Getting Creative with What you Have!
This whole new way of life has been a good reminder that we can’t control the circumstances around us, but that we can control our reactions and how we take care of ourselves.
With all this extra time at home, we’ve been diving more deeply into our self-care practices-slowing down, eating well, staying hydrated, taking our Immune Tonic and adaptogenic herbs. And getting around to some of those home projects we’ve meant to do for some time. One of which involves cleaning out and reorganizing the medicine cabinets and our pantries. These recipes are a great way to use up the last remainders of herbs, oils, salts, or vinegar you may have lying around. For women, men, and children, these gentle and nourishing self-care rituals are great for the whole family or if you can carve out the time for yourself.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR BOTANICAL BATH
A simple recipe for a luxurious botanical bath or foot soak.
Adding herbs to baths is a great way to use up any you have around, and the apple cider vinegar does wonders for the skin and hair. Perfect for spring and a gentle detox soak, this bath or foot soak will rejuvenate the body and spirit.
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons of dried herbs, our favorites are chamomile, rose, calendula, nettle, red clover, marshmallow, or seaweed. If you don’t have any dried herbs on hand, herbal tea bags work great. Our favorite is the Traditional Medicinals Cup of Calm®.
- 1 cup of apple cider vinegar.
- 4 drops of Lavender essential oil
BOTANICAL SUGAR SCRUBS
An exfoliating sugar scrub is the best way to get silky soft skin. We like including lots of herbs, of course, for their therapeutic and aromatic properties and also because they help with exfoliation. Exfoliation softens and smooths your skin by removing dull, dead skin cells and making way for the regeneration of new cells.
Most of us should have some type of sugar (brown or white) in the cupboards, and some oil--usually olive or avocado will be best, but any kind would be great in this situation.
This makes a luxurious treat for anyone in your life and a great homemade Mother’s Day gift to remind her to indulge in a little self-care.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Sugar
- ½ cup Organic oil- we used sesame, but any oil will work.
- 2-4 tablespoons dried herbs- we used calendula and chamomile.
- 15-20 essential oils of choice- we used a combination of cedar, eucalyptus, and orange.
Use in the shower once a week, replacing the use of your soap. Scoop into your hand and scrub lovingly onto legs, arms, and entire body in a circular motion. Feel free to rub somewhat vigorously. Start by your hands and feet, moving your way toward the heart as you scrub for maximum circulatory benefit. Let it soak in for a few minutes before rinsing.
HERBAL AND FLORAL HAIR RINSES
Hair rinses are simple to make, and they naturally condition the hair and scalp leaving your hair soft, shiny, and clean. They are essentially a tea, but you can use the leftover parts of plants you might not necessarily use, like stems and buds, broken petals, etc.
Make a tea with boiling water and herbs, and allow it to infuse overnight--around 8 hours. Strain off the liquid and use it in your next shower. Make sure to slowly pour over your head so you can massage it into your hair and scalp. You would do this after shampooing and conditioning. If you place a large bowl under your head, you can catch the liquid and reapply several times. You can either rinse it out or leave it to dry and go about your day knowing you have flowers in your hair. Some favorite herbs for the hair are rose, nettles, calendula, lavender, raspberry leaf, calendula, chamomile, horsetail, and burdock root.
HERBAL FACE MASKS
Herbal masks are a favorite for any self-care night. They help to exfoliate and pull out any impurities in our skin, leaving you feeling clean and radiant. Herbs make a simple clay mask something special and are beneficial for the microbiome and health of the skin.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp powdered herbs or spices. Our favorites for facemasks are turmeric, rose, chamomile, calendula, marshmallow, coffee, cinnamon, or milky oats.
- 1 tbsp clay
- ½ tsp coconut oil or honey
- Rosewater or water--just enough to make it into a thick paste.
- Drop or two of essential oil; great options are lavender, chamomile, or rose.
Combine everything in a small bowl, mixing well. Apply to a damp face and work in circular motions. Allow it to dry (5-10 minutes) and wash off gently with a warm washcloth. Follow with a spritz of rosewater!
