Aloe Vera:

Aloe Vera is a great natural treatment solution. It is most potent directly from an aloe plant, from the inner layer of leaves.  It can be used for small cuts and minor burns and also skin irritations.  Not only is aloe a powerful natural healing agent it can also be processed and used in food, medicine, beverages and cosmetics production.  Be aware that too much in your food or drink can cause a laxative effect.

Aloe Vera’s use can be traced back 6,000 years to early Egypt, where the plant was depicted on stone carvings. Known as the "plant of immortality," aloe was presented as a burial gift to deceased pharaohs. [1]
Common Names—aloe vera, aloe, burn plant, lily of the desert, elephant’s gall
Latin Names—Aloe Vera, Aloe barbadensis

Pure Aloe also has antibacterial properties and can be used to disinfect. It is soothing and promotes healing of wounds. We know this plant mainly for it healing, soothing and moisturizing capabilities. The benefit of Aloe Vera can be credited to its many nutrients such as carbohydrates, vitamins c, folic acid, B1, B2, B3 & B6, calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper.  

Use Aloe from your own plant or go to the store and pick up a bottle of pure Aloe. It is a great solution to have on hand.

To grow your own Aloe Vera Plant you must keep it inside unless you live in a very warm climate all year round. They are succulent plants and are 95% water and require full sun and moderately fertile soil with fast drainage. Allow soil to become completely dry before watering plant each time.

Warm regards and love -

Erin

 [1] National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine

Epsom Salts

Epsom salts have amazing health benefits–here are 10 ways to use Epsom salts, including a relaxing bath, a face scrub and a hair volumizer. It’s also a miracle cure-all, helping to remove splinters and reduce swelling of sprains and bruises. Amazing stuff!

I always knew that soaking in a tub full of hot water with a few cups of Epsom salts was good for relaxing muscles and drawing toxins from the body, and here is why. Epsom salts are made of the mineral magnesium sulfate which is a sedative for the nervous system.

When magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin, such as in a bath, it draws toxins from the body, sedates the nervous system, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles, is a natural emollient, exfoliator, and much more.

Relaxing and sedative bath: Soak in warm water and 2 cups of Epsom salt

Foot soak: Soothe aches, remove odors and soften rough skin with a foot soak. Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to a large pan of warm water. Soak feet for as long as it feels right. Rinse and dry.

Soak sprains and bruises: Epsom salt will reduce the swelling of sprains and bruises. Add 2 cups epsom salt to a warm bath, and soak.

Splinter remover: Soak in epsom salt, it will draw out the splinter.

Face cleaner: To clean your face at night, mix a half-teaspoon of epsom salt with your regular cleansing cream. Just massage into skin and rinse with cold water.

Homemade skin mask: Apply the mask to damp skin. For normal to oily skin, mix 1 tablespoon of cognac, 1 egg, 1/4 cup of non-fat dry milk, the juice of 1 lemon, and a half-teaspoon of epsom salt. For normal to dry skin, mix 1/4 cup of grated carrot, 1 1/2 teaspoons of mayonnaise and a half-teaspoon of epsom salt.

Skin exfoliator: Massage handfuls of epsom salt over your wet skin, starting with your feet and continuing up towards the face. Have a bath or shower to rinse.

Remove excess oil from hair: Epsom salt soaks up excess oil from hair. Add 9 tablespoons of epsom salt to 1/2 cup of oily hair shampoo. Apply one tablespoon of the liquid to your hair when it is dry; rinse with cold water. Pour lemon juice or organic apple cider vinegar through the hair, leave on for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse.
 

Remove hairspray: Combine 1 gallon of water, 1 cup of lemon juice, and 1 cup epsom salt. Combine, cover and let set for 24 hours. The next day, pour the mixture into your dry hair and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then shampoo as normal.

Hair volumizer: Combine equal parts of deep conditioner and epsom salt. Warm in a pan. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.

Warm regards and love,

Erin