Cedarwood & Oatmeal Soap

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Cedarwood & Oatmeal Cold Process Soap Recipe

This simple natural soap features: oatmeal, for visual texture and to soften skin as it gently exfoliates, French green clay, for a natural green color and mild cleansing properties, along with cedarwood “Atlas” essential oil for a clean woodsy scent. According to my favorite reference for essential oils (The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness), cedarwood “Atlas” (Cedrus atlantica) is mildly astringent, antibacterial & antifungal, making it a good addition to products … Continue reading →

14 Ways to Use Ground Ginger

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14 Things to Make With Ground Ginger

When I was first learning about herbs, I would excitedly read a new recipe or tutorial only to find out it needed some exotic-sounding special ingredient that required an internet order to obtain. Remembering that frustration, I thought I’d share with you fourteen ways to use ground ginger, which is easily obtained from the baking or spice section of your local supermarket. Optimally, you’d want an organic brand, but these recipes will work with whatever type is available … Continue reading →

10 Things to Make With Violets

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Violet Leaf Soap Recipe

Violets are not only lovely to look at, but are cooling and healing. The stems, leaves and flowers are all edible and are traditionally used in fighting chronic diseases such as oral cancer and fibrocystic breast disease. They’re especially useful for soothing irritations and eczema when used on your skin. Here are a few helpful links on identifying and foraging for violets. (You do NOT want to use African violet houseplants in any of these … Continue reading →

Essential Oils for Soapmaking Chart

 
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Natural Soap Making

Confused about which essential oils can be used when making soap and how much of them you should use? If so, this chart should help! It can be downloaded and printed out, so you’ll always have it for easy reference when making soap. The chart lists 24 of my favorite essential oils to use in soap & includes: a brief description of scent a benefit or characteristic of the oil the note (top, middle or base) a … Continue reading →

14 Uses For Calendula Tea

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Straining Calendula Tea

Calendula is loaded with powerful skin-healing, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, yet is gentle enough for most people and animals to use safely. You can make all sorts of things with calendula, including soap, salve, lotion bars and lip balm, but for today, I want to focus on calendula tea and 14 ways in which you can use it. (Don’t have any calendula? I buy mine HERE from Mountain Rose Herbs.)   How to Make Calendula … Continue reading →

Dandelion Bath Bombs Recipe

 
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All Natural Dandelion Bath Bombs Recipe

Today’s the day! After months of brainstorming, creating and experimenting, my Natural Bath Bombs eBook (and accompanying Natural Bath Care Package) is finally finished and ready to send out into the world! My goal for the eBook was to simplify the bath bomb making process, yet offer lots of ingredient options, all while keeping the recipes filled with only natural colorants and additives. I also created a set of companion eBooks and printables loaded with more natural … Continue reading →

Dandelion Shampoo Bars Recipe

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Natural Dandelion Shampoo Bars Soap Recipe (Palm Free)

Some unseasonably warm spring-like weather, along with an extra jar of dandelion-infused olive oil I had on hand, inspired this shampoo bar recipe. Keeping in theme with the happy sunny feelings that I associate with dandelions, I scented the soap with a cheerful blend of citrus essential oils, but you can use another scent, like lavender, or leave it fragrance-free, if you wish. While I made the batch shown using the hot process (crock pot) method, … Continue reading →