Pure-n-Simple Soap
For Healthier Skin Care
Take Control
Advertise
Physicians have been writing about Calendula and its amazing benefits for the skin for a very long time. The dried flowers of the plant were traditionally used in soups and stews to fight off illness, which is where it got the name Pot Marigold. The name Calendula comes from the Latin word Calendae, meaning the first day of the month, as this plant can bloom every month of the year in its native climate. Calendula is known for many health benefits but is most recognized for its effectiveness in healing skin problems, such as wounds, burns, insect bites, eczema, shingles and skin ulcers, to name a few.
Calendula can be taken internally as well as externally. For internal use, Calendula can be used in salads, and to spice up meats and fish; it also can be made in to a tea. Externally, Calendula is used in lotion salves, creams, soaps and refined oil. I use the Calendula that I grow in my garden in some of our goat’s milk soap, and have refined some Calendula oil which we use in our lip balms and also keep it handy for medicinal purposes as well.
Some of the amazing benefits Calendula oil has on the skin are;
1. Helps in healing wounds, cuts, bruises, scrapes, and inflamed skin.
2. Nourishes and softens dry chapped skin.
3. Is know to have antiseptic, anti fungal, and anti bacterial properties.
4. Very effective for treating sun burn, minor burns, acne, eczema, inflamed skin, and rashes.
5. Is very helpful in treating athletes foot.
6. Is used for relieving diaper rash.
7. Is know to relieve bug bites and stings.
These are just seven reason why this wonderful plant as earned the name among herbalist, “Mother of the Skin”. This is a must have plant in the garden, not only will it aid you and your household with wonderful medicinal and culinary values but will bring beauty to the garden all season long.
add comment | 0 Comments
Milk based soaps such as goat milk soap, are becoming more and more popular as many of us realize the dangers of toxins that are found in our day to day products; such as soaps, shampoo’s, cosmetics, and the list goes on. As many consumers are doing their research and searching for safe products, old skin care secretes have been resurfacing, such as the amazing benefits goat milk has for the skin.
- Unlike cow’s milk and water, goat milk has more vitamins and triglycerides (fats) and contains vitamins A, B, C & D as well as protein, calcium, potassium and magnesium.
- Goat milk has a pH level that is closest to that of our skin making it a very gentle and safe product to use on the skin.
- Goat milk is great for dry skin, because its short-strand protein structure allows it to be easily absorbed into the skin.
- Those who suffer from psoriasis and eczema are often recommended by dermatologists goat’s milk skin care products.
After learning so much about the wonderful therapeutic benefits bath salts have, I really wanted to put them to the test, and soak my aching body in the tub with a homemade bath salt, after a long hard day of work. I have soaked my feet in Epsom salt before, but never had I soaked my entire body in these bath salts with a mixture of essential oils.
One of my concerns was, somewhere I had heard that you shouldn’t use these salts in your Jacuzzi tub, that it could cause damage to the jets and motor, causing all sorts of problems like corrosion and build ups. The only bath tub I have in my house is a jet tub by Jacuzzi. So I emailed the company asking if bath salts do indeed cause these problems, and this is the answerer I received back.
” You may use salts or any other bath additive provided that they are water soluble. However, you may want to stay clear from using oil based products as they tend to cause more of a buildup”.
So just the salts by themselves OK, but then I had asked what if you are using a blend of Epsom salt, sea salts and essential oil.
“Essential oils should be used sparingly or you can use the Systems Clean product more often to sanitize the pipes and help prevent a buildup”.
Systems Clean is a two part plumbing system cleaner made for whirlpool baths. It will minimize the build-up of residuals from soap scum, bath and body oils, and dirt from inside of the pipes, pumps, fittings and circulation system.
I am going to give it a shot! Has any body had any problems using such mixtures of bath salts in their jet tubs and or does any body have any other recommendations for cleaning and maintenance on these jet tubs?
Many who suffer from sensitive skin turn to goat’s milk skin care products for many reasons. For one goat milk soap does not contain any harsh ingredients such as alcohol, petroleum, or preservatives that are commonly found in commercial soaps and skin care products. These ingredients are known to cause all sorts of skin irritations. Goat’s milk has many health benefits, but when it comes to the skin it is most recognized for its moisturizing ability. Goat’s milk has a PH that is very similar to human skin. This helps protect the skin from bacteria and chemicals that we come in contact on a daily basis, and is what makes goat milk soaps highly moisturizing and non-irritating for just about every skin type.
Goat milk is also a natural source for alpha-hydroxy acids. These acids help exfoliate the skin by breaking down the glue holding dead skin cells together, rejuvenating the skin, making it feel smoother and look much younger, and healthier.
The average price for handcrafted soap bars such as goat milk soaps, range between one – two dollars an once, depending on the quality of ingredients. Many shoppers find it difficult spending over four dollars for a single bar of soap when they can spend much less and get much more. This leaves many consumers asking the question why handcrafted soap bars are so much more expensive than commercial soaps. There are several reasons commercial soaps are much cheaper then handcrafted soaps, and here are just a few.
- The ingredients used in commercial soaps are cheaper, and more available then natural ingredients. Synthetic fragrances can be made in a lab, while essential oils need to be taken from a plant, which can be much more time consuming and more costly. Even if a commercial product is advertising organic and natural, you should investigate the amount of that natural ingredient is actually in that particular product. It is my understanding that labeling laws only require very small percentages of a natural ingredient to be labeled as natural.
- Commercial soaps use harsh ingredients like alcohol, petroleum, esters, low grade oils, fillers, and detergents and so forth to make products quicker and cheaper. Many of these ingredients are the main cause for skin irritation. Yes they will decrease the cost of production but most often increase the probability of many health issues.
- Commercial soap companies take the most expensive ingredient Glycerin that naturally occurs during the soap making process, and sells it to pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies to make expensive moisturizers. So if you think you are saving lots of money using a synthetic soap bar, you’re most likely taking that savings, and using it on an expensive lotion or cream to relieve the dry itchy skin from that cheaper soap bar.
It is very interesting to me how we determine what something is worth. Many consumers will spend lots of money on nutritional supplements, organic foods, and pay expensive membership fees to gyms, but find it difficult to spend four dollars on a bar of soap that actually has just as much influence on your overall well being as diet and exercise. Our skin is permeable and what we put on it will absorb into our body. You may be spending a little bit more when buying natural skin care products, but most likely you will be buying less, and treating you, and your family to a much safer and healthier product.
Goat’s milk has been gaining more and more popularity, not just in the natural skin care industry, but the food market as well. Goat’s milk soap will not only work wonders on the skin, but also has many other health benefits. Goat’s milk products are easier to digest; they have no preservative, no growth hormones or antibiotics, and are Gluten free. One out of ten people who are allergic to cow milk can drink goat’s milk. Goat’s milk is easier on sensitive stomachs and is higher in calcium than cow’s milk and lower in cholesterol, and lactose.
What was once considered the “poor man’s cow” is slowly staring to become a more desirable animal to have for producing milk. A single goat can produce enough milk for an entire family. For thousands of years man has been shepherding goats, and most likely was the primary source of milk way back then. Goat milk is used for many products such as soaps, lotions, milk, cheese, yogurt, and so forth, which are all great reasons for the many who desire to become more self sufficient, turn to the goat for all their dairy needs.
Many people can’t wait until the winter season and all the fun it brings. There are many activities that can only be done when there’s snow. Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding, and inner-tubing are great activities for family fun during the winter. Unfortunately, spending a lot of time outdoors in the winter can often result in chapped lips. Cold weather chapping is caused by environmental conditions that lead to hydration. When dehydration sets in, lips become dry and can crack and peel.
The first cold day should serve as a reminder to start using protective lip balm. Lip balm can protect your lips from drying out. Make sure to apply the balm before the chapping begins however, because the protective waxes in lip balm can only protect lips that are not yet damaged. Apply your moisture rich lip balm several times a day for optimal result.
Many of us are trying to find ways to cut back on spending, and save some extra money, perhaps to pay off some debt, or to save for that vacation you’ve been planning. For some, like myself have decided to brew their own coffee instead of buying it on the go, for others it could be going out to eat less, saving coupons and so forth. One great thing you and your family can do, to not only save money, but also introduce a much healthier and much safer product that the entire family uses, is to make your own laundry soap.
Making your own laundry soap is simple and very affordable. You have several recipes to choose from by doing a simple search on the internet, or finding a recipe book on making your own natural products. You not only know what is in your soap, but you have control. Many store bought detergents have harsh ingredients that can cause skin irritations. This is a major reason why new Mothers are recommended to wash their infants cloths, and blankets in a mild soap instead of a detergents.
We use this recipe and get between 60- 70 loads per batch for less than $1.00
All you need is a 2 gallon bucket with a lid, 1/3 bar of Fels Naptha, ½ cup of washing soda, and a ½ cup of borax powder. Your Fels Naptha will need to be graded and have 6 cups of water added to it in a sauce pan and heat until soap begins to melt. Then you will need to add 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup of borax and stir until it has dissolved. Now remove from heat and pour 4 cups of hot water into your bucket, add your soap mixture and stir. Add 1 gallon plus 6 cup of water and stir. Now all you need to do is let it sit for 24 hours and it will gel up. When it is ready to use it will have a gel like clumpy appearance; you can use a large wooden spoon to stir the gel substance into liquid form and use only 1/2 cup per load.
Just like everyone’s skin is different, and reacts to both natural and synthetic ingredients differently, so is our hair and scalp. There are hundreds of different shampoos and conditioners promising thicker, fuller, and healthier hair. Some of these shampoos might work wonders for one person and actually cause even worse symptoms for another. Many of these shampoos are full of harmful ingredients that could also lead to many other health concerns.
If you have not found that perfect shampoo for you, might I suggest first keeping it pure and simple? Rather than falling for the next big advertising ad that is promising the greatest hair on earth, why not try using a solid shampoo bar first. I think you would be amazed what real natural ingredients such as rosemary and lavender, and oils like jojoba and Castor, will have on your scalp and your hair. Many hair and scalp problems such as dandruff have been associated with harsh ingredients found in many shampoos and conditioners. Your hair may just be crying out for something a little more natural.
Why Using Natural Sea Sponges is a Smart Decision.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
posted by Rob 4:00 AM
Ever notice how quickly you go through dish sponges? They fall apart and get real nasty looking within just a couple of week’s time. Many of these synthetic sponges are also filled with unnecessary chemicals such as Triclosan. Which if you are not at all concerned about carcinogens being absorbed into your skin, I guess there is no issue; however if you are trying to make every effort to put only what is safe and natural on your body, often overlook is this one product, “the sponge”. Maybe the amount of exposure of the chemicals from these sponges are not enough to cause any serious health issues, but what if they are, and why not use a sponge that is chemical free, that last much longer.
I have been using natural sea sponges for over a year now and, just amazed how long a natural sponge will last. I have not had to replace my natural sea sponge from my kitchen sink for over 3 months, and it still looks and feels as good as it did when I first started using it. Natural sea sponges have enzymes in them that prohibit the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. Depending on which sea sponge you choose, they can last as long as 10 years if properly treated. Harvesting natural sea sponges by no means interrupts the coral reef at all, the ocean naturally contributes to the harvest of sponges as well through tides and currents. These sponges are harvested by professional sponge divers that incorporate crop rotations. Where sponges have been cut, grow back even thicker and healthier than before. Kind of like dead heading and pruning plants, this stimulates new growth.
Over 90% of the world’s natural sea sponges come from Tarpon Springs Florida, right in our own backyard, keeping many local citizens employed during the economic challenges we are currently faced with. So not only are you receiving great health benefits, durability, and saving money when using natural sea sponges, but you are also buying local products supporting local business.