The Benefits Of Vitamin E

- Prevent heart attacks and strokes by preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which is the beginning of clogged arteries. It also helps to protect the artery walls and reduces clots by keeping platelets from clumping together; and is being prescribed to treat angina pectoris, night cramps, and restless leg syndrome.

- Reduce the risk of some forms of cancer by protecting your cells and DNA from damage that can lead to cancerous tumors. It also reduces tumor growth, prevents precancerous substances from being converted to carcinogens, and enhances immune function.

- Reduce lung damage due to pollution, reducing the action of common pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen.

- Aid in blood sugar control for diabetics. Vitamin E’s ability to reduce oxidative stress improves glucose metabolism, and it also enhances insulin’s effect.

- Reduce hot flashes and other unpleasant symptoms of menopause. Vitamin E also helps to normalize reproductive hormones, increase sperm motility, and eases the pain of fibrocystic breast disease (although the actual mechanism that has this effect isn’t understood, multiple studies have shown that the effect is real.)

- Reduce or eliminate the chance of oxygen damage to the eyes of premature babies who need artificial ventilation, as well as preventing cataracts and macular degeneration.

- Minimize inflammation and reduce the pain of inflammatory arthritis or the muscle soreness caused by exercise, as well as reducing the pain associated with peripheral artery disease.

- Aid in wound healing, as well as reducing scarring. It also helps to protect against skin damage and premature wrinkling caused by sun exposure when mixed with coconut oil and applied externally.

- Treat skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, and severe dry skin when applied externally.

With all these benefits, making sure you get plenty of vitamin E in your diet is simply good sense, and isn’t hard to do.

Food Sources Of Vitamin E

• nuts and seeds
• egg yolk
• wheat germ oil
• dark green leafy vegetables like turnip, collard or mustard greens; kale; parsley; and spinach
• olives
• avocados
• green bell peppers
• tomatoes
• pumpkin
• kiwi
• papaya, and
• mango

Although it’s rare to have an actual vitamin E deficiency, it’s very common for most people to get too little vitamin E in their diets. The US RDA (recommended daily allowance) for adults is only 15 mg/day; but the Linus Pauling Institute recommends 200 mg/day to maintain health, and the upper limit for adults (the maximum before toxic levels are reached) is 1000 mg/day for adults.

Since the average amount obtained from food is only 6 – 9 mg per day, and reaching 200 mg/day from food would risk increasing fat intake above 30% of your daily calories, a good quality supplement is needed. Supplementing is a good idea in any case, even if you’re basically healthy, if you:

• smoke or drink
• are on a low-fat diet
• live in a polluted environment
• have high stress levels
• exercise vigorously, or
• have a family history of heart disease or cancer.

The best supplements are derived from natural sources, and contain alpha-tocopherol (which is also called d-alpha-tocopherol or d-a-tocopherol.) This form is most completely used by the body, and is more potent than the synthetic form, dl-a-tocopherol.

The synthetics contain all eight forms of vitamin E; alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol, and beta-tocopherol; as well as the four tocotrienols. All of these forms are not used by the body, so this form is not as potent, and doesn’t provide the same amount of usable vitamin E.

Since most supplements measure the amount of vitamin E in IUs (international units) it may be necessary to do some simple math to find out the equivalent in milligrams. The Linus Pauling Institute recommends the following easy conversion:

For d-alpha-tocopherol, multiply the total number of IU by .67 to get the equivalent amount in mg, and

For dl-alpha-tocopherol, multiply the total number of IU by .45 to get the equivalent amount in mg.

If you want to add a vitamin E supplement to your diet to experience the potent health benefits of this wonderful vitamin, then you can get a tub of Kirkland Signature Vitamin E Soft Gels on Amazon.

Plus, if you want to experience the incredible beauty benefits that vitamin E oil has to offer for your hair, nails and skin, then pick up a bottle of this Jason Natural Cosmetics Vitamin E Oil.

If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy these from the archive…

Vitamin C: Miracle Vitamin For Our Health & Beauty
The Top 7 Best Vitamins For Hair
The Miracle Health & Beauty Benefits Of Chia Seeds
The Top 5 Home Remedies For Glowing Skin
The Health Benefits Of Manuka Honey

This is a guest post by HealthPostNZ. If you’d like to have a post published on the blog, please visit the Write For Us page. 

It is believed that despite all our advances in medicine, this generation could be the first in human history to experience a reduction in life expectancy.

How is this possible? Overeating and the consumption of processed and refined foods as well as our overindulgence when it comes to sugar.

With obesity at an all-time high, it’s no wonder that the term ‘superfood’ gets thrown about with increasing regularity. Certain foods are so nutritionally dense that they deserve this moniker and if used properly can act as an antidote to modern day excess.

Chlorella and Spirulina are two forms of algae that can lay claim to the title of ‘world’s healthiest food’. They are both superfoods which provide us with an extraordinary array of benefits. The levels of protein, vitamins and minerals they contain is amazing as is their ability to fight against and even prevent illnesses. Yet it is weight loss that will be the focus of this article. Both foods have been through intense clinical trials and have been found to be excellent weight loss aids.

Nutrition

Their high nutrient content alone is enough to suggest that they have the ability to help people lose excess weight. There is no nutrient essential to our health that can’t be found in either Spirulina or Chlorella. When we consume these foods, we help balance deficits in our nutrition which helps to restore optimal tissue and cellular function. Despite consuming excessive amounts of calories, obese individuals generally fail when it comes to having adequate levels of nutrition in their diet. Their diet usually consists of large levels of sugars and refined carbohydrates which contain huge amounts of calories but no actual nutrition. When we have a balanced diet with sufficient nutrition, we are less likely to succumb to cravings for refined foods.

GLA

Both spirulina and chlorella contain gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which is a fatty acid vital for weight loss. Due to modern excesses and foods with poor nutritional content, our GLA intake is totally inadequate. GLA has a major effect on the endocrine system which can help keep insulin activity at a normal level as well as restoring hormone health. As a result, our blood sugar levels remains healthy and this keeps our cravings to a minimum. Keeping insulin at a normal level is essential for overweight people who are at risk of diabetes. Various studies have found that chlorella and spirulina have been used effectively in cases of diabetes.

Thyroid

Another reason why people are overweight is because of thyroid imbalances. Both superfoods contain huge levels of iodine which is known to be an effective way to deal with thyroid problems. They also contain phenylalanine, an amino acid which suppresses appetite.

Although both algae are fantastic sources of vitamins and minerals, they each have their own specific use. Spirulina is the world’s best known source of GLA and can be spotted easily thanks to its distinct blue-green colour. Although spirulina has an impressive amount of chlorophyll, it pales into comparison with chlorella which has five times as much. As a result, chlorella has a deep green colour and is excellent for detoxification and strengthening the blood. It is also laden with Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF), a fantastic tool in the fight against cell destruction.

Clearly, neither superfood can be classed as a miracle cure. If you continue to eat refined carbohydrates and sugar in large amounts while failing to exercise, the calorie deficit you need to lose weight will be impossible to achieve. However, if you embark on a healthy and balanced diet journey, be sure to consume both spirulina and chlorella for the best possible results.

If you are in New Zealand you can buy both products at HealthPostNZ, but if not I recommend Nature’s Way Chlorella and Nature’s Way Spirulina which you can buy on Amazon.

About the Author

HealthPost is a New Zealand based health store carry a wide variety natural and alternative health products, including probiotics supplements. For more information, visit their website.

Enjoyed this blog post? Then you may also be interested in these from the archives…

How To Lose Weight With Bladderwrack Tea
The Miracle Health & Beauty Benefits Of Chia Seeds
5 Surprising Natural Fat Burners
Top 5 Herbs For Weight Loss
5 Quick & Easy Cheats To Burn More Calories

Recently rediscovered, they have remarkable nutritional value, and are one of the few plant foods that provide complete proteins. In addition, they’re a rich source of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid, and both soluble and insoluble fiber; as well as providing the minerals calcium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium and zinc; and the B vitamins niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine.

One of the most unique properties of the chia seed is its ability to absorb water and create a gel that can be mixed with foods to increase their bulk without decreasing or changing the flavor or increasing the caloric value, making it an invaluable addition to a weight-loss diet. In fact, a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Apr 2010) suggested that adding chia seeds to the diet could help control blood glucose levels, and helped the subjects feel fuller for longer.

To create chia gel, add one-quarter cup of chia seeds to two and a quarter cups of water, whisking well to prevent clumping. Wait a few minutes and whisk again, then allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the gel has formed, and add to foods at the rate of half chia gel, half food. (Whisk again before using it.)

Chia gel can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks; and can be added to hot or cold cereals; condiments like ketchup, mustard, salad dressings, or bbq sauce; jams or jellies; dairy products like yogurt or sour cream; and other similar foods. The gel can also be used to replace up to a third of the oil in homemade breads, reducing the calories and increasing the amount of fiber.

(Note: Always use either filtered or bottled water to make chia gel. Because of its ability to intensify and distribute flavors, using tap water can make your gel taste “funny.”)

This gel has other benefits as well:

• With its high water content, chia seed gel helps to maintain proper hydration levels in the body, as well as maintaining electrolyte balance.
• It aids in digestion, and can reduce indigestion and heartburn caused by spicy or acidic foods.
• The high fiber content, and ability to absorb and retain water, aids in maintaining regularity.
• Soluble fiber has been shown to help regulate and reduce cholesterol levels.
• Soluble fiber is also known to slow the conversion of carbohydrates to simple sugars in the digestive system, which helps to regulate blood glucose levels and prevent spikes and crashes. This is especially important in managing Type 2 Diabetes, and may explain the results in the study mentioned earlier.

How to Use Chia Seeds:

Using chia seeds in your diet to increase the nutritional value of your meals is simple. Just sprinkle the seeds on soups, salads, baked potatoes, ice cream, cereal, or anything else you want to try them on. The seeds themselves have a light, nutty flavor that will not overwhelm the flavors of the food you add them to.

The amount of chia you should add to your diet, and the best time to eat them, will depend on why you’re using them. For cholesterol and glucose control, chia seeds should be eaten just before a meal, or the seeds or gel should be added to the meal. If your purpose is just to aid regularity or add the nutritional benefits of chia seeds to your diet, you can either eat the entire suggested amount first thing in the morning, or add them to meals as suggested above. For all these uses, you’ll want to add about one tablespoon of dry seeds, or nine tablespoons of gel per day to your diet.

For weight-loss and appetite control, you’ll want to use the gel as described in the section above, using it to reduce the amount of fatty, sugary foods and condiments you eat. The gel may also be used to replace up to one-third of the amount of fat called for in recipes. In addition, eating a few seeds (with plenty of water) or a spoonful of the gel about 15 minutes before a meal or snack will reduce your hunger and help you control how much you eat; and a slightly larger amount can be used if you want to avoid snacking completely.

How To Make A Chia Seed Face Wash

Not only do these little seeds have incredible benefits when consumed, they can also deliver their beneficial properties when applied onto the skin.

Try this chia seed face wash idea courtesy of CrunchyBetty.com

Mix together one or two tablespoons of honey with 8 oz of warm water. Add one tablespoon of chia seeds and stir well before allowing to settle for five minutes to allow the seeds to swell. After five minutes stir up again and pour a small amount (about 1 tbsp) onto your hands and rub into the face. Leave on for five minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

Leslie from Crunchy Betty also suggests that you can substitute water with full fat milk, coconut milk, almond milk or even freshly pressed apple juice.

Experiment for yourself and take advantage of the magical health and beauty benefits chia seeds have to offer.

You can pick up chia seeds from most places these days, but to save you searching around, you can get two pounds on Amazon for under $20 or one pound of Navitas Naturals for $13.

Enjoyed this article? You may also be interested in these posts from the archive…

Top 10 Homemade & DIY Face Mask Recipes
50 Tips For Ultimate Health
Why You Should Use Buriti Oil For Your Skin & Hair
5 Surprising Natural Fat Burners
5 Ways To Burn An Extra 200 Calories

If you want to try your own homemade face mask, then you’ll be sure to find one that’s just right for you in this blog post as we round up ten fantastic DIY face mask recipes from around the web.

Face Mask Recipe #1
Anti-Aging Avocado & Honey Face Mask from TheFrugalette.com 

Click Here For Full Instructions

Face Mask Recipe #2
Aspirin & Lemon Juice Face Mask from OneGoodThingByJille.com

Click Here For Full Instructions

Face Mask Recipe #3
Pineapple & Papaya Face Mask from HenryHappened.com

Click Here For Full Instructions

Face Mask #4
Lemon Milk Alpha Hydroxy Mask from CrunchyBetty.com

Click Here For Full Instructions

Face Mask #5
Strawberry & Honey Acne Mask from BeautyBanter.com

Click Here For Full Instructions 

Face Mask #6
Skin Brightening Kiwi Face Mask from EcoKaren.com

Click Here For Full Instructions 

Face Mask #7
Pumpkin Face Mask from Petitelefant.com

Click Here For Full Instructions

Face Mask #8
Turmeric Face Mask from TheWellDaily.com

Click Here For Full Instructions 

Face Mask #9
Bentonite Clay Face Mask from FeelGoodStyle.com

Click Here For Full Instructions 

Face Mask #10
Banana Face Mask  from RevitaliseYourHealth.com

Click Here For Full Instructions 

Phew! That’s a lot of face masks!

Have you tried any of them before? Or do you plan to try any of them now? It would be great if you could also share your own DIY face mask recipes that work for your skin. Simply leave a comment below and let us know.

I know some of you don’t like making your own beauty products and would instead prefer to buy a ready-made, yet still natural solution. If that’s you then I can strongly recommend this pure seaweed facial mask made from 100% natural ingredients. This isn’t like your regular chemical filled cosmetic.

If you are looking for more face mask and other beauty recipes then pick up a copy of EcoBeauty: Scrubs, Rubs, Masks & Bath Bombs For You & Your Friends  for 100 fresh and eco-friendly beauty recipes that you can make at home.

And finally, if you’d like to stay up to date with the RevitaliseYourHealth.com blog, then please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and follow us on Pinterest.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also be interested in these from the archive:

How To Make An Aloe Vera Face Mask
How To Make A Homemade Shea Butter Cream
Top 3 Best DIY Body Butter Recipes 
Top 7 Best Homemade & DIY Beauty Books
Top 5 Home Remedies For Glowing Skin

P.S. If you enjoyed this post please feel free to share on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. It would be incredibly appreciated :)

Over the last month or so, the RevitaliseYourHealth.com has had a strong focus on homemade and DIY projects related to health and beauty.

We started with a post sharing some products that can be made with essential oils, then we shared some homemade foot scrub recipes, then some DIY body butters and, most recently, we rounded up ten fantastic homemade and DIY beauty gifts that you can make for your Mom this Mother’s Day.

Making beauty products is a great way to have fun, to be more frugal, to be more environmentally friendly (so many harsh chemicals in store bought products!) and to get your kids involved.

Below I share seven of my favorite homemade and DIY beauty books so you’ll never be short of recipes.

#1
The Green Beauty Guide by Julie Gabriel

Official Rating: 4.2/5 Stars 

Paperback | Kindle Edition

#2
EcoBeauty by Lauren Cox & Janice Cox

Official Rating:  4.3/5 Stars

Paperback | Kindle Edition

#3
Organic Body Care Recipes  by Stephanie Tourles

Official Rating: 4.3/5 Stars

Paperback | Kindle Edition

#4
Beauty By Nature by Brigitte Mars

Official Rating: 5/5 Stars

Paperback | Kindle Edition

#5
Soap Maker’s Workshop by Robert McDaniel

Official Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Paperback | Kindle Edition

#6
Return To Beauty by Narine Nikogosian

Official Rating: 4.4/5 Stars

Hardcover 

#7
The Holistic Beauty Book by Star Khechara

Official Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Paperback | Kindle Edition

Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Can you recommend any other homemade and DIY beauty books? Share your opinions by leaving a comment below.

Reader Recommendations 

The Herbal Home Spa by Greta Breedlove

Whether it’s for a birthday, for Christmas, for Mother’s Day or just because you want to show your appreciation, women all over the world love homemade gifts.

Nothing is more special than a handmade gift created from scratch with love and care, and in this blog post I’m going to reveal ten incredible recipes for health and beauty products from around the blogosphere that you can make and give to a loved one.

Homemade Gift Idea #1
Naturally Tinted Lip Balm
From FrugallySustainable.com

Click Here For Full Instructions

Homemade Gift Idea #2
Lavender Body Oil
from ADelightfulHome.com

Click Here For Full Instructions

Homemade Gift Idea #3
Personalized Body Spray
from CrunchyBetty.com

Click Here For Full Instructions

Homemade Gift Idea #4
Homemade Coconut Milk Shampoo
from OneGoodThingByJillee.com

Click Here For Full Instructions

Homemade Gift Idea #5
Ginger & Coconut Oil Sugar Body Scrub
from FoodForMyFamily.com

Click Here For Full Instructions

Homemade Gift Idea #6
Energizing Herbal Bath Bag
from FrugalGranola.com

Click Here For Full Instructions

Homemade Gift Idea#7
Easy Homemade Bath Salts
from GardenTherapy.ca

Click Here For Full Instructions

Homemade Gift Idea #8
Energizing Pumpkin Foot Scrub
from HealthfulPursuits.com

Click Here For Full Instructions

Homemade Gift Idea #9
Homemade Lavender Gift Ideas
from CrunchyBetty.com

Click Here For Full Instructions

Homemade Gift Idea #10
Avocado Hair Lotion
from RevitaliseYourHealth.com

Click Here For Full Instructions

So which of these ten fantastic recipes are your favorite? Do you plan on making any of them for a loved one? Or even for yourself? Or are you hoping to receive one of these gifts? Why not email your friends and family this page with a gentle nudge towards the product you’d like ;)

Do You Want To Learn How To Make Your Own Spa Quality Products At Home?

Making health and beauty products at home is fun, affordable and healthy. If you’d like to learn how to make your own spa quality products at home, including butters, balms, lotions, creams, soaps, scrubs, fragrances and much more, then take a look at The Handcrafters Companion. It reveals 126 step-by-step recipes for you to follow along with at home.

If you enjoyed this post, then make sure you subscribe to get notified each time a new post is made, and be sure to connect on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest.

It would also be fantastic if you could share this post by “Liking” it on Facebook, “Tweeting” it to your Twitter followers and “Pinning” it to your Pinterest pin boards.

Want to read more like this? Then you’ll enjoy these posts from the archive…

Top 7 Homemade & DIY Beauty Books
Top 7 Natural Products To Make With Essential Oils
Top 3 Best DIY Body Butter Recipes
Top 7 Homemade Foot Scrub Recipes
Top 3 Coconut Oil Soap Recipes
How To Make A Homemade Shea Butter Cream

This post is shared at these wonderful link parties.

Last week I shared my Top 7 Best Homemade Foot Scrub Recipes, and a few weeks before that I shared my Top 7 Best Products To Make With Essential Oils which has really exploded with nearly 12,000 views in the past three weeks.

Today, I’m going to be sharing my Top 3 Best DIY Body Butter Recipes. If you see a body butter you like, click through to the blog to read the full recipe and be sure to leave a comment there letting them know what you think!

Without further ado, let me share my top three homemade body butter recipes.

Mango Citrus Body Butter
from GardenTherapy.ca

This is one of my favorite body butter recipes and is adapted from A Green Guide To Natural Beauty.

I LOVE the scent of citrus and this body butter is packed full of it! It contains all three of Shea, cocoa and mango butter, has added vitamin E (probably the most important vitamin for skin) and up to 20 drops of citrus essential oils. The great thing is that you can experiment with your own different blend of lime, sweet orange, lemon, grapefruit etc.

UPDATE MAY 2012: At time of writing there is an incredible deal on 100% Pure & Raw African Shea Butter 8oz on Amazon. The price has been reduced from $10.99 to just $0.75! I’m not sure if the deal will still be running but click here to see if it is. 

Try it for yourself and discover the full recipe by visiting GardenTherapy.ca

Ready Made Alternative: Mango Body Butter from The Body Shop

Coconut & Apricot Oil Body Butter
from SimpleHomemade.net

This recipe from SimpleHomemade.net is unique for its use of apricot kernel oil. Apricot kernel oil is fantastic for skin with its abundance of vitamin A and E. It penetrates the skin to deliver intense moisturizing properties without feeling greasy.

This body butter also contains cocoa butter, coconut oil (perhaps the most versatile and effective oil in the world) and vitamin E oil for an even bigger antioxidant boost.

Give this recipe a go for yourself. Get all the details at SimpleHomemade.net

Ready Made Alternative: Secret Of The Himalayan Body Butter With Apricot Oil

Whipped Coconut Oil Body Butter Recipe
from LivingTheNourishedLife.com

This is a real budget body butter which can be made with just one ingredient if you wish: coconut oil. Coconut oil is a real skin care wonder and when whipped fast could be turned into a body butter in just seven minutes. Optionally add some essential oils and a few drops of vitamin E oil for a credit crunch busting body butter at less than $2 per jar.

For the full recipe and instructions visit LivingTheNourishedLife.com

Ready Made Alternative: Tropical Traditions Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Moisturizing Cream

I hope this blog post has shared some recipes you can use to make your own body butters at home.

Making health and beauty products at home is fun, affordable and healthy. If you’d like to learn how to make your own spa quality products at home, including butters, balms, lotions, creams, soaps, scrubs, fragrances and much more, then take a look at The Handcrafters Companion. It reveals 126 step-by-step recipes for you to follow along with at home.

Click here or the image below for more information.

If you enjoyed this post, it would be fantastic if you could share it with your Facebook friends, Twitter followers and Pinterest followers. It would be incredibly appreciated :)

As always, thanks so much for reading and if you’ve enjoyed this post, you’ll probably also enjoy these from the archive…

Top 7 Homemade & DIY Beauty Books
How To Make An Aloe Vera Face Mask
The Top 5 Home Remedies For Glowing Skin
Homemade Banana Face Mask Recipes
How To Make A Homemade Shea Butter Cream
The Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar For Beautiful Skin 

This post is shared at these fantastic link parties.

Visit each blog for the full recipe, and be sure to leave your comment sharing your favorite at the end of this blog post.

Sidenote: Not into making your own foot scrubs but still want to give yourself (or let your partner) give you a fantastic at home pedicure? Then try this sensational ready made all natural foot scrub. 

Soothing Lavender Foot Scrub from FrugalGranola.com

This Soothing Lavender Foot Scrub is adapted from the Invigorating Foot Scrub recipe in Stacy’s fantastic eBook Simple Scrubs To Make & Give. It helps to clear away dead skin cells and smooth skin while exfoliating and moisturizing. The lavender adds a fragrant scent which calms and relaxes the mind.

For the full recipe, visit FrugalGranola.com

Simple Strawberry Foot Scrub from HomemadeMamas.net

Applying food to your skin is one of the most natural and effective skin care treatments. Strawberries are great since they are packed full of alpha-hydroxy acids which are fantastic for exfoliating dry and rough skin. That makes this strawberry foot scrub recipe great for dry, damaged and rough feet.

Visit HomemadeMamas.net for the full recipe.

Peppermint Foot Scrub from TheIdeaRoom.net

This peppermint foot scrub recipe will help to soothe and cool your skin. In fact, when I tried Burt’s Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion my feet felt like they were encased in ice for an hour – so peppermint really does cool! This foot scrub, which also contains coconut oil (a real skin miracle) will refresh and rejuvenate and leave your feet feeling brand new!

For the full recipe, visit TheIdeaRoom.net

Energizing Pumpkin Foot Scrub from HealthfulPursuit.com

HealthfulPursuit.com share two fantastic foot scrub recipes involving pumpkin. Firstly a Pumpkin Ginger Spice scrub which apparently smells so delicious you’ll struggle not to snack on it! And secondly an Energizing Pumpkin Foot Scrub which is the one I like the look of. It is made with canned pumpkin, Demerara sugar, olive oil, ground coffee beans and lemon juice. Simple to make, sweet smelling and wonderful for our feet!

Find out how to make it and try it for yourself by visiting HealthfulPursuit.com

Frugal Lemony Foot Scrub from ADelightfulHome.com

This foot scrub recipe – adapted from Organic Body Care Recipes – involves just four ingredients: cornmeal, oats, sea salt and essential oil – in this case lemon essential oil.

Chances are you already own these ingredients already making this a very cheap, very effective foot scrub recipe.

Get all the details and try this one for yourself by visiting ADelightfulHome.com

Honey & Lemon Foot Scrub from JulieAnnArt.com

This is another super simple foot scrub recipe involving just four ingredients: brown sugar, honey, lemon and almond oil. The honey and lemon are both antibacterial which helps to keep feet fresh and clean, while the almond oil deeply moisturizes.

This recipe will cost just pennies to make so find out how you can create it at home by visiting JulieAnnArt.com

Rainforest Foot Scrub from OurVanity.com

This is perhaps the most exotic of all the foot scrub recipes shared in this post. It contains an ingredient called bayberry oil which is a new one on me, but after a little research I found you can buy some here on Amazon.

For the full recipe, and a few extra foot scrub recipes, visit OurVanity.com

 ———————————————

There we have seven of my top foot scrub recipes. Which is your favorite? Or do you have any others that you’d like to share? Leave a comment at the end of this post sharing your thoughts.

Plus, if you are interested in making your own spa quality products at home then I suggest you take a look at The Handcrafters Companion: Create Spa Quality Products For Fun & Profit.

It reveals 126 recipes for soaps, scrubs, butters, balms, lotions, creams, fragrances and much more. For more details, click this link or the pretty image below.

If you’ve enjoyed this post then please subscribe for future updates and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Plus, if you enjoyed this post, you may also be interested in these posts from the archive…

Top 7 Homemade & DIY Beauty Books
Top 7 Natural Products You Can Make With Essential Oils
Top 3 Coconut Oil Soap Recipes
Top 3 Homemade Hand Scrub Recipes
How To Make A Homemade Shea Butter Cream
50 Secrets For Ultimate Health, Gorgeous Skin, Perfect Body & Beautiful Hair

This post is shared at these fantastic link parties.

Rosemary essential oil is used by aromatherapists for stimulating the memory; overcoming mental fatigue and sluggishness; aiding alertness and concentration; easing depression; managing stress and overcoming stress-related disorders and nervous exhaustion; easing the pain of migraines and tension headaches; raising blood pressure; relieving the pain and swelling of arthritis, muscle spasms, and sprains; soothing the itching of psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis; easing asthma, bronchitis, colds and sinusitis; and treating acne.

CAUTION: Do not use rosemary essential oil if you have high blood pressure, as it can raise your blood pressure even higher. It should not be used if you have a seizure disorder, since it can cause seizures in susceptible individuals. Never use rosemary essential oil without diluting it in a carrier of some type, it can cause severe skin irritation if used full-strength, and even diluted it can cause irritation on sensitive skin.

Although rosemary essential oil is helpful in the treatment of many conditions, it is especially useful for the following:

Sidenote: If you don’t currently own any rosemary oil but would like to buy some, then here is the rosemary oil we recommend. 

Memory: Rosemary essential oil is a stimulant, and using it in a diffuser or inhaling it directly from the bottle will enhance memory, alertness, and concentration. It will also reduce mental fatigue and sluggishness, and enhance mental clarity. These actions make it an excellent option to try for the cognitive issues associated with fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome,) commonly called “fibrofog.”

Depression: Rosemary oil balances mood, lifts the spirits, and helps ease depression. It can be used in a diffuser, inhaled directly from the bottle, or applied to a tissue or handkerchief (one to two drops) and sniffed as needed. It can also be blended with a carrier oil such as cold-pressed olive or coconut oil at a concentration of two to five drops per teaspoon of carrier oil and applied to the body.

Stress: The same actions that make rosemary essential oil so useful for memory and depression make it an excellent choice for managing stress and stress-related issues. It helps you to see things more clearly, and calms and relaxes the nerves.

Acne: A 2007 study (PubMed ID 17893831) showed a specific anti-bacterial action against the bacteria that cause acne. A blend of rosemary and coconut oils, mixed at a concentration of six drops of rosemary oil in two teaspoons of coconut oil and applied after cleansing will help to reduce and control acne blemishes.

(See How To Use Coconut Oil To Clear Your Acne for more information about coconut oil and acne.)

Headaches: Rosemary oil, mixed at a rate of five drops to a teaspoon of cold-pressed olive or coconut oil, will help relieve the pain of both migraine and tension headaches. After blending, apply a single drop of this mixture to the temples, being careful to keep it well away from the eyes. The rest of the oil can be massaged into the back of the neck to reduce muscle tension, which will also help ease the headache.

Pain: Muscle and joint pain and swelling caused by arthritis, muscle spasms, strains or sprains can be reduced by the application of a blend of thirty drops of rosemary oil and two tablespoons of a cold-pressed carrier oil to the painful areas several times a day. (For even better results, use fifteen drops of rosemary essential oil and fifteen drops of lavender essential oil in your blend. The two oils together have a stronger pain relief effect than either of them used alone.)

Further Reading: Top 7 Essential Oils For Relieving Pain

Psoriasis, Eczema, and Dermatitis: Four drops of rosemary oil mixed with a teaspoon of cold-pressed carrier oil and applied to the rough, scaly patches of psoriasis, eczema or dermatitis will help reduce the itching and irritation, as well as promoting healing. Adding a drop of vitamin E oil will aid in healing as well, promoting the development of healthy skin cells and soothing cracked areas.

Further Reading: Top 10 Essential Oils For Psoriasis

The breathing problems associated with asthma, bronchitis, colds, and sinusitis can be eased by using rosemary oil in a diffuser, but a better option is to add 3 drops of rosemary oil to a bowl of steaming hot water, using a towel to create a “tent” over the bowl and your head, and breathing the steam for no more than 5 minutes. (If your asthma reacts to strong smells, do NOT use this method, it could cause an asthma attack.) For asthma and bronchitis, a teaspoon of carrier oil mixed with 4 drops of rosemary oil can be applied to the chest instead.

Rosemary oil is one of the most useful of all the essential oils for a number of health and beauty uses. If you don’t currently own any rosemary oil, I suggest you take a look at Eden’s Garden Rosemary Oil which can be found on Amazon.

If you enjoyed this post and you’d like to learn more about rosemary oil and other essential oils, then take a look at these posts from the archive.

Rosemary Oil For Hair & Hair Growth
Top 7 Natural Products To Make With Essential Oils
Top 10 Uses Of Lemon Oil
Top 8 Uses Of Tea Tree Oil
Top 8 Uses Of Lavender Oil

Essential oils are little miracle workers for both our body and mind. Their scents help to calm, relax and uplift and when applied to our skin they deliver intense healing and protective properties.

Making your own essential oil infused health and beauty products at home is a fun and affordable way to be more frugal, be more natural and protect the environment.

So avoid the chemical laden sprays, lotions and creams, and throw away the dangerous air fresheners and deodorants and try making the below essential oil infused products as shared by some of the industry’s top bloggers.

SIDENOTE: If you don’t yet have an essential oil collection that you can experiment with then I recommend taking a look at this fantastic collection from Eden’s Garden.

Be sure to leave your comments at the end of this post sharing YOUR favorite essential oil recipes and make sure you visit each blogger and leave a comment thanking them for sharing their recipes.

Homemade Essential Oil Body Butter
From Rawmazing.com

Shop bought body butters can be expensive and don’t always contain skin-kind ingredients (think artificial colors, fragrances and preservatives) but this homemade version packed with intensely moisturizing fats such as coconut oil and Shea butter and skin healing essential oils such as rosemary, peppermint and sweet orange essential oil will leave your skin feeling fresh, smooth and supple.

UPDATE MAY 2012: This recipe includes Shea Butter. At time of writing there is a very special deal on Shea Butter on Amazon. This 100% Pure & Raw African Shea Butter has been reduced from $10.99 to just $0.80! Click here to see if this offer is still available and snap up numerous tubs if so!

For the full recipe and step-by-step instructions, visit Rawmazing.com

Homemade Natural Sunscreen with Essential Oils
From FrugallySustainable.com

As we approached Summer last year, I published a post revealing my top five natural sunscreens to keep your skin protected without the harsh chemicals, but just a few days ago I stumbled upon a blog post revealing how you can make your own all natural sunscreen.

Did you know that essential oils had sun protective qualities?

For example, carrot seed essential oil can protect up to an SPF of 30, while raspberry seed oil has protective qualities up to an estimated SPF of 50. Unfortunately, these oils alone are not enough to protect from a full day in the blazing sun. A natural mineral called zinc oxide, and perhaps titanium oxide, needs to be added to reflect the sun’s rays.

For the full essential oil enriched natural sunscreen recipe, visit FrugallySustainable.com

DIY Essential Oil Air Freshener
From TheBurlapBag.com

This is probably the easiest of all the recipes I round-up in this blog post. You need just a container, baking soda, some essential oil of your choice and a lid with holes (or foil failing that).

You can customize your room freshener depending on your favorite smells, or depending on a goal you are trying to achieve. For example, use lavender oil if you want to relax, use rosemary if you want to boost energy, and use peppermint oil if you want to lose weight (the scent of peppermint has been found to reduce hunger cravings)

Visit TheBurlupBag.com for the step-by-step instructions.

Homemade Calming & Deodorizing Room Spray
From ADelightfulHome.com

Like Stacy, I detest commercial air fresheners. They smell awful and you can almost taste the chemicals in them. They make me sneeze, too!

Instead, try making your own room spray enriched with essential oils that help to calm, relax and refresh your – and your families – minds.

Stacy shares two fantastic – and really easy to make – recipes. My favorite is her Simply Delightful Air-Freshening Spray because I love citrusy smells. Visit her at ADelightfulHome.com for the full recipes.

Natural Shampoo with Essential Oils
From WellnessMama.com

Most store bought shampoos are packed full of harmful chemicals. Many of these chemicals are absorbed by our scalp and skin further adding to the toxic load on our health and beauty. Last year we shared our top five best natural shampoos, but WellnessMama.com has taken it one step further and shared how to make a homemade natural shampoo packed with only natural ingredients, including a variety of hair health enhancing essential oils.

For the full ingredients list and instructions, visit WellnessMama.com

Homemade Deodorant with Essential Oils
From EverydayPaleo.com

Store bought deodorants are one of the most chemical laden personal care products on the market. Many believe you can’t make your own at home with natural ingredients (not one that works anyway) but you can!

Katie shares, on Sarah’s blog, a super easy four ingredient recipe for making your own homemade deodorant. Add essential oils of your choice depending on the type of scent you’d like.

For the full recipe and instructions, visit EverydayPaleo.com

Homemade Toothpaste with Peppermint Oil
From DIYNatural.com

Matt from DIYNatural has a fantastic and frugal homemade toothpaste recipe. It requires just four ingredients: baking soda, fine sea salt, peppermint oil and water.

Matt worked out that to make one batch of this toothpaste would cost between $0.91 and $1.43 as opposed to the $5 he was paying previously for toothpaste.

If you’d like to make your own homemade all natural peppermint oil enriched toothpaste then visit DIYNatural.com for the full recipe.

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I hope this blog post has shared a few ideas for things you can make with your essential oil collection. If you don’t yet have a collection, then you can get this Ultimate Essential Oil Set containing 32 different essential oils.

These homemade products are good for your mind, good for your body, and good for the environment.

Give the recipes shared in this post a go and share your favorite essential oil enriched products by leaving a comment below.

Plus, I would really appreciate it if you could share this post. If possible, please share on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon and Pinterest. I would be incredibly grateful for any help you can give spreading the word.

Want to read more? Take a look at these posts from the archive…

Top 7 Homemade & DIY Beauty Books
The Top 8 Uses For Lavender Oil
Top 5 Essential Oils For Boosting Energy
The Top 8 Uses For Tea Tree Oil
How To Use Essential Oils For Weight Loss
The Top 5 Essential Oils For Skin

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