Making My Own Soap - How To Choose My Base?

A couple weeks ago I got an email from "Herb Companion" about handmade soaps.  I have such a hard time finding natural soaps that I like the texture and the scent, that I have decided that this weekend I will be trying to create my first batch of soap!

So, the first thing I need to do is figure out what a beginner like me will need to know.  I find that there are hot processes and cold processes.  In addition, there are glycerin bases, goats milk bases, lye bases, clear bases, and cloudy bases... ok... too much to process for a beginner I believe.  We are just going to start with a simple basic recipe.  But I do want to know what the differences are between all of these things so I know the path I want to take in improving my soap making abilities.

As a reminder - antibacterial soap is NOT a good thing.  We are beginning to see super bugs / viruses / bacteria due to the excessive use of antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers.  The best thing to keep away germs is to frequently wash your hands with soap and water. 

Neem Base - Neem is a natural antibacterial.  It is a resin from the bark of an evergreen tree native to Asia.  It is used primarily as a pest control, and a natural medicine to help heal skin problems, malaria, jaundice, bronchitis, diabetes, arthritis, intestinal parasites, among others. 


Aloe Vera Base - Aloe Vera is a well known desert plant that aids in the healing of burns, scratches, and the like.  Those suffering from skin rashes, and other topical challenges should consider using an aloe vera base in their soaps.  Honestly, we all should have a bar sitting around.

Find base: http://www.georgiabodyandbath.com/servlet/the-44711/aloe-vera-melt-and/detail

Cocoa Butter Base - Cocoa butter is a wonderful moisturizer.  If you have chronically dry skin (you may want to figure out why and correct your diet) this is a great choice for a base.  In addition, cocoa mass polyphenol (CMP) can suppress the immuno globulin (IgE).  In simple terms it means that cocoa butter naturally fights psoriasis, dermatitis, and other skin ailments.  Also remember that many of these bases have their own scent - when adding other essential oils to your base, you will want to find complimentary smells.

Find base: http://www.georgiabodyandbath.com/servlet/the-35841/cocoa-butter-melt-and/detail

Coconut Milk Base - Coconut Milk is high in antioxidants and is a wonderful moisturizer.  It is a natural antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral substance.  It is also rich in Vitamin E.  There are many good reasons to choose coconut milk as your base.  Coconut milk also has a calming effect on your skin - reducing rashes and other skin ailments.

Find base: http://www.georgiabodyandbath.com/servlet/the-54987/coconut-milk-melt-and/detail

Glycerin Base - This is the most popular base available.  In a later post (once I get going on my soap making adventure) I will provide the directions on how to make your bases, but I have heard that making clear base is extremely difficult, so we will leave that until another time.  Glycerin or glycol is a colorless or yellow sugar alcohol.  It is used for a whole host of things other than soap.  Glycerin's benefits on skin include moisturizing, healing (used on skin graft patients), makes skin more supple, aids in the life process of cells, reduces swelling and bruising, and protects skin against irritants.

Find base: http://www.georgiabodyandbath.com/servlet/the-35730/glycerin-melt-and/detail

Goat Milk Base - Goats milk has been used for centuries in the Mediterranean as a natural cleanser.  It is touted as being one of the best moisturizers and contains vitamins A and the B complex.  With the alpha-hydroxy acids in goats milk, you get rejuvenating properties for your skin while softening it.  Goats milk feeds the skin calcium, and allows the skin to find its natural PH levels.  This is my first choice for my first try at soap!

Find base: http://www.georgiabodyandbath.com/servlet/the-35732/goat-milk-melt-and/detail

Well... I have figured out my base... now tomorrow we will discuss scents... Blessings... E

Strong Hair & Nails

Strong hair and nails is a byproduct of a good diet.  So let's take a look at some symptoms and potential causes, along with what foods will help strengthen both.  We aren't going to talk about the most common issues like excessive coloring, but rather the medical and natural cures.

Let's start with standard practices for hair and nails.  Most stylists will recommend that you wash your hair with shampoo no more than three times a week.  Washing your hair more than that strips it of its natural oils that help protect the shaft.  Use as few "products" on your hair as possible and naturally let your hair dry as often as you can.  When it comes to nail care, you should be pushing back your cuticles weekly, and keeping your nails smooth and free from tears so that you do not get ingrown nails and hang nails.  Do not cut your nails to short nor let them grow too long. 

Brittle Hair - Hair that breaks easily can be for a variety of reasons - Deficiency in Biotin, Selenium, Copper, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Iodine, Manganese, Omegas, and Iron.  Medical issues - Hypothyroidism, Hypoparathyroidism, Anorexia Nervosa, Trichorrhexis Nodosa.

Hair Loss - As above there are many potential reasons for hair loss.  Stress is one of the major contributors to the problem.  During an excessively stressful period in your life (divorce, death in family, major illness, surgery, loss of job, failed relationship) you may experience hair loss for up to 6 - 9 months AFTER you have recovered from the situation.  Heredity is also a major contributor.  Medicines can cause hair loss, including - blood thinners, gout medicine, high blood pressure medicine, birth control pills, antidepressants, and heart medication. 

Recommended Reading: http://www.hairlosshelp.com/hair_loss_research/hairloss_causes.cfm
More recommended reading: http://www.medicinenet.com/hair_loss/article.htm

Dry Hair - The issues with dry hair are the same as for brittle hair.  The most common issue is over washing, over drying, over "product" usage, over heating.  Give your hair a break!

Dandruff - There are a whole host of potential issues related to dandruff.  Some are potentially serious and should be taken care of as soon as possible.  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dandruff/DS00456/DSECTION=causes
Recommended reading: http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip1003.htm
More recommended reading: http://www.fitsugar.com/8-Foods-Strengthen-Your-Hair-2851545

Your nails can tell a LOT about your health.  You are not allowed to wear nail polish when you are going to be put under for surgery because it is the fastest way to see if you are getting enough oxygen - your nails tell a lot more about you than you think... read the recommended reading section below...

Brittle Nails - Brittle nails and brittle hair have the same possible vitamin difficencies.  Menopause also tends to make nails brittle as you are losing some of your hormones.  Also, subjecting your nails over and over to water or harsh chemicals does have consequences.  Use rubber gloves!

RECOMMENDED READING: http://www.essortment.com/fingernails-nutrition-48320.html
More recommended reading: http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/vitamins/vitamin-deficiency/nails.html

Ridges on Nails - iron deficiency, poor absorption of nutrients.

White marks in Nails - zinc deficiency

How to reduce hair loss?  Eat enough protein - this does NOT mean meat.  It means a proper variety of natural protein - fish, nuts, seeds, dark green vegetables, meat.  Drink sufficient amounts of water - water removes toxins from the body that can affect any part of your body.  Brush your hair / massage your scalp daily - your hair follicles need stimulation to produce and spread the natural oils.  I remember my grandmother telling me 100 strokes a night... I guess there was a good reason!  Avocado, avocado, avocado!  The natural oils in avocados are fabulous for both hair and nails.  I recommend one a day. 

Foods to build strong hair and nails - The omegas are necessary for both healthy hair and nails - salmon, tuna, nuts all are high in omegas.  Vitamin C, E, B complex, A - make sure you are eating a very well rounded diet - full of color.  Protein is necessary for strong hair and nails as they consist primarily of excess protein.  Legumes - they have several benefits to your hair and nails beyond protein they also have iron, zinc and biotin. 

Recommended reading: http://www.ehow.com/how_2563_improve-hair-nails.html

Blessings.. E

Foods You Should be Eating - Pumpkin Seeds

Good Morning!!  Most every seed that is edible is really a "super food." All the nutrition needed to transform that seed into a plant, tree, or bush is contained in that tiny package.  Which means there are high concentrations of your most vital nutrients.  However, many people pour on the salt when it comes to seeds - sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flax seed, hemp seed, quinoa, and chia seeds are the most common - this reduces the amount of seeds that can be consumed at one time and dramatically raises your salt intake.  Try adding some cayenne, or some other herbs to gain some additional flavor instead of the salt.

Pumpkin seeds have a high fat content resulting in high caloric count - however they also have MUFA (mono-unsaturated fatty acid) that reduce your LDL count - a good thing.  In addition, all seeds are high in fiber which aids in digestion and digestive / intestinal health.  Your roughage / fiber based foods expand in the digestive tract and absorb a good amount of your toxins on their way out, they also grab much of the food that has not found its way out of your digestive tract... all very good things. 

If you are one that has a hard time going to sleep - we have discussed some things you must be doing to ensure your body begins to prepare for sleep (lower lights, turn down music / TV volume, snuggle up in a blanket, drink hot tea) in addition eating foods that have tryptophan in them will also help quiet the mind.  Tryptophan also is a natural depression fighter.  Pumpkin seeds are a good source of tryptophan.  They are also a good source of B complex, vitamin A, vitamin E, and a whole host of minerals - iron, manganese, magnesium, copper, potassium, calcium, zinc, and selenium.

As a disease fighter - ovarian, prostate cancers, and kidney disease are all diseases that are fought with pumpkin seeds.  They help dissolve gall stones and lower cholesterol levels.  They are beneficial for healthy hair, skin, and nails.  Pumpkin seeds are an anti-inflammatory. 

Recommended reading: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=82
Recipes: http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Holidays-and-Events/Halloween/Pumpkin-Seeds/Top.aspx

Blessings... E

Healing after Surgery

There are many challenges to surgery.  It is best that one strengthen their immune system prior to surgery so that they are able to heal faster after.  Drink LOTS of water.  Your body will be inundated with poisons during surgery - anesthesia is one of the harshest chemicals you can give your body and it takes a while to get it fully out of your system.  Your body is weakened during surgery and needs to rebuild its strength.  Certain foods will help and others will hurt your recovery.

Colloidal Silver and Honey are your natural antibiotics.  Begin a colloidal silver regiment one week prior to surgery and continue for ten days after surgery.  Honey should also be started a week prior to surgery and continued for thirty days after surgery. 

Garlic / Green and White Tea are your high antioxidants.  White tea has higher amounts of the antioxidants you want than Green.  3 - 4 cups of either tea daily is recommended.  As for the garlic - if you are not one to like the taste of garlic in your food, take garlic capsules (follow box instructions). 

Water..water..water...water... got it yet?  Remember that both ingestion of enough water daily and using it to soothe your body while bathing is essential.

Vitamins A, B, C, K - These vitamins help with immune system and cellular regrowth - make sure you are getting plenty in your foods - and if you are weak in diet for these specific vitamins ensure that you are getting them through supplements... yes, I am recommending supplements if you can't get them through foods as these are critical to rebuilding and strengthening your body after surgery.

Recommended reading: http://www.herbcompanion.com/health/Holistic-healing-for-surgery.aspx
Recommended reading: http://www.wellsphere.com/complementary-alternative-medicine-article/surgery-recovery-best-ways-to-promote-natural-healing-and-a-speedier-recovery/400054

Blessings... E