Getting high on bath salts

It seems that the bath and body industry is getting a bad name these days, but for no good reason.  The other day a customer asked me if we had those bath salt you get high on.  I had no idea what she was talking about.  She was teasing, by the way – she didn’t really want them.  So, I began searching the news stories only to find that some shady companies out there are selling a new drug on the street and have the nerve to place the words “bath salt” on the label.

An Associated Press article reported:

When Neil Brown got high on dangerous chemicals sold as bath salts, he took his skinning knife and slit his face and stomach repeatedly. Brown survived, but authorities say others haven’t been so lucky after snorting, injecting or smoking powders with such innocuous-sounding names as Ivory Wave, Red Dove and Vanilla Sky.

 

Some say the effects of the powders are as powerful as abusing methamphetamine. Increasingly, law enforcement agents and poison control centers say the advertised bath salts with complex chemical names are an emerging menace in several U.S. states where authorities talk of banning their sale.

 

From the Deep South to California, emergency calls are being reported over-exposure to the stimulants the powders often contain: mephedrone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone, also known as MDPV.

 

Sold under such names as Ivory Wave, Bliss, White Lightning and Hurricane Charlie, the chemicals can cause hallucinations, paranoia, rapid heart rates and suicidal thoughts, authorities say. The chemicals are in products sold legally at convenience stores and on the Internet as bath salts and even plant foods. However, they aren’t necessarily being used for the purposes on the label. Instead, people are getting high on the so-called bath salts.

As someone who sells real bath salts for a living, I am not amused by these companies using the term “bath salt” in order to slip under the radar and sell their dirty product.  After reading these news reports and articles, it triggered a memory.  Just the week before someone had called our store and asked if we carried CLOUD NINE bath salt.  Not knowing at the time, I told her, “No. We only carry our own brand of products.”  Apparently, Cloud Nine is another brand of these faux cocaine packets of BS.

Searching for the Cloud Nine brand, I found a person saying this about the product:  “I tried it. Its very good…the comedown is easier if you smoke it need to use foil or baking sheet…as strong as crystal meth. You can buy a quarter gram at the gas station near my house for $16.00 that includes tax.”  Classy.  So incredibly classy.  Some former meth head is giving testimonials.

If anything, the pricepoint alone should let you know that it is not bath salt of the bathing kind.  Other reported prices have been $25 to $30 for a tiny packet. Found in gas stations, head shops and smoke shops, other forms of these substances are also labeled as “plant food” and “laundry powder”.

These fake bath salts, commonly manufactured in China and India, are being marketed as bath salts and are being sold in individual bags on the Internet and in convenience stores and on the street by the brand names Ivory Wave, Ocean, Charge +, White Lightening, Scarface, Hurricane Charlie, Red Dove, Cloud-9 and White Dove.

These substances have already been banned in the United Kingdom and several other countries, including  Israel, Australia and Canada. In the United States, Kentucky has already filed legislation to ban the substance and North Dakota’s Pharmacy Board has added several of these same chemicals to their state’s banned substance list.

I’ve always found drugs to be an idiot’s past time. But it really ticks me off when they give the bath industry a bad name with their illegal activity because, after reading many articles on newsites, it is apparent that people are only skimming the news about this topic.  Many of them believe that people are actually getting high on regular lavender bath salts.

What is next? Bricks of coke wrapped in flowery paper and a ribbon then labeled “handmade soap”?  I certainly hope not. 

Shameless.

Eucalyptus essential oil

COMMON NAME: eucalyptus

PROPER NAME: eucalyptus radiata

ORIGIN: Australia, Spain, Tasmania

PARTS USED: leaves, twigs

FRAGRANCE: camphorous, fresh, strong

AROMATIC BENEFITS: balancing, cooling, invigorating, stimulating

SPIRITUAL USES: healing, health (maintain), protection, psychic energy, purification

PHYSICAL USES: acne, analgesic, animal bites, antibacterial, antibiotic, antifungal, antiinflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, bedbugs, bleeding gums, blisters, bronchitis, burns, candida, chapped lips, chlamydia, colds, coughs, cuts, cystitis, dandruff, decongestant, deodorant, diabetes, diarrhea, disinfectant, diuretic, drug withdrawal, fibrositis, flatulence, flea repellent, hay fever, heartburns, heatstrokes, hyperprexia, insect bites, insect repellent, itching, jet lag, lice, lower abdominal pain, lumbago, muscular aches, muscular dystrophy, muscular fatigue, neuralgia, normal hair, osteoarthritis, pneumonia, prostatitis, rashes, rheumatoid arthritis, rosacea, sinusitis, sunburns, swelling, tendinitis, tennis elbow

SAFETY WARNINGS: Avoid if using homeopathic remedies, history of epilepsy or high blood pressure. Dilute before using on skin.

Bibliography
• Lawless, Julia. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy & Herbalism. Element Books, 1995.
• Hayes, Kenneth R. Aromapedia
• Cunningham, Scott. Magical Aromatherapy – The Power of Scent. Llewellyn Publications, 1989

DISCLAIMER: The intention of Making Bath Products is to provide you with information concerning the uses of essential oils and plant extracts for health and well-being of body, mind, and spirit as it is currently being practiced in this country. Much of the material is based upon various published sources including scientific and clinical research. There is no warranty made regarding the completeness of the accuracy of this publicly available information. This is not intended to replace the advice or attention of the proper health care professionals, direct their behavior or replace their independent professional judgement. Consult your health care professional and a professional certified aromatherapist together if you are unsure of an essential oils proper use. Do not apply undiluted essential oils directly onto the skin. Do not ingest essential oils. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have cancer, liver damage or any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. It is safe practice to consult a qualified aromatherapist before using oils with children. A skin patch test should be conducted prior to using an oil that you’ve never used before.

Oils for Different skin types

The various types of oil react in different ways with the skin. For example, grapeseed and rice bran oil are good for nearly all types of skin – light, beneficial and rapidly absorbed into the skin.  Wheat germ oil acts as a preservative, so it’s good to include some in all massage oils.  Generally speaking, you will find that the following oils are good for these skin types.

Dry skin: almond, castor, cocoa butter, grapeseed, olive, rice bran, wheat germ

Normal skin: almond, corn, grapeseed, sesame, rice bran, sunflower, safflower

Oily skin: soybean

Oils that are effortlessly absorbed into the skin are: corn, grapeseed, rice bran, sesame, sunflower and wheat germ.

Less easily absorbed oils are: sweet almond, avocado, coconut, olive, apricot and peanut.

It’s good to develop a skincare practice to keep the skin in excellent condition, or to repair it if it’s in poor condition.

Two factors decide the number of times a day you need to follow this routine: your occupation (clean or dirty) and whether or not you live in the clean air of the country or you are surrounded by pollution in a big city.  Air conditioning will also make the skin need more moisture.

How to raise your vibration by using Color Therapy and Aromatherapy

by Marlene Mitchell
Colors of flower reflects in the color of essential oils. As plants derive energy from the sun’s component rays which contain all the colors of a rainbow, they offer a special method of absorbing color vibrations into our system. Unlike synthetic substances, which have no vital force contained in them, essential oils are filled with living, pulsating vibrations. This is why aromatherapy, like color therapy, forms a part of “vibrational medicine” – a form of medicine that uses the powerful vibrations of the electromagnetic spectrum. As I have been researching Aromatherapy and Color Therapy for years I have learned how they both work harmoniously together and blend to create a desired effect.

To create a perfect blend of Aromatherapy with the color vibration you can blend a complementary color pair such as yellow and violet, or pink and green. You can also use color as a guide to using essential oils, by mixing those with similar or complementary colors.

Orange skin tonic:

Put 16 drops of orange essential oil and 4 drops of neroli into ½ cup/4 fl. Oz/100 ml orange flower water. Use as a cleanser, as required. Do not use if pregnant. Do not go out into the sun for at least 72 hours.

Yellow/Violet Healing Balm For Acne and Spots

Mix two drops of lemon essential oil and one drop of lavender essential oil with 6 drops of evening primrose oil. Spread onto the affected area morning and evening. Do not go out into the sun for at least 72 hours. Do not use if pregnant.

Violet Tonic For Blemished Skin

Put 12 drops of lavender into ½ cup/4 fl. Oz/100 ml of lavender water, and use to cleanse the affected area. Do not use if pregnant.

Yellow//Red Cellulite Bath Mix

Mix into 2 Tablespoons/30 ml. Of Almond Oil 2 drops of lemon and one drop of sandalwood essential oil . Add to the bath as required.

White – Cajeput

Red – Sandalwood

Orange – Orange, Mandarin, Cinnamon, Carrot Seed Oil, Neroli,

Gold – Patchouli

Yellow – Citronella, Lemongrass, Evening Primrose Oil, Lemon, Camphor.

Olive Green – Essential oils made from herbs, Himalaya Pine.

Emerald Green – Rosemary, Scotch Pine, Basil, Peppermint.

Pink – Geranium

Saphire Blue – Myrrh, Tea Tree, Roman Chamomile

Royal Blue – German Chamomile

Violet – Violet, Rose, Rose Geranium, Lavender, Juniper

Deep Magenta – Frankincense, Clary Sage,

VIBRATIONAL ENERGY

Subtle energy is produced by our body’s energy anatomy, also referred to as our subtle anatomy. The body is surrounded by a vibrational field that is commonly referred to as the aura. The aura is an electromagnetic force field that surrounds all living things in both the animal and plant kingdom and interpenetrates the physical body.

The force field shields and protects the body. Perhaps you can sometimes see a light around a person’s head or you may sense somebody’s mood. If so, you may be becoming aware of the human energy field that people call the Aura. The colors of the aura are a good indicator of the personality, health and spirituality. The aura is multi-colored and flows and moves with you, changing color with your moods, feelings and spiritual condition.

Disease and illness are physical disorders which have their roots in being blocked or stuck in energy flow of the body–or in some cases, too free a flow, most often in or near vital organs. The flow is blocked, or stuck, or unbalanced, as a result of thought, which eventually works through the physical body as a pain or as an organic disturbance of some kind. This is the true nature of disease and illnesses and disorders to which humankind is prone. The release of the healing powers within oneself depends upon this particular cleansing process which can be cleansed using aromatherapy and color therapy.

AROMATHERAPY

Essential oils are derived from grasses, buds, peels, branches, needles, bark, leaves, seeds, berries, flowers, roots, fruits, woods, herbs, spices. Carriers, which carry the essential oils throughout the body and bloodstream are oils are derived from nuts, plants, fruit kernels, beeswax, flowers, flower seeds, fruit seeds, plant seeds, vegetables, herbs. These have thicker consistency so that they can carry the essential oils throughout the body. Aromatherapy promotes health of body, peacefulness of mind, helps the negative emotions to rest and by working in conjunction with the olfactory system, helps a person get in touch with their true selves.

Essential oils are gaining acceptance as a leading choice in home care. Many chiropractors value essential oils with amazing results in chiropractic treatments. Scents that activate the brain’s emotional centre and redefining psychology. Practitioners of traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine have valued essential oils for thousands of years. More and more medical doctors are valuing the clinical benefits of essential oils. Aromatherapy is now being used as an adjunct to core professions such as nursing, geriatrics, rehabilitation work, counseling, and physiotherapy. Used with naturopaths, hospice, hospitals, Special Needs, working in the travel-leisure industry at spas, resorts, retreats and cruise ships, health centers. Aromatherapy is used in methods such as massage, sitz baths, compresses, baths, perfumes, infusions, facial care, hair care. They can be used by human and animal alike. Do not use essential oils on cats or small animals.

The known physical and psychological effects of essential oils are often indicators of their subtle properties. For example, rosemary promotes mental clarity and relieves mental fatigue. On a subtle level, rosemary has an affinity with the sixth energy center (Third Eye), and is used to promote clear thoughts and insight. On a physical level juniper is cleansing and antiseptic. On a subtle level, it is used to cleanse a room of negativity, and to detoxify the subtle bodies.

THE PATCH TEST

If you are unsure of how your skin will react to an essential oil, apply one drop of the oil to some carrier oil to the inside of your wrist or forearm. Check the spot for any itching, redness, burning or irritation after a few hours. Or if needed to be applied before a massage a couple of minutes. If you have very delicate skin and wish to be extremely careful, you can cover the spot with a Band-Aid and leave it for 24 hours. You could also use these same procedures for carriers.

COLOR THERAPY

Color therapy is being used for Special Needs children in Special Needs centers. Color therapy is being used for children who have learning disabilities. A special colored filter chosen by the individual child and placed over their reading material helps a child learn more. Yellow is the most popular color. Dr. Phil had mentioned that using a blue light at bedtime helps to calm children to sleep and relax and has been used to calm children with Attention Deficit Disorder.

Color is the tiny visible portion of the vast spectrum of electromagnetic energy which is one of the fundamental forces of the universe. Light functions at the subatomic (quantum) level of matter as well as filling the whole space (as microwave background radiation – -an echo of the Big Bang of cosmic creation). All life on earth depends on the nutritious energy of light from the sun, which is conveniently stripped of dangerous levels of ultraviolet radiation by the earth’s atmosphere. Light, as bio-photons, is also working within the body’s cells as communication, and outside the body to infuse the auric field. An individual’s life and psychology is symbolically related to colors and the colors occur in the aura. You may be ‘seeing red’ or ‘feeling blue.’ You may be ‘in the dark’(depressed) or fired with enthusiasm, bright spark. Growing spiritual awareness is linked with pale hues and the golden-white light that unifies all colors and represents the unity or Source of all.

You can apply color by putting a colored light bulb in a lamp and shining it on yourself, or, you can breathe color in, or you can visualize it. You can also put a color filter around a glass of water and let the sun shine on it for a couple of hours to create solarized water. You can purchase colored filters from stage lighting companies. Then the water will have the vibration of whatever color filter you put around the glass. Your whole system would then partake and benefit from the color effects. You might apply color therapy using a swing arm lamp. You then can cut out two cardboard squares with a giant square in the middle of each square. You need two pieces of this. You then tape these two pieces together. Leave an opening to slide in your colored filters between the two cardboard pieces. Then you Velcro the square to the base of your swing arm lamp. You then can either use colored light bulbs. These you can purchase from a lamp company or hardware store. Or you can use colored filters. Once you do this, you shine the light on a body part or you shine it systemically. This means, you shine the light all over the front or back of your body for an hour at a time. Some systems of Chroma Therapy (Color Therapy) teach that you should not shine violet light on the face. You should leave an hour or two in between different color treatments. You should also do a muscle test or dowse to see if the color is correct to use for that length of time. A person who is not comfortable under a certain color should not use that color for a lamp treatment. If you like a color, it is good for you. If you have a neutral reaction to a color, you likely don’t need that color. You can use this type of therapy at night for your tonations (This means color treatment) if you get a light timer so that the light can be timed to go off at intervals. Each of the colors has a different effect on the body, yet they are all interrelated. They all work together to relie!

ve, cleanse, build and heal. There are no dangerous side effects at any time. It would be better for a person to be unclothed. But if that person feels uncomfortable being unclothed.

Then wearing white cotton underwear would be a great idea as the light can penetrate through white material especially if it is natural as the skin can breathe.

Treatments may be taken at any time before eating, but wait for two hours or more after a meal. If indigestion occurs, however, yellow may be used at that time. Normal light in the room will not interfere with the effect of the color, but do not use in the direct sunlight or other strong lights. It will dissipate the strength of the color.

Have the room warm enough to prevent a chill. Since it is the effect of the color and not the heat, the lamp may be four to eight feet away from the body. It is best to be in a reclining position or sitting. The swivel on the lamp allows proper exposure on different areas.

Clothing makes a difference to a light treatment. You wear a color of clothing that is agreeable. The light will penetrate your clothes giving you a tonation. This is like shining a light on yourself through the color of your clothing. However, certain fibres with heavily saturated colors resist and diffuse the light. White cotton is the best of the fibres because it is natural and it doesn’t obstruct the light. This is called a tonation.

You can visualize or imagine the color you need or breathe in the colors that you need. Contemplating on a color either in your mind or by keeping your attention focused on something of the color you want to work with can be valuable . A more intellectual form of color meditation is to assemble your thoughts about a given color either just letting the associations flow or even writing them down.

Vegetable food coloring can be used in bath water to give your self a luxurious color bath. You can colored salt or baking soda to make a parable easily dispersed color bath salt. Perhaps you’d enjoy a color bath combined with some favourite water proof stones and perhaps some herbs or scented oils. Add Rose colored and aqua colored baths if you have a bathtub (its on the list of home improvements.)

Purple and dark blue should only be used for a short time ten to twenty minutes at most, as they can be depressing if overused. Orange is very invigorating and deep clear greens are very restful. You can add flower petals to the bath. Be careful that the bath water is not too hot as this can destroy the properties of the flowers like roses.

Art can be used in color healing, painting or drawing with the colors you feel are needed is a valuable and expressive way to integrate color healing into your life. Color can be gazed at, you can get a swatch of a color or gemstones or candles to look at it or use objects of that color. Just walking in nature and looking at flowers is one way to bring in color . Study the artwork of the artist you enjoy and explore the effects that the artists color choices have on your emotions and sense of well being.

You can use colored food. This is called the rainbow diet. If you have been too depressed and you need to be uplifted, you can use the warm colors to heal. If you have been too stimulated and you need to calm down, you can use the cool colors to cool yourself down. These are some ways to use color in your daily life.

The bottom line of this article is whether you use essential oils in massage or in an aromatic bath, you are using the color frequencies that relate to their qualities and therapeutic actions and vibrations.

To your health,

Marlene Mitchell

About The Author

Marlene M. Mitchell is a Certified Aromatherapy Teacher and Certified Color Therapist. Marlene Mitchell is a Certified Aromatherapy Teacher and the Director of Aromatherapy International Certified Institute. Marlene is a Chairperson for National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. She also has her school approved by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. Also she has these Certified Aromatherapy Programs approved by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario for CEU’s. Marlene is also a Certified Adults Facilitator who has graduated from an extensive program. She also is a Certified Online Teacher who has graduated from an extensive program. Marlene is currently teaching Complimentary Therapy workshops in her Institute as well at the Ottawa/Carleton School Board in Ottawa, Ontario as well as St. Lawrence College in Brockville and Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada. Marlene has done this for over 10 years. Marlene also teaches General Interest workshops online for Ontario Learn. http://OntarioLearn.com is a consortium of 22 Ontario Community Colleges who have partnered to develop and deliver on-line courses. Through this she teaches courses on Aromatherapy, Color Therapy, Color Psychology, Crystals, Gemstones, Vibrational Healing, Flower Essences, Subtle Aromatherapy.

To learn more visit her website: http://www.aromatherapyinstitute.com She has posted more articles and information here. Her email address is aromatherapyinstitute@sympatico.ca

original reference: http://www.ArticleCity.com

Essential Oils at a Glance

by Sheryl Joaquin

The word “Aromatherapy” comes from two words: “Aroma” meaning fragrance and “Therapy” meaning treatment. Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile liquid plant materials known as essential oils or organic oils and other scented compounds from plants for the purpose of affecting a person’s mood or health. It is a healing art based in nature and it affects the whole person-mind, body and spirit. Complete or holistic healing is ever-increasingly utilized today in every modern society. Aromatherapy is a fast growing therapy in holistic medicine. As far back as 18,000 B.C., flowers, plants, and their essences were used for healing, relaxation and energizing. Aromatherapy was used by the most ancient civilizations: Egypt, China and India, and is reputed to be at least 6000 years old.

Aromatherapy is an art as well as science of using aromatic substances usually essential oils to cure common ailments. It is also popular as a stress reliever.

Pure essential oils have an immediate impact on our sense of smell. When essential oils are inhaled, olfactory receptor cells are stimulated and the impulse is transmitted to the emotional center of the brain, i.e. limbic system. These oils are also called fragrance oils or perfume oils. The limbic system is connected to areas of the brain linked to memory, breathing and blood circulation as well as the endocrine glands which regulate hormone levels in the body. The properties of the oil, the fragrance and its effects determine stimulation of these systems. When used in massage, essential oils are not only inhaled, but absorbed through the skin as well. They penetrate the tissues and find their way into the bloodstream where they are transported to the organs and systems of the body.

Essential oils have differing rates of absorption, generally between 20 minutes and 2 hours, so it is probably best not to bathe or shower directly following a massage to ensure maximum effectiveness.

People with certain chronic illnesses or conditions should not use aromatherapy without first consulting a doctor. These illnesses and conditions include:

-Lung conditions such as asthma, respiratory allergies or chronic lung disease. Aromatic Oils may cause airway spasms.

-Skin allergies. Some oils may cause skin irritation, especially in the membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth.

-Pregnancy. Pregnant women should not use aromatherapy. Some Natural Herbal oils (such as juniper, rosemary and sage) may cause uterine contractions.

An essential oil is a liquid that is generally distilled (most frequently by steam or water) from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots or other elements of a plant. Essential oils, contrary to the use of the word “oil” are not really oily-feeling at all. Most essential oils are clear but some oils such as patchouli, orange and lemongrass are amber or yellow in color. These extracted oils contain the true essence of the plant it was derived from. Essential oils are highly concentrated in nature.

Like essential oils, absolute oils or Plant Extract Oils are highly aromatic liquids extracted from plants. Absolutes, however, are extracted in a complex manner that requires the use of chemical solvents that are later removed during the final stages of production. Sometimes, the hot steam or water used to distill an essential oil does not extract much natural oil from the plant or harms the precious natural oil. The solvent extraction methods are often used in these cases.

As a rule, absolute oils are more concentrated than their essential oil cousins. A very trace amount of solvent can remain in the final absolute. This indeed is a disadvantage to using absolutes as aromatherapy focuses on the use of pure and herbal plant extract matter. Although the amount of remaining solvent is minimal, absolutes are used in true aromatherapy with care, respect and knowledge. Essential oils should never be taken internally by anyone who is not trained, educated and experienced at doing so. Absolutes should never be taken internally by anyone because of that small amount of trace solvent that may remain.

Carrier oils also referred to as base oils or vegetable oils are used to dilute essential oils, CO2s and absolutes before applying to the skin. They carry the essential oil onto the skin. Different carrier oils offer different properties and the choice of carrier oil can depend on the therapeutic benefit being sought. These are generally cold-pressed vegetable oils derived from the fatty portions of the plant. Unlike essential oils that evaporate and have a concentrated aroma, carrier oils do not evaporate or impart their aroma as strongly as essential oils. Examples of carrier oils are sweet almond, apricot kernel, grape seed, avocado, peanut, olive, pecan, macadamia nut, sesame, evening primrose, walnut and wheat germ.

Essential oils do not go rancid. Carrier oils, however, can go rancid. Carrier oils that you purchase should be natural and unadulterated. Exceptions include buying carrier oils that have natural vitamin E added. Vitamin E acts as a natural preservative.

The world over, aromatherapy is becoming big business in beauty and health spas, fragrance and cosmetic industries. Some use pure essential oils; others sneak in the cheaper, synthetic copies but only pure essential oils can produce genuine results.

About The Author

Sheryl Joaquin is handling Marketing Department in a trading company SunImpex, situated in Dubai. Our website http://www.sunimpex.biz offers exclusive information regarding various essential oils.

original reference: http://www.ArticleCity.com

Beauty Care with natural ingredients

By: Ellen Biddle

Everybody longs for that healthy glow, for sparkling eyes and shiny hair that bounces with every step. Millions of dollars are spent every year in beauty products to make skin that much clearer, wrinkles that less visible and lips pout that much more. And while there are cosmetics that do work, you shouldn’t underestimate the value of natural beauty products. Remedies that are available with nature. They’re easy to find, won’t put a hole in your pocket, and don’t have a trace of any harmful chemicals. Read on to see what gifts from nature can make you your most beautiful self.

For your hair (www.ultimate-cosmetics.com/beauty/hair-care.htm)

Lemon juice:
Lemon juice when used on your hair is an effective treatment for dandruff. Its citrus property cleanses the hair. Squeeze a lemon onto your hair and massage into the scalp, and then wash it out using water and your preferred shampoo.

Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil is used in several parts of the world as an aid to beautiful hair. It has enriching vitamins and nutrients that help your hair to grow long and lustrous. In addition, it also combats dandruff.
Massage into the scalp before washing hair. If possible, do so a night before, so the oil can soak in overnight.

Vinegar:
Vinegar is great to add some bounce and vitality into dull and lifeless hair. Mix a little vinegar into warm water, and then rinse your hair with the solution. You hair will look revitalized.

For your skin

Water:
The important of water cannot be stated enough. It is one of the most important contributors to beautiful skin. It flushes out toxins and battles breakouts. A person should drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Warm showers are also very beneficial to the skin. When your skin is well hydrated, it looks young and healthy.

Roses:
They’re more than just pretty flowers! Rosewater is extremely good for the skin. It purifies the skin, and leaves it wonderfully scented. Combined with hazel, it is especially good for oily skin.

Turmeric Powder:
If you want your skin to naturally get fairer and more radiant, you could try turmeric. Just mix a piece of turmeric with curd and apply it onto your skin. Leave the paste on for about ten to fifteen minutes, and then wash off using cold water.

For your body:

Fruits:
Fruits are one of the best gifts that nature can give you. Most of them are low in calories, and can give you a whole lot of energy. In fact, almost all diets have fruits as an essential part of them.

Spinach:
Spinach leaves are very, very healthy. There’s a reason why Popeye enjoyed spinach so much! It helps to make your body stronger, and more resistant to illnesses and ailments.

Author Bio
Ellen for http://www.ultimate-cosmetics.com. Find lots of makeup and beauty tips here with loads of information on skin care and skin disorders.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com – Free Website Content


Herbal Skin Care

By: Ellen Biddle

Skin care is not a topic of recent times; it has been in practice since ancient times, when herbal skin care was probably the only way to take care of skin. However, skin care has transformed in a big way. Herbal skin care routines have been replaced by synthetic/chemical-based skin care routines. The herbal skin care recipes which once used to be common place are not so popular today (and even unknown to a large population). This transformation from herbal skin care to synthetic, can probably be attributed to two things – our laziness (or just the fast pace of lives) and the commercialisation of skin care. Even herbal skin care products have been commercialised. These commercial herbal skin care products have to be mixed with preservatives in order to increase their shelf-life, hence making them less effective than the fresh ones made at home. However, it seems that things are changing fast and more people are now opting for natural and herbal skin care routines. But still, none want to make them at home and hence the commercial market of herbal skin care products is on the rise.

So what are these herbs or herbal skin care mechanisms?

Aloe vera, which is an extract from Aloe plant, is one of the best examples of herbal skin care product. Freshly extracted aloe vera is a natural hydrant that helps in soothing skin. It also helps in healing cuts and treating sun burns.

A number of herbs are known to possess cleansing properties. Dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary herbs, are a few examples of such cleansers. Their herbal skin care properties get invoked when they are combined with other herbs like tea.

Antiseptics are another important part of Herbal skin care. Lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel are good examples of herbs that are known to possess antiseptic properties. Lavender water and rose water also form good toners.

Tea plays an important part in herbal skin care. Tea extracts are used for treatment of skin that has been damaged by UV radiation.

Oils prepared from herbal extracts present another means of herbal skin care. Tea tree oil, Lavender oil, borage oil and primrose oil are some popular oils used in herbal skin care. Some fruit oils (e.g. extracts from fruits like banana, apple and melon) find use in shower gels (as a hydrating mix)

Homeopathic treatments and aromatherapies also come under the umbrella of herbal skin care remedies.

Herbal skin care is good not only for the routine nourishing of skin but also for treatment of skin disorders like eczema and psorasis. Most herbal skin care products don’t have any side effects (the most important reason for preferring them over synthetic products) Moreover, herbal skin care products can be easily made at home, hence making them even more attractive. So, herbal skin care is the way to go. However, this does not mean that you totally discard the synthetic products. Some people go to the extent of debating with their dermatologist, if he/she suggests a synthetic product. You should accept the fact that some skin orders might need usage of clinically proven non-herbal skin care products.

Many skin care tips and articles: www.ultimate-cosmetics.com/beauty/skin-care.htm

Author Bio
Ellen for www.ultimate-cosmetics.com. Find lots of makeup and beauty tips here with many useful articles on skin care. Also learn how to get rid of dark circles under eyes.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com – Free Website Content


Soap Making Can be Fun and Profitable

By: Ralph Ruckman

If you have ever made soap from scratch or are thinking about it, you should probably know that it can be one of the most frustrating things you will ever do. After learning the process though, a lot of people find it to be one of the best hobbies or crafts they have ever done. Soap making can be a hobby for people, but it can also turn out to be a very profitable business. Before you go rushing into thinking that you are going to just create this beautiful and profitable soap making business, you had better look at some the important features regarding this business.

The most important feature of a soap making business is going to be the legal disclaimers. You had better know what you are doing when you create your handmade soap. People can not just go out and buy the necessary materials, whip out a batch of soap, and then proceed to marketing or selling it. You have a lot of disclaimers and in some states, laws that you have to abide be. Each state, region, and country is different, so it is up to you to do your proper research on the matter and to complete all the paperwork necessary for you to proceed with your soap making business.

After you have cleared all of the legal necessities out of the way, it is all systems go for your business. Now you will have to think about your time planning. Time planning will be crucial to your business, as everyone that has made soap knows that it is a tedious process. Set yourself a schedule up and follow it. If you have soap curing, take the time to start mixing yourself another batch. By having a continuing process, you will be able to produce more soap and not fall behind, which will only lead to confusion and frustration.

Now that you have gotten all the legal stuff out of the way, and you have a good amount of soap made, it is time for you to sell your soap. People who sell soap are only limited by their imagination. Craft fairs are huge for soap sellers. Travel to a craft show and set up a booth to present and sell your soap. Not only can you make good money from this, but you can also get tons of ideas for more soap. People stopping by your booth will critique your soap. They will tell you what they do or do not like about it. Always accept the compliments, even if they seem rude. This is “critique” and it can either “make” or break” you.

Bath and Body work shops are a huge fan of soaps. Some of these store will allow a person to present their soaps inside their stores. This is where the legal disclaimers come in. You will not even get a blink from the manager if you do not have your legal paperwork. Also, this may cost you a fee to present your soaps in the bath shops. Always research and think the deal over before making your decision. If you do present your soaps in these shops, this can be huge. Try to provide some type of business card, or a website address about your soaps. Word of mouth is an enormous tool, and in bath shops it can be a viral one. You may not be able to sell your soaps in the store, but a nice presentation can yield results overnight that you never would have thought of.

Online advertising for your soap business is not vital, but it could be if you are not quite cutting it in the “real world”. Just think of the possible number of people you could reach with your soaps. The numbers are endless. Have a nice little website set up showing all of your soaps. A first impression of your site is the critical part of advertising online. This will decide if a single person will ever return. It is good to have a description along with your soap pictures. You could explain what ingredients are in the soap, what fragrances are in them, etc…

These are only a few things you could do for a soap making business. This is assuming that either you know how to make soap or that you take the necessary steps to successful soap making. Once you have reached that point of success it will be time for you to think about broadening your horizons. A soap making business can be a very lucrative field for anyone to get into. Types of soap to make are endless, and the amount of money to earn is only limited to your willingness to make the soap and put it in front of the eyes of people.

Author Bio
Ralph Ruckman is the author of “Soap Making” a weblog dedicated for providing information on all aspects of soap making. Feel Free to visit the blog at: soap–making.blogspot.com Article is available for reprint as long as the author bio/resource text is left intact with the article.

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History of Perfume and Fragrance

Perfume is one of those products that may influence our emotions. People`s sense of smell influences behavior and sets different moods. It may even bring up memories of the past. As a marketing tool, perfume is also present in our everyday lives and it can be found in lots of consumer products. Besides the fact that perfume is so popular, have you ever wandered how it came into being what it is today? What`s the history of perfume?

Some anthropologists say that perfume was used by primitive man thru the burning of gums and resins for incense. Eventually from 7000 to 4000 bc, richly scented plants, animal and fatty oils of olive and sesame are thought to have been combined with fragrant plants to create original ointments.

Three thousand years ago in ancient Egypt, historians believe that perfume was first used in rituals, as part of their religious ceremonies, creating a pleasant smell. These scents came from gums, resin trees, oil and from a variety of plants resulting in a perfume unguent that was rubbed into the skin. Hundreds of years later, women of Egypt were using perfume for their cosmetic qualities. It is believed that Egytptian queen Cleopatra had her own exclusive balms and scents used as cosmetics and aphrodisiac, which helped her to conquer Julius Caesar and later Mark Anthony. Also from this same era, it is believed that perfume was used in Mesopotamia for ritual ceremonies. And farther east, in China, aromatic herbs were used for medicine purposes.

Later on as trade routes expanded, perfume became very popular and demand for scent products increased trade among different civilizations. Africa and India started to supply Middle Eastern civilization with spikenard and ginger. Syrians sold fragrant goods to Arabia. Mediterranean civilization began buying cymbopogon and ginger from South Arabia. And so the trade of scent goods kept on, and as it continued to swell, fragrance perfume was eventually introduced thru time to several civilizations such as Hindus, Israelites, Carthaginians, Arabs, Greeks, Romans and finally reintroduced hundreds of years later in Italy and France.

By the 13th century Italy was doing major trades of spices and perfumes with Eastern civilizations. Portugal and Spain were also trying to establish important trades of spices by having exclusive routes to the East. That`s how the new world of America got to be discovered.

As Italian perfume influence swept over neighboring countries, France began expanding the use of perfume by first offering perfumed gloves, which were most often perfumed with neroli or animal scents such as ambergris and civet. From then on, French perfume has become famous worldwide and today sets the standard for excellence.

Also France played a major role in reestablishing the use of perfume for therapeutic purposes in the western world. It has been reported that during Word War II, therapeutic perfume had been used in the treatment of wounds and burns, and later in the treatment of psychiatric problems.

Perfume has brought different people together in the past thru the trade of aromatic scents. It also played a major deal, since its trade meant economical power for the nations. And so the history of modern man has been greatly influenced by this special product, enabling new worlds to be discovered. On a personal level, perfume is capable of influencing people`s behavior and that by itself sets perfume in class by itself. Perhaps that`s what makes it so desirable by all of us.

Author Bio
Roberto Sedycias – IT Consultant for PoloMercantil
This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author´s name and all the URL´s (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.
This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the News Article section of page PoloMercantil
Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for PoloMercantil.

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Cypress essential oil

COMMON NAME: cypress

PROPER NAME: cupressus sempervirens

ORIGIN: Europe, France, Mediterranean

PARTS USED: leaves (needles), twigs

FRAGRANCE: pine-like, spicy, sweet, woodsy

AROMATIC BENEFITS: aggression, balancing, irritability, nervous tension, refreshing, restlessness, stimulating, stress

SPIRITUAL USES: astral projection, blessing, comfort, consecration, healing, protection, purification, spirituality

PHYSICAL USES: amenorrhea, antibacterial, antiinfectious, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, arthritis, asthma, astringent, athlete’s foot, bronchitis, broken capillaries, bruises, bursitis, cellulite, circulatory stimulant, coughs, cuts, dandruff, deodorant, diabetes, diarrhea, diuretic, dysmenorrhea, edema, endometriosis, female infertility, hair loss, heavy menstruation, hemorrhoids, hot flashes, inguinal hernia, insect repellent, jock itch, menopause, muscular aches, muscular cramps, noise pollution, normal skin, nose bleeds, oily hair, oily skin, osteoporosis, prostatitis, raises blood pressure, rheumatism, sinusitis, tennis elbow, vaginal infections, varicose veins, warts, wounds, writer’s cramp

SAFETY WARNINGS: Do not take internally. Avoid during pregnancy or if history of high blood pressure. Avoid if history of estrogen-dependent cancer, low blood pressure or high blood pressure.

Bibliography
• Lawless, Julia. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy & Herbalism. Element Books, 1995.
• Hayes, Kenneth R. Aromapedia
• Cunningham, Scott. Magical Aromatherapy – The Power of Scent. Llewellyn Publications, 1989

DISCLAIMER: The intention of Making Bath Products is to provide you with information concerning the uses of essential oils and plant extracts for health and well-being of body, mind, and spirit as it is currently being practiced in this country. Much of the material is based upon various published sources including scientific and clinical research. There is no warranty made regarding the completeness of the accuracy of this publicly available information. This is not intended to replace the advice or attention of the proper health care professionals, direct their behavior or replace their independent professional judgement. Consult your health care professional and a professional certified aromatherapist together if you are unsure of an essential oils proper use. Do not apply undiluted essential oils directly onto the skin. Do not ingest essential oils. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have cancer, liver damage or any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. It is safe practice to consult a qualified aromatherapist before using oils with children. A skin patch test should be conducted prior to using an oil that you’ve never used before.