I was diagnosed with PMDD about 7 years ago. That is premenstrual dysphoric disorder. In other words, someone who experiences PMS symptoms so severe they interfere with regular life.
Seven years ago I was living single in the city. I was studying for my MBA and working full time with a professional association selling over half a million dollars in sponsorships. I lived in my own apartment, volunteered in my community, and salsa dancing was my obsession.
Two weeks out of my 45 day menstrual cycle I was constipated, bloated, crampy, head achy, foggy minded, physically weak, tired, and sleepy. I’d sleep for 20 hours a day on weekends only waking to eat. I called in sick to work. I wouldn’t make it to dinner with friends. I couldn’t clean my apartment, go grocery shopping, do the same 30 minute aerobics class, or do school work. I was volunteer teaching adult literacy and I’d call my student and say I couldn’t make it because I didn’t feel well. I just kind of stepped off the boat called life for two weeks.
My doctor told me to take birth control pills and an anti-depressant. Which I did. But I felt so cornered in life. There were no feelings…no passion, no disappointment, and no light in my life. It was as if I were going through the motions with a layer of plastic between me and everyone else. I had thought it was simply my body being my body. I thought it was just my burden to endure. I had the same symptoms at 13 as I did at 30 and I didn’t think that anything could change them.
It wasn’t until years later when I learned how to overcome my PMDD.
Keeping Track
I started on the path to better health when I began tracking my cycle. After the birth of our son, I took a Natural Family Planning class. I learned about how to track the signs and symptoms of my cycle and note these bits of valuable information each day. And most importantly I learned to really listen to my body. What was it saying? What was it telling me?
Gluten-Intolerance
Going GF completely changed my body – this was the corner stone for me. I had tried traditional diets and exercise before just face defeat. I tried aerobic exercise. I tried healthy eating. I tried eating nothing. I tried sleeping at least 8 hours a day. I tried walking more. I tried 90 minute work outs…just to land in bed for two weeks at the end of my cycle. My gluten intolerance was the missing piece I needed before I could do anything else to get better. After going GF my menstrual cycle dropped from 45 days to 28 days. I lost 10 pounds. My anxiety melted away, and I felt like I was stepping out into the real world.
Hormone Imbalance
After eliminating gluten from my diet and starting to exercise and eat a more healthfully, I was still feeling really fatigued. I did some research and found that many of the PMS symptoms I had tracked were symptoms of an estrogen imbalance. I decided to add a couple vitamin supplements to my daily regimen and these seem to help me stay more energetic, more alert, and more lively.
Ditching the Caffeine
This addiction started in grad-school. Working early and studying late I became best friends with Mr. Red Bull and Mrs. Starbucks. After having a baby, and then having another baby (well, actually after weaning the second,) caffeine was what propped my eyelids open most days.
After some reading I found that low blood pressure, cravings for salt, and feeling tired but pent-up are all symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Properly functioning adrenal glands are vital to good immune system health and proper thyroid function. And caffeine can lead to adrenal fatigue. So I ditched the coffee. And the Red Bull. (I actually stepped down from fewer cups of coffee, to decaf, to black tea, to none. This really helped lessen my withdraw symptoms.)
Small Tweaks
I am still working on this, my body, my health, my well-being. I am adamant that I do not have to sit on the side lines because I am a woman. I realize that if I stay hydrated in the morning I have more strength to exercise in the afternoon. If I eat a substantial breakfast I don’t get cranky at 11 AM. If I eat a balanced lunch, I don’t reach for sugary snacks starving right before dinner.
I am making some other hard choices to let go of stress in my life like: going to bed earlier, letting go of my to-do-list, easing my perfectionism, and putting my health first.
I feel more energetic. I feel more alive. I feel engaged and able to meet the challenges life throws my way. I don’t have the PMS symptoms of yesterday. And all of these sacrifices and lifestyle changes are totally worth really living.
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I blog here sharing my story not to pretend to give medical advice, but truly to encourage others to delve deeper into their own health mysteries.
What worked for others didn’t work for me. Don’t despair if that diet-and-exercise shtick doesn’t work for you. It didn’t work for me either until I found the corner-stone to my health. Your corner-stone may be different. Keep seeking. Keep searching. You should be able to live life. I mean really live it. You deserve to be able to be you. And you can.
 So I am taking this simply wonderful e-course about de-stressing your life. I am loving it. Partly because so far it is a much needed affirmation of the discoveries I’ve made on my journey to understand my body better and what I need to do to keep it healthy and happy. And partly because of the inspiring opportunity to connect with other women seeking to understand their personal health better too.
In the first week of the course we dug into how sound nutrition can keep physical and emotional stress at bay. We began by discussing why breakfast is important. Personally, I need breakfast. You don’t want to see me without breakfast. Not pretty.
The second week of the course we are talking about eating dark leafy greens. I must confess I have never been a huge fan of greens. I remember making salads in college with all the veggies, except greens of any kind. But this week I decided to put leafy greens to the test and see how my body felt afterward.
What I’ve found: eat greens = *presto*, feel calm, feel alert, feel no sugar cravings, feel…good!
Now, how have I been preparing these dark leafy greens I don’t prefer to consume? Well, a variety of ways. Green smoothies. (Okay, must divulge, I thought this was the weirdest idea at first…but it actually tastes…okay.) Kale, beef, and fresh tomato scramble. This turns out to be a super-duper quick, easy, and satisfying lunch for me. And finally kale chips. Thought these too were weird. And since I don’t like potato chips I thought I wouldn’t like these either. Wrong. They are actually kind of addicting. (Maybe like potato chips for some of you.)
So you ask, where can I get this great information about the fantastic Stress Cure for Moms? Lisa Byrne is the great mind behind The Well Grounded Life blog and a certified holistic health counselor. Her holistic philosophy about total body health really falls right in line with everything I believe about our mind-body connections. And for what I’ve learned about my body through trial, error, and luck, she supplies the scientific reason behind it all. It is like my eyes are opening a bit wider, and I can feel my health improving. I believe she will be holding another e-course this fall about stress, but in the meantime, give her blog a read and I am positive you’ll find a little something that can help improve your bodily health.
So, on to the recipes I’ve been using to make me feel a bit better….
Green Collard Smoothie
- 2 large collard leaves, veins removed, and leaves chopped finely
- 1/2 large banana
- 3/4 C peaches chopped, skins on
- 1/2 C plain whole yogurt
- 1/2 C filtered water
Blend all ingredients until smooth and enjoy. (If you like a bit of sweetness, add 1 t of agave nectar.) (Getting the greens smooth may take a minute or two, so be patient blending.)
Kale + Beef/Sausage + Tomato Scramble
- 8 oz ground beef
- 8 oz sausage (taken out of the casings)
- 1 t garlic, chopped finely
- 3 C curly kale, chopped finely
- 2 medium tomato, diced 1/2″
- 1 t red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/4 t freshly ground black pepper
- Brown meat in skillet (that has a lid) uncovered over medium high heat. (Drain meat if needed.)
- Add garlic and kale greens, and cover. Let greens steam for 1 minute, or until bright green.
- Uncover and add red and black pepper. Stir.
- Remove from heat, plate portions, and sprinkle with fresh diced tomato.
Serves 4 (But I can eat a large double portion.)
Kale Chips
I am going to defer to this Bon Appetite recipe. But my own note is that lacinato kale, a flat leaf kale, is the variety that I use to make these chips. Oh, and really do take the time to remove the leaf veins, it makes for a much more pleasant eating experience.
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So, if you are interested in learning more about how to deal with stress, revitalize your body, and feel better able to do more, visit Lisa’s blog. She just posted a Special Report about Natural Ways to Relieve PMS and actually used my testimonial in her report. I am just delighted that she gave such respect to my personal journey to better health. Thank you Lisa. And to all you fellow Stress-Course moms out there, I hope these recipes can help you like they have helped me.
This article and it’s counterparts (Save Your Money in Your Freezer here and here) were published last summer here on the blog. I feel summer is the perfect time to think about stocking up for the winter and we as a family are certainly doing just that. Canning peaches at their peak ripeness and stashing away the best cut strawberries in your freezer now is one of the ways we can eat local, more sustainably, healthfully, and save money. So read on and be sure to visit the other ways you can save your money in your freezer! Here is to the bounty of summertime. 
Okay, I love my freezer. If you have been reading this blog for a bit, you probably think I use my freezer like a piggy bank–which I kind of do. It is kind of like my bank for saving leftovers, saving fresh produce, and stashing dishes made-ahead of time which otherwise would be bound for the trash. Reading TipNut.com’s zucchini bread recipes in my Reader, reminded me of another freezer-saver favorite from my childhood: frozen bananas.
My mom would beat out any other sugar police out there, so we stuck to healthy everything with no refined sugar. One of my favorite snacks as a kid was a frozen bananas dipped in yogurt and coconut. In my home, we always have ripe bananas the kids aren’t going to eat, and because I don’t eat them anymore, they head for the trash. But, with this money and time-saving healthy tip, we can start saving our banana money in the freezer! Here is how I make them and some other variations:
- Select moderately ripe bananas, peel, take off those stringies, and slice in half width-wise.
- Push a clean round popsicle stick through the cut side of the banana about 1/2 way up the banana. (You can cut a 1/4″ dowel from the hardware store with a kitchen shears into 6″ lengths.)
- Coat with desired topping.
- If topping is drippy like melted chocolate: Place banana flat on baking sheet lined with waxed paper, lightly cover with plastic wrap and freeze flat for 4 hours. Then roll each individual frozen banana in waxed paper, twisting ends, and place in Ziploc freezer bag. Label the bag, and place in the freezer for a sweet and yummy frozen snack.
- If topping is dry like toasted coconut: Roll each individual frozen banana in waxed paper, twising ends, and place in Ziploc freezer bag. Label the bag, and place in the freezer for a quick, refreshing money-saving snack.
Suggested toppings:
- Plain yogurt and toasted coconut or granola
- Fruit flavored yogurt and mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts
- Peanut butter – can get messy
- Melted chocolate (white chocolate is yummy)
- Berry or fruit puree
- Caramel (melt caramels, or make your own, place bananas on baking sheet lined with waxed paper and drizzle caramel on with a fork.)
I hope these inspire a chilly snack to cool off your summer days! For more Save Your Money in Your Freezer posts visit here and here. For a printable Save Your $$ In Your Freezer download it here.
 For the month of May my One Small Change was “to go off the grid” and make our bath and beauty products at home. I have been more and more concerned about all the antifungals, preservatives, fragrances, and colors that go into the shampoos and lotions we used every day. Our skin absorbs so many of the substances we spread on it and I am now aiming to steer clear of these petro-chemicals and go all-natural. (Not au natural, just use natural shampoos.)
So was I successful?
Mostly.
Here is what I was aiming to replace.
- toothpaste, mouthwash
- shampoo, conditioner, body wash, facial cleanser
- shaving cream
- body lotion, body oil, moisturizer,
- facial moisturizer, toner, and lip balm
I ended up making and trying all the items I use except mouthwash. I ended up liking and now continue to use:
- shampoo
- body wash
- body lotion, body oil
- facial moisturizer and toner
- lip balm
I couldn’t give up my commercial natural conditioner, toothpaste, and facial cleanser.
My husband…well, he would rather stick to the commercial stuff for now, though I did purchase for him a more natural brand of hair gel, shaving cream, and body wash.
 The kids now use homemade shampoo/bodywash, and body oil. But they still use commercial tooth-gel sometimes. The rest of the time they use simply xylitol. (More explanation about this one below.)
As a guide I used my favorite book Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles which I have mentioned here a thousand times. But I was able to adapt and develop a few of my own recipes which I intend to share with you here.
So, without further adeu…
 Minty Body Wash
- 8oz unscented liquid castile soap
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
- 2 drop tea tree oil
- 1t jojoba base oil
Pour all ingredients into a pump or squeeze bottle and shake vigorously. No refrigeration necessary, but best if used within 1 year.
 Floral Clean Shampoo
- 1 C distilled water
- 1T calendula flowers
- 1T nettle
- 2t comfrey roots
- 2t orange peel
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops calendula essential oil
- 1/2 t jojoba oil
- 1/4 C natural shampoo
In a small saucepan bring water to boil. Remove pan from heat and add calendula flowers, nettle, comfrey, orange peel, and rosemary and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain liquid through a double cheese cloth lined stainless steel sieve into a medium bowl.
Add essential oils and jojoba base oil and stir to blend. Add shampoo and stir. Pour shampoo mixture into a plastic squeeze bottle.
Refrigerate and use within 4 weeks. I like to decant a small portion I can use in a week’s time and leave it in my shower. I refill it each week.
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The toothpaste I tried is actually a tooth powder made of xylitol and baking soda. I didn’t love the sweet tastes of xylitol. But for the kids I omitted the baking soda and just dip their brushes in Xylitol. This can be swallowed in small amounts, so I just stick their damp toothbrushes into a small tub of the xylitol powder and just stick it on in their little mouths. If you haven’t tried xylitol, it tastes sweet.
 For more small changes you can make to make your lifestyle a little greener, click on over to the Hip Mountain Mama’s One Small Change blog! Here is to being green.
I am a terrible listener. Usually I am going headlong into a conversation, running my mouth and never listening to a word that comes out of the other person. But lately I have been listening to my body. A lot. I suppose it isn’t that difficult when it is yelling at you that it doesn’t like the way you’ve been treating it. No exercise. Processed foods. Stress. My body was definitely saying, “no thank you!”
So, I’ve been doing a lot of research and experimenting lately to try to find the lifestyle that works for me. Or rather what can I do to bring out the best in my body. I’ve always wondered, “how to do those other mamas raise 4 small children, take care of their marriage, keep their home together, and find the inspiration, energy, and time in the day to run their own business?” Well, I’d hypothesize a lot of it has to do with good health.
Taking out the gluten in my life has been a challenging, but very pivotal step for me toward better health. I feel physically able and so many physiological ailments have disappeared. (It does feel like they have disappeared.)
But I was starting to feel groggy again during the middle of my menstrual cycle. I couldn’t concentrate on anything. I felt perpetually tired and sleepy. And I was more on edge, ragged, and less inclined to be productive.
After a look at my symptoms and some Internet searching (oh, that can be scary) I came to hypothesize that perhaps I have an estrogen imbalance.
Estrogen and progesterone work together in the female body. Though these hormones are known to help many bodily functions such as circulation and brain activity, the function they affect perhaps most profoundly is reproduction. But hormonal balance is quite delicate. After the first day of a woman’s period and up to ovulation, estrogen levels increase. After ovulation, estrogen levels subside a bit and progesterone levels increase. This luteal phase is when the implantation of a fertilized embryo can occur and new life begins. If the body’s progesterone production is low, estrogen levels in the body rise to compensate.
Stress, poor diet, excessive weight, hormone replacement therapy and environmental exposure to xenoestrogens can cause an estrogen imbalance. Xenoestrogens, or environmental estrogens, can exacerbate high-estrogen symptoms. Xenoestrogens are chemicals and substances that work within the body like estrogen and are found in pesticides, processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and plastics. Just think about how many of those items we come in contact with each day. I had four of these five factors in my life. It is no wonder my body is telling me, too much!
Symptoms of high estrogen levels are all those good PMS symptoms. Fatigue, water retention, weight gain, forgetfulness, moodiness, depression, breast tenderness, and on and on. Google it. It’s all right there. A simple test can actually determine if you in fact do have high estrogen levels.
High levels of estrogen are linked to some types of breast and ovarian cancers. This was the eye-opener that got my butt in gear to try to do something about it.
There is of course synthetic hormone therapy, but I wanted to start natural. (And since I admittedly have a fear of doctors, I wanted to go the least invasive route.) I decided that magnesium and B-6 supplements were a good place to start. And boy did these little supplements make a huge difference for me.
I feel normal after taking these little pills. Low levels of magnesium and B-6 are linked to high estrogen imbalance. I have been taking these supplements for about a month now and I feel more energetic, clear of mind, optimistic, and stronger.
I always knew my cycle was a bit unusual and I had a really difficult time participating in regular life routines. But I didn’t realize a diet change and adding a few supplements to my diet would truly brought my life back into line. Now I am eager to find out what adventures lie ahead, and I am super happy that I can actually be there. Listening to your body is so vital to living a full life.
NOTE: I should add, I am not a doctor, nor do I have medical training in this area, so I can’t advise you how to decide what medical and lifestyle choices would be best for you. If you do have a suspicion your body isn’t working well, consult your doctor. Feeling whole can open a whole new world out there.
 My body has changed so much since I decided gluten foods weren’t for me. I’ve lost weight. Almost 10 pounds. I have increased energy. My hair is shiny again and my nails are thicker and less brittle. I feel more optimistic and my bouts of depression are all but gone. I feel more able, more conscious, and more optimistic. My menstrual cycle is 30 days. It used to be 45. I don’t have the cramps, headaches, foggy head, and prolonged bleeding that made me sleep 18 hours a day. My stomach isn’t bloated and gassy 20 minutes after eating a meal. Digestion is more regular. And my mind is clear. No more coasting along in a fog. But the biggest change I feel is evenness. I don’t know if others who have discovered their own gluten intolerance have experience this, but I don’t feel like I am surfing through life on adrenaline anymore.
I couldn’t put my finger on what my hang up was called. But book spines needed to be aligned. Flat surfaces needed to be cleared. Bills in my wallet needed to be ironed out and facing the same direction. Color-coded was my middle name and the label machine was like a third appendage. Pantry items needed to be stored in neatly stacked matching containers. Laundry needed to be folded all the same way. And all personal effects in my life needed to be neat, even, clean, and organized. That was the thrust of organizing-life a year ago when I began writing this blog. So much has changed.
All these perfectionist and obsessive impulses felt urgent. Butterflies flew in my stomach as I surveyed the messes. My teeth clenched and my shoulders tensed when my schedule was thrown off by a missing baby sock. I got angry when my husband didn’t share my “weekends are for to-do lists not for family fun” attitude. I felt pent up, anxious, panicked, and adrenaline surged until the week before my period and then I’d drift into a semi-consciousness, foggy, sleepy, and unable-to-participate state of existence.
I was talking with my husband the other night and I told him I feel less harried. I don’t feel severely driven, anxious, and nasty annoyed at kid messes anymore. I don’t feel the obsessive urge to organize my space in spite of real life. I don’t feel paralyzed when a shirt is put back in the closet facing the wrong direction. And I don’t feel as supremely competitive.
I still have perfectionist habits, though I am trying to soften those too. I still fly around the house picking up socks, diapers, kitchen utensils, and apple slices from the living room floor when my in-laws stop by unexpectedly. I still feel more zen-like when the piles are put away and when I plan my week on Sundays. But I am on a journey to find my happy medium in the middle.
I used to think that depression, anxiety, and stress were psychological symptoms of lifestyle. But I had no idea that these emotional responses could be physiological. But this experience has taught me a dietary intolerance can change who I am. How I respond to life. How I treat others. And greatly impact my mental health. I would have thought I needed psycho therapy and medication to live with my anxiety, depression, and PMDD symptoms. With a new holistic health perspective I now believe all I needed was to eliminate gluten from my diet. Funny how body functions are so interconnected.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and this article isn’t meant to be medical advice. Here I am simply recounting my personal experience discovering my own gluten intolerance. I have not been medically diagnosed with Celiac disease, but I do choose to adhere to a strict gluten-free diet. If you have suspicions that your body isn’t working well, consult with your doctor and do your research. Although a gluten-free lifestyle isn’t easy for me, it eliminates my need for medication and it allows me to live, be present, and to love. You may find a similar discovery all your own.
 Shhhh, it is a secret. This year, a bit of bath and body indulgence…homemade. These concoctions are from the book Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles of course. (How many times have I mentioned this book? A lot.)
I’ll post my version of her coca butter lotion next week! The lip balm here that didn’t photograph well is a honey balm with cooling peppermint and tea tree oils.
Apologies for the wonky picture…my chef knife seems to have become an extension of my arm and my shutter finger apparently went on vacation.
 I am constantly asked by those who casually know I am gluten-free, “can you eat this?” “Can you eat that?” “Is this gluten-free?” There are a lot of hidden glutens out there and I am always reading labels. And, am always telling others, “no, that has gluten.”
Did you know, “natural flavors,” “artificial colors,” and emulsifiers can utilize a gluten-containing grain or by-product in the manufacturing process, or as an ingredient? I always try to avoid these not-so-natural additives certainly, but there are times when a socially polite exception to a not-very-healthy offer is necessary. So, can I have that ice-cream with the mono- and di-glycerides in it? Or am I going to have tummy-cramps for the rest of the evening.
Mono- and di-glycerides are emulsifiers. (Other common emulsifiers are lecithins, polysorbate 20, 60 and 80, esters of monoglycerides of fatty acids, and phosphated monoglycerides.) This additive works a lot like soap. It keeps water and oils together instead of letting them separate and hate each other like they do in real life. (Valdez oil spill anyone?) Mono- and di-glycerides make that ice cream I am thinking about eating smoother, firmer, and more resistant to melting. Okay, that doesn’t sound very appetizing…but I digress.
So the answer I’d furnish is “no, I can’t eat that, it typically contains gluten.” (The brand I picture above is gluten-free.) I have done my homework, and am continuing to learn about the foods that contain gluten and which are gluten-free. My philosophy is “the least process is best.” Less packaging is better. I stick to veggies, meats, cultured dairy, nuts, seeds, seafood, and poultry, and gluten-free grains.
I used to purchase a lot of pre-made items to save time, and money. Former purchases like korean red-pepper paste, hot-cocoa, salad-dressing, and licorice all have gluten in them. Now, I spend a lot of time creating our meals from scratch. Meal planning takes more than an hour, as does my grocery trip. And on any given day, I spend a few hours in the kitchen prepping, and cooking three meals and snacks, and cleaning. It seems like I have moved from my sewing machine to my food-processor.
I didn’t choose to have a gluten-intolerance. And I don’t get to choose to be trapped in the kitchen. (I always seem to end up with a stomach ache from cross-contamination eating out.) But I guess this is just God’s way of urging me to take care of my body and my family. So I have chosen to embrace this journey. And I have chosen to learn, eat well, and one day not be beholden to my butcher block cutting board.
A note: No, this blog isn’t turning into a foodie journal, or a gluten-free cookbook. I leave that to others who have way more culinary talent than I. It is that I am simply trying to find the right fabric for a cute toddler sundresses so I can return to my sewing chair. Any ideas?
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Sources:
www.celiac.com Unsafe Gluten-Free Food List (Unsafe Ingredients.) http://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1/Unsafe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Unsafe-Ingredients/Page1.html
Food Additives. Emulsifiers. http://www.foodadditivesworld.com/emulsifiers.html
Lavender photo by snowrideguy
If you believe that smells affect the way you feel, and your attitude can affect your health, aromatherapy may be just the energizing natural remedy for you.
“Aromatherapy can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit.”[1] “Essential oils are [extracted] from a plant’s flowers, leaves, stalks, bark, rind, or roots.”[2] Combined with carrier oils, lotions, or diffused into the air, essential oils can stimulate the nerves and the brain thus affecting other bodily functions like blood-pressure pulse, and mood. “As a holistic medicine, Aromatherapy is both a preventative approach as well as an active treatment during acute and chronic stages of illness or ‘dis’-ease.”[3]
A caution before going further: since many oils are extremely potent, never swallow them, and never use them undiluted. Also use caution when introducing oils to children as they can be very sensitive. If you have a specific chronic illness and especially if you are pregnant, it is wise to consult with your doctor before using aromatherapy. You may want to read more about safety concerns from the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy here.
Nevertheless, I bumped into aromatherapy because it is frequently a beneficial component of natural body care. I started reading…and that will always get you in trouble…and came across a multitude of additives in my “supposed favorite” commercial bath and beauty products. Octyldodecanol, phenoxyethanol, and dimethicone, do not occur organically in nature. Octyldodecanol helps form an emulsion that prevents the water and oils in the product from separating. Phenoxyethanol helps retard bacteria growth and dimethicone is an antifoaming agent…do I need this in my lotion? Though all three have been approved for consumer use by the FDA[4], I still don’t want to put these on my skin. I can’t even pronounce them and I took two semesters of O-Chem in college!
German chamomile photo by blumenbiene
So I decided it was time to start making my own bath and beauty products. I picked up this book, Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Toules, ordered a couple of ingredients, and got to work in my kitchen. 10 recipes later, I am hooked. My hair and skin now look and feel better. My dandruff is gone. And I love that all of the ingredients and fragrances in my products came from something organically grown in the ground.
I really like that the therapeutic essential oils in my homemade bath and beauty products are both physically and mentally restoring.
Here are a few of my personal favorites:
Calendula – (Calendula officinalis)
Known for calming, anti-inflammatory, and skin-healing properties. Especially helpful for sensitive or acneic skin types.
German Chamomile – (Matricaria recutita)
Known for calming and healing. Most useful in the treatment of allergies, eczema, psoriasis and itchy, dry skin problems.
Geranium – (Pelargonium graveolens)
Helps to relieve stress, fatigue, and anxiety. Best used on mature, and classic combination skin.
 Helichrysum photo by Eric M Martin
Helichrysum- (Helichrysum italicum)
Known as a potent anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic. Used for sensitive, inflamed, irritated skin, bruises and sprains.
Lavender – (lavandula angustifolia)
Known for its relaxing and calming effects on central nervous system. Also helps relieve sunburns, insect bites, blemishes, headaches, flu, and menstrual cramps.
Sweet Orange – (citrus sinensis)
Use this one as a sedative, calming agent and to help relieve anxiety.
Peppermint – (Mentha piperita)
It is cooling, deodorizing, stimulating, and antiseptic. It is helpful for oily and combination skin as well as acneic skin.
Tea Tree Oil – (melaleuca alternifolia)
A potent antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral. It helps acne, infections, and rashes.
(Please note, this is educational information and does not to take the place of professional consultation.)
There are some simpler ways to access the benefits of these essential oils than cooking up your own body lotion in the kitchen:
- At bedtime I like to place a couple drops of lavender onto a 1” square cloth in a small dish to make a calming reminder near my bed.
- When my kids have stuffy noses, I dilute tea tree oil with a bit of jojoba oil (usually a 1 tea tree drop to 3 jojoba drops ratio, though tea-tree oil is actually a very safe oil and can be used undiluted with caution) and wipe it on the collar of their pajamas. It helps clear their sinuses and lets them fall fast asleep.
- When I need a clear mind for blog writing and doing research I put a bit of ginger essential oil on a cloth in dish and keep it near the computer for a pick-me-up.
Martha Stewart’s Whole Living website has some other great aromatherapy recipes here.
Sweet orange photo by bambolia
When you are seeking to purchase essential oils be sure they originate from an authentic source. I like oils that are certified organic and avoid oils that are synthetic or are diluted. I have been quite pleased with these mail order companies–Simplers :: Mountain Rose Herbs. They have a wide variety of quality dried and powdered flowers, peels, leaves, and roots, essential oils, butters, carrier oils, and containers.
I hope this very brief introduction to the world of aromatherapy piqued your interest and that you are eager to learn more. Go to the library and search out a few resources. Google a few sites to keep learning. Start out slow. Keep your eye out for authenticity. And I know you’ll be hooked on the chemical-free bath and beauty products you can make right at home.
[1] National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. http://www.naha.org/what_is_aromatherapy.htm
[2]WebMD.com. http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/tc/aromatherapy-essential-oils-therapy-topic-overview
[3] National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. http://www.naha.org/what_is_aromatherapy.htm
[4] Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety Database Skin Deep. http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
 Thank you all so much for your well wishes. My husband came home to a house full of yucky tissues…fun. I spent the weekend on the sofa knitting, planning, dreaming…and my husband spent his late nights up with the kids. The sinus headache went away Sunday. We didn’t go to church that day because our Diocese actually has told us because of the flu scare to stay home and pray if we are sick. Yesterday, I was up and at it for the first time in a while.
I usually eat a better diet when my husband goes on travel. I don’t know why, maybe because I like things that he doesn’t? I picked up from the grocery a bit of lamb liver, which I know he doesn’t like, but I adore. I have liked these “weird” meats since I was a kid. It was the most heavenly lunch, and quick and easy to prepare on the run with two kids in the mix. Getting back to the point, I decided to experiment and abstain from eating bread and pasta and most refined sugar. That is not to say that I am giving up carbohydrates…I am eating rice, potatoes and starchy veggies. But I feel sooooo much better. I am not puffy, stopped up, tired (other than from the illness), foggy in the head, and my body feels leaner, and more energetic. I am happy and encouraged that I have found a simple change in my diet that produced such a dramatic positive result in my day-to-day life. But I am also sad because I love pasta and bread, and most things with wheat. Nevertheless, I feel the positive benefits of increased energy and clarity of mind far, far, far, out weigh the indulgent joy of eating pie crust, southern fried chicken, or gingersnap cookies. I just eat the pie without the crust, as in the photo above!
Have you found a single change in your lifestyle has made a huge positive difference in your everyday? Sometimes that one simple change (although a little hard to make) makes a change that is so dramatic that it smacks you upside the head! You just have to step off and do it.
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thank you for stopping by my blog  I am a 35 year old mom to a 4 year old son, a 3 year old daughter, a son born in May, and a wife to my life wonderful. I write in this space when my crafty inspiration strikes or when I get to pondering about how we can live more simply and better connect with the earth around us. We are a family surviving the suburbs, contending with commercialism, and getting to a greener lifestyle. Welcome! ~Abbie a few blogs I like in no particular order Permission © Organizing-Life 2009
All images and designs are property of Organizing-Life. Please do not copy any original designs or photography without written permission. Thank you!
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