DIY Herbal Lip Balm

There is no doubt that my 6 year old daughter is fancy!  She loves clothes, fashion and makeup as much as I love herbs.  I usually let her wear lip gloss, and figured we could combine our interests by making our own.  We had a lip gloss/balm making party with her friends, and the results … Continue reading

Wild Orange Vinaigrette

Ingredients 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar 1-2 drops wild orange essential oil 2 tbs mayonnaise 1/2 cup brown sugar Sea salt and pepper to taste Directions Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth.  Store in a glass jar and keep refrigerated.  Will last … Continue reading

Grapefruit Cupcakes

  Cake Ingredients 2/3 cup organic soy milk 1 tsp apple cider vinegar 2/3 cup agave nectar 1/3 cup safflower oil 2 tsp vanilla extract 2/3 cup whole wheat flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda Pinch of fine sea salt 3-4 drops grapefruit essential oil Frosting Ingredients 8 ounces cream cheese 1 … Continue reading

Keeping Bugs at Bay with Essential Oils

It’s summertime, and with the warm weather and sun comes bugs and bites.  Prevention is key and instead of turning to a toxic spray, you can keep many bugs at bay with essential oils.  When bites do occur, most can be soothed by applying a cool, wet compress to which a few drops of Lavender … Continue reading

The Many Uses of Melaleuca (Tea Tree)

Melaleuca, commonly known at Tea Tree, is from the botanical family Myrtaceae.  It is indigenous to Australia where it has been used for centuries by the Aborigines to heal cuts, wounds and skin infections.  The essential oil is extracted from the leaves and branches of the plants through steam distillation.  It is a wonderfully powerful … Continue reading

Common Clinical Effects of Essential Oils

Antibacterial Cypress, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Marjoram, Melaleuca, Peppermint, Roman Chamomile, Rosemary, Sage, Sandalwood, Wild Orange, Wintergreen Antiviral Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Melaleuca, Oregano, Sandalwood, Thyme Antifungal Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Melaleuca, Patchouli, Sage, Sandalwood, Thyme Antibiotic Bergamot, Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Melaleuca, Oregano, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile

Essential Oil Deodorant Stick

Who isn’t looking to replace their aluminum ridden deodorant?!  I’ve been searching for a long time for a natural solution and have tried numerous ones from various health food stores, but haven’t been really excited about any of them.  I recently came across this recipe and am going to give it a shot.  It’s not an anti-perspirant, … Continue reading

Carrier Oils

Essential oils are highly concentrated and while it is okay to use many of them directly on the skin (neat), it is always advised to dilute them in a good quality carrier oil when using during pregnancy and on babies. A carrier oil will serve as a lubricant and should be a 100% pure vegetable oil … Continue reading

Essential Oils During Pregnancy

This is a heated topic to say the least! While essential oils have been used for centuries during pregnancy, there is very little scientific data to show whether or not they are safe for mother and her developing baby. Suggestions are made for their use based off of tradition and anecdotal evidence.Oftentimes, research is initiated because of … Continue reading

The Importance of Purity

There are so many essential oils on the market that it can be challenging to know which to buy and why. Prices vary, often dramatically so for the same oil, even among those labeled “100% Pure”. So why the difference and does it really matter? The answers to those questions depend on the reasons you’re … Continue reading