The Natural Beauty Workshop

Chamomile

While we are on the subject of flowers, I thought it would be a nice time to discuss one of the most popular flowers used in natural skin care and aromatherapy.  Chamomile comes in many different varieties.  The two most commonly used in this field are German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), and Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis).  Both species of Chamomile are known for their strong anti-inflammatory properties.  They are often used to sooth sensitized and irritated skin.  Chamomile is also used to sooth and sedate the mind.  It is a key ingredient of aromatherapists and is often used to treat insomnia and anxiety.

Chamomile can be used in many forms.  The particular Chamomile product that you should be using will depend on the type of formula that you are creating.  Dried Chamomile Flowers are quite pretty, and are best used in formulas that can feature their unique appearance.  The little golden spheres can be added to bath teas, bath salts, dream pillows, or body wraps to incorporate their soothing properties.  For a more inconspicuous look, try Chamomile Flower Powder.  These Chamomile Flowers have been ground into a fine powder, allowing you to add them into a larger variety of products.  Chamomile Flower Powder can be included in body powder, scrubs, masks, milk baths and more. 

When using Chamomile Essential Oils you may want to pay attention to the particular species that you are using.  German and Roman Chamomile yield two very different oils.  While both Essential Oils possess anti-inflammatory properties, their colors, aromas, and compositions are quite different. 

German Chamomile Essential Oil
German Chamomile contains a high amount of a component called Azulene.  This chemical gives German Chamomile its deep blue color.  The color in German Chamomile Essential Oil is actually so strong that it may affect the color of your final product!  Unlike the sweet, apple-like aroma of Roman Chamomile, German Chamomile Essential Oil has a very deep, herbaceous aroma.  It is commonly used in soaps, medicinal salves, body balms, lotions, and more.

Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil possesses the classic light and sweet aroma that Chamomile is known for.  The aroma is often compared to the scent of a fresh apple.  It blends very well with Vanilla, Honey, Geranium and Clary Sage.  Due to its pleasant smell, Roman Chamomile is usually favored for use as a sedative.  It is used in dream pillows, milk baths, solid perfumes, balms, and much more.   Roman Chamomile Essential Oil tends to have very little color compared to the German variety.  The oil is often pale yellow, pale gray, or very pale blue.

We are also thrilled to be carrying an Organic Roman Chamomile Hydrosol on FromNatureWithLove.com.  This incredible product can be used as a facial toner that can benefit numerous skin types.  Sensitive skin, acne prone skin, and oily skin can all benefit from the use of Organic Roman Chamomile Hydrosol.  This ingredient can also be used to create an Herbal Hair Rinse that will soothe the scalp while adding shine and softness to the hair.  Blond hair can especially benefit from the use of Chamomile as it is known to lighten and brighten blond hair.  To up the Chamomile power in a hair rinse, try adding some Powdered Chamomile Extract.  This concentrated, water soluble extract makes it easy to incorporate herbal properties into your aqueous formulations.

Hibiscus Petal Powder

When I was a little girl my parents took a long overdue honeymoon to Maui.  They spent a week hiking, scuba diving, and exploring the beautiful Hawaiian island.  When they came back home, they brought back a pile of souvenirs for my sisters and I.  We each received a hula dress, a wooden necklace, and postcards.  My favorite gift of all was a life sized plastic Hibiscus flower.  It had been scented with Hawaiian White Ginger Fragrance.  To me, this was a magic flower.  It smelled like far away places, and it lived forever.  Whenever I think of Hawaii the memory of that toy Hibiscus Flower comes to mind.

When it comes to natural hair care, Hibiscus Flowers serve a greater purpose than simple decoration.  This exotic flower has been used for ages to condition and improve hair.  Teas and oil infusions can be made easily with dried Hibiscus Petal Powder.  Although the dried powder holds little to no aroma, the benefits of Hibiscus remain intact.  Oils, rinses, and toners made with Hibiscus Petal Powder can help to delay premature graying, encourage hair growth, and even aid in the prevention of hair loss.  Infused oils and waters can also be helpful in the treatment of dry scalp or dandruff.  Try infusing Hibiscus Petal Powder into your next hair rinse, hot oil treatment, or conditioner. 

Whipped Pedi-Butter

Made with naturally antiseptic, antibacterial, and deodorizing Essential Oils and Extracts, this moisturizing whipped butter is ideal for the feet.  Illipe Butter, Perilla Seed Oil, and Avocado Oil will also help to keep feet happy by helping to condition and moisturize them.

Whipped Pedi-Butter
Makes about 2-3 ounces (by volume)

Ingredients
 1 oz. Illipe Butter
1/2 oz. Perilla Seed Oil
1/2 oz. Avocado Oil
1/8 oz. Jojoba Esters MP70
1 tsp. Dry-Flo
10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
10 drops Geranium Essential Oil
5 drops Neem Oil CO2 Extract

Directions
In a double boiler, melt the Jojoba Esters completely.  Add the Illipe Butter and allow that to melt completely.  After both solid ingredients are melted, remove the mixture from the heat.  In a small bowl, combine the Dry Flo with a few teaspoons of Avocado Oil to form a slurry.  Add the Dry Flo and oil slurry to the hot oils, followed by the remaining Avocado Oil, Perilla Seed Oil, and Neem CO2.  Next, add the Essential Oils.  Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the mixture until it cools and thickens. This may take 10 - 20 minutes. To hasten the cooling time, you can try cooling the outside of the mixing bowl with an ice bath.  When the mixture has cooled to room temperature it should be thick and leave a trail when drizzled over the surface.  Pour the mixture carefully into a plastic bag and tie the end shut. Cut a small hole in the corner of the bag, and use it to pipe the mixture into a jar.  Allow the mixture to cool and set for several hours before use.

Usage & Packaging
This whipped butter will be thick, and oily, but will provide the intense moisture that your feet need.  Apply a small amount directly to your feet, and massage it into the skin.  You may want to put on a pair of clean cotton socks while the oils sink in.  This recipe will make about three ounces by volume, and will fit nicely in a 4 ounce PET Jar or Cream Jar.

Lemon Walnut Foot Scrub

This all natural salt scrub provides intense exfoliation which is ideal for rough, callused feet.  Made with Pumice Powder, Walnut Powder, and Fine Sea Salt, the Lemon Walnut Scrub is packed with scrubbing power.  Naturally antiseptic Perilla Seed Oil, and moisturizing Walnut Oil help to condition the skin as it is exfoliated, while Lemongrass, Saro, and Corn Mint Essential Oils provide stimulation and antibacterial benefit to the mix.

Lemon Walnut Foot Scrub
Makes about 4 ounces

Ingredients
1/4 cup Sea Salt, Fine
2 tablespoons Pumice Powder
1 tablepsoon Lemon Peel Powder
1 tablespoon Walnut Shell Powder, Medium
1 ounce Perilla Seed Oil
1 ounce Walnut Oil
10 drops Saro Essential Oil
5 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil
5 drops Corn Mint Essential Oil

Directions
In a small bowl, mix the Sea Salt, Pumice Powder, Lemon Peel Powder, and Walnut Shell Powder.  Pour the Walnut Oil and Perilla Seed Oil over the mixture, and stir to combine.  Follow with Essential Oils, stir well, and spoon into jars.

Usage
This intensive scrub should only be used on tough skin, such as the bottom of your feet.  It is far too instense for more sensitive or delicate areas of the body.  Use this scrub with care, and discontinue use if it causes any discomfort.

Peppermint Tea Tree Foot Soak

This refreshing Foot Bath makes a wonderful precursor to a full pedicure treatment.  Borax, Baking Soda, and Lemon Juice help to soften the water as well as rough skin, preparing it for an exfoliating foot scrub to follow.

Peppermint Tea Tree Foot Soak
Makes 1 foot bath

Ingredients
1/2 gallon Warm Water
1/2 cup Epsom Salt
1 tablespoon Borax
1 tablespoon Baking Soda
The juice of 1/2 fresh lemon, or about 1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 oz Turkey Red Oil
10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

Directions
In a small cup, mix the Turkey Red Oil and Essential Oils together.  Warm 1/2 gallon of water to a comfortable temperature (about the same as bath water) and pour it into a foot bath tub.  Add the lemon juice, Epsom Salt, and powders to the warm water, and stir to dissolve.  Next, add the Turkey Red Oil and Essential Oil Blend, and stir to disperse.

Usage
This recipe should be used immediately, as it would not be suitable for storage or packaging.  Soak the feet for 10 - 20 minutes, or until the water cools.

Hanami - A Celebration of Flowers

Around this time of year something very special begins to happen.  Bulbs begin to sprout, the air begins to warm, and flowers begin to blossom.  In Japan, this event is celebrated by a tradition that is called Hanami.  Every year, between the end of March and the beginning of April, crowds gather throughout Japan to witness the beauty of thousands of trees in blossom.  While all flowers are worthy of celebration, the particular flowers that are viewed during the Hanami are Sakura,(or Cherry Blossoms) and Ume(Plum Blossoms). 

In The United States, the tradition of Hanami inspires countless festivals throughout the country.  These festivals celebrate not only the blossoming of trees, but Japanese heritage, traditions, and culture.  The largest of these American festivals is The National Cherry Blossom Festival, held in Washington D.C.  This year, the festival begins on March 29, and will run until April 13.  Other festivals can be found throughout the United States during the early Spring.  Here is a small sampling of festivals that are being held in 2008.

Hanami: Celebrating the Cherry-Viewing Season
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn, New York
Saturday, April 5 - Sunday, May 11

Macon Georgia's 26th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival
Macon, Georgia
March 28 - April 6

7th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
April 5 - 6

Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
San Francisco, California
April 12, 13, 19, and 20

Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia
Horticulture Center, Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 13

Denver Colorado Cherry Blossom Festival
Denver, Colorado
June 28 - 29

If you can't find a festival near you, you can always celebrate the Cherry and Plum Blossom Season at home by sampling some traditional Japanese Skin Care Ingredients.  Our Kyoto Scrub recipe is a great example of how these simple, and beneficial ingredients can be used.  Treat yourself to a healthful meal of traditional Japanese cuisine, a cup of steaming green tea, and a special home spa experience.  You can also celebrate Hanami by creating some bath and body treats scented with one of our blossom themed synthetic Fragrance Oils.  Asian Plum Blossom, and Cherry Blossom are two of my favorites!

Hazelnut Oil

Light, absorbent, and incredibly moisturizing, Hazelnut Oil is a wonderful addition to many types of formulations.  Due to its light, penetrating texture, Hazelnut Oil can be used in its pure form as a nourishing body or massage oil.  It is also an ideal carrier for Essential Oils.  Blend Hazelnut Oil into your favorite facial formulas to provide astringent properties, essential fatty acids, and even a small amount of protection from harmful rays in sunlight.

Since Hazelnut Oil absorbs into the skin so easily, it makes a fabulous addition to balms and body butters.  Pair Hazelnut Oil with Cocoa Butter to create a deliciously moisturizing skin care treat.  Oil and water emulsions can also benefit from the use of Hazelnut Oil.  This light oil would be perfectly paired with Almond Oil to create a nourishing body milk.  Like other Nut Oils, Hazelnut Oil is extremely versatile.  The formulation possibilities are practically endless.  While the oil can have the most benefit when it is applied directly to the skin, Hazelnut Oil can be added to a laundry list of bath and body products including; bath melts, bath tub fizzies, lip balms, soaps, salt and sugar scrubs.  Recently we published one of our most popular recipes yet, The Chocolate Truffle Sugar Scrub.  Hazelnut Oil was one of the main ingredients in the recipe, giving this scrub a soft, velvety finish.   

Kyoto Scrub

This month's scrub has been inspired by the signature principles of Japanese skin care; simplicity, harmony, and the use of natural herbs and grains.  This gentle facial scrub is traditionally preceded by the use of Camellia Seed Oil as a pre-scrub cleanser.  Camellia Seed Oil is applied to the face using a cotton ball or soft cloth, then wiped away.  This scrub can also be followed by a fresh toner made of cooled Green Tea.  You can also create your own Green Tea Toner by combining one of our Organic Hydrosols with our water soluble Green Tea Extract.

Kyoto Scrub

Ingredients
2 Tablespoon Ginseng Powder
3 Tablesspoons Adzuki Bean Powder
3 Tablespoons Rice Powder, Fine

Directions
This scrub is very easy to make.  Simply mix the ingredients in a small bowl, then pour them into a jar or powder sifter.  When you are ready to use the scrub, just combine a teaspoon of the dry mixture with a little water.  Gently massage the paste onto your face and rinse away.

Green Spring Projects

If your childhood was anything like mine, you were probably stuffed silly with Marshmallow Peeps and Chocolate Cream Eggs every Easter.  The memories of neon colored plastic grass, multi colored eggs, and outdoor treasure hunts will always be near and dear to my heart.  While I am a woman who  cherishes memories, I am also a big fan of reinvention.  Besides, Spring and Easter are all about renewal.  In that spirit, I've collected some links to projects that can help you reinvent your Easter Sunday or Spring celebration.

Naturally Dyed Eggs
The folks at Curbly.com have put together a great video tutorial on dying your own eggs with all natural materials.

Natural Wheat Grass Easter Baskets
If shredded plastic doesn't thrill you, why not plant your basket with some live grass?  In this article, Ecobites.com shows you how to create a living Easter Basket that will have you singing "Spring!"

Egg Carton Garden
Kids will love this eco-friendly activity.  Re-use paper egg cartons to create biodegradable nurseries for a variety of seedlings. 

Using Natural Herbs to Color Products

Adding color to natural products can enhance their appearance, and the user's overall perception of the experience.  While there are several ingredients available to color or dye skin care products, none are as unquestionably natural as Tinting Herbs.  Many plants release natural pigment when they are infused into oil or water.  These infusions can be added to the oil or water portions of your formulas, yielding a range of lovely earth toned colors. 

To create an infusion, simply warm your water or oil, place herbs into the liquid, and steep for 20 - 40 minutes.  After the infusion has taken place, the herbs must be strained from the liquid.  You can use a Cheese Cloth or a Fine Mesh Strainer to strain the plant material from the liquid.  Alternatively, you can avoid the mess by placing the herbs into a Large Tea Bag or a Large Mesh Tea Ball.  The colored oil or water can be added drop by drop to your formulas or it can be substituted for a portion of the water or oil called for in a recipe. 

Experimentation is the best way to find your favorite shades of color.  While these herbs are likely to repeat a shade in different formulas, they may react differently in unique oils or liquids.  To give you some ideas, I've listed a few of the most popular Tinting Herbs with the colors they are most likely to produce:

Alkanet Root Powder - Dark Red to Purple
Annatto Seed - Orange
Henna Leaf Powder - Orange
Paprika Powder - Orange
Parsley Powder - Green
Red Sandalwood Powder - Maroon to Purple
Turmeric Powder - Yellow