Recipes

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In this time of change and restructuring, passions, ideas and creativity seem to rise to an elevated state.

Become your own Alchemist, blending natural and organic ingredients into homemade elixirs, oils and balms, while learning ancient beauty secrets and holistic healing. Essential oils date back to Cleopatra and the Egyptian pharaohs to a time when Myrrh and Frankincense were part of their daily lives. These oils were used in perfumes, medicines and cosmetics, and to fragrance clothing too. They were as expensive then as they are today, but why the fuss? Natural and organic oils are regarded as preventative and alternative medicines, whereas over the counter drugs will ease only the symptoms of what ails you. They are multi purpose; depending on which essential oil you use, with only a few drops, their therapeutic properties will reach deep down to stimulate, soothe and heal the nervous system and the entire body. Their aroma nourishes the soul as food nourishes the blood. Their antioxidant properties are used in beauty products to replenish moisture and elasticity and in the home they can be found in antibacterial cleaning products. The initial costs of stocking your cabinets with the preventive healing powers of nut, plant and flower oils will outweigh the costs that could be spent on pharmaceutical medications, doctor and hospital bills. Whether living in the city or the country stress seeps into our lives through worry, grief, or strain, and these minor problems can manifest into serious diseases. Avoid this by becoming your own alchemist; AGB will take you through a wonderfully relaxing and meditative journey guiding you towards preparing and blending formulas for your own individual therapeutic needs.

Face wash
For a mood balancing start to the morning prepare a soothing face wash with Essential oils. Almost all Essential oils are antibacterial but some perfectly suited for the face with soothing moisturizing and oil balancing properties. Pick an oil that best suits your skin type. Sprinkle three drops in a basin of tepid or cool water, and splash away. Geranium is a popular EO in the cosmetic industry because of its astringent properties well suited for oilier type skin. Lavender is anti-inflammatory and therapeutically relaxing. While Rose and Ylang Ylang is beneficial for Dry skin.

Face moisturizer
Another easy formula for a luxurious silky moisturizer;

2 tbs organic coconut oil
1 tsp of Argan oil
5 drops of essential oils; either Lavender, Geranium, Rose or Ylang Ylang

Mix and enjoy.

Body whip cream
This is an oil based cream that absorbs quickly into the pores and is ultra moisturizing.

4 tbs of organic She butter
2 tbs of organic coconut oil
1 tbs of organic Argan oil
20 drops of your favorite essential oils;

Mix or whip into a fluffy body cream.

Face mist
A refreshing mist, therapeutic in calming the nervous system and an aphrodisiac. Its also a hydrator for your face and hands.

Buy a small spay bottle, 2 oz.
Fill with filtered or distilled water.
Add
10 drops of Neroli essential oil
3 drops of Jasmine essential oil
5 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil
Or try an original blend of your own.

Its great to take with you on a plane to refresh and rejuvenate, and to work for a face tonic and sense buzz. 2 oz bottles are allowed on a plane.

Bath oil
Great bath oil options: Use 4 oz of nut and seed oils with the recommended essential oil blends.

Macadamia nut oil: High in essential fatty acids, this is a heavier oil that soothes and replenishes dry skin.
Great for after Sun and mid winter.

Grape seed oil: Is a mid weight oil, perfect for all seasons, and dry to normal skin types.

Almond oil: These next three oils are light weight and for oily to normal skin types

Avocado oil: Light for normal to oily skin type.

Coconut oil: Light for normal to oily skin type.

Essential oil blends:

Relaxing: 5 drops Lavender, 5 drops Chamomile.

Spiritual: 3 drops Patchouli, 10 drops Ylang Ylang, 5 drops Vertiver.

Sensual: 5 drops Ylang Ylang, 5 drops Jasmine,1 drop Rose.

Happy: 5 drops Grapefruit, 5 drops Chamomile, 5 drops Ylang Ylang.

Emotional balance: 5 drops lavender, 5 drops Sandalwood, 5 drops Geranium.

Hair oil
A leave in conditioner can light and weightless; as the natural hair oil your scalp produces. Using an enriching plant oil such as Jojoba with an essential oil can be as therapeutic as a fresh breeze or a head caress. The aroma of an essential oil such as Rosemary for dark hair or Lemon, Chamomile or Grapefruit for Light colored hair will relax you as you start your day.

2 oz Jojoba oil or coconut oil.
10 drops of essential oils.

Masks
One of the most effective and natural ingredient for a mask is clay.

Nothing absorbs dirt, oil, impurities and removes dead skin like a clay mask. The particles of clay carry a negative electrical charge. Absorption of toxins take place when clay draws particles into its internal layered structure — much like a sponge. A clay mask has many benefits. It stimulates and increases circulation, tightens sagging skin, refines enlarged pores, exfoliates by lifting dead skin cells and cleanses the skin like no other mask. Clay masks are good for all skin types. For acned skin it rids the skin of impurities that cause breakouts. For oily skin it absorbs excess oil leaving clean skin behind. For dry skin it increases much needed circulation and rids the skin of dead skin cells allowing serums, ampoules, lotions and cream to penetrate deeper.

One of the strongest clay products I’ve found is called Aztec Secret Healing Indian Clay. It is bentonite clay, considered to be the very finest. This clay comes from Death Valley, California. It is sun dried for up to six months in temperatures that reach up to 134 degrees. Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay contains over 50 natural mineral compounds. This clay pulls the skin so incredibly tight it pulsates. There are others on the market from Natural skin care lines that are gentler, and for sensitive skin type are preferable.

Body scrub
Step out of the shower with no need to moisturize and have soft, aromatic, sexy skin. Create your own hand made body scrub in less than one minute. Simply combine organic coconut oil with Himalayan Crystal salt and essential oils. I made this mixture from my kitchen cabinet in a flash. You can also use brown sugar or a highly mineralized, finely grained Sea salt.

1/2 a cup of organic coconut oil. Grape seed oil is another amazing oil to use for a body scrub.
1/3 a cup of salt or brown sugar.
5-10 drops of essential oils.
Mix and pour in a glass container to place in your bathroom.

Recommended essential oils: Below is a list of essential oils for differing therapeutic affects.
I recommend to keep it simple with the body scrubs. Start with a single oil or pick two that have the same therapeutic values and that you love. Use three drops of each oil. Then if you feel confident on your next batch play and add one or two more oils. Be sparing at first because the oils are expensive and its quite easy to spoil a blend. Blending is an art form, and so much fun. Just remember combining oils that affect your state of mind and spirit while also smelling wonderful takes time and patients.

The list of EO for the morning scrub I do not recommend to blend together. They are all quite stimulating and are difficult to blend aromatically. I advise that they be used alone or blended with a light partner such as lemon.

Evening scrub: Lavender, lemon, Chamomile, Patchouli, Rose otto, Rose Geranium.( these can be blended)
Morning scrub: Grapefruit, vetiver, rosemary, peppermint. (recommended to be used separately)
Romance Scrub: Jasmine, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang.( these can be blended)

You can use any of the blends listed above for the bath oils.

Lip balm
This lip balm recipe yields quite a large amount. But I found that it lasts a long time, at least a year and sometimes two depending on the essential oil that you combine. Its highly moisturizing and leaves your lips soft and silky. It will melt in the heat and harden in the cold. This is natural to oils and waxes. The Benefits: Your lips will never feel drier after using this formula compared to petroleum based lip balms. There are no harmful chemicals going into your bloodstream, and you have a two year supply at hand. Great for presents too. You need:

Balm formula

Bees Wax 1 oz
Shea Butter 6 oz
Coconut oil 4 oz
A double boiler

Essential oils : Either Vanilla, Peppermint, Rose or Orange. Use around 12 to 15 drops per batch.

Bring pot to a boil, reduce heat to low and add ingredients except for the essential oil, stir gently, when the wax has melted turn off heat and add your pick of essential oil, stir and pour into an open mouthed jar and place in the fridge. It will set in half and hour. You can then scoop some out and put in your favorite lip balm container. Make sure that it has a tight seal.

If you want to play and have fun with the formula make sure you read up on your essential oils as some are not appropriate for your skin, these I mentioned are all good. There is no SPF in these lip balms besides what the Shea butter has to offer naturally, but we can’t calculate what that would be. So be careful not to sun bake with slathered lips. Have Fun !!

Foot balm
A refreshing, stimulating, energizing foot oil or balm. You can use an oil base, with Peppermint essential oil, such as Organic Almond oil, Avocado oil or Grape seed oil. Or you can use Shea butter alone, or Shea butter with Bees wax and use the Balm formula. You do not need to heat up the oil, just add the essential oil.
Massage the balm into your feet when you feel the need to invigorate your body. It works so well that if you apply it before you go to bed, you won’t be able to fall asleep for a long while. Peppermint is very potent.

Oil or Balm formula 10 oz
Peppermint essential oil 15 drops

For a relaxing foot balm, use Chamomile essential oil. You can also add Lavender.