil :-)

Oatmeal Bath for Dry Skin

Let's get back into the skin care game, shall we? I'm sure that the holiday season has left all of us in need of some luxury, am I right? Try this very simple oatmeal bath to restore your skin and your senses STAT!

To prepare the bath:
Make a large pot of runny oatmeal using four to six times more water than oats. Cook for 15 minutes, then strain, reserving both liquid and the oats. Fill a bathtub with warm water, then add the cooking liquid directly to the bathtub. Scoop the cooked oats into a nylon stocking and knot tightly closed. For added benefit, add a drop or two of lavender essential oil to the bath to enhance the relaxing effects.

To use:
Get in and enjoy the relaxing, soothing effects. Use the oats bag as a gentle scrub by massaging it over your skin.

Apple Cider Wash for Oily Skin

If you don't have much time on your hands, this wash is very effective for removing dirt and residue from face.

Recipe:

--

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons distilled water

Mix water and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl and apply to face with a cotton ball. Avoid eye area. rinse with tepid water, and pat dry.

Oatmeal, Almond & Avocado Body Scrub

Oatmeal, rich in vitamin E, is well-known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, skin-soothing properties. Almonds are a natural emollient and, when ground, an effective exfoliant. Combined with avocado pulp, which contains vitamins A, D and E, and which possesses collagen-rebuilding properties, the oatmeal-almond mixture is ideal for irritated, tired and dry skin.  In order to avoid clogging your drain, it is best to make a small pouch or bag out of muslin cloth and fill it with dry oatmeal and the grated almonds.  Ideally, you should make the bag large enough so that you can fit your hand into it and use it as a mitt to rub the avocado on your body.  I use an old nylon, myself!

Recipe:

--

1/2 cup almonds

1 cup dry oatmeal

1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and mashed

Place almonds in a blender or coffee grinder and grind until coarse and not too fine. Mix almonds and oatmeal and place in glove or muslin mitt. Scoop up avocado and rub on body with mitt. Rinse off with warm water, pat dry and moisturize.

Honey-Onion Cold Cure

Cold season is officially upon us...at least in my house!  To celebrate, here is a very simple and natural syrup from Rosemary Gladstar to chase those cold bugs away.

To make the syrup: Slice two to four large onions into think half moons and place the slices in a deep pan. Just barely cover the onion slices with honey. Warm the onions and honey over very low heat, until the onions become soft and somewhat mushy and the honey tastes strongly of onions. You can add chopped garlic, if you want, for an even stronger syrup: stronger medicinally and stronger tasting!  Strain and store in a jar.

To use: It's actually quite tasty. To help fight off a cold, at the first onset of symptoms, take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon every hour or two.  If you already are suffering from a cold, take 1 teaspoon three or four times daily to speed your recovery.

Nighttime Almond & Honey Hand & Foot Paste

Earlier this week we were asked what the best remedy for dry, cracked hands and feet.  This remedy is ideal for soothing hard-working hands and feet by gently exfoliating old, dead skin and nourishing the new cells.  It will leave your hands and feet incredibly smooth.  Best of all, all of these ingredients are available at your nearest grocery store.

Recipe:

--

1/4 cup almonds

1/4 cup dry oatmeal

3 tablespoons coconut oil

2 tablespoons honey

Process nuts in a blender until coarsely ground.  In a bowl, combine oatmeal, coconut oil, honey and ground nuts.  Rub into hands and feet and cover with cotton gloves and socks.  Leave overnight.  The next morning, remove gloves and socks and rinse hands and feet in cool water.

Vitalizing Rosemary & Apple Cider Rinse

This after-shampoo rinse will remove all soapy residue from hair and leave it exceptionally shiny.  Rosemary is often used in hair tonics and rinses as it stimulates the scalp and promotes hair growth.

Recipe:
--
2 springs fresh rosemary
1 cup apple cider vinegar
3 cups warm water

Chop rosemary and place it in a jar.  Fill jar with apple cider vinegar and store in a cool dark place for 1 week, shaking jar vigorously once a day to disperse the rosemary. After 1 week, strain liquid, compost rosemary and return liquid to jar. When ready to use, dilute 1/3 cup of liquid in 3 cups of warm water and rub into freshly shampooed, damp hair and scalp. Avoid getting any mixture into your eyes. Rinse thoroughly and dry hair as usual.

Pamper Your Hands

11th Commandment: Pamper Thy Hands

Hands are generally prone to age at a much faster rate than the other parts of the body.  They are often the first to express signs of everyday wear and tear, in part because of the relentless exposure to soaps, detergents, cold, heat, wind and water.  In order to minimize the harsh effects of these elements it is crucial to keep replenishing the skin's surface with moisture and nutrients, both from inside and outside.

The recipe below is a quick and simple way to show your hands some love and care.  The recipe uses olive oil, which will promote nail strength and flexibility.  Mixed with vitamin E, the oil nourishes cuticles and nails.

Recipe

--

1/4 cup olive oil

oil from 1 vitamin E capsule

Heat oil in saucepan and let cool until just warm enough to the touch.  Add vitamin E oil and rub into cuticles and nails, massaging any excess oil into hands.

Because we rely so heavily on the use of our palms, fingers and nails during the course of the day, an optimal time for a hand treatment is at night.  I recommend doing this just before sleep, then wearing 100% cotton gloves during the night.  When you wake up, you'll have the hands of a baby, I guarantee it!

Remineralizing Seaweed Wrap

Seaweed wraps are exceptionally beneficial as a quick way to remineralize the body and replenish it with nutrients and elements lost on a daily basis -- such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iodine, protein, phosphorous, copper, vitamins and amino acids.  The molecular formation of the human blood cell and that of seawater is similar, thereby enabling nutrients from the seawater to easily filter through the pores of the skin and directly into the bloodstream.  The most popular type of seaweed used for cosmetic and healing purposes is kelp -- the common name for the large leafy brown algae that grows along colder coastlines.  Although using fresh seaweed is certainly optimal, a seaweed powder mixed with enough water to create a mayonnaise-like paste will render equally satisfying results.

Recipe

--

8 ounces dried or powdered seaweed and

enough water to make a paste,

or approximately 3 ounces of fresh seaweed

Mylar or plastic sheet (a clean shower curtain liner is perfect)

1 blanket

Space heater (optional)

Place a blanket at the bottom of a bathrub and set the plastic sheet on top.  Set the space heater nearby and turn it on. While sitting on the sheet, cover yourself with the seaweed paste or the fresh seaweed and then wrap yourself with the plastic sheet and blanket.  Relax for 20 minutes. Slowly unwrap yourself and remove blanket and sheet from the tub. Fill the tub with warm water and relax for 10 minutes. After the treatment, pat skin dry and moisturize.

Here are some additional tips to get the most out of your body wrap experience:

• Make sure to replenish the body's fluids after the treatment by drinking plenty of water or herbal tea.
• Before the treatment, remove all lotions, perfumes and dirt from the skin with a quick shower.
• Heat retention is important, so remember to warm tools, towels, and sheets as well as the wrap ingredients before the treatment.
• You can intensify the effects of the treatment and raise your body's temperature by sipping hot herbal tea before the wrap.
• After the wrap, put on a warm bathrobe and relax for 20 minutes. Do not attempt to do any physical activity immediately after the treatment.
• Remember this anonymous quote: 

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.  They must be felt.

Banana and Chickpea Protein Mask

Chickpea flour has many advantages: it's an effective skin-softening exfoliator, it stimulates circulation and it rejuvenates tissues.  Bananas, rich in potassium and vitamin A, are natural emollients and help reduce redness and puffiness.  The egg in this mask will tighten pores and leave your skin feeling revitalized.

Recipe

--

4 tablespoons chickpea flour

1 ripe banana, peeled and mashed

1 egg, beaten

In a bowl, blend chickpea flour and ripe banana into a paste. Add beaten egg and apply mixture to face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse well with warm water. Pat Dry.

Each time you do a mask, always follow it up with a toner (to tighten the pores and restore pH) and a moisturizer (to hydrate and nourish the skin).  I recommend the Queen of Hungary Herbal Facial Toner and either Night Cream from the SkIndulgence Store.  For a limited time get these and other products for 20% of with code SSCGO20PER.