Healing Baths

Since we discussed loving ourselves with bath and massage yesterday... I figured bathing was on tap today too! :)  Water is one of the most necessary elements for all humans.  We require it internally to remove toxins, assist in digestion, flush and cleanse our muscles and organs, to aid in the flow of blood through the body, and to create new healthy cells.  Water helps us cleanse our bodies, our food, and helps us calm our mind.  Every aspect of our lives depends on water. When we mix herbs / essential oils with water it takes on a healing aspect as well.

**Healing Colds and Flu Bath
This bath helps with congestion and mucous buildup, improves circulation and relieves pain associated with congestion. 

5 drops of eucalyptus oil (open nasal passages)
5 drops of peppermint oil (invigorates the body)
5 drops of lavender oil (stimulates white blood cells)
2 T vitamin C crystals
8 drops of thyme oil (congestion / aids immune system)

**Joyful Joints Bath
This bath is good for all types of joint pain (arthritis, rheumatism, fibromyalgia, etc). Comfrey is known as a "knit bone" herb due to its ability to help heal bones. 

3 drops of eucalyptus oil (anti-inflammatory)
1 handful of comfrey leaves (joints / rheumatism)
2 handfuls of chaparral herb (joints / rheumatism)

* Anger Release Blend
Anger is one of the most destructive energies and without the ability to release it - that destructive energy turns inward and causes immense damage internally.  Heart Disease, Cancer, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol are some of the possible outcomes - not to say that everyone that has these ailments have them due to anger.  This blend should not be used if you are either asthmatic or pregnant.

2 drops lavender oil
2 drops peppermint oil
2 drops myrrh oil

* Increased Confidence Blend
Lack of confidence is usually a programmed response.  Without proper nurturing as a child - encouragement - and love a person has a low self confidence that is destructive - especially to reproductive organs.  You must reprogram yourself into a more positive outlook.  Have small goals - achieve them - and increase the goals.

3 drops clary sage oil
2 drops ylang ylang oil
3 drops myrrh oil
2 drops marjoram oil

I have included two recipes each from two of my favorite books on healing baths. 

** Water Magic by Mary Muryn
* Healing Aromatherapy Bath by Margo Valentine Lazzara, C.Ht.

Please make sure to get good essential oils when you go to make your purchase and to store them in a dry, cool, dark space.  They can last for a couple years if they are stored properly.  I usually pick up 1/2 oz bottles of new scents that I want to try out, 1 oz bottles of scents I use rarely or sparingly, and 4 oz bottles of the scents I regularly use.  I either pick up my oils at the natural health food store or at http://www.iherb.com/. 

Organic Bathing Salts - http://www.pristineplanet.com/bath-salts-eco-friendly-organic-natural/bath-salts/1216_a_0.html 
Organic Bathing Salts - http://www.justnaturalskincare.com/9/-PRODUCTS.html?gclid=CPb0wKzM7acCFRUq2godWAgbcw

Blessings... E

Natural Relief

When I go visit my grandmother, I learn sooo much!  She collects medical / naturopathic digests for me and marks certain passages for me.  We discuss how medicine was done before the pharmaceutical companies took over medicine, and before chemicals took over cleaning products... So, here are some alternatives for you with every day complaints.

Headaches / Migraines - Take a lemon and peel it one inch wide and long enough to go from temple to temple.  Lay down with a towel over the lemon peel until the headache goes away (usually less than 20 minutes). 

Cayenne has several benefits to headaches and migraines - it is a natural pain reliever, and a good source of magnesium, which has been known to ward off migraines.  Dip the flattened end of a toothpick into a bottle of cayenne and sniff in each nostril.  Adding cayenne into daily meals may also help ward off migraines. 

Colds - Garlic has many wonderful healing properties - antiviral, antibiotic, antifungal, and antiseptic.  So, adding garlic to your foods when you don't feel good or need a boost is a great idea.  In addition to the healing properties above garlic is also a decongestant and an expectorant - wonderful for colds and chest ailments. 

Steep marjoram like tea for 5 - 10 minutes, cool the "tea" and gargle with the tea three times a day.  Marjoram has benefits to any bronchial ailments - congestion, pneumonia, bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, etc... It has both antibacterial and painkilling benefits. 

Ginger is widely used for nausea and joint pain - it is also beneficial when drank as a tea for colds.  It's anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties work wonders with a cold.  If you are unable to find ginger tea you can make it yourself - peel ginger (yes, from the produce section of the grocery store) and thinly slice a two inch cube of it into a saucepan with 1 1/2 C water.  Bring to a soft boil and cook for 10 minutes.  Strain and add honey and lemon to taste.  Enjoy! 

One of my favorite natural remedies for congestion (both head and chest) is to boil water in a large dutch oven and add eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, and/or thyme oil.  The boiling water adds moisture into the air which helps to break up the congestion and the oils really help break up the congestion and reduce the swelling associated with the congestion.  I also will take a washcloth and dip it in the hot mixture and drape over my face.  Warning!!  The oils are very potent - don't take a deep breath!  You will have to play with the amount of oil and how often you add it to the boiling water to suit your own needs. 

Smelly feet - the tannic acid in black tea is known to reduce bad body odor.  Bring several black tea bags to boiled in a pint of water for 10 - 15 minutes.  Pour into a foot bath with two quarts of cool water and soak smelly feet for 10 - 15 minutes. 

Teething / toothache - When my kids were young I was given my first naturopathic direction for my daughter.  My first daughter got her teeth in pairs and had a lot of pain associated with it.  I didn't want to use painkillers or any other drugs, and so another mom suggested that I try clove oil.  There was a bottle of clove oil specifically for teething at the natural food store and I was amazed how well it worked.  BE CAREFUL.  Clove oil is VERY potent and potentially dangerous.  Turning the bottle over on your finger is more than enough for one side of the mouth.  Repeat for other side.  Clove oil numbs the gums for several hours.  You can also put it on a q-tip to use around a painful toothache. 

Bruises - This easy fix may take a trip to the produce section again.  You will need a gauze roll and parsley.  That is it!  Chill the parsley and then chop finely.  Apply directly to the bruise and wrap with the gauze roll - let sit on the bruise for an hour or so.  Reapply daily until bruise fades.