If you read my first post, The Natural Way For This Gal, from this post on srjohnofficial.com,
about using citrus fruits and soap nuts to make cleaning products you may be interested in some more natural products to introduce in your home. As I said before, I feel as though there are so many chemicals around us that I want to replace some of them with items that are more friendly to us and our environment. When I used to clean my home when my family was younger, I found they would have a difficult time breathing if I was say, cleaning the bathroom with those heavy, harsh chemicals. I too would hold my breath after spraying that stuff. Sure, they cleaned, but at what price to my family’s health, I thought?
Over the years I have introduced some different, healthier products in my home and have made my own cleaners too. You can check out my first blog on, “The Natural Way For This Gal”, on my site – SRJohnofficial.com.
Coconut Oil - Today, let's talk a bit about hygiene, body creams, hair gels and maybe a bit more. A friend of mine told me about this method of cleaning my gums. No, not the one you chew, but the gums in your mouth. And after doing a bit of research, I found that coconut oil is great for oral hygiene. The method is called oil pulling. Grab some coconut oil, squish it around in your mouth for a few minutes, and then spit it out. You will notice if you do it regularly, your gums will improve. It’s said that it kills harmful bacteria and improves gum health. It may even help with bad breath and reduce inflammation. Not to be gross, but just try it after brushing and you will be surprised what may be left behind.
Coconut oil is also amazing at removing makeup and as a body moisturizer. I even use it on my face. People with oily skin may want to test a small area first. It’s great for dry or cracked heels. You can put some coconut oil on your feet at night and throw on some socks. You can wash it off in the morning. I even use coconut oil on my hair. I have a lot of hair and it’s thick, curly and wavy and does its own thing. Oh, yes, and frizzy too. I usually put coconut oil on my hair when it is still wet, after a shower. You don’t want a lot. You’ve heard the saying a little goes a long way. You don’t want a greasy head either.
Hair Treatments - I actually do a hair mix with coconut oil. Instead of buying those expensive oil treatments, grab a used bottle. I use an old squeeze bottle, but you can even buy one of those ketchup or mustard bottles with the long end and fill them with the following ingredients. They work great. So, there are many different methods you can use, but here’s what I do every several weeks, sometimes more, because of the texture of my hair. I used to do exact measurements, but now I just mix about one part of the coconut oil which I melt so it’s easier to put it in the bottle. Plus, you want it warm for your hair. Not hot. Just warm. Then I put about the same amount of grapeseed oil and avocado oil. Just a few tablespoons are fine. If you mix too much you can use it for the next time you need it.
You can also either add or swap out one of the oils for almond oil or olive oil but olive oil is harder to wash out. Then add a few drops of lavender essential oils which not only smell great to most but protects against bacteria and help hair grow faster and thicker. Another oil I add, that is great for growing hair is castor oil, which helps with reducing hair loss – great to put on eyelashes too. It also makes them grow thicker. Just be careful not to put too much on your eyelashes or eyebrows, or you will get the oil in your eyes. That won’t be fun. You can add peppermint, rosemary or tea tree oil too. I don’t use these three often as I find them to be a bit strong and if I add too much it will bother my eyes. Again, if you’ve never used these products, test them first to make sure you don’t have a reaction to the oils. Add in some jojoba oil and vitamin E. There are other oils you can add as well if you like. You can do your own research. But I put everything in a bottle, mix it up and carefully, put it all over my hair. You don’t need to warm it up, but if you do, you can put your bottle in some warm water for a few minutes, as long as it’s not hot enough to melt the bottle. Make sure you are wearing something you don’t care about getting the oils on them, since it can be hard to wash out. Then wrap your hair up with a plastic bag or wrap and have a tea or coffee, read a book, or just enjoy some you time for about an hour. Then just shampoo it all out. You may have to do it a couple of times, depending on the oils you used. You will know by the feel of your hair. I usually shampoo twice and by then, most of what needs to be gone is washed out.
I find that not only does it do wonders for my hair, but it helps it to grow faster. Yes, grows your hair fast. I love, love, love this remedy. Some people have also added apple cider vinegar and some orange juice, which I use periodically. It just depends on how I feel and what I want to use that day. There are literally hundreds of methods to use.
Body Love - Try mixing Vitamin E with Jojoba oil and even some lavender essential oils and use it on your body. It’s also great as a fingernail oil. You don’t need any of that expensive stuff. And if anyone has any nail fungus, mix some oil, even your cooking oil with some tea tree oil and dab it on the area. Leave it on if you can for about 15 minutes or half an hour or so. Do it twice a day and the fungus will eventually get better and go away. It can take up to six months, or more, depending on the severity, so be patient. You can even do a soak with the tea tree oil and water. Even peroxide is good for this. Just add a paper towel or tissue between your foot and an open shoe is best so you don’t get tea tree oil all over your floor. Remember, I’m not a doctor, so do check in with yours. But it works. I have seen it with my own eyes.
Coconut oil is great for mixing with other butters to make body creams and even hair creams. For example, you can mix about half a cup of shea butter with a quarter cup of coconut oil and a quarter cup of sweet almond oil. Then add in about 30 drops of essential oils that you like, such as lavender, sweet orange, or other oils. Melt the oils in a pot. Transfer the pot or throw the oils in another bowl and let the mix sit in the refrigerator or the freezer if you are in a hurry. It may take a few hours for the liquid to get harder. Then use a blender and mix it to a soft consistency, like cake batter. And there you have it. A soft body cream. I’ve used this recipe by adjusting the ingredients and adding some aloe vera and cocoa butter as well and used it as a body and hair cream. The cocoa butter smells delicious and it’s a great gift to give away. Especially for the holidays and you can add different scents that correspond to the holidays.
Strong Hair - There are other hair products you can use to keep your hair strong. You can make Hibiscus tea with fenugreek seeds and let the mixture sit overnight. Then put it in a spray bottle or squeeze bottle and drench your hair with it. Wrap your hair with a plastic wrap and let it sit for about an hour. You can wash it out after. Keep in mind that depending on the type of hibiscus leaves and especially, the powder, you buy it can give your hair a bit of a red tinge. You can also put some rice in a jar with water and let that sit overnight. Then do the same thing, by drenching your hair with it. Cover it up with a plastic wrap and let it do its thing. Just wash it out after the hour is up. I do recommend adding in some essential oils like lavender because the rice water does smell funny.
To catch the water, I’m pouring over my head, I put a bowl over the sink and use my squirt bottle to drench my hair. Then suck up the water that fell in the bowl and keep putting it on my hair until it is all drenched. Wrap it up and leave it on for the hour, washing it out after. I like to alternate these methods to keep my hair as healthy as I can. My hair doesn’t like products with alcohol in it for example, and anytime I use anything with it, my hair gets dry and crispy. That’s when I grab the coconut oil and throw away the product with the alcohol. Sometimes we learn things by trial and error.
Flax Seed – I hate those gels that stiffen up my hair and of course, I don’t want all those chemicals that go along with many products. I found a natural remedy that is easy to make. How many of you have flaxseed in the house? It’s loaded with nutrients and has a lot of fibre that helps you with constipation. But did you know you not only can substitute it for eggs in recipes but you can also boil it to make hair gel? Yup, hair gel. Grab about a cup, mix it with water and let it boil. Keep an eye on it and continue stirring it. Once it begins to get thick, turn it off. It only takes a few minutes to get there. The thick the consistency, the harder the hold on the hair. It will hold your hair in place really well, but to get that soft look and release some of that stiffness when it’s in the hair, I just gently rub my hair through my hands to break the stiffness of the seal and my hair is left in place, but is soft to the touch. And I don’t have to worry about a bunch of guck to wash out at the end of the day. It just continues to soften my hair.
If you like to try something different for yourself and your family, I urge you to get on the net and check out some sights because I’m sure you will learn a lot and have some fun with it all too. My next project is making my own bath soaps. I just haven’t been brave enough yet to start it. But I’m still learning. All in due time.
Enjoy and share your creations with those you love. They will marvel at your newfound talents, I’m sure.
Writer/Author S R John
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